3RBC
Membership Meeting
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
(Un)Common Nighthawks
Common Nighthawks are much less common than they used to be. They have vanished from many former nesting localities. At the Three Rivers Birding Club meeting we will learn reasons for the severe decline and what is being done in an attempt to remedy the problem.
The meeting will be held at the Phipps Garden Center, 1059 Shady Avenue in Shadyside. Doors will open at 6:30 PM for socializing, the business meeting begins at 7:30, and the program starts at 8.
Tim Hoppe, Wildlife Diversity Biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), titles his program "Common Nighthawks of Northwestern Pennsylvania." He notes that Breeding Bird Survey and statewide breeding bird atlas data indicate that the species is declining throughout its range, especially in the East. In cities and towns throughout the Northeast, nighthawks historically nested on flat, peastone gravel roofs. In recent years, rubber roofs have largely replaced peastone roofing, and nesting nighthawks have disappeared from many urban areas.
In 2007 the PGC installed 23 artificial nesting pads as a pilot project within the northwest region. No nest patches were utilized by breeding birds, but four nests were located on existing gravel surfaced roofs. Unfortunately, all nestlings succumbed to predation within 11 days after hatching. Tim says, "The potential for predation raises concerns about rooftop nesting pads and requires further investigation. Locating and monitoring rooftop nests will be an important part of determining the effectiveness of conservation practices such as artificial nesting pads."
Tim has worked for the PGC for more than seven years. His career began with several limited-term positions including a forestry internship and aiding the migratory bird section in surveys and ecology studies. Tim's opportunity for permanent employment began at Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area where he implemented habitat management activities on state game lands. In 2004 the PGC created the Private Landowner Assistance Program (PLAP), which provides interested landowners consultation on habitat management practices benefiting species of concern. Tim has served in this capacity since the program began.
If you're bringing anything to eat or drink to one of our meetings, please note that Phipps Garden Center, the location of our membership meetings, now prohibits the use of most plastic and paper plates, napkins, water bottles, cups, and utensils (knives, forks and spoons) etc. They are "going green." They said they are requiring that only "eco-friendly paper products" be used at the facility. "The use of water bottles, paper and plastics is not permitted." The materials they list are fully biodegradable. For the time being, if you bring anything, please put it in a reusable container/serving plate, that you can take home.
The Garden Center is at 1059 Shady Avenue behind the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts at Fifth and Shady Avenues. Parking is 25 cents an hour in a metered lot, and more parking is available on Shady Avenue. In addition, Beechwood Boulevard, a block east of Shady, has free parking and is a short walk through Mellon Park to the Garden Center. Detailed directions are on the Phipps website: http://www.phipps.conservatory.org/directions.htm.
