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| Bird Observatory & Platt Collection |
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Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve is a renowned hotspot for
birds. A bird walk through the Preserve and the adjacent public
land on the hilltop and along the Delaware canal can yield
an impressive
list of species at any time of year.
But there's more. Our Visitor Center has two bird-related attractions that should not be missed: The Sinkler Bird Observatory and the Platt Collection of Birds, Eggs and Nests. Both will be a hit with the entire family, and no visit is complete without a stop at these attractions!
When you arrive, pick up the Birding Checklist in the Visitor
Center. This handy reference lists the birds of the Preserve,
the seasons in which they appear and the trails where you
are most likely to see them.
Sinkler Bird Observatory
Inside the auditorium of the Visitor Center, there is an enormous bank of windows that overlook the forest canopy, Pidcock Creek ravine and Bowman's Hill beyond. Numerous feeders placed outside these windows afford easy observation of the many species that are attracted here. Depending on the season, you might see hummingbirds, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, house finches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, cardinals, juncos, sparrows, doves, thrushes or woodpeckers. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a hawk, a turkey, or a pileated woodpecker, the largest North American woodpecker.
If your curiosity is aroused and you want to learn more about
these birds and the native habitats they frequent, check out
our reference library, conveniently located close at hand.
Just around the corner, look in our Twinleaf Shop at the wide
variety of books about birds, from field guides to books filled
with information about how to attract birds to your landscape
with native plants.
For a quick reference, check out our free Native Plant Information
sheet "Native
Plants to Attract Birds," also available in the Visitor
Center.
Platt Collection of Birds, Eggs and
Nests
After observing birds at the feeders and in the trees, go
downstairs to the lower level of the Visitor Center, where
you can enjoy the highly unusual Platt Collection of birds,
eggs and nests. Donated in 1972 by local ornithologist Charles
Platt, the collection is a perennial favorite of young and
old. It includes nearly 100 preserved birds and over 200 nests
and 600 eggs, attractively displayed through dioramas, exhibit
cases and photographic panels. With its impressive scope,
you will find the nests and eggs of nearly all birds in the
Delaware Valley region. Arranged by plant community, the exhibit
serves as a reminder of the importance of native plants to
birds. And the manner in which birds craft their nests from
plant material is amazing to behold. Parents and teachers
will be pleased to find activity sheets in the exhibit room
to aid them in helping young children get the most from their
visit.
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