Experience the Best Birding & Birdwatching Spots in Northeastern Pennsylvania
Birding in Northeastern Pennsylvania offers endless opportunities to connect with nature and explore the region’s incredible biodiversity. With scenic state parks, expansive state forests, and Audubon-designated Important Bird Areas, NEPA is home to some of the best birdwatching spots in Pennsylvania. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, this region welcomes everyone to experience the joy of spotting species in every season.
Each season brings unique birdwatching experiences in NEPA:
- Spring: Spot colorful songbirds and migrating warblers along forest trails and riparian zones.
- Summer: Watch for nesting, fledgling, and territorial displays among active bird populations.
- Fall: Look to the skies for migrating raptors like hawks and eagles soaring along ridges.
- Winter: Find hardy species like owls, woodpeckers, and waterfowl in the colder months.
The best part of birding near NEPA is how easy it is to begin—just grab a pair of binoculars, a camera, or the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify species. From quiet preserves to lakefront trails, birdwatching in NEPA is a peaceful way to explore the outdoors and discover something new on every visit.
We’ve rounded up the top birding destinations in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where nature lovers can enjoy unforgettable sightings year-round.
Berwick, PA
Briar Creek Lake Park in Berwick offers 173 acres of peaceful outdoor space centered around its 53-acre lake. The surrounding wetlands and meadows attract great blue herons, ducks, and migrating songbirds throughout the year. Scenic walking paths and open picnic areas make it a relaxing birding destination in Columbia County.
Birds to Look For: Waterfowl, Herons, Songbirds
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Equinunk, PA
Browning Beaver Meadow Sanctuary in Equinunk features peaceful trails and diverse habitats ideal for spotting wildlife. The 2.5-mile loop winds through wetlands rich with waterfowl and forest edges alive with barn swallows, owls, and songbirds. This quiet site offers a calm retreat for nature lovers of all experience levels.
Birds to Look For: Waterfowl, Barn Swallows, Owls, Songbirds
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Greentown, PA
Bruce Lake Natural Area in spans nearly 3,000 acres within Delaware State Forest, offering pristine habitats for birdwatchers. Visitors can follow forested trails to Bruce and Egypt Meadow Lakes, where loons, warblers, and waterfowl are often spotted. This protected natural area also connects directly to Promised Land State Park for extended outdoor adventures.
Birds to Look For: Warblers, Loons, Waterfowl
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Stroudsburg, PA
Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Stroudsburg is one of NEPA’s premier destinations for observing raptors and migratory flocks. The former golf course, designated an Important Bird Area by the PA Audubon Society, now supports over 140 species and serves as a vital flyway along the Kittatinny Ridge. In fall, hawks, eagles, and falcons fill the skies, making every visit unforgettable.
Birds to Look For: Raptors, Migratory Species, Songbirds
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Bushkill, PA
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in the Pocono Mountains stretches over 70,000 acres of forests, rivers, and mountain overlooks. Recognized as an Audubon Important Bird Area, it’s home to bald eagles, warblers, and a wide range of waterfowl. Birders can enjoy incredible diversity along the Delaware River and throughout the surrounding trails.
Birds to look For: Bald Eagles, Warblers, Waterfowl
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Jessup, PA
The Dick & Nancy Eales Nature Preserve at Moosic Mountain in Jessup offers high-elevation trails with expansive views perfect for raptor watching. Its rocky ridge and open scrubland attract hawks, songbirds, and migrating species throughout the year. The Grand Tour Loop Trail provides excellent vantage points and easy access for nature enthusiasts.
Birds to look For: Hawks, Songbirds, Migratory Species
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Thompson, PA
Florence Shelly Nature Preserve in Thompson features 357 acres of forests, meadows, and wetlands rich in biodiversity. Birders can follow the boardwalk through a floating bog and glacial pond to spot northern waterthrushes, blackpoll warblers, and owls. The preserve’s quiet trails make it a favorite among nature lovers in the Endless Mountains.
Birds to Look For: Northern Waterthrushes, Blackpoll Warblers, Great-Horned Owls
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Dallas, PA
Forest Echo Bird Sanctuary in Dallas is a is a 17-acre preserve protected by the North Branch Land Trust. Mature forests and shaded trails create a peaceful setting for observing woodpeckers, songbirds, and owls year-round. The sanctuary offers a quiet, accessible spot for birders seeking solitude in Luzerne County.
Birds to Look For: Songbirds, Woodpeckers, Owls
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Wyoming, PA
Frances Slocum State Park in Wyoming invites visitors to explore 165 acres of water and forest teeming with birdlife. Herons and ducks frequent the lake’s shoreline, while warblers and thrushes sing along 14 miles of wooded trails. The park’s mix of habitats ensures rewarding sightings in every season.
Birds to Look For: Waterfowl, Warblers, Songbirds
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Hanover Township, PA
The Hanover Crossings Marsh in Hanover Township offers 40 acres of wetlands and forest just minutes from city life. The marsh supports ducks, herons, and a variety of songbirds that thrive in the area’s meadows and wooded edges. Managed by the North Branch Land Trust, this preserve provides easy access for birding close to home.
Birds to Look For: Waterfowl, Herons, Songbirds
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Kempton, PA
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton is world-famous for its sweeping views and raptor migration counts. Each spring and fall, thousands of hawks, eagles, and falcons soar over the ridge on their long journeys. Observation points like North Lookout offer some of the best raptor watching in Pennsylvania.
Birds to Look For: Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Forest Songbirds
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White Haven, PA
Hickory Run State Park in White Haven spans nearly 16,000 acres of diverse birding terrain. The park’s forests and wetlands host warblers, hawks, and thrushes, with new species visible each season. Recognized as an Important Bird Area by Audubon Pennsylvania, it’s one of the region’s top destinations for both hiking and birdwatching.
Birds to Look For: Warblers, Hawks, Songbirds
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Wilkes-Barre, PA
Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre offers excellent birdwatching along the Susquehanna River just steps from downtown. Its forests and open meadows attract migratory warblers, waterfowl and native songbirds throughout the year. With easy access and paved paths, it’s a perfect stop for casual observers.
Birds to Look For: Warblers, Waterfowl, Migratory Species
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Lake Ariel, PA
Lacawac Sanctuary in Lake Ariel covers 550 acres of protected forest, meadows, and glacial lakes. The sanctuary’s trails wind through wetlands and woodlands where birders can spot warblers, woodpeckers, and herons. As a combined nature preserve and research center, it’s a unique spot to learn and explore in the Pocono Lake Region.
Birds to Look For: Warblers, Woodpeckers, Waterfowl
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North Abington Twp., PA
Lackawanna State Park in North Abington Twp. provides beautiful lakeside and woodland settings where a wide range of birds can be seen. Eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons often fish in Lackawanna Lake, while migrating hawks glide overhead in fall. The park’s diverse landscape makes it one of NEPA’s most popular wildlife-viewing sites.
Birds to Look For: Eagles, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Broad-Winged Hawks
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Long Pong, PA
The Long Pond Preserve in Long Pond offers thousands of acres of bogs, forests, and wetlands teeming with birdlife. Designated an Important Bird Area, the preserve is known for warblers, sparrows, and raptors that frequent Cathy’s Trail and the Long Pond Barrens. Its mix of rare habitats makes it a must-visit for serious birders.
Birds to look For: Warblers, Sparrows, Raptors
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Bear Creek, PA
Natural Land’s Bear Creek Preserve in Bear Creek spans 4,000 acres of forest, streams, and scenic overlooks. It’s a haven for bald eagles, scarlet tanagers, and indigo buntings. With nine miles of trails and breathtaking views, it’s one of NEPA’s most picturesque birdwatching destinations.
Birds to Look For: Bald Eagles, Scarlet Tanagers, Warblers
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Scranton, PA
Nay Aug Park in Scranton blends urban greenspace with natural beauty along Roaring Brook and the Nay Aug Gorge. Wooded trails and tree-lined pathways attract woodpeckers, finches, and migrating songbirds. It’s an easily accessible escape for birders exploring within the Electric City.
Birds to Look For: Songbirds, Woodpeckers
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Drums, PA
Nescopeck State Park in Drums combines forest, meadow, and stream habitats to create exceptional opportunities for birdwatching. In spring and fall, colorful warblers and migrating flocks brighten the canopy, while woodpeckers and goldfinches remain active all year. Winter brings cardinals, titmice, and nuthatches to the park’s quieter trails.
Birds to Look For: Warblers, Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Cardinals
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Dingmans Ferry, PA
Pennel Run Natural Area in Dingmans Ferry spans 936 acres within Delaware State Forest. The landscape includes wetlands, upland forests, and trails connecting to Utts Swamp and the Thunder Swamp Trail System. Visitors can spot waterfowl, migratory songbirds, and woodpeckers along these scenic routes.
Birds to Look For: Migratory Songbirds, Woodpeckers, Waterfowl
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Dingmans Ferry, PA
Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry offers six scenic trails surrounded by forest and wetland habitat. Located within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, it’s a reliable site for spotting warblers, woodpeckers, and waterfowl. PEEC combines outdoor learning with some of the best birding in the Poconos.
Birds to look For: Warblers, Woodpeckers, Waterfowl
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Benton, PA
Ricketts Glen State Park in Benton blends scenic waterfalls with forested ridges that attract a wide range of birds. Warblers, goldfinches and thrushes fill the woods in spring, while owls and hawks remain active into fall. With over 13,000 acres to explore, visitors can experience high-elevation and lakeside sightings alike.
Birds to Look For: Raptors, Owls, Warblers, Goldfinches
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Aristes, PA
The Roaring Creek Tract of Weiser State Forest in Aristes covers forested ridges and waterways rich in birdlife. Birders can look for ruffed grouse, raptors, and a variety of woodland songbirds throughout the year. Managed by DCNR, it’s a scenic destination for both wildlife watching and hiking.
Birds to Look For: Ruffed Grouse, Songbirds, Raptors
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Shohola, PA
The Shohola Waterfowl Management Area in Shohola encompasses 900 acres of lake, bogs, and wetlands within State Game Lands 180. This Audubon-designated Important Bird Area is a sanctuary for nesting osprey, migratory shorebirds, and diverse waterfowl. Its scenic shoreline trails provide peaceful viewing year-round.
Birds to Look For: Osprey, Waterfowl, Shorebirds
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Westfall Twp., PA
Stairway Wild Area in Westfall Township offers 2,800 acres of forest, wetlands, and scenic lake views near the Delaware River. Birders can hike to Stairway Lake for sightings of bald eagles, herons, and songbirds in a serene, undeveloped setting. This peaceful Pocono Mountains retreat is ideal for quiet observation.
Birds to Look For: Bald Eagles, Songbirds, Waterfowl
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Berwick, PA
The Susquehanna Riverlands in Berwick is a prime birding location with over 230 species recorded throughout its diverse habitats along the Susquehanna River. Designated as an Important Bird Area by PA Audubon Society, the Riverlands offer something exciting on just about every visit. Stroll the Riverside Trail for a chance to spot vireos and warblers, or walk along the many ponds and wetlands for glimpses of waterfowl.
Birds to Look For: Waterfowl, Vireos, Warblers, Heron
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Pine Grove, PA
Sweet Arrow Lake County Park in Pine Grove features over 180 acres of scenic woodland and a large lake surrounded by easy walking trails. Birders can spot bald eagles, herons, and ducks near the boardwalks and picnic areas. It’s a relaxing destination for birdwatching and family outings in Schuylkill County.
Birds to Look For: Bald Eagles, Waterfowl, Songbirds
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Beach Lake, PA
The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River in the Pocono Mountains is one of the best bald eagle viewing sites in the region. The largely recreational area, designated an Important Bird Area by the PA Audubon Society, is situated along the Delaware River. Nesting bald eagle pairs reside year-round, and large populations gather here each winter. With its mix of water and forest habitat, it’s also a prime spot for herons, ducks, and other river birds.
Birds to Look For: Bald Eagles, Migratory Species, Waterfowl
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Cresco, PA
Upper Paradise Nature Preserve in Cresco offers tranquil trails through wetlands, hemlock forests, and along Cranberry Creek. Managed by the Pocono Heritage Land Trust, it provides ideal conditions for viewing songbirds, woodpeckers, and hawks. The preserve’s quiet atmosphere makes it perfect for year-round birding.
Birds to Look For: Songbirds, Woodpeckers, Raptors
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Dimock, PA
Woodbourne Forest & Wildlife Preserve in Dimock spans 648 acres of old-growth forest, meadows, and wetlands. More than 180 bird species have been recorded here, including scarlet tanagers, bald eagles, and warblers. With over six miles of trails, it’s one of the top birding destinations in the Endless Mountains.
Birds to Look For: Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, Bald Eagles
Learn MorePlan Your Next Birding Adventure in NEPA
Whether you’re a first-time birder or a seasoned pro, NEPA offers countless opportunities to connect with nature. From tranquil lakesides to forested ridges, every trail and overlook promises new sightings and a deeper appreciation for the region’s rich wildlife. Grab your binoculars and head out to experience the best birding Northeastern Pennsylvania has to offer.
Go Birding at NEPA’s State Parks
Build up that list of bird sightings at Northeastern PA’s state parks. From scenic, forest trails and wide-open meadows to tranquil lakes and high-elevation vistas, there’s no shortage of birdwatching hotspots. Most of NEPA’s state parks are open year-round and offer easily-accessible opportunities for everyone form the weekend warrior to the seasoned birding pro.
Wildlife Photography with Matt Giambra
