June 2004 Outings

Saturday, June 26 — Laurel Mountain State Park

Mike Fialkovich (412-731-3581) will lead this outing in search of breeding species. Meet at the Dairy Queen off the Donegal exit off the Pennsylvania Turnpike at 7:00 AM. After passing through the toll booths, turn left onto RT. 31 East. Proceed about 1/4 mile and the Dairy Queen will be on the left. Allow one hour driving time from Pittsburgh. The focus of a trip to Laurel Mountain at this time of year will be on the breeding species, including many of Pennsylvania's most spectacular warblers, such as Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Canada, Black-throated Blue, and Hooded. No outing to Laurel Mountain would be complete without a walk on Spruce Flat Bog, where there are carnivorous plants such as Pitcher Plant and Sundew, and where we can possibly hear the beautiful song of the Hermit Thrush. Wear good hiking shoes and bring a drink and snacks for an extended hike along Wolf Rocks Trail, which is level but a little rocky. Bring a lunch so that we can all eat lunch at the picnic area and watch birds as we eat.