Hays Woods is home to a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Click here for the list of wildlife seen during Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s 2017 site assessment.
Birds
Point counts in May 2017 yielded 61 species of birds including the local nesting Bald Eagles.
When the eagles are nesting (December to June) visitors are forbidden to enter the eagles’ zone but can be seen on the Hays Bald Eagle nest cam at Audubon Society of Western PA. For recent photos visit Eagles of Hays PA on Facebook, and for the best view of the eagles visit the Three Rivers Heritage bike trail across Rt 837 from Hays Woods. (Click here for directions.)
During spring and summer, birders can find many nesting species including Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. (Photographs by Todd Hooe, May 2018)
Mammals
In 2017 scientists from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy recorded 10 species of mammals at Hays Woods including Eastern Fox Squirrel, Chipmunk, White-tailed Deer, and Coyote. Click here for the complete list.
Reptiles, Amphibians, Insects, Etc.
If you know where to look you’ll find American Toads, several species of Salamanders, Northern Green Frogs and Eastern Garter Snakes at Hays Woods. You might also find the Small-Eyed Sphinx Moth, shown above.
Friends of Hays Woods 