Where are some good places to bird around Pittsburgh?

Your Own Backyard:

Hanging some bird feeders and setting up a birdbath can encourage the birds to come to you. Planting flowers that attract birds and bushes with edible berries also can help. Zinnias and sunflowers provide seeds for many birds, and fuchsias, coral-bells, bee balm, hibiscus and petunias will attract hummingbirds. Remember that native plants are always best and many birds enjoy goldenrod and asters.

City Parks:

Many of the parks around the city offer the chance to spot a number of different birds. Frick Park, Schenley Park, North Park, South Park and even the National Aviary’s own Historic West Park provide homes to many diverse species.

Day Trips:

Pennsylvania is right in the middle of many bird migration paths, so there are some great birding spots within a day’s drive. Presque Isle in Erie, PA is a great place to see migrant waterfowl and many other migrating birds.

Hawk Mountain in Kempton, PA is fun to visit in the fall when thousands of raptors migrate over North Lookout. There are also experienced hawk counters who help you find and identify the birds of prey as they soar on by.

An even shorter drive to the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch in late October or November could give you the opportunity to see an eastern golden eagle as well as many other species of migrating raptors.



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