Linn Run State Park and Vicinity
Westmoreland
DESCRIPTION: Located on the top of the Laurel Mountain, these parks offer an easy location for finding birds that normally breed farther north.

DIRECTIONS: From US 30 and PA 381, go south on PA 381 for 2.96 miles and turn left (east) on Linn Run Road As you take the road up the mountain to Laurel Summit SP (7.7 miles), you will see and/or hear many different species of birds: Louisiana Waterthrush, Blackburnian Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and Great-crested Flycatcher to name a few. Halfway up the mountain, turn in to the Grove Run Picnic Area and take the loop trail at the end of the road to look for Winter Wren, Black-throated Green Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Scarlet Tanager. Continue up the mountain to Laurel Summit SP. Park your car at the picnic area and follow an old roadbed to the Spruce Flats Bog. Red-eyed Vireo, Ovenbird, and Indigo Bunting are abundant along this roadbed. Summer residents here include Veery, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Canada, and Blackburnian warblers, and Blue-headed Vireo. Year round birds include Common Raven, Barred, Great Horned, and possibly, Northern Saw-whet owls. Watch for bears and Timber Rattlesnakes. From the parking area, turn left (north) on Laurel Summit Road, and go 1.3 miles to the parking area on the right for the Beam Rocks Trail. Black Vulture and Golden Eagle have been seen from a rock outcrop along Beam Rocks Trail. A good diversity of raptors, but usually not large numbers, can be seen from this overlook during the fall hawk migration. There are some unusual plants to look for here, including the carnivorous plants. round-leaved sundew and pitcher plants. Painted Trillium may be found here, too. This is actually a cranberry bog, and blueberries grow here also. Rubber boots and insect repellent are essential.

 

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Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00
Updated: