#3b - William H. Kain County Park: Lake Williams
Property Manager: York County Parks (717) 840-7440
Address: 450 Water Street, York, PA, 17403
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Parking: Lake Williams- South George Street and 450 Water Street.
Restrooms: There is a restroom at the Water Street parking area. There is a portable toilet at the South George Street parking area.
Safety Reminders: Hunting permitted. Wear orange in season. Always carry a map. Mountain biking is permitted, and horseback riding is less common here but permitted.
Best Birding: All seasons, dawn until dusk.
Site Description: Lake Williams is typically the quieter lake at William H. Kain County Park. It is birded frequently but less often than Lake Redman. Many would argue that it has just as much potential (or more) for certain waterbirds. Though sharing the same water from the East Branch of the Codorus Creek birding at Lake Williams is a much different experience than at Lake Redman. Williams seems to draw diving ducks that prefer deeper water. There is an excellent spot to view waterfowl from the Water Street parking area. The whole park is a quality area for forest birding. Many towering Eastern White Pines and Norway Spruces planted at the turn of the 20th century around Lake Williams and the exiting creek are still remaining on the property. The pines provide habitat for breeding Pine Warbler and Pileated Woodpeckers. Good ears will help birders along the miles of trails here. Trail #4 and Trail #2 can be combined to make a 5 mile loop around the entire lake. It does require a little road hiking on George Street, but the loop around this lake is more user friendly than the long walk around Lake Redman. The more shallow waters near South George Street typically draw some wading birds and Wood Ducks, but Redman’s backwater at the boardwalk seems to be the better spot for shorebirds.
Recently water levels fluctuated with maintenance work on the dam and a complete lake drawdown occurred at Lake Williams. The resulting mud flats and habitat created a very interesting habitat where many shorebird migrants showed up at the lake. As the lake continues to rebound from the disturbance it will be interesting to see what birds show up at this favorite local birding location. This property shares a border with Lake Redman and Richard M. Nixon County Park creating a complex filled with great bird habitats. Some rarities (like the Tricolored Heron viewed at Lake Redman in 2017 & 2018) also visit the spillway at Lake Williams. With the lakes so close to one another many other birds travel between the two lakes within the park. Williams has fewer quick and easy birding opportunities than Redman. Quick checks can be made at Water Street and George Street of the lake, but to view all corners of the lake some hiking is required. Some local birders that have hiked the trails regularly for years have recorded great birds in all seasons on the many trails within the park.
Property Manager: York County Parks (717) 840-7440
Address: 450 Water Street, York, PA, 17403
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Parking: Lake Williams- South George Street and 450 Water Street.
Restrooms: There is a restroom at the Water Street parking area. There is a portable toilet at the South George Street parking area.
Safety Reminders: Hunting permitted. Wear orange in season. Always carry a map. Mountain biking is permitted, and horseback riding is less common here but permitted.
Best Birding: All seasons, dawn until dusk.
Site Description: Lake Williams is typically the quieter lake at William H. Kain County Park. It is birded frequently but less often than Lake Redman. Many would argue that it has just as much potential (or more) for certain waterbirds. Though sharing the same water from the East Branch of the Codorus Creek birding at Lake Williams is a much different experience than at Lake Redman. Williams seems to draw diving ducks that prefer deeper water. There is an excellent spot to view waterfowl from the Water Street parking area. The whole park is a quality area for forest birding. Many towering Eastern White Pines and Norway Spruces planted at the turn of the 20th century around Lake Williams and the exiting creek are still remaining on the property. The pines provide habitat for breeding Pine Warbler and Pileated Woodpeckers. Good ears will help birders along the miles of trails here. Trail #4 and Trail #2 can be combined to make a 5 mile loop around the entire lake. It does require a little road hiking on George Street, but the loop around this lake is more user friendly than the long walk around Lake Redman. The more shallow waters near South George Street typically draw some wading birds and Wood Ducks, but Redman’s backwater at the boardwalk seems to be the better spot for shorebirds.
Recently water levels fluctuated with maintenance work on the dam and a complete lake drawdown occurred at Lake Williams. The resulting mud flats and habitat created a very interesting habitat where many shorebird migrants showed up at the lake. As the lake continues to rebound from the disturbance it will be interesting to see what birds show up at this favorite local birding location. This property shares a border with Lake Redman and Richard M. Nixon County Park creating a complex filled with great bird habitats. Some rarities (like the Tricolored Heron viewed at Lake Redman in 2017 & 2018) also visit the spillway at Lake Williams. With the lakes so close to one another many other birds travel between the two lakes within the park. Williams has fewer quick and easy birding opportunities than Redman. Quick checks can be made at Water Street and George Street of the lake, but to view all corners of the lake some hiking is required. Some local birders that have hiked the trails regularly for years have recorded great birds in all seasons on the many trails within the park.