November 2001
Sunday, November 4 —Pymatuning Area
Meet leader Mike Fialkovich at either theDenny's Restaurant in Cranberry Township (just north of the Turnpike) at 7:30 AM or at the Pymatuning Visitors Center (Waterfowl Museum or whatever they call it these days) at 9:00 AM for this all-day outing. Bring a lunch for join the group at the Driftwood Restaurant in Linesville for lunch. The outing will continue tin the afternoon. The Visitors Center is on State Road 3011, 1.25 miles south of Linesville. In Linesville, follow the signs for the Spillway. Plenty of Bald Eagles, waterfowl such as Hooded Mergansers, Northern Shovelers, Blue-winged Teal, and Ruddy Ducks, late migrant songbirds, and winter species such as Rough-legged Hawks should be around for this trip. For the past few years, an albino Red-tailed Hawk has been present as well. Pymatuning Lake is a man-made impoundment that was the sole location for breeding Bald Eagles in Pennsylvania throughout the DDT crisis. Hartstown and Geneva Marshes are nearby, along with farm fields managed for waterfowl and wildlife. All of this variety of habitat provides for a great variety of birds during migration.
Saturday, November 10 — Allegheny River Waterfowl, Allegheny River
Meet leader Scott Kinzey (412-766-8813) at the park just above the locks at the Highland Park Dam at 8:00 AM. Entry to this park is at the intersection of Allegheny River Blvd. and Washington Blvd. After crossing the tracks, bear left and continue to the parking area. This outing will traverse sections of the Allegheny River between the Highland Park Dam and possibly up to Tarentum in search of waterfowl and gulls. Carpooling would help greatly, but Scott will have directions printed for each stop. This local outing is perfect for those who don't like to drive long distances to some of the northern hot spots. Scott will show you the best vantage points for watching waterfowl along the Allegheny.
Sunday, November 11 —Lake Arthur
Jack Solomon (412-521-3365) will lead this outing to Lake Arthur in search of waterfowl. Meet in the Moraine State Park day use area (south shore) in the first parking lot on the right at 8:00 AM. By this time, the diving ducks should be in substantial numbers. Common Loons and Horned Grebes should also be easy to find. From I-79, take Route 422 east toward Butler and exit at the Moraine State Park exit. At the end of the ramp, turn left and go straight into the park until you see the first major parking area on your right. This is the second of three scheduled outings, each three weeks apart, to Lake Arthur this fall. It will be interesting to compare lists and numbers of the species that we find.
Wednesday, November 14 — Winter Weeds And Waterfowl, Moraine State Park
Sponsored by Nature Observer News and Wissahickon Nature Club. Beginners and seasonal naturalists are welcome to join Esther Allen and Chuck Tague for this enjoyable stroll. This will be a good time for beginning botanists to learn how to identify plants. November is an ideal time to observe the great variety of unusual birds around Lake Arthur. We may even spot Tundra Swans, Ring-necked Ducks, and Common Loons. Meet at 9:00 AM in the Moraine State Park day use area (south shore) in the first parking lot on the right. From I-79, take Route 422 east toward Butler and exit at the Moraine State Park exit. At the end of the ramp, turn left and go straight into the park until you see the first major parking area on your right. From the South Shore entrance go past the Park Office and the maintenance area. The day use area is the first right. Dress warm. Bring binoculars and a lunch and beverage. Call Susanne at (412)771-4737 to let us know you’re coming!
Sunday, November 18 —Imperial Area
Chuck Tague (412-488-8760) will lead this outing to through the grasslands and pine plantations of the Imperial area. Some possible species include Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, roosting blackbirds, Horned Larks, and other migrants. Most of these areas are recovered strip mines that have produced some unexpected surprises in the past. Meet at 2:00 PM at the King's Restaurant off the Imperial Exit of US Route 22 West.
