September 2004 Outings

Sunday, September 5 — Lower Buffalo Creek Watershed (Washington County)

Larry Helgerman (412-531-9273) will lead us in this Audubon-designated Important Bird Area, where outings have consistently produced impressive lists of species. I-70 to Taylorstown exit, Follow signs for SR-221 north. Questions, e-mail Christy. Meet at the S-Bridge at 8 AM. Be prepared for muddy trails and pack a lunch to stay into the afternoon.

Saturday, September 11 — Presque Isle

Bob VanNewkirk (412-366-1694) will lead this outing to one of Pennsylvania's best birding locations. Meet in the first parking lot on the right at 9 AM. No matter what the weather, there are bound to be lots of birds. At this time of year expect to see shorebirds, migrating hawks, and many passerines including the dreaded hard-to-identify fall warblers. Presque Isle always seems to have a rarity lurking in some corner, waiting to be found. Carpool at 6:30 AM at the park-and-ride lot at the intersection of Routes 19 and 228 (across from Denny's) in Cranberry Township, Butler County. Enter the lot from the service road accessible from the Burger King on Route 19.

Sunday, September 12 — Madjaric Farm

Pat and Sherron Lynch (724-935-3178) will lead this outing to Bob and Berenice Madjaric’s 72 acres of varied habitat in southern Butler County. This will be our third outing to their delightful land during a migration season. To reach the Madjaric property, take I-79 North to the Portersville/Prospect exit (Exit 96). Turn right onto Route 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 AM. Bring a lunch and be prepared for muddy trails and confusing fall warblers!

Wednesday, September 15 — Allegheny Front Hawk Watch

Bill Judd (412-571-2057) will lead us at this important hawkwatching site on the Somerset/Bedford County border. Mid-September is the peak migration time of Broad-winged Hawks. The Allegheny Front is one of the closest hawk watches to western Pennsylvania that reliably produces good numbers of migrating hawks (weather permitting). It saves driving the long distances that are required for the more famous hawk watches farther east. Take the Turnpike East to the Somerset exit, then Route 281 North to Stoystown and Route 30 East to Reels Corners. Turn left onto Route 160 North to Central City. At one point you will come to a sharp left turn with a sign to go left for 160 North. Go straight here (on Lambert Street) 0.5 mile to its intersection with Shaffer Mountain Road (straight ahead) and Main Street (on your left). Go straight on Shaffer Mountain Road (SR 1018) for 0.9 mile, then right at Lambert Mountain Road. (SR 1035). Go 2.8 miles through State Game Lands 228 to where Lambert Mountain Road ends, turns sharp left and becomes Fliegle Road. Go straight instead of turning left, then straight for 0.5 mile. Turn right at the blue gate and go 0.2 mile to the parking lot for the hawkwatch. Allow two hours from Pittsburgh. Meet at the hawkwatch at 9:30 AM. Bring a lunch and dress for cold weather at this high elevation.

Saturday, September 18 — Harrison Hills Park

Meet leader Jim Valimont (412-828-5338) for a morning walk in search of migrants at this Allegheny County park off Freeport Road between Natrona Heights and Freeport. Take Route 28 North to Exit 16, turn right off the exit ramp, then in about one mile turn right onto Freeport Road. The park entrance will be less than a mile on your left. Take the left fork inside the park entrance and meet in the first parking lot on the left at 8:15 AM. Dress for wet grass and mud.

Sunday, September 19 — 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, 614 Dorseyville Road, at 7:30 AM. Be prepared for muddy trails.

Sunday, September 26 — Harrison Hills Park

Meet leaders Jack and Sue Solomon (412-521-3365) at this county park off Freeport Road between Natrona Heights and Freeport. Meet at 8:30 AM. See September 18 for directions.