July
July is a pretty slow month for birding. Primarily only local breeders are around. They tend to be less visible and much less vocal as they are busy raising their young. Be on the lookout for juvenile birds out and about, which can be confusing since they can vary drastically in plumage from adults.
The only movement during this month tends to be waders and shorebirds. Some species, like little blue heron (especially immature ones), tricolored heron, and white ibis, tend to wander after they breed. On rare occasions, these species show up in York in places like Lake Redman Boardwalk, Sheppard-Myers, Long Arm, or Black Rock. Keep an eye on ebird for any reports of these and other rarities.
By the last week of July, some of the expected migrating shorebirds will begin to arrive. Look for Solitary Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, and Yellowlegs in areas where there are exposed mudflats. Typically, Sheppard-Myers Reservoir, the southern end of Long Arm Reservoir, and Lake Williams/Redman have exposed mudflats or shallow enough water at this time of year.
The only movement during this month tends to be waders and shorebirds. Some species, like little blue heron (especially immature ones), tricolored heron, and white ibis, tend to wander after they breed. On rare occasions, these species show up in York in places like Lake Redman Boardwalk, Sheppard-Myers, Long Arm, or Black Rock. Keep an eye on ebird for any reports of these and other rarities.
By the last week of July, some of the expected migrating shorebirds will begin to arrive. Look for Solitary Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, and Yellowlegs in areas where there are exposed mudflats. Typically, Sheppard-Myers Reservoir, the southern end of Long Arm Reservoir, and Lake Williams/Redman have exposed mudflats or shallow enough water at this time of year.
August
Shorebirds
Despite not being located along the ocean, shorebird migration can be surprisingly good in York. The water levels at many of the lakes and ponds starts lowering in the late summer , revealing suitable mudflat habitat for migrating shorebirds and waders. During September, the numbers of shorebirds should continue to be increasing with larger numbers of least sandpipers, semipalmated sandpipers, and both species of yellowlegs present. Be sure to check closely for pectoral sandpipers and semipalmated plovers as well. Typically during August, the water level of Lake Marburg tends to fall, exposing the mudflats at Black Rock Flats. When this happens, this becomes one of the prime hotspots for shorebirds and one should always be on the lookout for rarities. Also, continue to check Sheppard-Myers, Long Arm, Lake Redman Boardwalk, and Lake Williams for exposed mudflats. Pinchot SP may also produce some good species if the water level there is low.
Despite not being located along the ocean, shorebird migration can be surprisingly good in York. The water levels at many of the lakes and ponds starts lowering in the late summer , revealing suitable mudflat habitat for migrating shorebirds and waders. During September, the numbers of shorebirds should continue to be increasing with larger numbers of least sandpipers, semipalmated sandpipers, and both species of yellowlegs present. Be sure to check closely for pectoral sandpipers and semipalmated plovers as well. Typically during August, the water level of Lake Marburg tends to fall, exposing the mudflats at Black Rock Flats. When this happens, this becomes one of the prime hotspots for shorebirds and one should always be on the lookout for rarities. Also, continue to check Sheppard-Myers, Long Arm, Lake Redman Boardwalk, and Lake Williams for exposed mudflats. Pinchot SP may also produce some good species if the water level there is low.
Best Mudflat Locations in York:
Black Rock Flats is part of Codorus State Park and is usually the best spot in the county for shorebirds in late summer/fall. The mudflats are usually visible from the Black Rock Boat Launch Parking Lot off of Black Rock Road or from walking the Mary Ann Furnace Trail (trailhead just east of boat launch on Black Rock Road).
Sheppard-Myers Reservoir is just a 9 minute drive from Black Rock Flats, so it is highly recommended to couple any trip to Black Rock with a trip to Sheppard-Myers to check out this often overlooked hotspot for shorebirds. There are several spots to park along Impounding Dam Road with trails down to the lake. Exactly where to park and which trail to go on will depend on the water level. Fortunately, the reservoir is small and accessibility is fairly good, so you can drive around and look for where the best mudflats are at that time.
Marburg Flats - this is another spot in Codorus State Park that sometimes has good mudflats. This is the southeastern most part of Lake Marburg along Blooming Grove Rd where it intersects with Morningstar Rd. Access is limited to viewing from the somewhat busy road, so care should be taken. If you are adventurous, there are a few deer paths that can be taken through the wooded buffer over the rocks and poison ivy down to the lakeside that yield some unobstructed views of the flats.
Long Arm Reservoir can have mudflats on the north end that are visible from Westminster Rd. There is also usually good shorebird habitat at the south end of the reservoir along Grand Valley Rd. There is a handicapped parking area 0.2 miles south of Leppo Mill Rd. Depending on the water level, there may be good mudflats at this parking area. If the water level at this spot is too high, walk farther south on Grand Valley Rd until you find the waterline and exposed mudflats.
UPMC Hospital (aka Memorial Hospital / aka Hawk Lake Golf Course) Retention Pond. - Located in West York not far from the West Manchester Mall, this former golf course still retains some nice habitat for birding. While there is a walking trail on the grounds that winds around several small ponds, a surprise shorebird hotspot in 2020 was a small retention pond on the grounds. There are two retention ponds located on the south side of the hospital and just north of Innovation Dr. In fact, Innovation Dr goes right along the ponds. In 2020, the water level of the west-most pond was just right for small waders and both species of yellowlegs, solitary sandpiper, pectoral sandpiper, and least sandpiper were found there. The best part about this spot is that you can get very close, eye-level views of shorebirds that you otherwise usually see at a distance. Time will tell if this continues to be a good hotspot for shorebirds.
Sheppard-Myers Reservoir is just a 9 minute drive from Black Rock Flats, so it is highly recommended to couple any trip to Black Rock with a trip to Sheppard-Myers to check out this often overlooked hotspot for shorebirds. There are several spots to park along Impounding Dam Road with trails down to the lake. Exactly where to park and which trail to go on will depend on the water level. Fortunately, the reservoir is small and accessibility is fairly good, so you can drive around and look for where the best mudflats are at that time.
Marburg Flats - this is another spot in Codorus State Park that sometimes has good mudflats. This is the southeastern most part of Lake Marburg along Blooming Grove Rd where it intersects with Morningstar Rd. Access is limited to viewing from the somewhat busy road, so care should be taken. If you are adventurous, there are a few deer paths that can be taken through the wooded buffer over the rocks and poison ivy down to the lakeside that yield some unobstructed views of the flats.
Long Arm Reservoir can have mudflats on the north end that are visible from Westminster Rd. There is also usually good shorebird habitat at the south end of the reservoir along Grand Valley Rd. There is a handicapped parking area 0.2 miles south of Leppo Mill Rd. Depending on the water level, there may be good mudflats at this parking area. If the water level at this spot is too high, walk farther south on Grand Valley Rd until you find the waterline and exposed mudflats.
UPMC Hospital (aka Memorial Hospital / aka Hawk Lake Golf Course) Retention Pond. - Located in West York not far from the West Manchester Mall, this former golf course still retains some nice habitat for birding. While there is a walking trail on the grounds that winds around several small ponds, a surprise shorebird hotspot in 2020 was a small retention pond on the grounds. There are two retention ponds located on the south side of the hospital and just north of Innovation Dr. In fact, Innovation Dr goes right along the ponds. In 2020, the water level of the west-most pond was just right for small waders and both species of yellowlegs, solitary sandpiper, pectoral sandpiper, and least sandpiper were found there. The best part about this spot is that you can get very close, eye-level views of shorebirds that you otherwise usually see at a distance. Time will tell if this continues to be a good hotspot for shorebirds.
Warblers Arrive! - The last week of August marks the beginning of the fall neotropical migrant arrival in York County. Look for Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Black and White, Blackburnian, and Canada Warblers beginning to move through during this time. Rocky Ridge, Nixon, and Spring Valley Parks are among the best places to go for fall warblers.
- Birdcast Live Radar - A live radar map showing bird migration
- Birdcast Forecast Maps - includes migration forecasts for next 3 days
Note: All pictures in this birding guide are actual pictures of birds taken while they were in York County, PA by David Arrow.