The hotspot pin location provides a gravel pull-off parking area and an elevated sandy area to set up a chair and spotting scope. It is best to visit this part of Hog Island Road at low tide to view birds on the exposed mud at the tip of Little Tinicum Island. Shorebirds, herons, and other species also visit the shoreline near the hotspot location.

It is common to park one's car and then walk up and down the roadway (or railroad tracks) for a quarter of a mile or so and then return to the car to drive a bit further along the road - rinse and repeat. See the Notable Trails section below for particular points of interest to visit along Hog Island Road.

Shorebirds, wading birds, ducks, warblers, flycatchers, snipe, woodcock, eastern meadowlark. See the Notable Trails section below for some information about where along Hog Island Road you might find the various species of birds.

Hog Island Road (sometimes abbreviated HIR) provides sweeping views of the Delaware River and Little Tinicum Island. But the birding doesn't end at the hotspot pin location... This hotspot is intended to cover the entire length of Hog Island Road within Delaware County and its whole length may be birded.

Hog Island Road provides access to the UPS properties on the river side of PHL airport. It also provides public access to the shoreline for fishing and birdwatching.

The road is lined with No Parking signs, however the unspoken rule seems to be only to avoid parking on the airport side of the road - the river side is often used by fishermen and birders alike.

In addition to the hotspot pin location, also note these areas:

Wide Drainage Channel The drainage channel on the airport side at this location often hosts ducks and other birds such as swamp sparrow. On the river side, this location offers a closer view of the Little Tinicum Island mud spit than the main Hog Island Road hotspot pin location. It is close enough to hear shorebird calls from the island. There are a couple of concrete platforms flanking the channel's outlet. Each is wide enough for a single tripod. Belted kingfisher is often found here.

Break in treeline Between the main hotspot location and the drainage channel is another sandy place to set up a scope without trees blocking the view.

Old Hog Island Road Habitat This most beautiful part of Hog Island Road hosts an abundance of flycatchers and warblers in the spring, but also hosts an abundance of ticks and bugs. Bird here while you can: it will be bulldozed and encompassed by the airport fence as part of the ongoing cargo city expansion project.

Dike between runway lights and JetStream Parking There is a dike with a mowed path between the runway lights structure and the JetStream Parking property. This location hosts many passerine birds year round as well as offering views of water on both sides. Osprey from the nearby Lester FedEx Complex Wetlands may be seen in warm months. Wading birds, ducks, and geese may be found on the north side of this dike. Birds are sometimes seen perched on the runway lights structure, and among the emergent plants at its base.

Pond Trail behind JetStream Parking There is a partially paved trail around the pond behind JetStream Parking, however its only access from the dike (location above) is sometimes flooded.

Checkered Tanks, Runway Observation Area Meadowlarks are seen and heard here year-round, inside the airport fence. Park at this pin, in the gravel pull-off area, then walk to the fence to look for the meadowlarks. Also look for harrier, kestrel, bald eagle, and others. While counting birds, take note of the artificial decoy eagle mounted on a structure near the checkered tanks.

Radar Tower The fields at the base of the radar tower host snipe during migration.

Snipe Ditch This drainage ditch hosts snipe during migration if vegetation is tall enough for cover.

Delaware County - Philadelphia County Boundary This marks the end of Delaware County's section of Hog Island Road. According to eBird rules for birding across geopolitical boundaries, you may count in Delaware County any birds seen or heard in the marshy area just inside Philadelphia County here. During migration, you may want to check here for Virginia rail, sora, and others.