Native Lands Park & Long Level Birding Area

Location: Long Level/Wrightsville area, Lower Windsor Township, York County
Primary Property Managers: York County Parks & Recreation; Susquehanna National Heritage Area; other riverfront properties have separate ownership/management
Parking: Multiple parking areas make it easy to explore this area as a series of separate birding stops. Parking is available at Kline's Run Park, the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, Native Lands County Park access points, Lock 2, and other public river-access areas.

Restrooms: Restrooms are available at the Zimmerman Center during visitor-center hours and seasonally at some river recreation areas. Do not assume facilities are available at every trailhead.
Accessibility: Easy to moderate. Kline's Run and the river overlooks can be enjoyed with relatively little walking. Native Lands has a six-foot-wide mowed trail, while the Mason-Dixon Trail and wooded side trails can be narrower, steeper, and uneven. The walk south toward Fishing Creek is on level paved road, but if continued past the fishing creek bridge becomes more rugged as it joins the Mason-Dixon Trail along the valley ridge.
Safety Reminders: Use caution when walking along or crossing Long Level Road and other local roads. Trails can be muddy or slippery after rain, particularly on wooded slopes. Ticks are common in grasslands and brush. Along the river, stay back from steep banks and use extra caution during high water.
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 ​Description

The Native Lands–Long Level area offers one of the most varied birding experiences along the York County shore of the Susquehanna River. Within a relatively short distance, birders can explore open grasslands, shrubby fields, mature woodland, steep forested river slopes, small stream valleys, and the broad open waters of Lake Clarke on the Susquehanna River.
At the center of the area is Native Lands County Park, a 187-acre York County property, 160.5 acres of which are designated parkland. A six-foot-wide mowed trail crosses the property from north to south and connects Kline's Run Park with the Zimmerman Center for Heritage. The route is both the Native Lands Heritage Trail and part of the Mason-Dixon Trail, which continues north and south beyond the park.
Native Lands is also historically important. It preserves the landscape surrounding the site of the last known Susquehannock settlement, adding a significant cultural-history component to a visit.

For birders, however, one of the greatest advantages is simply the variety. A morning can combine grassland birding at Native Lands, migrant songbirds and woodpeckers at Kline's Run, a quick scan of the Susquehanna from the Zimmerman Center or one of the marinas, and woodland-and-river birding farther south around Lock 2 and Fishing Creek.


Site 1 — Native Lands County Park: Grasslands & Shrubby Fields

→  eBird Hotspot Page
→ York County — Native Lands Park Map & Brochure

Native Lands County Park provides the strongest grassland component of this birding area. Broad open fields are interspersed with shrubby vegetation and bordered by woodland, creating habitat quite different from the forested river hills nearby. This newer hotspot is still relatively lightly birded, with 85 taxa documented, so the existing list probably understates the site's potential.

Birding Suggestions
The park can be accessed by parking either at the Zimmerman Center and following the trail up it's wooded backyard into the grasslands or by parking at Kline's Run Park and following the Mason-Dixon Trail (blue blaze) south to Native Lands Park. 

Follow the mowed Native Lands Heritage Trail/Mason-Dixon Trail through the open fields.

• Grasshopper Sparrow is one of the most interesting birds to look and listen for in the larger grasslands as it is a grassland bird that is in decline and only found in large, contiguous grasslands of less dense grasses with some bare patches.  Unfortunately, the common practice of haying fields in early June thwarts most attempts of this sparrow to nest successfully as it nests in the ground of these fields during this time.  Eastern Meadowlark has also been documented here.
• Shrubby patches and field edges add birds such as Field Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Towhee, and Yellow-breasted Chat.
• Watch overhead for Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, and other raptors moving along the Susquehanna corridor.
• Don't concentrate exclusively on the grasslands. A trail descending toward Bank Road passes through good woodland and can be productive for warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and other migrating songbirds, particularly in May and September.

Site 2 — Kline's Run Park: Mature Woodland & River Edge

→  eBird Hotspot Page

Kline's Run Park serves as the northern trailhead for Native Lands and is an excellent birding destination in its own right.
Its mature trees, grassy openings, woodland edge, and proximity to the river make this one of the more consistently productive stops in the complex. Unlike the relatively new Native Lands hotspot, Kline's Run has a substantial eBird history: 148 taxa have been documented.

Birding Highlights
Kline's Run is especially good for woodpeckers. Pay particular attention to mature trees bordering grassy openings.
Red-headed Woodpecker is a notable species here and has been reported repeatedly. Its preference for relatively open mature woodland with grassy or sparsely vegetated ground makes the park's combination of large trees and open space particularly suitable. Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers and Northern Flicker are also commonly found.

During spring and summer, the woods support breeding species including Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Red-eyed Vireo.  Spring and fall migration can be especially rewarding. Walk slowly through the wooded portions and edges and check mixed feeding flocks for warblers, vireos, kinglets, thrushes, and other passerines.
The river is also worth checking, particularly outside the breeding season. The separate river eBird hotspot associated with Kline's Run contains 121 taxa and documents an impressive variety of waterbirds.


Site 3 — Zimmerman Center for Heritage: River & Woodland Trails
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→  eBird Hotspot Page
→ Zimmerman Center for Heritage Page

The Zimmerman Center for Heritage is both the southern trailhead for Native Lands and a worthwhile birding stop of its own. The historic mid-18th-century riverfront property is operated by the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, and its grounds are open for hiking and birding.

Two very different habitats can be checked from one parking area.  Start along the riverfront, where there are excellent views across Lake Clarke. During the colder months, scan carefully for ducks, mergansers, gulls, loons, grebes, Bald Eagles, and other river birds.
Then explore the short wooded trails climbing behind the Center. These can produce woodpeckers and resident woodland birds and are worth checking for migrant warblers and other passerines in spring and fall.
River Discovery Boat Tours
An important update to the older York Audubon guide: the boat tours are no longer free.
The Zimmerman Center is now the departure point for the historic Chief Uncas, a 55-foot electric-powered yacht. Susquehanna National Heritage Area operates ticketed River Discovery Tours from June through October, along with specialty cruises. Current offerings include a Sunday Birding Boat Tour, during which participants look for eagles, ospreys, herons, and other river birds; binoculars are provided. 


Site 4 — Lock 2: River Birding & Woodland Edge

→  eBird Hotspot Page
The Lock 2 riverfront and boat-launch area is one of the best places in this complex for simply parking and scanning the Susquehanna.
This area was historically associated with Shank's Mare, but the outfitter is no longer operating there, but there are two parking areas for a boat launch and the lock 2 area.
Birding Suggestions
Bring a spotting scope if you have one.
Fall through early spring can produce an impressive assortment of waterbirds. Records include Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, all three mergansers, Horned Grebe, and Common Loon.
The river can also attract a notable variety of gulls and terns, particularly during migration. Bonaparte's Gull is among the more regular migrants, while unusual species have occasionally been recorded.
Bald Eagles are frequently seen along this stretch of river.
Also listen around the wooded portions near Lock 2 for Eastern Screech-Owl, which has been reliably reported in this area.

For birders willing to walk a little farther, walk south from the Lock 2 area along Fishing Creek Road to add one of the nicest woodland walks in the complex.  The route follows a narrow corridor between the Susquehanna River and a steeply sloping wooded hillside. This creates an excellent woodland/river edge, and birding can be productive almost anywhere along the walk.  During migration, listen and watch along the slope for warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and other migrant songbirds. Meanwhile, periodically scan the river for eagles, herons, waterfowl, gulls, and other birds moving along Lake Clarke.  Continue walking to Fishing Creek Bridge, where the wooded stream valley adds another habitat.
At the bridge, listen particularly for Prothonotary Warbler around the wetter streamside habitat and Black-and-white Warbler in the surrounding woods. Even when these species aren't present, the combination of creek, mature woods, steep slopes, and river edge makes this a worthwhile spring birding destination.  Those wanting a longer hike can continue on Mason-Dixon Trail as it ascends to follow the rocky ridgetop. 


Additional River Stops — Long Level & Lake Clarke Marinas
Several marinas along Long Level provide additional opportunities to quickly scan Lake Clarke, particularly when waterfowl are moving.
Lake Clarke Marina and Long Level Marina provide river vantage points to scan for waterfowl. These marina stops are best considered quick additions to a birding trip rather than destinations themselves. Be respectful of private marina operations and bird only from areas open to the public.
From late fall through early spring, watch for American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and all three mergansers. Horned Grebe, Common Loon, and several gull species also occur regularly enough to make a quick scan worthwhile.


Birding the Susquehanna
One of the biggest advantages of this entire area is the ability to repeatedly check the river from different viewpoints.
Winter through early spring is particularly productive. The combined eBird records from Lock 2, Kline's Run, Zimmerman, and Long Level demonstrate that Lake Clarke can host a surprisingly diverse assemblage of diving ducks, mergansers, loons, grebes, gulls, and other waterbirds.
Conditions can change quickly. Birds that are distant or invisible from one viewpoint may be much easier to see from another. On a winter visit, it can therefore be worthwhile to make short stops at Kline's Run, Zimmerman Center, the marinas, and Lock 2 rather than spending the entire visit at one location.
Afternoon often provides the better viewing conditions of the river from the York County shore because the sun is then generally behind the observer rather than reflecting toward them from the water.
Best Seasons

• Spring (April–May): Excellent throughout the area. Kline's Run, the Zimmerman woods, the Bank Road trail, and Fishing Creek can all produce migrant warblers, vireos, thrushes, and flycatchers. Native Lands adds Grasshopper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, and other grassland/edge birds as breeding territories become established.
• Summer (June–July): Best for the area's breeding birds. Explore Native Lands for grassland and shrubland species, Kline's Run for woodland birds and Red-headed Woodpeckers, and Fishing Creek for forest and streamside species. Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and herons can be watched along the river.
• Fall (September–November): Another excellent migration period. Woodland edges can hold migrating passerines, while the river becomes increasingly interesting as waterfowl, gulls, loons, and grebes begin arriving.
• Winter (December–March): One of the highlights of this site. Make a circuit of the river viewpoints at Kline's Run, Zimmerman Center, Long Level/Lake Clarke marinas, and Lock 2. Look for diving ducks, mergansers, loons, grebes, gulls, and Bald Eagles. A spotting scope is highly recommended.