Three Rivers Birding Club Southwestern Pennsylvania

Bimonthly Membership Meeting
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
7:30 PM -- 10:00 PM
Zoom Meeting Originating in Pittsburgh, PA

Eighty-nine computers were logged on to 3RBC's Zoom-only February meeting, with several of those shared by more than one person. In total, approximately one hundred twenty individuals viewed the meeting, which featured speaker Jonathan Slaght, who told us about Blakiston's Fish Owls and his work with these birds in Russia.

3RBC President Mike Fialkovich called his first meeting as president to order at approximately 7:30 pm. He and other club officers and members made the following announcements and reports.

• President Fialkovich reminded everyone who attended his 20 January Dead of Winter outing that an eBird link to the birds seen was available on the club's Facebook page.


• Mike reminded us that the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology's (PSO) 2024 Bird Festival and Annual Meeting will be in Washington County this year on 31 May through 2 June. He told members that PSO is still in need of outings leaders. Those interested should contact him.


• He also reminded us that Pennsylvania's Third Bird Atlas project is about to get underway, and that he would be updating the members on this valuable citizen-science project. Information about the project, which will be eBird-based, will appear on the club's website and Facebook page and in The Peregrine.


• Club Secretary, Frank Moone, next updated the members about 3RBC's new non-profit status. He told everyone that, given its growth and complexity, it was time to formalize the club's operations. This new structure – which features a governing Board of Directors, guarantees that 3RBC will continue to exist for new generations of birders to come. He asked the members to look at the upcoming article in The Peregrine about the new status, and told them that the club's by-laws will be posted on our website as well in the near future.


• Bob Mulvihill next previewed the upcoming issue of The Peregrine. Pat and Sherron Lynch have put together a nice story (with pictures) about the Pennsylvania Game Commission's banding of the wild turkeys that frequent their property. The issue will also contain the customary information on upcoming and past outings and bird reports. Mike Fialkovich will introduce himself in his first President's Message, and Frank Moone will present a report on the very important non-profit status of the club. Bob asked the members to contact him with ideas and suggestions for articles.


• Treasurer Tom Moeller next announced that the club currently has increased to 327 memberships, which translated to more than 400 individuals. Tom asked for volunteers to help him fold, stuff and mail out The Peregrine every two months. Those interested should contact him. He also noted that, as a consequence of the club's new non-profit status, contributions and membership dues are fully tax deductible! As is his custom, Tom graciously thanked the new members who have chosen to join us, and everyone for their continued support and generosity.


• As Webmaster, Tom announced that a call for volunteers to help out with the upcoming PSO meeting is now on the website. He also drew members attention to the web announcement that our new president, Mike Fialkovich, was awarded the PSO 2024 Earl Poole Award.


• Outings Director Steve Thomas reminded everyone that on 16-19 February, the Great Outdoor Backyard Bird Count will take place. He encouraged everyone to take part. He next reported the following upcoming club outings:
  
  
  • Sunday, March 17, 2024 — Pymatuning Area
  • Wednesday, March 20, 2024 — Woodcock Walk
  • Wednesday, March 27, 2024 — Woodcock Walk
  • Saturday, March 30, 2024 — Moraine State Park
  • Saturday, April 6, 2024 — Yellow Creek State Park
  • Wednesday, April 10, 2024 — Woodcock Walk
  • Saturday, April 20, 2024 — Raccoon Creek State Park
  • Sunday, April 21, 2024 — Duck Hollow
  • Friday, April 26, 2024 — Sewickley Heights Borough Park
  • Sunday, April 28, 2024 — Frick Park
  • Friday, May 3, 2024 — Sewickley Heights Borough Park
  • Friday, May 10, 2024 — North Park
  • Saturday, May 11, 2024 — Deer Lakes County Park
  • Saturday, May 18, 2024 — Linda's Farm
  • See later Outings on the Outings Page.
  
  Participants must follow club guidelines. Social distancing is recommended; equipment sharing is discouraged; vaccines are recommended; wear a mask when appropriate. Each outing leader may have set additional restrictions and requirements: some leaders require pre-registration, and numbers of participants may be limited. Finally, each leader may discontinue the outing at any time if conditions warrant such an action. Please see the full outing listing on the website for all restrictions and requirements that may apply! As always, check the club's website and Facebook page for details, directions, and possible last minute changes or cancellations.


• Mike next began his recap highlights of recent bird sightings: there have been hundreds of Mourning Doves seen at the feeders in Frick Park; late Killdeer at Hampton Township Community Park and South Park; Wilson's Snipe at Peters Creek; American Woodcock at Boyce Park (in Plum); White-eyed Vireo at Sheridan Park; more than 15,000 American Crows were reported during the CBC; Red-breasted Nuthatches were seen scattered around the county; Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Etna; more than 800 American Robins were counted for the CBC at Frick Park; out-of-season Gray Catbirds at Woodlawn Cemetery, Beechwood Farms, Peters Creek, Bethel Park, and Fox Chapel; out-of-season Brown Thrasher at North Park; American Pipit at Eastern Township Recreational Park, Tarentum Bridge Park, and Oakmont; Field Sparrows at NorthPark, West Mifflin, and Harrison Hills Park; Fox Sparrow at Pine Township and Etna; White-crowned Sparrows at West Deer Township; more than 50 Dark-eyed Juncos at Frick Park and at Homewood Cemetery; Cassiar Junco in Indiana Township; Red-winged Blackbirds in Frick Park, Harmar Township, Pine Township, and Churchill; Common Grackle flock of 80 in Bethel Park, Pine Township; uncommon for winter, Brown-headed Cowbird in Pine Township; unusual for the season, a Black-throated Blue Warbler in Squirrel Hill; Tundra Swans at Brunots Island and Natrona Heights; Mute Swans at Highland Park Dam and Brunots Island; Gadwall in Harmar Township; Northern Shoveler at Blawnox; Northern Pintail at Wingfield Pines, Findlay Township, and Bunola; Redhead at Duck Hollow, Dashields Dam and McKees Rocks; Canvasback at Duck Hollow, Emsworth Dam, McKees Rocks Bridge, and Brunots Island; Surf Scoter at Blawnox; Rufous Hummingbird in Penn Hills; Sandhill Cranes flying over Ross Township; Black Vultures at Fox Chapel and South Park; Dunlin at Dashields Dam; Lesser Black-backed Gull at the Point; Red-headed Woodpecker at Sheridan Park; Orange-crowned Warbler in Churchill Valley Greenway; Evening Grosbeak in Penn Hills; and Pine Siskins at Hartwood Acres.


• Program Director Carol McCullough told the members that the club's next program on 3 April will feature club president Mike Fialkovich, who will tell us about his trip to Costa Rica.

Carol then introduced Jonathan Slaght, whose talk was about Blakiston's Fish Owls, birds he first encountered in Russia at age 19. Fish owls are endangered, with only 500-850 pairs in the wild. From 2006-2010, Slaght studied Blakiston's Fish Owls for his Ph.D. degree in Wildlife Conservation at the University of Minnesota.

Slaght's book on fish owls, Owls of the Eastern Ice, was published in 2020 and was named a New York Times Notable Book for 2020, and was selected as one of the Ten Best Books of 2020 by The Wall Street Journal. It has also received other awards and accolades.

He received both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota, in Conservation Biology and Wildlife Conservation, respectively, and an undergraduate degree in Russian Language from Drew University in New Jersey. His Ph.D. project, a collaboration with the Russian Academy of Sciences, amassed enough information about fish owl movement behavior to develop a conservation management plan to help protect them. He is now the Regional Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society Temperate Asia Program.

Jonathan's presentation provided a unique opportunity for 3RBC viewers to follow his captivating journey into the remote and rugged wilderness of the Russian Far East. Viewers were mesmerized by his vivid storytelling and meticulous detail. Slaght chronicled his five-year odyssey to study and conserve the elusive Blakiston's Fish Owl, the largest and most enigmatic owl species in the world. In his talk he wove together elements of scientific exploration, personal endurance, and the complex dynamics of wildlife conservation in a landscape that is grappling with the powerful tensions between tradition and modernization.

A distinguished conservationist and wildlife biologist, Slaght's passion for preserving the natural world was apparent – it's what drove him into the heart of the Siberian taiga. His expertise and dedication to field research are evident as he relayed the many challenges he faced while studying the fish owl, from treacherous expeditions through snow-laden forests to bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining research permits, to sleeping in a cold and crowded camper with three other field workers. Along the way, Jonathan introduced us to a diverse cast of characters, each who were contributing to this important conservation effort.

The central focus of this effort is the Blakiston's Fish Owl, a symbol of the broader ecological issues facing the Russian Far East. Throughout his talk Slaght showed us how the owl's struggle for survival is intertwined with the health of its habitat. He made it clear that the delicate balance in which this majestic bird lives is threatened by human encroachment, overfishing, and pollution. The fish owl serves as a barometer for the region's ecological integrity, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts that involve collaboration between scientists, local communities, and governments.

Slaght's presentation also delved into the intricacies of conservation work, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding and perseverance in the face of logistical challenges. 3RBC viewers learned how he navigated the complexities of local customs and governance structures, forging connections with residents and negotiating bureaucratic obstacles to advance his research objectives. Through these efforts, Slaght demonstrated that it is possible for conservation initiatives to align with the economic interests of local communities, paving the way for sustainable solutions that benefit both people and wildlife.

We were treated to many photos of the frostbitten landscapes of Primorye Province as well as many photos of the majestic owl. These combined to provide rich descriptions of the region's natural beauty and the awe-inspiring resilience of its inhabitants. We learned that his work was more than a scientific project; it offered profound insights into the human experience and our relationship with the natural world. Jonathan also left us with a poignant reminder of the fragility of wild places and the imperative to protect them for future generations.

Jonathan's talk was a compelling exploration of scientific discovery, cultural exchange, and the enduring power of nature. His captivating storytelling transported us to a remote corner of the planet where the line between human determination and the perseverance of nature blurs. As the fate of the Blakiston's Fish Owl hangs in the balance, Slaght's talk served as a call to action, reminding us of our responsibility to safeguard the wonders of the natural world for generations to come.

Mike thanked Jonathan and then adjourned the meeting.

— prepared by Frank Moone on 3-2-2024