Columbia Montour Quarterly Vol. 3: January-March 2022

SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS A Frosty Winter Morning at the by Jenn Puckett

The Susquehanna Riverlands is 1200 acres of public-use land on either side of the Susquehanna River just north of Berwick off Route 11. It designated as an “Important Bird Area” by the Nation- al Audubon Society. Over 230 species of birds have been spotted at this place. I’d been there before on spring and fall days but not in the winter. On a cold morning in mid-December, I thought it was time for a revisit.

Before you go The Susquehanna Riverlands are open from 8:00 am to dusk dai- ly. Admission is free. Wear sturdy footwear. The terrain is mostly level and easy to walk. Some parts can be muddy or wet depend- ing on the season. Pavilions are available - they are first come, first serve. Restrooms are also available. Take lots of pictures and leave only footprints. And be sure to use #itourcolumbiamontour when sharing your photos. They could be the featured photos of the week on Instagram! I had a wonderful time on this chilly morning and can’t wait to revisit this gem again. Even though it’s cold weather season, remember to get outside and nurture your spirit! After the Susquehanna Warrior Trail, I spent some time at Lake Took-a-While, which was created by connecting two ponds. There were plenty of benches to stop and rest. The lake is a haven for fishermen and is regularly stocked with many differ- ent species. (All PA fishing regulations apply to the lake.) The highlight of my day was spotting a bald eagle soaring past. I’m sorry I didn’t get a picture, but I was too amazed to get my camera out.

One of the nice things about getting outdoors in what is consid- ered the off season is the solitude. I spend quite a bit of time out- side, usually with my family. I had forgotten how pleasant it could be to be alone. I stopped first at the Wetlands Nature Area and was the only visitor. On one side was the Susquehanna River and the wetlands with numerous trails on the other. I heard the rush of the river, shrill crow calls, and the whispers of wind. As I started off down the trail into the wetlands, I observed small ponds, tiny streams and thought about all the amazing wildlife that will re- emerge in the spring. The next stop on my journey was the main parking lot of the Riv- erlands. The beginning of the Susquehanna Warrior Trail starts here, on the east side of the railroad tracks. The trail then contin- ues steadily northward for just over 12 miles into Nanticoke. It’s open to bicycling, running, walking and cross-country skiing. I walked for a mile or so on it, accompanied only by squirrels chat- tering at me and a few white tail deer.

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