Three Rivers Birding Club
Bi-monthly Membership Meeting
Monday, April 26, 2004 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. Eighty enthusiastic birders attended.
President Jack Solomon called the meeting to order. He made an announcement about the Buffalo Creek Watershed Association Festival on May 23 and suggested that members obtain flyers with more details of the day's events from Larry Helgerman. This program begins at 9:00 AM at Dutch Fork Lake; for more information call 724-663-4292. Jack and Sue Solomon are leading the Crane Creek outing on May 1-2; participants can meet at the Best Budget Inn, Port Clinton, on Friday evening or at the Boardwalk on Saturday morning at 7:30 AM. Jack recognized our own Paul Hess, the News and Notes Editor of Birding Magazine. Six new members or visitors attended a meeting for the first time; one visitor came from as far away as St. Louis, Missouri.
Vice-president and Outings Chairman Jim Valimont conducted the remainder of the business meeting. Schenley Park Visitor Center donated three books which will be raffled off at three consecutive meetings. The first raffle was held, and Nancy Hirko selected The 500 Most Important Bird Areas in the United States. Jim then mentioned the cancellation of the May 1 outing to Enlow Fork due to hunting season. It has been replaced by an outing to Ryerson State Park at 9:30 AM the same day; see the 3RBC website for details. There are two more openings for the Cape May trip on May 15-19, but hotel reservations may be a problem at this late date. Check the website for many other exciting outings during this spring migration.
Bird Reports Chairman Mike Fialkovich discussed the Breeding Bird Atlas and showed materials he has available for volunteers working in his region. Mike also modeled a BBA T-shirt which is available to club members at $12.50. If you are interested in purchasing a shirt, contact Mike.
Members shared information about recent bird sightings. Two Common Loons were found on the Allegheny River. The Pittsburgh peregrines are about to hatch eggs. A Red-tailed Hawk's nest was sighted along the Parkway East. Many warblers have recently been observed, including a total of 16 species in Frick Park this season. Bill Parker announced the Upland Sandpipers were seen in Venango County, and Dave Wilton found them at Bald Knob; Susanne Varley saw the first hummingbird of the spring; Paul Hess listed the many raptors seen at the Subway Shop in Millcreek Township near Presque Isle. Mike discussed the possible Wurdemann's/aberrant/leucistic Great Blue Heron at Peter's Lake near Canonsburg. Early fledglings include a Mourning Dove and an Eastern Bluebird. Tommy Byrnes offered to lead people to see Woodcocks displaying in Harmar Township.
Carol McCullough reminded everyone that the North American Migration Count will be on May 8. Carol and Fred McCullough are compilers for Allegheny County and are looking for more participants. Please contact Carol. She also asked anyone willing to help Chuck Tague with point counts and the Louisiana Waterthrush survey at Raccoon Creek IBA to contact Chuck. Larry Helgerman also asked for help at the Buffalo Creek Watershed IBA for the waterthrush survey; contact Larry at 412-531-9273. A fifth wetlands area is being added at this IBA and Larry states that the existing wetlands have already been successful at attracting shorebirds.
Jack Solomon announced a music festival promoting avian conservation called Birds and Bluegrass. This program is being sponsored by the National Aviary on Friday, May 21, from 6-10 PM. Tickets can be ordered by calling 412-323-7235.
Sue Solomon enthusiastically introduced Chuck Tague, the evening's guest speaker. Chuck's slide show presented birds of the subtropical regions in the southeastern United States. Sue also recognized Joan Tague and Susanne Varley for their contributions.
Through his humorous remarks and quality photography Chuck entertained the very appreciative audience. On several trips to visit relatives in South Carolina and Florida, Chuck took the opportunity to photograph approachable birds in the sunlight. Slides included terns, scrub-jays, shorebirds, waders, rails, and raptors. He emphasized the variety of postures and feeding strategies employed by herons and egrets. Some of his amazing photographs showed why these exquisite birds were nearly brought to extinction at the turn of the century by plume hunters. Chuck recommended two excellent resources for Florida birders. On the web free information can be obtained and the ultimate authority for birding in Florida is "The Birder's Guide to Florida" by Bill Pranty available through the American Birding Association.
After the program birders eagerly socialized and devoured the remaining munchies.
Submitted by Pat and Sherron Lynch
Co-secretaries of Three Rivers Birding Club
