Three Rivers Birding ClubMeeting Minutes
Bi-monthly Membership Meeting
Wednesday, September 18, 2002 (6:15pm - 9:45 pm)
Botany Hall at Phipps Conservatory

A social hour at the Schenley Park Visitor's Center preceded the meeting. The staff kindly closed the center to the general public and allowed 3RBC members to bring refreshments and enjoy a leisurely gathering.

Jack Solomon started the meeting with a few brief comments. The Frick Environmental Center lost all of its books in the recent fire and needs field guides and nature books. Talk to someone on the staff if you have books to donate. It is not clear where the November 20 meeting will be held. It may be at Botany Hall, but check the next Peregrine for a final decision.

Since Vice President Jim Valimont was in Europe on business, Mike Fialkovich led the remainder of the meeting and introduced other speakers. He also spoke about recent sightings: Connecticut Warbler at Harrison Hills; American Golden Plover, Red Knot, and Sanderling at Presque Isle; Wilson's Phalarope at Shenango; and Snowy Plover and Red-necked Phalarope at Imperial. Walt Shaffer photographed a Western Sandpiper at Imperial and had the ID confirmed by Jerry McWilliams.

Julia Pahountis-Opacic spoke of changes in the 3RBC website. Some items were re-organized and The Peregrine newsletters have been added. Additional photos are needed before the photo gallery can be put on the web.

Paul Hess requested Birding Away articles to share birding/travel experiences. As The Peregrine editor, Paul has accumulated many photos and will share them with Julia with permission from the photographers.

Wendy Jo Shemansky has programs scheduled for future meetings. Ed Kwater will present a program about gulls in November, Steve Hoffman who is involved with IBAs will be the guest speaker in January, Pat and Sherron Lynch will do a slide presentation of the birds of New Zealand in March, May will feature a slide slam, July will be hawk identification, and a wildlife photographer will do a show in September. Wendy Jo suggested that we recruit more women presenters.

In the treasurer's report Bob Machesney noted that there are now 190 members. The club has $2400 to carry over to the next fiscal year, but future expenses will be higher due to rental costs for meeting sites. Production and distribution costs for The Peregrine were $1100 for the first year. Payment of dues for the second year will be organized quarterly based on what month members joined. Members will receive notices in their newsletter when a payment is due. Second notices and a phone call will be made if necessary.

Upcoming outings include Saturday, September 21, to Harrison Hills with Jim, and Sunday and Monday, September 22 and 23 to Frick Park with Jack and Sue Solomon. Eighteen people are registered to participate in the first extended weekend 3RBC outing to Bombay Hook and Cape May with Mike and Jim. Two spaces are available.

Pat reported that some of the highlights of the outing to Scott Shalaway's house in West Virginia included seven species of warblers and three species of vireos. He also announced that some birding magazines were available free for the taking and encouraged other members to recycle their birding newsletters and magazines for the reading pleasure of other birders at future meetings.

Eric Marchbein had the new recruitment brochures available for members to take to stores, libraries, etc. where new members might use them. Jack thanked Pam Ferkett for the first edition and Eric for the second edition.

Dr. Jim Wallace repeated the need for books to ID trees, plants, etc. at Frick. He also read a short passage about John James Audubon and his wife Lucy.

Lee Tosh from the Allegheny Plateau Audubon offered the group's fund raising cookbook for sale for $10.

Tom Byrnes had flyers available for anyone interested in going to Applejamm at Beechwood.

Mabel Mattson thanked members for providing treats and beverages for the social hour.

If anyone is willing to assist a wheelchair-bound birder in the area, Jack will provide details on the web.

The guest speaker, Charles W. Bier, presented the story of Pittsburgh's Peregrine Falcons at the Gulf Building and at the Cathedral of Learning. His slides, computer graphics, and a short video helped members appreciate the work done by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the PA Game Commission to provide nesting sites, monitor progress and health, band birds, and follow the birds after fledging. The impressive sights and sounds were well received by an enthusiastic audience. Mastering the state-of-the art multi-media facilities at Botany Hall was a feat in itself.

Submitted by Pat and Sherron Lynch