Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, also known as Pennypack Watershed, is 720 acres of meadows and woodland along the Pennypack Creek in Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County. Over 150 species of birds have been recorded, including Western Kingbird, Northern Shrike, Dickcissel and Lapland Longspur.

The fields of 160-acre Raytharn Farm, added to the preserve in 1997, are being restored with native grasses. In winter they hold flocks of Savannah and American Tree Sparrows, and numerous small rodents attract Northern Harriers, Short-eared Owls and, last winter (2003-4), Rough-legged Hawks. Bobolinks are regular in migration, and Eastern Meadowlarks are present throughout the winter. As the grassland habitat establishes itself, it should be just a matter of time before grassland species stay to breed.

Songbird migration is best along Pennypack Creek north of Paper Mill Bridge. A walk along the railroad tracks between the Paper Mill Road and Creek Road bridges is recommended in spring. The Webb Walk, which passes through a swampy area beside the creek, is often very productive. Another good area is the damp woodland north of Creek Road Bridge. Mourning Warbler is regular in spring in thick vegetation anywhere along the creek. Close to the main entrance off Edge Hill Road there is a warbler hotspot that can be good when the early morning sun first lights up the vegetation.

In fall, areas of goldenrod and brambles are good for Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Orange-crowned Warbler is possible. Rusty Blackbirds are regular beside the large pond in migration. Red-breasted Nuthatches are annual in the conifers near the main entrance during winter.

Over sixty species have been confirmed to breed. Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Warbling Vireo and Veery nest in the woodlands alongside the creek. Eastern Phoebes and Northern Rough-winged Swallows breed under the bridges and Belted Kingfisher in the creek banks. The Management Area, an area of scrubland, has hosted Yellow-breasted Chat and Willow Flycatcher during the breeding season, and Blue Grosbeak bred recently here. American Redstart and Scarlet Tanager are regular breeders in the woodlands.

Several pairs of Eastern Bluebird use the birdboxes along the trails. The large pond has breeding Wood Duck and American Kestrels use a birdbox in the grassland area. Until recently a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks nested every year on the preserve, but one of them succumbed in the spring of 2004 and they have not been seen since. Northern Parula has been heard singing at the Creek Road entrance in June in two recent years, leading to speculation that it may breed.

For directions and further information visit the preserve’s website ~ Paul Driver