April 2004 Outings

During the last week of April and first two weeks of May, birders can expect to see find plenty of company any morning 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!

Friday, April 2 — Sewickley Heights Park

Chris Knoll (412-741-0203) will be our guide for our morning walk to this park in western Allegheny County. Meet at the Fern Hollow Nature Center. From I-79, take the Mt. Nebo exit and head west toward Sewickley. After about two miles, you will come to a stop sign. Turn left onto Fern Hollow Road (Orange Belt). At the next stop sign, go straight. After about 100 yards, turn left onto Scaife Road, then a quick right onto Glen Mitchell Road. The nature center is at the top of the hill. Meet at 8:00 AM and be prepared for muddy trails.

Sunday, April 4 — Pennsy Swamp and Grove City Grasslands

Bob Machesney (412-366-7869) 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 might be back, but there should still be Horned Larks and Northern Harrier and possibly even Short-eared Owl. This is also the general area where Pennsylvania's only known breeding pair of Sandhill Cranes nest. 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 about 1/4 mile on left. Carpool at 6:45 AM at the park and ride lot at the intersection of Rts. 19 and 228 (across from Denny’s) in Cranberry Township. Enter the lot from the service road behind, accessible from the Burger King on Rt. 19.

Wednesday, April 7 — Lake Arthur

This outing will be led by Carol and Fred McCullough (412-921-6873). 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 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 where we will meet. Allow one hour driving from Pittsburgh. Carpool at 7:00 AM at the park and ride lot at the intersection of Rts. 19 and 228 (across from Denny’s) in Cranberry Township. Enter the lot from the service road behind, accessible from the Burger King on Rt. 19.

Friday, April 9 — Sewickley Heights Park

Friday, April 9 Sewickley Heights Park: Chris Knoll (412-741-0203) will be our leader again for a morning walk to this park in western Allegheny County. From I-79, take the Mt. Nebo exit and head west toward Sewickley. After about two miles, you will come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Fern Hollow Road (Orange Belt). After about one mile, turn right into Sewickley Heights Park. Drive to the end of the road to the parking lot. Meet at 8:00 AM and be prepared for muddy trails.

Friday, April 16 — Bavington

Chris Knoll (412-741-0203) will be our leader again for a morning walk to this park in western Allegheny County. Meet at the Fern Hollow Nature Center in Sewickly Heights Park to carpool. For directions, see April 2. At Bavington, we will search for Pine Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Blue-headed Vireo and then explore the grasslands. Meet at 8:00 AM and be prepared for muddy trails.

Saturday, April 17 — Sewickley Heights Park

Chris Knoll (412-741-0203) will be our leader again for a morning walk to this park in western Allegheny County. Meet at the Fern Hollow Nature Center. For directions, see April 2. Meet at 8:00 AM and be prepared for muddy trails. Chris will be presenting a program from 11:00 to 12:00 at the nature center. Bring a lunch and bird in the afternoon.

Sunday, April 18 — Buffalo Creek Valley (Washington County)

Larry Helgerman (412-531-9273) will lead this outing to this IBA site. On our inaugural outing to this area last spring, we found an impressive 70 species in late April. From Pittsburgh, take I-79 south to I-70. Take I-70 west to the Taylorstown 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 Larry 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 8:00 AM. Be prepared for muddy trails and pack a lunch to stay into the afternoon.

Sunday, April 18 — 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 _ 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.

Saturday, April 24 — Frick Park

Join leaders Jack and Sue Solomon (412-521-3365) for the first outing at Frick! Frick Park is an excellent migrant trap that can sometimes have a great variety of warblers. Meet at the Frick Environmental Center parking lot at 7:30 AM. Saturday, April 24 Frick Park Join leaders Jack and Sue Solomon (412-521-3365) for the first outing at Frick! Frick Park is an excellent migrant trap that can sometimes have a great variety of warblers. Meet at the Frick Environmental Center parking lot at 7:30 AM.

Sunday April 25 — Frick Park

Join leaders Jack and Sue Solomon (412-521-3365) for another outing at Frick! Meet at the Frick Environmental Center parking lot at 7:30 AM.