February 2004 Outings

Saturday, February 7 — Cook Forest & Piney Tract

Mike Leahy (814-797-2287) will lead us in search of wintering species. Cook Forest sometimes has abundant numbers of winter finches, and Piney Tract is a great place to find Northern Shrike and Short-eared Owl. Meet at 9:00 AM at the Cook Forest park office. Take I-79 north to I-80 east. Go east to exit 60 (old exit 8), the Shippenville exit. Take State Route 66 north toward Marienville. At the intersection of Routes 66 and 36 in the village of Leeper, turn right (south) onto Route 36 and follow Route 36 into Cook Forest. Just before you cross the bridge over the Clarion River, turn left onto River Road. The park office will be 100 yards down River Road on the left side. Allow two hours driving time from Pittsburgh.

Sunday, February 29 — Lake Arthur

This is a leaderless outing that should produce some of the first migrating waterfowl, assuming the weather cooperates. Lake Arthur is the lake that is the heart of Moraine State Park. Although it is heavily fished, fishermen should not be a problem at this time of year (unless it is ice fishing). The lake gets good (sometimes spectacular) numbers and variety of waterfowl in migration. Meet at 8:00AM.  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, where we will meet. Allow one hour driving time from Pittsburgh.

Sunday, February 29 — I.B.A.-80 Buffalo Creek Valley (Washington County)

Dan Yagusic (412-784-1753) will lead this outing to the 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 Dan 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 9:00AM.