Black Swamp
submitted by Richard Nugent

Black Swamp is the name used by birders for the marshy areas of State Gamelands 284 (SGL 284) located in Lawrence County (the part in Mercer County is called Pennsy Swamp). This is a good area to see migrating waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, winter migrants and marsh birds in general. There is a pine plantation next to the SGL parking lot and in the winter, some rare birds have been found in the pines.

Directions: From Pittsburgh take I-79 north to Exit 105 (SR 108). Turn right (west) on SR 108 and drive about 3.6 miles to US 19. Turn right (north) on US 19 and go about 5.6 miles to Black Road. Turn right on Black Road and drive about 0.9 miles to Nelson Road. Continue straight on Black Road for about another 0.5 miles to an unmarked dirt gamelands road, which leads to the SGL parking lot.

Turn left on the dirt road and travel about 0.2 miles to the parking lot. The view of Black Swamp is very limited from the parking lot. If you continue straight on Black Road instead of going to the parking lot, you will come to Old Ash Road. If you turn left on Old Ash Road, there are good views of Black Swamp on the left. This is private land, so a scope is essential to view the wetlands.