3RBC Membership Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 1, 2006

President Jack Solomon was unable to attend, so Vice President Jim Valimont conducted the entire meeting. Jim recognized two people who were in attendance for the first time.

Kerry Morsek from Venture Outdoors spoke briefly to alert members about their forthcoming website which will include their outings, and a comprehensive list of outings by various nature groups in Western Pennsylvania. This list was published regularly in Nature Observer News, and since that publication was discontinued there was a desire to find another place to house this information. There will be a link to the new Venture Outdoors website on the 3RBC Website (and a link to 3RBC on the Venture Outdoors website).

Kerry also requested help from members to supply information about birding locations in the area. She provided forms for members to fill out and the results will be included on the Venture Outdoors website.

Larry Helgerman announced several upcoming events (detailed information will be on the 3RBC website):

April 8 – Chartiers Township Building: The Pennsylvania Game Commission will have a presentation for landowners about managing land for wildlife, especially species of special concern.

April 30 – Enlow Fork Natural Area – a day long event similar to a bioblitz will be held with representatives from eight organizations including the Three Rivers Birding Club. This will be a day to explore this area for all forms of life. Interested club members should contact Larry if they are participating.

May 7 – Opening day for the season at Meadowcroft Village. Representatives from 3RBC will be present with information regarding our club at Meadowcroft from 1 – 5 p.m.

Outings Chairman Steve Thomas announced upcoming outings including woodcock walks and waterfowl. Bird Reports Editor Mike Fialkovich led the bird sightings discussion which included recent sightings of a Eurasian Wigeon at Yellow Creek State Park and the various gulls at Presque Isle. A pair of Bald Eagles was seen by Dan Yagusic along the Allegheny River at Natrona Heights and Jim reported he saw the Snowy Owl that has been in the State College area.

The raffle was conducted by Jim and all the prizes were awarded.

Jim introduced the speaker, Anthony Bledsoe, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Tony’s informative program, Rarity and Vagrancy of Birds was divided into three subtopics:

Why are birds rare or vagrant in certain areas
Importance and biology of vagrancy
The implications of vagrancy and its importance to conservation

Tony used many examples throughout to illustrate the concepts and shared his personal experiences chasing rare birds while in school in California and later in the northeast. He explained the biology of rarity with three concepts: the density of individuals, the degree to which they are specialized, and the extent of their geographic range. A prime example is the Kirtland’s Warbler which is rare due to its small population, restricted range, and habitat specific requirements.

The question of vagrancy was covered by using the example of spring migrants that overshoot their normal range such as the Swainson’s Warbler. Fall migrants may go off course because they are young birds engaged in their first migration. Irruptive migrants move out of their core range in winter in search of food resources which may be depleted or unavailable. Tony also stated there is a lot that is not fully understood with respect to vagrancy.

Tony concluded with recommendations on how to search for information regarding birds, primarily by using the internet.

A total of 52 members were present.