Pennsylvania DCNR Dedicates Raptor Observation Facility at Fort Washington State Park
Posted on: Friday, 6 October 2006, 12:00 CDT
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- As southbound migrating birds of prey dotted the sky above them, officials and supporters of Fort Washington State Park today dedicated a new raptor observation platform at the Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, park.
"This new addition to Fort Washington State Park increases raptor viewing opportunities at a state park that is most popular with birding enthusiasts and the local community," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "Thanks to our Friends of Fort Washington State Park and Montgomery County neighbors we continue to build on an environmental education theme that is very strong here."
DiBerardinis was the keynote speaker at today's dedication of a recently completed, panoramic platform for viewing migrating raptors. It is one of two raptor observation areas in the park's Militia Hill day-use area, just off Main Park Road.
The dedication was timed at the height of the fall migration, when millions of migratory birds travel south to their winter residences. Park staff and Friends of Fort Washington members were invited to share birding experiences at the park where visitors can glimpse all 16 species of raptors migrating along the Atlantic Coast.
"The annual 'Hawk Watch' began 19 years ago with a group of volunteer compilers who used a card table to record their sightings," said Marylea Klauder of Friends of Fort Washington State Park. "In 1995, we raised $8,000 toward construction of the lower hawk watch deck, and it has served as an outdoor classroom not only for 'hawkers,' but all people who enjoy being outdoors."
As with all day-use facilities at the 493-acre park, Fort Washington's observation platforms are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. The "Hawk Watch" began Sept. 1 and lasts through Oct. 31. Volunteer compilers are on duty daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., counting raptors that migrate past the platform. The public is encouraged to bring binoculars and enjoy the splendor of the migratory show.
Rich in modern recreational facilities and historical significance, Fort Washington is awash in color in the spring when hundreds of dogwood trees flower. Popular with hikers, picnickers and other daily visitors, the park takes its name from the temporary fort built by George Washington's troops in the fall of 1777, before heading to Valley Forge.
For more information on Fort Washington State Park or any of Pennsylvania's 117 state parks, visit the DCNR Web site at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/.
CONTACT: Terry Brady
(717) 772-9101
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
CONTACT: Terry Brady of Department of Conservation and NaturalResources, +1-717-772-9101
Web site: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/
Source: PRNewswire
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