Lincoln’s Lookout

This observation deck was built to honor the memory of

Lincoln Daniel Bufalino
Feb. 7, 1981 – July 4, 2010

An educator, athlete, and man of nature, Lincoln was a beloved member of the Edinboro Community. We are honored to host this monument to his legacy.

The observation deck overlooks Edinboro Lake Cove, a marshy wetland that rises and falls with the water level of Edinboro Lake.

Please join us in thanking the Lincoln Daniel Bufalino Foundation, Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, and Suzanne Winterberger for funding this project.

Lincoln’s Lookout was constructed entirely by volunteers, following plans from Seth Structural. Volunteers worked tirelessly from July – November 2023 to build the structure, and Spring & Summer 2024 to finish the hardscape and landscape surround of the installation to make sure the deck is ADA accessible. Final inspection was passed in late October 2024. Lincoln’s Lookout will open to the public when Goodell Gardens opens for the 2025 season in May.

Please join us in thanking the following individuals and businesses who volunteered time, talent, tools, equipment, and expertise to the project:

Randy Walker, Walker Brothers Chevrolet of Edinboro, Rick Edwards, James R. Hill, III, Steve Hostettler, Marian Beckman, Don Beckman, Mary McDade, Ray Overholt, Eric Johnson, Environmental Remediation & Recovery, Michelle Montague-Waltz, Mike Waltz, Derek Waltz, James Laird, Brian Johnson, Duffy Schruers, Hobbs Lumber, Transit Forge, Sean Seeman of SAS Concrete, Skywalker Tree Service, Matt Till, Andrew Sipple, Andrew Atwood, Bob Grubbs, and various members of the greater Walker family of Edinboro.

What might I see from Lincoln’s Lookout?

Edinboro Lake is one of the greatest natural gems within Erie County. Unlike most lakes in Pennsylvania which were constructed by humans, this lake was formed naturally from a giant block of ice that broke off from the receding glaciers thousands of years ago. It is one of only 8 natural inland lakes in the western half of the state, all of which are located in our region. Although it stands out as one of the shallowest of these kettle lakes, its water level is raised approximately 8 feet by a dam located in town. Wetlands with rare plant species border its northern shore where a variety of wildlife can be observed.

Known locally as the “Edinboro Lake Cove,” this marsh is home to spectacular native wildflowers, interesting mammals, insects, and reptiles, and serves as habitat for both resident and migrant birds.

Learn more about the plants, birds, and other animals that you might see from Lincoln’s Lookout below:

Plants

Edinboro Lake Cove is home to spectacular native wildflowers such as Fragrant Water-Lily, Buttonbush, and Cardinal Flower. These eye-catching perennials bloom throughout the summer months. Many of the plants seen in and around the Cove make excellent landscaping options as well!

A variety of submerged, floating, and emergent aquatic plants are specially adapted to thrive in different depth zones, and various other wetland plants thrive in the perennially saturated conditions along the shore.

Buttonbush

Photo by Andrew Sipple

Look for patches of this wetland shrub throughout the area. Its spiky globular clusters of white flowers are a stunning site to behold in July and August. This species is a prime host plant for tussock moths, the wood nymph butterfly, and sphinx moths. Wetland songbirds use this plant for cover and nesting sites.

Cardinal Flower

Photo by Andrew Sipple

There are few flowers in the world that have a red color as bold as this popular wildflower. It is not a true aquatic, but rather a wetland plant of marsh edges and swamps. When looking for this striking flower in late July and August, keep an eye out for hummingbirds searching for the rich nectar inside its flower tubes.

White Water-Lily

Photo by Andrew Sipple

This is the dominant floating aquatic species in this area. Its flowers are among the most fragrant of our native plants. One of its primary adaptations is the presence of spongy tissue in the stems that give the plant its buoyancy. The flowers can be enjoyed from June-September, and they are found in the deeper areas.

Nature’s Garden

Photo by Matthew Till

With its mosaic of mucky areas, standing water, patches of shrubs, peaty hummocks, and the wetland margin, this area supports biodiversity and ecosystem function while creating a varied and fascinating landscape to behold.

Birds

Edinboro Lake and the surrounding area is a Hotspot on the Citizen Scientist project eBird. With nearly 3,000 checklists submitted over a period of 50 years, 247 bird species have been recorded in this area.

One of the most unique features of the Cove are the exposed, mostly bare mudflats. These attract both resident and migrant shorebirds who rest and feed on the invertebrates that live on or just under the surface of the mud. The birds use their bills to probe the mud for prey.

Red-winged Blackbird

Photo by James R. Hill, III

Related to orioles and grackles, these conspicuous songbirds are one of the dominant voices of the marsh. Their distinctive “conk-la-ree” calls are commonly heard during the spring and summer. Unlike the boldly colored males, females are a drab brown, and they resemble large sparrows. Males relentlessly defend their territories, where they often mate with multiple females during the breeding season. These birds like to roost in large numbers, with winter flocks sometimes exceeding a million birds.

Killdeer

Photo by James R. Hill, III

These common shorebirds are known for their characteristic defensive behavior, in which they pretend that they have a broken wing to lure predators away from their eggs and young. Seen as an easy target, a predator will pursue the parent only to be surprised that the Killdeer really can fly. When these birds call out to each other in lawns, parking lots, and dry fields, it sounds like they are saying “kill-deer,” hence their common name. As ground nesters, they have to defend their eggs from being trampled by large animals.

Wood Duck

Photo by Bob Grubbs

These majestic birds nest in tree cavities near wetlands and bodies of water. Humans often build nesting boxes to supplement their natural habitat. Females sometimes lay their eggs in other nests, which results in the chicks being raised by another female. Ducklings are known for their tremendous “leap of faith” as they can jump from nests 50 feet off the ground and land unharmed as they find their way to the water. As year-round residents in our area, wood ducks feed on aquatic and terrestrial plants, and occasionally small invertebrates.

Great Blue Heron

Photo by Bob Grubbs

With a six-foot wingspan and a height of nearly four feet, these regal birds are a sight to behold in open wetlands and along streambanks. As wading birds, they move slowly through the water on stilt-like legs searching for fish that are unlucky enough to swim too close to them. Like a flash of lightning, the herons strike their bills into the water to capture a meal. From late winter through spring, they breed in large colonies that are made up of stick nests high in the trees. Their blue-gray color, large size, and curved necks can be observed year-round in this area.

Other Animals

We share the planet with a tremendous array of creatures, from the majestic ducks that stop here to feed to the tiny hidden aquatic invertebrates that support entire food chains. Take a moment to absorb the wholesomeness of this interconnected ecosystem, which would not be here without the plant world that sustains us all.

In addition to an incredible array of birds, you’ll also observe mammals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians in and around the Cove!

Painted Turtles

Photo by Andrew Atwood

These elegant and colorful reptiles are very common in Pennsylvania. Although they live most of their lives in the marsh, females often travel all the way up the hill to our garden to lay eggs near the Events Barn. Keep an eye out for buried eggs and baby turtles in the mulch near the large tent. Our staff and volunteers often step in to help these delicate creatures find their way to the wetland where they can live for up to 40 years feeding on small aquatic animals and wetland plants.

Dragonflies

Photo by Andrew Atwood

These majestic creatures begin their lives as flightless aquatic larva. As adults, they obtain food by catching other insects in mid-air. In turn, they provide sustenance for songbirds such as purple martins during the breeding season. Unlike damselflies, dragonflies are larger and their wings are spread wide open when they are resting. Frequently observed species in Pennsylvania include the Ruby Meadowhawk, Eastern Pondhawk, and the Common Green Darner.

Muskrats

Photo by Andrew Atwood

Once a muskrat farm, this marsh is home to a wild population today. These fascinating rodents feed on aquatic vegetation, such as the White Water-Lily. Sometimes, they also eat frogs, invertebrates, and small fish. Unlike beavers, they are smaller and they have a long rat-like tail. Although they are not as sophisticated as beavers in altering ecosystems, their feeding habits can result in more open wetlands.

Lincoln’s Lookout