December is a GREAT month to stay at the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle for many reasons. The popular winter snowshoe and cross-country ski equipment loaner program, evenings in the Great Room around the cozy fireplace, the winter birding opportunities, and the delicious dinners offered at the inn so that you don't have to venture out! If you are looking for some extra fun, bring your sleds or toboggans and check out the awesome sledding hill in the park.

What are the best birding areas in Happy Valley? This would have been a tough question to definitively answer a decade ago, but with the advent of Cornell University’s eBird, the process is simple. EBird keeps track of all submitted checklists and compiles the results by state, county, and local hotspots.

Whether it is fishing, walking or bird watching, the Soaring Eagle Wetlands between Port Matilda and Julian in Huston Township provide access for people of all mobility levels. The property, in two parcels, is owned by State College based Wildlife for Everyone Foundation.

Happy Valley Pennsylvania is full of special places. Some are man-made, some are natural, and some are a combination of the two. The Bog Trail at Black Moshannon State Park – one of my favorite places – falls into the latter category.

A tranquil spot along Route 220 near the village of Julian, PA provides the perfect spot for bird watchers and nature lovers to appreciate the beauty of the Bald Eagle Valley, and observe the abundant varieties of birds that pass through or call the wetland home throughout the year.