When heading out for a morning, day, or extended wildlife or birdwatching tour, be prepared with the proper gear and birdwatching tips.
- Map
- Always carry a good map, both a transportation (road) map and a trail map. The corresponding Pennsylvania Gazetteer (Seventh Edition) page number is included for each location listed in this birdwatching guide.
- Notebook and pencil
- For jotting down field marks, sightings, and habitat notes.
- Field guides
- These help you to identify the birds, wildlife, and plants that you encounter. Many good wildlife and birdwatching guides are available, depending on your level of experience.
- Checklists
- Use a Pennsylvania Bird and Mammal Checklist to keep track of your sightings.
- Clothing
- Dress appropriately for both the weather and the destination.
- Remember that Pennsylvania is home to ticks that carry Lyme disease. Long pants and long sleeves in light colors will help discourage ticks and enable you to spot them more easily.
- Wearing earth-tone colors with a design or pattern will break up your outline. Remember to wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the head, chest, and back when visiting State Gamelands or other areas open to hunting during fall, winter, and spring hunting seasons.
- Remember that the temperature at many of the hawk-watching locations tends to be ten or more degrees cooler than the valley temperatures.
- Water and snacks
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration during your birdwatching tour, even during the winter months. Some of the locations included in this wildlife and birdwatching guide are not close to public services, so always plan ahead.
- Optics
- Optics come in many sizes and shapes, from pocket-sized binoculars to high-powered scopes. When purchasing binoculars, consider how you will use them, where you will use them, and the amount of weight you wish to carry.
- Cameras
- The natural areas of Pennsylvania and the species of wildlife they support provide ample opportunity for nature photography.
