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Berks235state game land 110KITTATINNY RidgeNORTHKILL GapLocation: Northkill Gap is located on the south flank ofthe Kittatinny Ridge (Blue Mountain) north of the Village ofShartlesville.Owner & Contacts: PA Game Commission(10,000 acres)S.E. Regional Office610-926-3136www.pqc.state.pa.usDirections, Access & Parking: From I-78, takeShartlesville exit No. 23. Travel north on Mountain Rd. At 0.3miles, the road makes a 90-degree right turn. Do not followthe turn; continue straight onto Forge Dam Rd. for about 1.6miles to a parking lot in a grove of hemlocks. There are norestrooms.Site Description: Part of the 10,000-acre State GameLand No. 110 and the Kittatinny Ridge (Blue Mountain), thedeciduous woodlands, sorghum fields, edge habitat, andscenic Northkill Creek of Northkill Gap offer a variety of wildlifewatching and hiking opportunities. Cleared areas that offer avista are available for fall raptormigration viewing. Another optionfor the more adventurous is the1.5-mile Sand Spring Trail, whichleads visitors from the ForgeDam Rd. parking area up a rockyand scenic ravine, ending at themountaintop west of Northkill Gap.At the top of the mountain, takeadvantage of the Appalachian Trailthat traverses 125 miles along theKittatinny Ridge. (Take care andwear plenty of orange if you visitduring hunting season.) The site isfree and open to the public sunriseto sunset, year-round.Brown Creeper, Corey HusicThrough the Seasons:Winter: Birds such as Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, PileatedWoodpecker, kinglets and other winter woodland birds andsparrows can be found.Spring: Look for migrating songbirds, especially warblers.Migrating hawks should be present on days with south orsouthwest winds.Summer: Nesting birds found in the area include WildTurkey, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, EasternBluebird, Cedar Waxwing, Scarlet Tanager and Indigo Bunting.Nesting warblers include Northern Parula, Black-and-White,Chestnut-sided, Prairie, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded, Wormeatingand American Redstart.Fall: Look for migrating raptors on days when the wind isfrom the east or south. Migrating songbirds, including a varietyof warblers, may be found in late August and September. Lookfor migrant sparrows in October.Other Comments: The Kittatinny Ridge has beendesignated an Important Bird Area by Audubon Pennsylvania.• Visit the PA Game Commission website, www.pgc.state.pa.us, for dates of hunting seasons and blaze orange clothingrequirements. Please follow State Game Land or huntingregulations posted in parking areas. There’s no hunting onSundays.Downy Woodpecker, Corey Husic