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Bucks379quakertown SWAMPLocation: The swamp is located about 2.5 miles south ofQuakertown in the townships of East Rockhill and West Rockhill.Owner & Contacts: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania(518 acres)See the Heritage Conservancy’s website: www.heritageconservancy.org/projects/quakertown_swamp.phpFor a brochure that shows where to park and view theheron nests:www.heritageconservancy.org/news/publications/pdf/heron_walk.pdfDirections, Access & Parking: QuakertownSwamp can be difficult to locate without a detailed map of thearea. From the intersection of Rt. 309 and Rt. 663 just west ofQuakertown, continue south on Rt. 309 for about 2 miles andturn left (east) at the traffic light at Tollgate Rd. In 0.3 milesturn right at the T-intersection onto Old Bethlehem Pike. In0.9 miles, turn left onto Rich Hill Rd. Follow Rich Hill Rd. for1.2 miles and turn left onto Muskrat Rd., then turn right intothe small (4-car limit) State Game Lands parking area almostimmediately. Parking is available on a limited basis on MuskratRd. but watch for traffic. Bird the area on both sides of MuskratRd. and make sure to watch for traffic.Site Description: This site consists of swamp, marshand other wetland habitat and includes areas of maturedeciduous trees. There are no similar areas of this size (0.8 sq.mi.) in this part of Pennsylvania. More than 74 bird speciesnest in the swamp. In the late 1980s, Breeding Bird Censuswork confirmed the occurrence of Sora and Marsh Wren, twoPennsylvania Species of Special Concern. There is a large GreatBlue Heron rookery west of Muskrat Rd. The best time to viewthe nests is in March and April before leaf-out.Through the Seasons:Winter: Look for sparrows and other typical winter birds.Spring: This is the season to look for birds to be found inwetland habitat such as Least and, American bittern, BlackcrownedNight-Heron, Great Blue Heron, Virginia Rail, Sora,Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat and Swamp Sparrow. Thearea can also be good for warblers and other songbirds.Summer: As noted in the “Site Description”, a large varietyof birds nest in the swamp.Fall: Look for migrating Red-shouldered Hawk, NorthernHarrier and a variety of songbirds.Other Comments: There are no restrooms.• Quakertown Swamp has been listed as a first priority site inthe Bucks County Natural Areas Inventory and is listed by theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an all important wetland area.The Swamp is one of only seven wetlands in the Mid-Atlanticregion to be identified by the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency through its Advanced Identification Program.• A portion of Quakertown Swamp is part of State GameLands No. 319. • Quakertown Swamp has been designatedan Important Bird Area by Audubon Pennsylvania. • Visit thePA Game Commission website, www.pgc.state.pa.us, for datesof hunting seasons and blaze orange clothing requirements.Please follow State Game Land or hunting regulations postedin parking areas. There is no hunting on Sundays.Green Frog, Bill BuchananGreat Blue Heron, Cody Goddard