The John Heinz NWR located in Tinicum by the Philly airport is the first (1972) wildlife refuge established in an urban environment. The ML Birders visited the refuge on a nice, sunny day and saw 34 species of birds. We were a little too early for the warbler Spring migration but we did get nice looks at Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers. We also saw Osprey, Bald Eagle and an immature Red-tail Hawk. A pair of large terns was also spotted over the freshwater impoundment area but a definitive ID could not be made (Royal or Caspian Tern fit the bill). John Heinz NWRInterestingly, we were noting the scarcity of the Eastern Towhee at Lumberton Leas when a few steps later we spotted one sitting in some straw-like reeds in a marshy area along the pathway. Kismet or just coincidence?

Participants: Joe Costanza, Dino Fiabane, Fred Kahan, Robert Koch, Kay Smith and Miriam Swartz. Guest: Mike Zickler.