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 abounds with outdoor hiking and fishing opportunities. If you have reduced mobility, unfortunately, the options are limited. One statewide organization headquartered in State College is working to improve this situation.

Shaver’s Creek’s annual fundraiser, the Birding Cup brings birders of all skill levels together to identify as many species as possible in 24 hours. Whether competing locally in central Pennsylvania or joining the fun as part of the noncompetitive global birding community, the funds raised by birders have supported important projects in the region for a quarter of a century. Birding will occur in 2022 from May 6 at 7:00 p.m. (ET) until May 7 at 7:00 p.m. (ET).