McMullen House Bed & Breakfast is located near two Important Bird Areas (IBAs) as designated by the National Audubon Society. They include the Upper Allegheny Forest Block IBA and the Erie National Wildlife Refuge IBA. About an hour’s drive north is a third, the Presque Isle State Park IBA, which is located on Lake Erie at Erie, Pennsylvania. Important Bird Areas are designated to protect places that provide a variety of habitats that are relied upon by birds.
Upper Allegheny Forest Block Important Bird Area (IBA)
This IBA encompasses Oil Creek State Park to the south of Titusville, Pennsylvania, and also includes parts of Allegheny National Forest. It used to be called the Oil Creek State Park IBA before being merged into the larger IBA. The Upper Allegheny Forest Block IBA is of Continental Significance and provides habitat for about 20 species of warblers and more hibernating warblers. Some of the warblers include Cerulean, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-throated, Black-and-White, Blackburnian, and the Hooded. Other birds here include Louisiana Waterthrush and Northern Parula. A checklist of the birds in Oil Creek State Park can be found here (Common Birds of Oil Creek State Park).
Erie National Wildlife Refuge Important Bird Area (IBA)
This IBA is located in the Erie National Wildlife Refuge between Titusville and Meadville. Erie National Wildlife Refuge IBA is of state significance and contains birds such as Pied-Billed Grebe, Sedge Wren, Wood Duck, American Bittern, American Coot, and American Woodcock. The refuge is a migratory stopover for numerous species of waterfowl. More information about Erie National Wildlife Refuge can be found here (Erie National Wildlife Refuge).
Presque Isle State Park Important Bird Area (IBA)
This IBA is located in Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. Presque Isle State Park IBA is of Global Significance and provides habitat for a multitude of migrating songbirds crossing over Lake Erie. These birds include Red-breasted Merganser, Sedge Wren, Snow Bunting, American Bittern, American Coot, Black Tern, Common Tern, and Prothonotary Warbler. Over 300 species of birds have been noted in the park. More information about Presque Isle State Park can be found at this link (Presque Isle State Park).
Book your Stay at McMullen House Bed & Breakfast
Be sure to book your stay at McMullen House Bed & Breakfast to see all of the wonderful birds that utilize Oil Creek State Park and the surrounding areas. You can also enjoy the butterfly and pollinator gardens and shop the Garden Shop. Members of conservation organizations receive a discount of 10% off the regular rate of your stay.
Top photo credit: Alexandre Légaré from Sherbrooke, Canada, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons