East Gate Park

East Gate Park is 59 acres in size, with most access along Tinker Creek limited. This property, on the other hand, provides wildlife-friendly forest edge habitat, grassy shorelines, and shrubby wood habitats. This place is usually best birded during migration as a riparian corridor; yet, this peaceful spot is surprisingly lively in the summer. During the day, broad-winged hawks nest above the creek, while black-crowned and yellow-crowned night-herons hunt along the banks. Eastern kingbirds perch atop trees above the creek bed, gathering insects. The Pileated Woodpecker can be heard calling from deeper within the forest and can be seen along the woodland boundaries on occasion. Damselflies are in abundance as well. Look for blue-ringed, blue-fronted, and variable dancers, and Rambur’s forktail. Northern watersnake can be seen in