May 2004 Outings

During the last week of April and first two weeks of May, birders can expect to 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!

Saturday, May 1 — Enlow Fork — replaced with Ryerson Station outing

The Three Rivers Birding Club's May 1 outing to Enlow Fork on the border of Greene and Washington counties has been cancelled.

On that same date the outing has been replaced with an outing to Ryerson Station State Park, in Greene County.

Meet leader George Bercik (412-655-4701) at 9:30 AM in search of migrating warblers. Take I-79 South to the Waynesburg exit. Take Route 21 West for about 23 miles. Turn onto Bristoria Road. Meet in the second parking lot on the left. Bring a lunch. Walk rated moderately strenuous as there are lots of hills to climb in this park

Saturday and Sunday, May 1-2 — Crane Creek/Magee Marsh Weekend

Jack and Sue Solomon (412-521-3365) will be our guides for this weekend trip to bird the Lake Erie shoreline areas just east of Toledo, OH. Crane Creek State Park is located just north of Ohio Rt. 2, east of Toledo and west of Port Huron. There will be a sign for the park on Rt. 2. Just drive all the way into the park and park in the lot. Meet at the entrance to the boardwalk at 7:30 AM each morning. This area is famous for spectacular numbers of migrants under the right conditions. We may also visit nearby Metzger Marsh and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. There are plenty of hotels and campgrounds in the area, but you are advised to make reservations in advance. This is also the best time for walleye fishing and the motels do fill up. From the Toledo area, it is not far to Point Pelee in Ontario, where those that wish to extend the weekend trip can easily venture on Monday. Outing Details

Wednesday, May 5 — Madjaric Farm/Butler County

Pat and Sherron Lynch (724-935-3178) will lead this outing to Bob and Berniece Madjaric's 72 acres of varied habitat in southern Butler County that they are willing to share with the Three Rivers Birding Club. We first explored this area last September and noted its potential for future outings. This will be our inaugural outing to their land during a spring migration. To reach the Madjaric property, take I-79 North to the Portersville/Prospect exit (Exit 96). Turn right onto Rt. 488, go about one mile, and then bear right onto Kern Road. (Don’t make the 90 degree turn.) On Kern Road, go about 0.5 mile to a group of mailboxes. Turn right onto Thunder Mountain Road. The Madjarics live at the end of Thunder Mountain Road. Please drive slowly on the gravel roads. Meet at the Madjaric house at 8:00 AM. Bring a lunch and be prepared for muddy trails.

Saturday, May 8 — Migration Count

Carol and Fred McCullough (412-921-6873) are the county compilers for this annual event. There are lots of places to cover all over Allegheny County. Please contact Carol and Fred for an assigned area.

Sunday, May 9 — Buffalo Creek Valley (Washington County)

Larry Helgerman (412-531-9273) will lead this outing to this IBA site. We never had a May outing here before, but we found an impressive 70 species in late April last year. 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 7:30 AM. Be prepared for muddy trails and pack a lunch to stay into the afternoon.

Sunday, May 9 — Buffalo Creek Valley (Butler County)

Brian Shema (412-963-6100) will guide us to this wonderful area, which may include the Horrigan property, the newest addition to the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania's sanctuaries. This will be our first chance to explore this property during a spring migration, where Brian regularly finds Cerulean, Wilson's, and Worm-eating Warblers. Take Rt. 28N to Exit 17 (Butler/Freeport), Rt. 356. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Rt. 356 N. Just after crossing Rt. 28, meet in the Park and Ride lot on the left at 8:00 AM. Depending on the number of cars, we will carpool from here to the limited parking area on Monroe Road.

Saturday-Wednesday, May 15-19 — Bombay Hook and Cape May Extended Weekend

Mike Fialkovich (412-731-3581) and Jim Valimont (412-828-5338) will co-lead this second trip to the east coast for the Three Rivers Birding Club. We will bird Bombay Hook on Saturday, Port Mahone, Prime Hook, and Cape Henlopen on Sunday, Cape May on Monday, Cape May again on Tuesday, and Brigantine on Wednesday. We will limit this trip to 20 participants and as few cars as possible. Register by calling Jim Valimont (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, waterfowl, and mosquitoes. Prime Hook, Port Mahone, and Cape Henlopen are also great spots for migrants along the Delaware coast. The ferry ride from Lewes, Delaware to Cape May, NJ should produce Gannets, Brown Pelicans, some late scoters, a nice variety of gulls, and perhaps some other rarity. Cape May is famous for the rarities that always seem to show up there along with huge numbers of songbirds, if conditions are right. We should also have a chance to go to Reed's Beach where the Red Knots arrive to feast on the eggs of the horseshoe crabs. Lots of east coast specialties should add to the life list of new birders. Carpooling is a must for this trip! There should be at least three people in every car with four preferred.

Saturday, May 22 — Presque Isle

This trip to one of Pennsylvania's greatest birding locations will be lead by Bob Van Newkirk (412-366-1694). 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. The migration should still be well underway, but you never know what to expect here. At this later date, chances are better for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Connecticut Warbler. 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, May 22 — Bell's Farm

Join Ralph Bell (724-883-4505) at 9:00 AM for this popular outing on his farm in Greene County. Eastern Bluebirds that feed out of your hand, nesting American Kestrels up close and personal, and Summer Tanagers are typical features of this perennial outing. Summer Tanagers reach their northern range limit in southwestern Pennsylvania and Greene County (around Ralph's farm) is one of the most dependable places to find them. Bring a lunch and spend all day. Take I-79 south to the Ruff Creek exit. Turn left onto Rt. 221 and proceed under the interstate. Continue 5 miles to a golf course and turn left onto Rt. 188 towards Jefferson. In Jefferson, make a left onto Pine St. Proceed down a hill and under the railroad crossing bridge. Go straight up the hill for 0.5 mile and turn at the sign saying “R. Bell Tree Farm.” Continue back that road for 0.5 mile.

Sunday May 23 — Fox Chapel Area Parks

Steve Thomas (412-782-4696) will lead this outing to several different parks and nature reserves in the Fox Chapel area in search of migrant and resident species. Meet at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve at 614 Dorseyville Road at 7:30 AM.