At 493 acres, Fort Washington State Park is comprised primarily of deciduous woods. It is located in eastern Montgomery County just northwest of Philadelphia. The highest point in the park is called Militia Hill. High concentrations of oaks grow along the ridge and they provide food for spring and fall migrants as well as resident species. |
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Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Springtime is a particularly good time to observe warblers, especially during the first two weeks in May. At this time of the year, a high count of four thousand individual warblers of twenty-six species has been found in the park. Prairie Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-throated Vireo, Wood Thrush, Veery and Orchard Oriole breed here. Hooded, Kentucky and Worm-eating Warbler bred here through 1999, but the deer have now destroyed most of their suitable undergrowth habitat. |
 View from the Militia Hill Hawk Watch Platform |
Fall warbler migration does not produce such high numbers of individuals but is quite good nonetheless. Species such as Mourning, Connecticut and Orange-crowned Warblers have been seen at this time of the year. One of the highlights of the fall season in the park is the Militia Hill Hawk Watch. The watch is manned seven (7) days a week from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm during September and October. Anywhere from 6,000 to 20,000 raptors can be seen in a season, including Bald and Golden Eagles. During the 1999 season, forty-four (44) Bald Eagles were recorded at the watch. The Broad-wing hawk migration is quite spectacular as well. Fort Washington State Park is a great spot and it is very close to Philadelphia.
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From the North take Rte 309 South to Fort Washington/ Pennsylvania Ave and take Pennsylvania Ave to Bethlehem Pike. Turn left or south and go to Rte 73 (Church Ave) at the Bent Elbow Tavern, and turn right (north) onto Rte 73. Cross the Wissahickon Creek and take the first left, Militia Hill Road. The entrance is well posted on the left side of the road.
Follow the road up to the Hawk Watch platform on your left and park opposite the platform. There is a trail map, bird list etc., at the Hawk Watch platform.
~ Bill Murphy