TRIBUNE-REVIEW ARCHIVES
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR
PASSIONATE BIRD-WATCHERS
With more than 300 species of birds, nature enthusiasts can enjoy many viewing locations
BY KAREN PRICE
For the Tribune-Review
Westmoreland County might not be a birding
hotspot on the level of Presque Isle nor have the
eagle and falcon cams of Allegheny County, but it
is home to everything from birds of prey, such as bald eagles
and osprey, to a wide variety of songbirds, some of which
aren’t typically seen in other parts of Western Pennsylvania.
“We have 307 species recorded for the county,” said Dick
Byers, chairman of the executive committee of the Westmoreland
Bird and Nature Club. “That includes migrants and
accidentals that storms blow into the area, but there are 307
on that list and that’s pretty good for a county.”
For some, bird-watching is a hobby in and of itself. For
16 | Destination Westmoreland 2019
others, it’s something to be enjoyed along with hiking, kayaking,
or just being outside and enjoying nature in general.
Even many casual observers have been drawn in during
recent years with the return of breeding pairs of bald eagles
to the area and the ease of observation made possible by
wildlife cameras set up to capture the process.
With its mountain ridges, foothills, rivers, creeks and lakes
to go along with recreation areas, biking and hiking trails,
the county not only attracts hundreds of different species of
birds but also provides ample opportunity to view them.
Byers recently spearheaded the publishing of a book entitled,
“Natural Areas In and Around Westmoreland County”
ONE WITH NATURE