October 2002

Saturday-Tuesday, October 5-9 — Bombay Hook and Cape May Weekend

Mike Fialkovich and Jim Valimont (412-828-5338) will co-lead this first long weeend trip to the east coast for the Three Rivers Birding Club. We will bird Bombay Hook on Saturday, Port Mahone and Prime Hook on Sunday, Cape May on Monday, Cape May again on Tuesday. We will limit this trip to 20 participants and as few cars as possible. Register by calling Pam Ferkett (412-653-5395). We will decide on a meeting time and place each day, but everyone is responsible for their own lodging and dining arrangements, admission fees, and ferry fee and reservation. Possible hotels will be recommended. Bring sunscreen and insect repellant! Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge hosts huge numbers of shorebirds and waterfowl. Prime Hook and Port Mahone are also great spots for migrants along the Delaware coast. The ferry ride from Lewes, Delaware to Cape May, NJ should produce Gannets, some early scoters, a nice variety of gulls, and perhaps a jaeger or some other rarity. Cape May is famous for the rarities that always seem to show up there along with huge numbers of songbirds and migrating hawks, if conditions are right. Lots of east coast specialties should add to the life list of new birders. Visit the Cape May Bird Observatory on the web.

Download and print Checklist of Birds for Bombay Hook (PDF)
Download and print Checklist of Birds for Cape May (PDF)

Saturday, October 12 — Yellow Creek State Park

This outing will be the first joint outing of the 3RBC and the Todd Bird Club. Meet Margaret Higbee (724-354-3493) at the park office at 8:00 AM. The park office is located on Route 259 just off Route 422 east of Indiana. Allow an hour and 15 minutes to drive from Pittsburgh. Yellow Creek State Park has been the prime outing location for the Todd Bird Club since the club was created. The park contains a wide variety of habitats and a large lake that attracts a wide variety of species. Some of the waterfowl numbers have been spectacular in the past with real rarities showing up on a fairly regular basis.

Sunday, October 20 — Presque Isle

This will be our inaugural outing "without a leader." The group will meet in the first parking lot on the left at 9:00 AM. No matter who is there, there are bound to be lots of birds! At this time of year at Presque Isle, expect to see waterfowl, lingering shorebirds, migrating hawks, lots of sparrows, and still a few species of warblers. But Presque Isle always seems to have that real rarity lurking in some corner, waiting to be found.

Thursday, October 24 — Allegheny Front Hawk Watch

Bill Judd (412-571-2057) and Che Mincone will lead this outing to one of the most reliable locations to observe Golden Eagle and Northern Goshawk in migration. October is best to see the greatest variety of hawks. The Allegheny Front is one of the closest hawk watches to Western Pennsylvania that reliably produces good numbers of migrating hawks (weather permitting). It saves driving the long distances that are required for some of the more famous hawk watches further east. Parking is limited, however, so meeting at a remote location is necessary to make sure we don't exceed the capacity. Take the turnpike east to the Somerset exit, then Route 281 north to Stoystown, Route 30 east to Reels Corner. Meet at Poppy’s Restaurant at the intersection of Rts. 30 and 160 at 9:30 AM. Bring a lunch and dress warmly. Be prepared for changes in the weather!

Sunday, October 27 — Lake Arthur

This outing of the Three Rivers Birding Club to Lake Arthur in search of early waterfowl and songbird migrants will be "leaderless." Besides the nice variety of waterfowl expected, other species could include Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwings, Common Snipe, American Woodcock, and Ruffed Grouse. Lake Arthur is a man made lake that is the heart of Moraine State Park. Although heavily fished, waterfowl are more comfortable with the fishermen than they are with hunters. Therefore, the lake gets good (sometimes spectacular) numbers and variety of waterfowl in migration. Meet in the Moraine State Park day use area (south shore) in the first parking lot on the right at 8:00 AM. From I-79, take route 322 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 where we will meet. Allow one hour driving from Pittsburgh. We will have a picnic lunch at the day use area to celebrate the first anniversary of the first 3RBC outing.

Tuesday, October 29 — Lake Arthur

For those who like weekday outings, here is another one for you! No leader is assigned to this outing, just an opportunity to meet good friends. Meet in the Moraine State Park day use area (south shore) in the first parking lot on the right at 8:00 AM.