Allegheny Land Trust
     Helping local people save local land

Nature

Wingfield Pines has both natural and man-made wetlands.  The man-made wetlands appear to have been created during the sites golf course era.  A variety of wetland vegetation dominated by cattails and grasses are located in this area.  During the spring it has been noted that these pools act as artificial vernal pools, supporting several amphibian species.

Plants

Although a site of only 80-acres, Wingfield Pines is home to many different plant communities.  Three primary habitats have been identified: riparian corridor, wetlands, and forested areas.  Because of the various habitat types, the site is ecologically diverse.  Tree and plant species found here include:

Eastern Hemlock, Pin Oak Red Oak Silver Maple Red Pine

White Pine Staghorn Sumac Box Elder American Beech Red Colt’s Foot

Goldenrod Broom Sedge Ironweed Common Yarrow Sycamore

Birds

Jeff McDonald, an excellent, local nature photographer has taken many beautiful photos of birds at the Wingfield Pines Conservation Area.  Jeff has collected more than 50 of them into a stunning flickr slide show that we’re sure you will enjoy.  While there, explore Jeff’s flickr pages to see even more of his excellent photography, including photos of an albino deer.

Also, Shannon Thompson has compiled a list of Birds Seen at ALT Wingfield Pines - 2010 (PDF – 24KB).

A visitor to Wingfield Pines can find many different types of birds including resident and neo-tropical migratory species such as:

Blue Jays Carolina Chickadees White-Breasted Nuthatches

Red-tailed Hawks Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Great Crested Flycatchers

Barn Swallows and several species of Owls and Warblers.

Because of the waterway, wetlands, and stream habitat, several specialized waterfowl species have been observed including:

• Great Blue Heron
• Belted Kingfisher
• and various ducks

Fish

Species of fish observed in Chartiers Creek

Yellow Bullhead Central Stoneroller Greenside Darter

Rainbow Darter Johnny Darter Smallmouth Bass

Northern Hog Sucker Sand Shiner Bluntnose minnow

Bluegill and Green Sunfish have been observed in the pond.