Philadelphia may be one of America’s oldest and largest cities, but it is also one of the best places to be a birdwatcher in the world. The tristate area surrounding Philadelphia is situated right along the Atlantic Flyway, which is a major migratory corridor that stretches from the high arctic to Patagonia in South America. This flyway sees hundreds of different species pass through twice a year, every year. From old-growth forests and freshwater swamps to urban cemeteries and tidal wetlands, the diversity of habitats surrounding Philadelphia creates remarkable opportunities for birding.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder visiting the city for one of the summer festivities, or if you’re a beginner hoping to spot your first rare warbler, these four destinations offer some of the best birdwatching experiences in the area.
The Woodlands Cemetery, University City
The Woodlands is a 54-acre National Historic Landmark where you can find gravestones of Philadelphia Icons of yesteryear like Samuel Gross and Thomas Eakins. You can also find a great variety of birds here, which makes sense: cemeteries are often preserved urban forests, and The Woodlands doubles as an arboretum, hosting over 1000 trees. This is exactly what birds like, and it shows: over 120 species of bird have been recorded here over the last 12 months.
During migration, the site acts as a natural migrant trap, because birds see a large patch of green in a huge concrete sea. This, paired with a prime location overlooking the Schuylkill River, provides birds with an area of respite during long migratory flights.
It’s accessible by trolley (the entrance is directly across from the 40th street portal), which is convenient. Keep in mind that because it’s an active cemetery, some basic decorum applies.
4000 Woodland Ave, Philadelphia. Gates open around sunrise to sundown daily.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Southwest Philadelphia
America’s first urban wildlife refuge is a 1200-acre freshwater tidal marsh about a mile from Philadelphia International Airport, which may not seem like prime birdwatching real estate, but it certainly is. You can catch a glimpse of a plethora of waterfowl here while watching a 737 take off in the near distance.
The refuge was officially established in 1972 through legislation after decades of local activism fought to preserve the area and protects the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded here. Some rarities that have been spotted here include Great Horned Owls, Wood Ducks, Northern Harriers, and Prothonotary Warblers.
The main trail around the refuge is a four-and-a-half-mile long gravel path, but there are dozens of offshoot trails that will lead you deeper into the tidal marsh. Toward the back corner of the refuge, there’s a boardwalk trail that takes you out over the water where you can scan the marsh for secretive birds like Sora, Rails, and Egrets. Raptors are a mainstay of the refuge: there is a breeding family of Bald Eagles that are year-round residents.
Entry is free. Binoculars are available for loan at the (very nice) visitor center. Ten miles of trails total; a boardwalk loop under a mile is wheelchair accessible.
8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia. Trails open sunrise to sundown daily.
Palmyra Cove Nature Park, Palmyra, NJ
Ok, technically not in Philadelphia, but it’s right across the bridge! Literally. This 350-acre nature park is situated directly underneath the Tacony-Palmyra bridge and is a great spot to see birds year-round. The Army Corps of Engineers use this park as a dredge site, moving muck and dirt from the bottom of the adjacent Delaware river to the park to keep shipping lanes open. And while that doesn’t exactly scream “nature”, NJ Audubon has recorded over 250 species of birds here. It’s also one of the few places nearby where you can reliably see a Saw-whet Owl.
There are plenty of observation platforms throughout the park, and a nature center with a Peregrine Falcon nesting box overlooking the river. The park is especially productive during fall migration, when warblers, flycatchers, and sparrows move through in numbers. Worth the ten-minute drive over the bridge.1335 NJ-73, Palmyra, NJ
Philadelphia is a prime location for birdwatching, a gift to any of those willing to take advantage of it. All three of these spots make good use of it. eBird’s hotspot page for each location will show you what’s been seen recently, which is helpful. If you want to take it a step further, you can download the Merlin app—it’s free, and it can identify birds by photo or by sound.
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