Three Rivers Birding Club
Bi-monthly Membership Meeting
Wednesday, March 2, 2005
6:30-10:00PM
Phipps Garden Center, Shady Avenue
The social gathering began at 6:30 PM, a full hour before the meeting began,
to facilitate socializing. A cornucopia of refreshments was available.
Karena Gregg of Raptors, Ink., a ninth grader at Beaver Falls High School,
exhibited her impressive pen and ink drawings of raptors. 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
attended.
President Jack Solomon called the meeting to order. President Solomon
announced that Brian Shema of ASWP is organizing a birding trip to either
South America or Central America for 2006. Gene Wilhelm will be leading an
ASWP excursion to the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia this year.
Check the ASWP Bulletin for details. Jack recognized more than a dozen
people who were attending a club meeting for the first time.
Vice-president and Outings Chairman Jim Valimont announced that the next
meeting will be on April 20 (the third Wednesday of the month). Bill Beatty
will present Screech Owl Studies. Jim listed upcoming outings for March and
announced that Jack and Sue Solomon will be leading the club's outing to
Crane Creek, Ohio, on the weekend of May 7-8. (Check either The Peregrine
or the club's website for a full listing of outings for the next several months).
Jim enthusiastically thanked people for providing a great selection of food
for the meeting.
Jim reported that he, Paul Hess, and Mike Fialkovich had just returned from
a very successful birding trip to Ontario. They had seen 5 Great Gray Owls
(4 near Orillia), 1 Northern Hawk-Owl, 1 Boreal Owl, Gray Jays, a Pine
Grosbeak, Common Redpolls, and a Harris's Sparrow.
Mike then chaired the bird sightings segment of the meeting. A Greater
White fronted Goose, the first in over a century in Allegheny County, was
observed by many on Neville Island. Two Red-headed Woodpeckers have been
present in Allegheny Cemetery and in the Boreks' backyard. Mike reported
that Geoff Malosh saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Allegheny Cemetery. Up
to seven Rough-legged Hawks have been seen at the Imperial grasslands.
Jack and Sue Solomon birded in South Texas and Southeastern Arizona for six
and a half weeks. They found Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Blue Bunting, and
Rose-throated Becard in Texas. Many rarities appeared because of a drought
in Mexico. Jack and Sue added 20 life birds in Arizona. Ross Gallardy went
on a Pelagic trip from Delaware and saw 570 Dovekies and fulmars, Common
Murres, puffins, and a Kelp Gull in Maryland among many birds.
Carol McCullough reminded the audience that the North American Migration
Count (NAMC) will be on May 14. People can include birds seen at feeders.
Carol and her husband Fred will be the coordinators for Allegheny County.
Get in touch with them to claim a section or to be assigned an area.
Ross, whose team placed second in the youth division of the World Series of
Birding, will be participating again with his team on May 14. They saw 183
species last year and set a record for the youth division by raising over
$8,000 for conservation organizations. Ross and his group hope to be the
first youth team to see 200 species and to raise over $10,000 for the
Allegheny Front and IBA# 22 (Buffalo Creek Valley). People can help by
pledging per species or by single donations. Send sponsorship checks by May
10 to Ross Gallardy, 109 Chestnut Ct., Canonsburg, PA 15317. There will be
a sponsorship form in the April edition of The Peregrine. Jack urged people
to make donations to Ross for this excellent event.
Don Gibbon said that the Sierra Club's November meeting will be Raptors and
Sailplanes. Free posters concerning the topic were available. The Sierra
Club will be showing the movie "Pale Male" on Wednesday, May 11.
Becky Byerly stated that the integrity of the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge is again facing danger from legislation. Becky can
email an article to interested members.
Paul Hess proudly announced that naturalist Chuck Tague, the former editor
of the Nature Observer News, will do feature articles for The Peregrine.
Sherron Lynch asked Tommy Byrnes to draw for the door prizes. Tommy is
recovering nicely from a serious accident at work. Neil Nodelman selected a
deck of playing cards with bird identifications, Randi Gerrish a tote bag,
and Donna Foyle chose National Aviary passes.
Jack substituted for Bob Machesney and gave a brief treasurer's report.
Currently there are about 200 members in 3RBC. The club has roughly $4000
in the bank, and annual expenses are usually around $3000.
Jack introduced Earl Schriver. Earl's scoutmaster had introduced Earl to
the legendary Hal Harrison, the famous birder and photographer. Earl also
met Dr. Frank Preston, the "Father of Moraine State Park." These two men
had a great influence on him. Earl is well-known for his presentations on
birds of prey, as well as being a master falconer and master bird bander.
Earl brought four of his many birds of prey with him: a male Golden Eagle,
the oldest on record at 43 years old; a female Peregrine Falcon; a
Red-tailed Hawk; and a hybrid falcon of 50% Peregrine, 25% Gyrfalcon, and
25% Saker Falcon ancestry. The birds, especially the Golden Eagle,
entranced the crowd before, during, and after Earl's presentation. Earl is
noted for his straight talk about the realities of nature and criticizes the
disneyfication of nature. Earl regaled the audience with his stories of
growing up and his experiences with his birds of prey. He enjoys hunting
with his falcons and watching the battle of wits between prey and predator.
Jack thanked Earl for his entertaining presentation and encouraged people to
stay and socialize, which many did.
Submitted by Pat and Sherron Lynch
Co-secretaries of Three Rivers Birding Club
