Three Rivers Birding Club
Bi-monthly Membership Meeting
Monday, September 8, 2003
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Phipps Garden Center, Shady Avenue

A social gathering was held for thirty minutes before the meeting began; refreshments were available. Members had the opportunity to select free birding brochures and magazines to take home. Members who provide freebies should check the table after the meeting and take home any of their remaining items. Ninety enthusiastic birders were in attendance.

In the absence of President Jack Solomon, Vice President Jim Valimont called the meeting to order. He thanked retiring Hospitality Chairperson Mabel Matteson for her work during the first two years of the 3RBC. Mabel provided treats, set up the treats table, and encouraged others to contribute. She also made sure that name tags were available for members and visitors. Thanks to her husband, Glenn, the name tags are now computerized. Jim recognized that there were more new members and visitors than usual and thanked them for attending.

Jim discussed past and future outings. Many trips are scheduled for September, October, and November. Check the 3RBC website or The Peregrine for dates and details. The weekend outings were each attended by 13 or 14 people who had the opportunity to see eight warbler species and lots of robins and grackles at Harrison Hills or four warbler species and not many notable birds at Frick Park. Jim thinks that the peak of songbird migration is yet to come.

Bird Reports Chairman Mike Fialkovich agreed that there have not been many migration reports yet. Chris Knoll reported 11 warbler species and three Olive-sided Flycatchers in Sewickley. Numerous Common Nighthawks and more than the usual number of American Goldfinches have been sighted recently in Allegheny County. Pat Lynch recommended a trip to Conneaut Harbor, Ohio for anyone who is looking for shorebirds. The Allegheny Front has listed Broad- winged Hawks lately and visitors are welcome any day. Mike mentioned a program and offered a brochure for Wings Over Water in North Carolina. An article in the Post Gazette covers monarch butterfly banding at Moraine State Park being conducted by 3RBC member Tom Pawlesh.

Mike introduced the guest speaker, Steve Hoffman, and his program to help identify raptors in Pennsylvania. Steve is the Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon-Pennsylvania and no stranger to 3RBC. He had presented a program about IBAs and had participated in the Birding Festival in 2002.

Steve began his program by offering free literature about the state Audubon organization and about IBAs. He thanked Larry Helgerman, Fred and Carol McCullough, and Chuck Tague for their participation in the IBA work that has been done in southwestern Pennsylvania. He also gave Jim Powell and Michael Vacca an opportunity to speak about their interest in conserving, expanding, and developing the Buffalo Creek Valley in Washington County. There will soon be a press conference to make the general public aware of the significance of an IBA in this rural area. Steve also mentioned that more comprehensive and scientific studies need to be done at the Allegheny Front. The ASWP is taking a lead role in the Buffalo Creek Watershed of Butler and Armstrong Counties.

Steve introduced his hawk ID program by endorsing a new hawk book called Raptors of Eastern North America by Brian K. Wheeler. He then proceeded to show great slides of accipiters, buteos, falcons, eagles, and vultures. Within each group he pointed out many differences which could be observed in flying or perching birds to help in identification. Shape, coloration, streaking pattern, wing beats, wing position, stability of flight, tail length, head size, and eye placement were all emphasized as important characteristics to observe. Steve recommended basing an identification on several characteristics rather than on just one. He enthusiastically provided in-depth details pertaining to birds of the eastern United States. Members can use this information to successfully identify raptors and vultures while observing in their backyards or on outings to Allegheny Front or Hawk Mountain.

Submitted by Pat and Sherron Lynch Co-secretaries of Three Rivers Birding Club