Three Rivers Birding Club
Bi-monthly Membership Meeting
Monday, March 08, 2004
7:00 PM - 10:10 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. Fifty-two enthusiastic birders attended.

President Jack Solomon called the meeting to order. He informed the group that last meeting's speaker, Bob Mulvihill, donated his honorarium to Carnegie Museum of Natural History and that the museum has acknowledged receipt of the donation. Jack recognized seven new members or visitors attending a meeting for the first time. Jim Bonner, the new Executive Director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania at Beechwood Farms, was among them. Jack mentioned that the Steering Committee will meet this week, and two topics to be considered are whether or not to publish names and addresses of 3RBC members and the possibility of holding a birding festival in 2005.

Vice President and Outings Chairman Jim Valimont conducted the remainder of the business meeting. He thanked members for providing treats. Jim then mentioned past and future outings. The Tuesday, March 16, outing to Allegheny Front is scheduled to coincide with the migration of Golden Eagles. The meeting places for Chris Knoll's outings at Sewickley Heights Park have been changed; the correct directions can be found on the 3RBC website. Check The Peregrine or website for all scheduled outings. The Delaware/New Jersey outing scheduled for Saturday, May 15, through Wednesday, May 19, is to be limited to 20 members only, and ten people have already signed up. Contact Jim at to register as soon as possible. All expenses are the responsibility of the member, but there is no additional charge from the 3RBC. Carpooling is necessary.

Carol McCullough announced that the North American Migration Count will be held on May 8. Carol and Fred McCullough are compilers for Allegheny County again this year, and they are interested in having more participants involved in this count. The county parks and rails-to-trails areas should definitely be covered. Let Carol or Fred know at if you plan to be involved in the NAMC.

Brian Shema, coordinator of Buffalo Creek Valley IBA #22 in Butler/Armstrong Counties, is looking for volunteer monitors. He anticipates concentrating on the rails-to-trails area and the Horigan property this year. Let Brian know at if you can help.

The Breeding Bird Atlas coordinators, Brian Shema and Jo Ann Davis in Region 57 and Mike Fialkovich in Region 71 of the DeLorme Gazetteer, are looking for help to cover their regions. Contact these people (Brian at or Mike at) to get involved or check the website for more information about dates, codes, and birds of special concern. Don Gibbon suggested that individuals can also help with this project by making monetary donations.

In the absence of Mike Fialkovich, Jim Valimont asked about recent bird sightings. Jim mentioned the abundance of Rough-legged Hawks this season and the 16 Sandhill Cranes he saw on February 29. Walt Shaffer observed American Crows which were either gathering nesting materials or doing a pre-mating ritual. Pat and Sherron Lynch have had an early Chipping Sparrow in the yard since February 29. Pat also told about Sharp-shinned Hawks he observed and suggested that nesting hawks would be important information for the Breeding Bird Atlas. Bob Machesney recommended starting to look for ducks this week. Jim Wallace advised members of a nature photography seminar presented by John and Barbara Gerlach at the Sheraton in Mars on April 17; the cost is $75. For more information, check the website. Don Gibbon requested information about birding possibilities for his upcoming trip to France.

After the slide show, birders eagerly socialized and devoured the remaining munchies, but Jack had to remind people that it was time to go home.

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