Fall Foliage And Migrating Birds At The Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails.
Last Spring I observed many species of migrating birds on the Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails near my home in Luzerne County. On Sunday morning I decided to hike on the trail starting at the parking lot on the eastern trailhead near the patch town of Hazle Brook. I was hoping to see at least some bird activity and, maybe, even one of the bears that have been sighted here. 
The Fall foliage was near its peak in our area. It was mostly sunny and seasonably cool when I began my hike. The woods were ablaze in their Fall colors in the morning sunlight. 
Shortly after I began my hike I heard, then saw a large flock of white-throated sparrows fluttering near and on the ground along the trail. 
These sparrows breed just north of our area and the migrate to our area or further south for the Winter.
Soon after seeing the sparrows I saw another large flock of migrating birds in a tree top. I knew they were warblers but had a hard time identifying what kind both on my hike and even at home . A bird identification group advised me they were blackpoll warblers. This was a lifer for me and I learned that these warblers travel farther on their migration then any other birds that migrate through our area. . They fly over 1800 miles to the northern forest of South America for the Winter. Amazing to see them fluttering in the tree tops along the trail knowing they will be in these far away tropical forest in a few weeks, 
I continued my hike observing the many shades of colors on the leaves. Many of the oaks were a bright red. 
As were the blackberry leaves,
high bush blueberry leaves and
red maple leaves. 
Some of the oaks were more orange
and many of the ferns, including bracken ferns and 
the eastern hay-scented ferns were shades of yellow and brown. There were many shades of color on different species of trees and even on trees of the same species.
Mother Nature was putting on a great show this year. 
In addition to the beautiful fall colors I also saw a few more birds, this colorful red-bellied woodpecker
and this drab, but still pretty winter wren,
a flock of black-capped chickadees,
and a large flock of dark-eyed juncos. The juncos , like the white throated sparrows, breed just to the north of our area and migrate here in the fall. All of these birds will likely spend the Winter with us. 
Some high clouds moved in as I left the woodlands at the beginning of the trail and entered the reclaimed strip mine area. 
The trees along the trail were now new growth white birch, aspen, pine and locust, planted after the once strip mined area was reclaimed. 
Here, like in the Spring, I observed a few large flocks of migrating yellow-rumped warblers.
There were dozens of them feeding on insects or seeds in the trees along the trail near the bridge that crosses the active railroad track. 
There was also a large flock of the tiny golden crowned kinglets feeding with the yellow rumped warblers.
I continued my hike, enjoying the colors and migrating birds. 
I saw one more flock of birds, red-breasted nuthatches, that were feeding in a pine trees above the trail. I don’t see many of these in nuthatches in our area in the Spring and Summer. I wouldn’t see any more of these birds on my five mile hike, but I did see a lot of the other birds I saw earlier on my hike. Here is a link to a gallery with more photos of the migrating and non-migrating birds I saw on my hike. Rails to Trails birds October 17 2022.
I hiked out to the pine barrens and decided to head back. 
The sun was now shining, creating a world of golden colors. 
There were a few other people on the trail on this beautiful sunny Sunday morning walking, running and riding their bikes. Two women were walking their dogs. I was a great day to be outdoors. 
I saw some of the same birds on my way back, and, as the October sun warmed the chilly morning air some bee,
and flies s became active. 
At the end of the trail I again walked under the golden canopy of leaves above. I didn’t see the bears but I enjoyed the birds and Fall colors. The Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails is a wonderful place to enjoy nature and get some exercise at the same time. I enjoy every hike all of my hikes in this great asset to our community, as I am sure all of the local Rails to Trails in our Commonwealth are. Here is a link to a gallery with some more photos from my hike Rails to Trails October 17 2022. 
“The leaves are changing; I feel poetry in the air.”
― Laura Jaworsk
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