The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places that you can have and get away from the busy life and enjoy the diversity of the wild animals. It is regarded as an urban reserve and is set on a 100 acre piece of land. It is a destination that you can enjoy even in the company of your family.

Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.grandparents.com/gp/events/philadelphia/10371.html

The establishment was made by environmental conservationists as they tried to protect the freshwater marsh in Pennsylvania. This place is known to have not less than 300 bird species and among these are the rare bald eagles. For the lovers of birds, this is the place to enjoy.

Bird watching in John Heinz National Reserve

http://www.fws.gov/heinz/sightings.htm

The wildlife in this reserve is not limited and you will have fun watching the variety of wild animals. There are different animals such as the fox, raccoons, muskrats, opossums and some more small animals. The reserve is also home to reptiles and amphibians including the Eastern garter snakes, leopard frogs, the box turtle and the red bellied turtle some of which are classified as endangered species in Pennsylvania.

Wildlife in John Heinz Reserve

http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=52570

This reserve does not only have one habitat but five of them. There is the tidal marsh, woods, impounded water, the field and the meadow. This explains the variety of wildlife that is found there. This reserve has some well kept paths that you can walk on and an up-close view of the diverse wildlife.

Direction guide to John Heinz Wildlife Reserve

http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=52570

The John HeInz National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Tinicum Township and spans the counties of Philadelphia and Delaware. It is a 200 acre landscape that is located near the Philadelphia International Airport.

It was established in 1972 and was initially called Tinicum National Environmental Center. In 1991, it was renamed as John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge after the late H. John Heinz III to immortalize him for his efforts for the preservation of Tinicum Marsh. Staying in a hotel in Philadelphia PA near John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge offers a lot of facilities for the visitors, both leisure and business class. They can not only relax at the refuge but also travel easy because of the proximity to the airport.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge has a beautiful natural habitat consisting of meadows, fields, woods, tidal marsh and impounded water.

What are the various species of fish, birds and animals found at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge? - Derby Creek and Hoy's Pond contain fish species like Brown Bullhead, Crappie, Striped Bass and Channel Catfish. - There are a host of resident and migratory birds that can be found in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Warblers, Sandpipers, Atlantic Flyway, various shorebirds and egrets are abundant here. When the water level is high, waterfowl are also seen. - Among the common animals here are raccoons, muskrats, fox, deer and opossums. - There are also various reptiles and amphibians found in the marches and water bodies of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Snakes like Northern Brown, Eastern Garter and Northern Water are common. Wood, Pickerel and Southern Leopard frogs are found in abundance. Turtles like Red-bellied, Eastern Box, Snapping and Painted are common sights.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.fws.gov/heinz/index.html

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Heinz_National_Wildlife_Refuge_at_Tinicum

The John HeInz National Wildlife Refuge serves to protect the fresh water tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. It comprises of about 200 acres and expansion plans are on the way to make the park 1200 acres of varied inhabitants.

http://www.fws.gov/heinz/welcome.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Heinz_National_Wildlife_Refuge_at_Tinicum

What visitors should know about the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge?

The grounds of the refuge are open everyday from dawn to dusk. There are no charges for entrance into the refuge.

The Cusano Environmental Education Center is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM and is free of charge. However, it is closed during federal holidays.

Cusano Environmental Education Center

http://www.fws.gov/heinz/ceec.htm

Cycling is allowed on the main trails of the reserve. It is prohibited on some of the woodland foot trails and on the boardwalk situated on the north end of the poundage. The total number of trails at the refuge are ten miles.

Map of the refuge

http://www.fws.gov/heinz/images/Heinz%20NWR%20Map-color%20Updated%203-18-08.jpg

Accommodation

If you are planning to visit the reserve there are hotels in Philadelphia Pennsylvania that you can stay in with your whole family. Check out this site for hotel links:

Hotels near the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

http://emea.hotels.com/