April 2003 Outings
During the last week of April and first two weeks of May, birders can expect to see find plenty of company when birding in Frick Park. Plan to arrive by 7:30 AM at the latest and proceed to the "meadow" to catch up if you are late.Don't forget to download a copy of the Checklist of Birds for Frick Park!
Wednesday, April 2 — Moraine State Park
This second spring outing to one of western Pennsylvania's best birding spots will be leaderless. Lots of ducks should be present. Ospreys may also have returned by this time along with early migrating songbirds. Meet at the first parking lot on the south shore day use area (off Route 422) at 8:00 AM.
Saturday, April 5 — Pennsy Swamp and Grove City Grasslands
Bob Machesney will lead this outing in search of waterfowl and migrants. Waterfowl migrants will likely be plentiful. Some of the early migrant songbirds should also be around. A short distance away are the grasslands where some of the breeding sparrows, including Grasshopper, Vesper, Savannah, and Henslow's might be back. In some years, Dickcissel has bred in this area. This is also the general area where Pennsylvania's only known breeding pair of Sandhill Cranes nest. Bob found Long-eared Owl on this outing last year. Meet at the Game Lands parking lot on #2 Mine Road at 8:00 AM. From I-79, take the Grove City exit, west on Rt. 208 to Veterans Road (first left past the light at MacDonald’s), left on Brent-North Liberty Road (3-4 miles), right on #2 Mine Road (1/4 mile). Parking lot is on left.
Saturday, April 12 — Moraine State Park
Join leaders Fred and Carol McCullough for this final spring outing to one of western Pennsylvania's best birding spots. It's a little later now. Diving ducks might still be present, but a variety of dabbling ducks should now be in. Ospreys should also have returned by this time along with more migrating songbirds. Meet at the first parking lot on the south shore day use area (off Route 422) at 8:30 AM.
Saturday, April 19 — Presque Isle
This trip to one of Pennsylvania's greatest birding locations will be a leaderless outing. Meet at 9:00 AM at the first parking lot on the right after entering the park. From Pittsburgh, take I-79 North until it ends. Take the exit for Route 5 West (also called West 12th Street) and continue for about one mile. Turn right onto RT. 832 which leads directly into the park. Allow 2 and 1/2 hours driving time. Lots of waterfowl and early migrant songbirds are expected, but you never know what to expect here. Presque Isle has produced some of Pennsylvania's best (and only) records of some rarities. Bring a lunch with you or join the group at one of the local restaurants just outside the park.
Friday, April 25 — Evening Walk, Bavington Area
Chuck Tague will lead this evening outing in search of American Woodcock, Wood Thrush, Whip-poor-will, and possibly owls. Meet Chuck at 7:00 p.m. atthe game commission parking lot near Bavington. From Pittsburgh, take Route 22/30 west. Take the Bavington exit and turn right, then immediately left (west) on Steubenville Pike. Go exactly 3.4 miles to an intersection at Haul Road. Turn left into the game commission parking lot.
Sunday, April 27 — Washington County Buffalo Creek Valley
A candidate area for an IBA project, this area holds pristine streams with rich riparian habitat. With no mining or industry nearby, this largely unexplored area for birds is known to have at least seven heron rookeries. Our group will meet with Jim Powell (724-228-0754), who will guide us to some of the potential birding spots in this area. From Pittsburgh, take I-79 south to I-70. Take I-70 west to the Taylortown exit. At the stop sign, take a left. At the next stop sign, take a right. After about one mile, you will come to a blinking red light. Proceed straight through this light and meet Jim in the parking area about 200 yards on the left. In case you get lost, ask for directions to the S-bridge, which is a well-known local landmark at this intersection. Meet at 9:00 AM. Wear boots in case of muddy trails and pack a lunch to stay into the afternoon.
Non-3RBC Outings
(Non-3RBC)
Friday, Apr 5 — Laurel Highlands Waterfowl
(Non-3RBC)
Friday, Apr 5 - Friday, April 11 — South Florida Trip
(Non-3RBC)
Sunday, April 6 — Pedricktown, Mannington Marsh, and
Featherbed Lane, NJ
(Non-3RBC)
Sunday, April 6 — Delaware Marshes and Bombay Hook
NWR, DE
(Non-3RBC)
Thursday, April 10 — Wissahickon Nature Club(Directions)
Russ Tague and Vickie Gotaskie will present Kayaking Belize. Russ and Vickie will share with us their trip to Belize, Central America. Hear their stories about kayaking the offshore keys, the barrier reef, underground river and jungle. They are quintessential kayakers. Vickie is a registered nurse. She works in the operating room at St. Clair Hospital. Russ is a refrigeration technician for Kuhn's stores. This evening's exhibit will be All Members Night.
Program begins at 7:30 p.m; join us at 7:00 p.m. for coffee and dessert. Don't miss our next meeting. April 24, Medicinal Mushrooms, by Mary Woehrel.
For more information contact Chuck Tague, President 412-488-8760, or Susanne Varley, Secretary 412-771-4737.
(Non-3RBC)
Tuesday, April 15 — Struble Lake and Marsh Creek State
Park
(Non-3RBC)
Saturday, April 19 — Westtown Lake, PA
(Non-3RBC)
Saturday, April 19 — Cedar Creek Botany Outing
Westmoreland Bird & Nature Club
This joint adventure with the Western Pennsylvania
Botanical
Society will be led by Mark Bowers (724-872-5232) at 1
p.m.
Directions: From the PA Turnpike, take Exit 75-New Stanton to continue on I-70 West. Take Exit 46B (Route 51 North/Pittsburgh). Travel a short distance to the first traffic light on Route 51 and make a right onto Concord Lane. Traveling on Concord Lane, turn right at the Y, and make a right at the stop sign. Continue about 0.6 mile turn left for the main entrance to Cedar Creek County Park.
(Non-3RBC)
Saturday, April 19 — Coastal Delaware and Bombay Hook
NWR
(Non-3RBC)
Saturday, April 26 — The Chrome Barrens, Nottingham
Park and Octorara Reservoir
(Non-3RBC)
Saturday, April 26 — Youngwood Swamp
Westmoreland Bird & Nature Club
Meet Dennis Smeltzer (724-834-3433) at 6 p.m. at
the 5 Star Parking Lot across the tracks from the train
station in
Youngwood (route 119) for this evening stroll through
the swamp. Rails, shorebirds and herons are always possibilities.
(Non-3RBC)
Sunday, April 27— John W Heinz NWR, Tinicum
(Non-3RBC)
Sunday, April 27 — Ridley Creek State Park
(Non-3RBC)
Sunday, April 27 — Birding/Kayaking Trip, Marsh Creek
State Park
(Non-3RBC)
Monday, April 28 — Spring Sanctuary Visit
(Non-3RBC)
Wednesday, April 30 — Spring Wildflower and Bird
Outing
Wissahickon Nature Club
Meet Esther Allen and Chuck Tague at 9:00 a.m. at the Raccoon Creek State Park Park Office parking lot on Route 18 for this educational wildflower and bird identification walk. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars, a lunch and beverage. After lunch we'll decide what adventures await us!
For more information contact Chuck Tague, President 412-488-8760, or Susanne Varley, Secretary 412-771-4737.
Note: The trip may be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions, so call Susanne at (412) 771-4737 to let us know you're coming.
