Vint Hill Farms Park

Vint Hill, with its acres of open fields flanked by woodland and South Run Creek (which runs from Lake Brittle), is much more than just a farm. The riparian buffer along the creek is worth checking for woodland species including the occasional yellow-billed cuckoo, which can be heard giving insect-like calls from the treetops. The creek should be checked for ebony jewelwings, which tend to congregate in the more shaded areas of the stream.

While exploring the open fields and flanking brush land, look for song sparrows and eastern towhees, which can be heard throughout the day. The open areas also support slaty and widow skimmers. These can be seen cruising across the park in the company of eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtails. During the winter months, listen for golden-crowned kinglets giving their trills from the high tree tops while white-crowned and white-throated sparrows skulk in the hedgerows. Don’t let these sparrows fool you, because they can always be concealing an occasional American tree sparrow or perhaps an even rarer vagrant.