Nearly the entire state of Pennsylvania is a birding and wildlife haven. Venango County in northwest Pennsylvania is proof of this, with a rich birding interest and 250 bird species. The importance and popularity of birding in the county has led to the creation of a Web site devoted to it.

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Located in Clarington, Pennsylvania, near Cook Forest State Park, the Double Diamond Deer Ranch provides a great opportunity to see trophy deer at reasonable distances. Though these deer are fenced in and are not technically "wildlife" in their natural habitat, the ranch provides close viewing and makes interaction possible for those who might never have the chance otherwise.

The ranch includes a souvenir shop and a small wildlife and white-tail display, including a collection of antlers shed annually by each male deer on the ranch. Overall, the ranch is a very good educational experience and affords a good chance to photograph some beautiful antlered deer.

The Double Diamond Deer Ranch is closed during certain times of the year and does charge admission.

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The Erie National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1959 with proceeds from Duck Stamp sales, provides a nesting area for migratory waterfowl, as well as a refuge for many different species of wildlife. The Refuge also provides many opportunities for education and for visitors to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. The Refuge has created and maintained, "...over 2,500 acres of wetlands, including beaver floodings, marshes, swamps, man-made impoundments, creeks and wet meadows." With such a wealth of diverse opportunities to view wildlife, the Erie National Wildlife Refuge is an important and successful Pennsylvania landmark.

Located in Crawford County, Erie National Wildlife Refuge is a complete facility offering environmental education, nature hikes, and wildlife viewing. Birds commonly seen are red tailed hawks, osprey, and bald eagles, as well as numerous waterfowl. Wildlife includes beavers, white-tailed deer, and many species of fish. Visitors have the opportunity to observe wildlife along the trails or at the Observation Blind, which overlooks one of the many ponds on the Refuge.

Erie Wildlife Refuge also has picnicking facilities and a visitors center, and certain parts of the Refuge are open to fishing and hunting.

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Located in Crawford County directly off Interstate 79 at the Geneva/Cochranton exit, Geneva Marsh is the largest marsh in Pennsylvania. It is also a wonderful resource of wetland ecology and wildlife preservation. Providing a resting place to many species of migratory birds and a home to many species of wetland wildlife, Geneva Marsh is a very important wetland habitat of northwest PA. There is limited access due to the nature of the marsh and its flora, but canoes and other small craft are well suited for exploring the area.

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Located just north of Warren, the Jamestown Audubon Nature Center is situated on 600 beautiful acres of the Burgeson Wildlife Sanctuary. Created as a refuge for wildlife and an opportunity for environmental education, the center contains exhibits and an interactive discovery room for children; also, many programs are provided throughout the year. The local chapter of the Audubon Society also meets here, and these meetings are open to the public.

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Located on Pymatuning Lake, the Linesville Fish Culture Station is the major fish hatchery site for stocking many of northwest Pennsylvania's water bodies. On site you can tour the visitors center and learn about many fish species in local waters, as well as view many different fish in the large holding tank. The visitors center is open year round, but visitors are not permitted to hike around the holding ponds. Guided tours of the holding ponds are offered from March to September. Conveniently located nearby is the Game Commission Pymatuning Visitors Center and the ever popular Spillway ("where the ducks walk on the fish").

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At Pymatuning Deer Park in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, not only can you see many different types of animals, but the children can experience close interaction with animals in the petting zoo. Some of these animals can be fed by hand, including by bottle.

A number of different species of deer are present here, as well as other animals from around the world (Bengal tigers, monkeys, and bears). Enjoy a pony or train ride during your visit, or just walk around and view and listen to the exotic and native animals.

Open mid-May through September from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a souvenir shop and a snack bar are also available, as well as plenty of picnic tables.

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Pymatuning State Park offers the visitor many opportunities to observe a large selection of wildlife and birds. At the Spillway you can feed carp, ducks, and geese as they compete with each other for bread thrown onto the water by visitors to the well-known, popular tourist attraction. Throughout the park there are nature trails and settings perfect for birding and wildlife sightings. There are several bald eagle nests around the Game Commission Wildlife Museum, and sightings are common.

In addition to the many wildlife experiences offered within Pymatuning State Park proper, there are two special Natural Areas in Pymatuning that provide even better opportunities for birding and observing other wildlife. A natural area is a region within a State Park that has been established to protect unique "scenic, geologic or ecological value." The two natural areas within Pymatuning are:

• Black Jack Swamp -provides over 700 acres of unique and undisturbed habitat for birds and wildlife.
• Clark Island (located in the north end of the Park) -provides 161 acres of hardwood and white pine forests for wildlife habitat.

Visitors are welcome to explore both of these areas as long as they create no disturbance to the habitat and wildlife.

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Presque Isle State Park, located in Erie County on a sand spit curving out into Lake Erie, is one of the premier bird and wildlife viewing areas in the country. A multitude of different species inhabit this concentrated area which includes a diverse ecological landscape ranging from forest to shore. Located on the Atlantic Flyway, the park provides a nesting and resting place for many birds when they stop over during their migratory flights. Over 320 different bird species have been sighted on the isle, and recently 67 acres of Gull Point were designated as a special management area so that more waterfowl can nest and rest undisturbed on the peninsula. Bird lists can be obtained at the Stull Interpretive Center, which also contains displays and the history of Presque Isle's natural erosion and distribution patterns.

Presque Isle also harbors a significant number of wildlife within its small borders. Containing six different ecological zones, the plant and animal communities of the isle are fascinating and unique to this area. Many threatened, endangered, and/or rare species also inhabit this peninsula, making wildlife viewing an exceptionally interesting experience.

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Todd Sanctuary, the original reserve of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, is located near Sarver in Butler County. Containing approximately five miles of trails that run along several small streams and a pond, the sanctuary is open to visitors for hiking and for wildlife viewing. The sanctuary is closed during deer season, and the Audubon Society asks that you stay on the trails and follow all rules and guidelines. Todd Sanctuary conducts educational programming throughout the year and hosts a number of different activities.

Beechwood Farms, also located in Butler County, is the current reserve for the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, and one of the largest nature reserves and environmental education centers in western Pennsylvania. With over five miles of trails and several education programs and learning centers, Beechwood Farms provides plenty of opportunity for learning and exploration.

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• American Bird Conservancy
• Audubon Society of Pennsylvania
• Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
• Birding in Pennsylvania
• Birds and Mammals of Pennsylvania
• Birds of America
• Forest County Birding
• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
• National Wildlife Federation
• Pennsylvania Game Commission
• Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation
• Presque Isle Audubon Society
• Screaming Hawk
• US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Venango County Birds