August 2002
Saturday, August 3 — Shenango Reservoir
Bob Machesney will lead this outing to what has become western Pennsylvania's best location for migrating shorebirds. Meet Bob at 8:00 AM at the Golden Access area. To get to Shenango, take I-79 north to Grove City exit. At the exit turn left towards the Grove City shops. Cross the bridge over I-79, make an immediate right onto route 258. Go approximately 9 miles to Mercer, then another 8 miles on route 258 to the Shenango River Reservoir. Make a right at the Golden Run access sign. The road will "T", turn right and go to the end of the road. Parking lot is on your left. We will carpool from here. If you miss the right turn to Golden Access, you will end up at route 18 at the Tara restaurant.
Bring lots of water, food, a wide brim hat, and footwear for muddy conditions. You can monitor the water level at http://wmw.lrp.usace.army.mil/current/forecast.html
Summer pool is 896’. Last year it was at 894’ on this date, which created good mudflats. The water level has been drawn down intentionally the last few years, exposing vast mud flats that attract a wide variety of shorebirds. Expect a minimum of 12 species of shorebirds, including both species of Yellowlegs, Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpipers, Least, Semipalmated, and Baird's Sandpipers, an occasional Red Knot, Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers. The adjacent woods and fields host a nice variety of songbirds along with Red-headed Woodpeckers.
Saturday, August 17 — Gamelands 189 and Independence Marsh
Bill Hintze will lead this outing in search of residents and early migrants. The wetlands may also have some good shorebird habitat, depending on water levels. Meet at 8:00 AM at the Wildflower Reserve at Raccoon Creek State Park. The parking lot for the Wildflower Reserve is just off Route 30 on the right hand side as you are driving west. There is a sign. Allow 45 minutes driving from Pittsburgh.
Sunday, August 25 — Frick Park
Walt Shaffer (412-242-0902) will lead this outing in search of resident and migrating butterflies. Meet at the Frick Environmental Center at 1:00 PM for this first ever 3RBC butterfly outing. We might find up to 20 species of butterflies varying from the large swallowtails to the migrating Fiery Skipper and Sachem Skipper. Bring your close focussing binoculars, but Walt will also bring a net to capture some individuals for close up view. For those of you who love the color of warblers in the spring, butterflies open up a new world of opportunity for your identification skills.
