May 2002
Starting on April 16 through the end of May (every Tuesday) Jack and Sue Solomon (412-521-3365) will lead outings at Frick Park. Meet at the Frick Environmental Center at 7:00 AM. (Actually, there's a good chance you'll find some leader from the Three Rivers Birding Club just about every morning at Frick Park from mid-April to late May!). Don't forget to download a copy of the Checklist of Birds for Frick Park!
Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5: — Frick Park
In conjunction with the Frick Park Birding Festival, there will be a series of outings and workshops in Frick Park on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 7:30 AM and continuing through the day. Outings leaders will include Jack and Sue Solomon, Jim Valimont, and Ted Floyd. Registration for the festival and the outings and workshops will be required. There will be a flat $10.00 fee for the birding festival, including the outings and activities, and an extra $10.00 fee for each of the workshops. Registration deadline is April 15th. Registration forms are available at the Frick Environmental Center on Beechwood Boulevard in Squirrel Hill. There will also be a printable festival registration form available at the 3 Rivers Birding Club web site (www.3riversbirdingclub.org). For more information, call the Frick Birding Festival Information Line (412-422-6562). Frick Park is the best park in the City of Pittsburgh for birding in migration. The "meadow" and the Clayton Trail near the Frick Environmental Center have consistently been the places for unusual sightings in May, including Mourning and Worm-eating Warblers, Blue Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, Red-headed Woodpecker, and even Bald Eagle!
Saturday, May 11 — Migration Count
Paul Hess is the compiler for Allegheny County for the annual Migration Count. This annual census takes a "snapshot" of the status of the spring migration on the second Saturday of May each year. Taken as a whole with all of the accumulated results from all over the United States and Canada, researchers can gain insight into the patterns of migration with each added year of data. This is a terrific project for "citizen scientists" to get involved and contribute valuable information. Contact Paul for information on where you can contribute to the census. You can go on your own or join one of several groups counting in Allegheny County.
Sunday, May 12 — Harrison Hills Park
Meet leader Jim Valimont (412-828-5338) at this county park off Freeport Road between Natrona Heights and Freeport. As you enter the park, bear left and meet at the first parking lot on the left at 8:15 AM for this morning walk in search of migrants. Dress for wet grass and mud. This county park sits on a bluff overlooking the Allegheny River and has been a consistently good spot to find migrant songbirds in the spring and fall. Last year, among our many warbler species, everyone got excellent views of Kentucky, Cerulean, and Worm-eating Warblers. The two Worm-eating Warblers, life birds for many in the group, were especially cooperative, feeding no more than ten feet off the ground right over the trail for several minutes!
Saturday, May 25 — Bell's Farm
Join Ralph Bell (724-883-4505) at 9:00 AM for this popular outing on his farm in Greene County. Eastern Bluebirds that feed out of your hand, nesting American Kestrels up close and personal, and Summer Tanagers are typical features of this perennial outing. Summer Tanagers reach their northern range limit in southwestern Pennsylvania and Greene County (around Ralph's farm) is one of the most dependable places to find them. Bring a lunch and spend all day. Take I-79 south to the Ruff Creek exit. Turn left onto Rt. 221 and proceed under the interstate. Continue 5 miles to a golf course and turn left onto Rt. 188 towards Jefferson. In Jefferson, make a left onto Pine St. Proceed down a hill and under the railroad crossing bridge. Go straight up the hill for 0.5 mile and turn at the sign saying "R. Bell Tree Farm." Continue back that road for 0.5 mile.
