Three Rivers Birding Club
Bi-monthly Membership Meeting
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Phipps Garden Center, Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

Sixty-three attendees came out on a cool fall evening to enjoy sharing stories about recent trips and about sightings of fall migrants while eagerly awaiting a program about the birds of Australia. President Jim Valimont called the meeting to order at 7:30, welcomed newcomers from Springdale and Zelienople, encouraged everyone to help themselves to the magazines and other free items available, and pointed out the many door prizes that would be awarded. Jim also reminded members about the annual picnic at Moraine State Park on October 25. A birthday cake will be provided and all who attend are asked to bring a dish to share for this potluck lunch.

Vice President Bob VanNewkirk handled the business part of the meeting. Program Director Ian Haigh announced that Dr. Jeffrey Larkin, an Associate Professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, will present the December 2 program. Dr. Larkin will discuss conservation efforts and the decline of Golden-winged Warblers. Steve Thomas, Outings Director, listed October and November outings to Pymatuning, Yellow Creek, Allegheny Front Hawk Watch, and the 3RBC annual picnic at Moraine State Park. As always, check the newsletter and the website for details and a complete schedule of outings. Jim officiated over the drawing of many door prizes during the evening.

Mike Fialkovich, Bird Reports Editor, discussed the August shorebird migration, the Common Nighthawk migration, the September warbler migration, and other significant bird sightings in the area. Mike indicated shorebirds lacked their usual variety. Among the sightings emphasized were Wilson’s Snipe, October Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, a possible Rufous Hummingbird, Cape May Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Mourning Warbler, Orange-crowned Warblers, Lincoln’s and White-throated Sparrows, Northern Pintail, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Ospreys, Merlins, Marsh Wren, and Common Ravens. The audience added Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Bald Eagle.

Jack Solomon reminisced about Ross Gallardy of Canonsburg, the evening’s guest speaker, when Ross was a quiet teenager who could only be drawn into a conversation if it was about birds. Then the boy became an animated, enthusiastic, and highly knowledgeable birder. In his early years of birding, Ross was nominated by 3RBC and received a scholarship to attend an annual PSO meeting. Later, 3RBC sponsored Ross when he and a team of friends participated in the World Series of Birding in New Jersey. His team won in the Youth Division and came in second overall. Ross has also developed into a fine photographer.

While studying at Bond University near Brisbane, Australia, Ross had the opportunity to observe and photograph many of the exotic-looking birds, such as Crimson Rosella and Kookaburra, unusual wildlife, and breathtaking scenery in the surrounding area. He also planned and executed an amazing trip from December 14 through January 15 covering a large loop around the eastern half of the continent. When Ross began to describe his whirlwind adventures in Australia, our minds raced to keep up with his frenetic speech and his quick finger on the clicker as the fantastic photos flashed before us. The rapt audience followed Ross for an hour and a quarter through the rugged outback on an adventure of a lifetime. After 13,200 miles of driving on $2000 worth of gasoline and $15 for accommodations and wearing just one pair of pants, Ross tallied 462 species of birds and made the audience envious of his youth, endurance, and his birding savvy.

During his thirty-three day journey, Ross encountered 100 degree temperatures, brake trouble, a flat tire, poor road conditions, dangerous road trains, a lack of gas stations and accommodations, ten-inch needles of spinifex grass, sheep and cattle roadblocks, and numerous and constant flies. The audience gasped at a photo of a leech on his leg. Many road signs stressed the importance of resting when necessary: “Drowsy Drivers Die,” “Rest or R.I.P.,” etc. Ross usually slept in his car, ate primarily dry Honey Nut Crunch cereal, drank lemon soda to help keep him awake during long driving sessions, showered in the waterfalls, and used duct tape to project his pants from needles. Despite supplementing his diet with ants that tasted like citrus fruit, he lost 15 pounds during his adventure.

Ross attributed being able to locate his target birds to driving, driving, and more driving and good luck, but the audience recognized the extensive preparations and expertise that played a major role. Ross also credited a kind woman who gave him some bird tapes; knowing the bird songs was instrumental in his finding many of the birds. He became so far ahead of schedule that he contacted other birders for directions to cover southeastern Australia, an area that he hadn’t planned to bird. He saw all nine species of finches within a single afternoon, and found all the difficult grasswrens. Thousands of flying Budgerigars entertained him on some evenings. The Golden Bowerbird, Gouldian Finch, Royal Spoonbill, Crimson Chat, Splendid Fairy-wren, Little Blue Penguin, and Tawny Frogmouth were among the many crowd pleasers. The frogmouth blended so well into its habitat that Ross needed to point to it for everyone to see it. Ross said that his personal favorite was the Logrunner.

Having an avid interest in other aspects of nature, Ross also included photos of kangaroos, a platypus, a camel, a Koala, snakes, frogs, geckos, walking fish, butterflies, spiders, termite mounds, fig trees, interesting road signs, and aboriginal art. Many of the road signs and huge sculptures amused both Ross and the audience.

Through his knowledge and perseverance, Ross saw at least one life bird every day in Australia and amassed a total of 528 species. Audience members responded enthusiastically to Ross’s presentation. Jim Valimont stated that we had just witnessed “the unabridged whirlwind tour of eastern Australia.” We can hope to be “on the road” again with Ross at a future 3RBC meeting.

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