May 2005 Outings
Sunday, May 1 — Moraine State Park
This outing will be different than past outings where we drove around the park looking for water birds. Bob Machesney (412-366-7869) will instead help us to explore a more remote area of the park. This all morning hike will take us to Muddy Creek, the main source of water to Lake Arthur and an abandoned railroad bed that once serviced the valley. Though we may find some water birds in the flooded area on either side of the railroad bed, our main focus will be passerines in the Frank Preston Conservation Area. Bring plenty of water, lunch, and proper footwear for the muddy trails and raingear. (It always rains on Bob’s outings!). You should be in good physical condition. Though most of the trail is fairly level, we will probably take a bridal trail up to the top of the hill. At the farthest point we may be over 2 miles from the parking lot.
Meet under the 528-bridge parking lot at 7:00 a.m. sharp. This area has a comfort station. None will be available during the hike. We will then caravan about 3 miles to the trailhead. Directions: From I-79, take 422 east towards Butler, then 528 north several miles. As soon as you cross the bridge over Lake Arthur, make an immediate right turn into the boat launch area.
Friday-Sunday, May 6-8 — Crane Creek/Magee Marsh Ohio
Each year, the 3RBC club sponsors an outing at Crane Creek/Magee Marsh Ohio. Crane Creek State Park, Ohio, 13531 West State Route 2, 43449, (419) 836-7758. Crane Creek is located approximately 30 Miles east of Toledo and 15 miles west of Port Clinton, on the shore of Lake Erie.
Jack Solomon mentions that it is the best place to find and view warbler and other neotropical migrants. Following are details.
Some members may stay longer and arrive sooner. Jack and Sue Solomon expect to arrive the evening of Friday, May 6. They will be staying through Thursday, May 12, but may scoot up to Point Pelee for one or more days during the period Monday May 9-12. All are welcome to join them if they do that. Jet Express is planning a trip to Point Pelee which is tentatively set for May 12. Please contact them at 800-245-1JET if you are interested.
Jack will be at the boardwalk trail entrance at 8AM on Saturday, May 7. Enter the park by turning north off of State Route 2 and proceed to the end of the park road. Go all the way to the end, following the road as it passes the visitors’ center and bends left. Park the car and if you want to wait for me, I’ll be at the boardwalk entrance which is the main one at the far west end of the lot, where the platform and warbler pictures are, at 8AM on Saturday. Further plans will be made at our meetings at the Best Western.
Make reservations early. Many fishermen and birders come out there in May.
Many local motels and restaurants offer discounts if you identify yourself as a
"Lake Erie Wing Watcher".
The Westmoreland Bird &
Nature Club, led by Karen Jackson, will be arriving Tuesday, May
10 and staying through Thursday, May 12. They are staying at the Best Western in Port
Clinton; 1-800-780-7234; http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/selectRoom.do.
On 3/6/05 there were rooms on that web site for $40.50 a night, if you ask for the Senior (over 55)
Discount. They also may have a Birder's Discount. There's a hefty tax on rooms in Ohio — that's extra.
Margie Kern checked on the the Best Budget Inn, Port Clinton Ohio (419) 734-5633 which is located across the street from the Best Western. Some people who have stayed at the Best Western like its "free" breakfast better than the one at the Best Budget, but those who stayed at the Best Budget last year were treated well. Margie spoke in early March to Jenny, the manager of the Best Budget Inn. Room rates are: one queen size bed $39.00/night, $49.00 on Saturday night, both less 10% birder's discount (it‘s $35.10 and $44.10 on Saturday, with the 10% discount). The Inn is getting a new computer system at that point so it would be a good idea to call during March. Rooms with 2 beds cost more.
Margie also asked about a map of Ottawa County, Ohio (I think there’s a good one available). The visitor’s bureau said they don't mail out maps, but if you want one, come to the courthouse Jefferson & 4th Streets, Port Clinton. Hours are 8AM to 4:30PM. Go to the County Engineer's Office.
The Best Western will be our informal headquarters, where we'll gather, off and on, in the evening and early morning, for discussion of the day's activities, dinner plans, etc. All parts of the trip are optional. You are always free to break off and do things independently.
Jack and Sue will be staying at Camp Sabroske. Camping there is inexpensive and not extremely luxurious, but they like it. If Jack and Sue are not at the motel for any of the "meetings," they will be in touch with someone there by cell phone. Always check the Best Western's desk for messages. The first gathering will be at 7pm, Friday, May 6, in the Best Western's Lobby.
More hotel, restaurant and other info is available at the Ottowa County Visitors' Bureau. You can order their general information packet on line, and/or call them 1-800-441-1271, and ask for their Birder's Information Packet.
Bring cell phones and walky-talkies, if you have them. They come in handy. When Jack and Sue arrive, or if you call or email them more than 5 days before the trip, they will give you a cell phone number where they can be reached. Prior to May 6, contact them at home or by email if you need information.
Saturday, May 7 — Boyce Park
Joe Walko (724-733-4980) will lead us to this often overlooked county park in search of migrants for this morning outing. Joe knows the best locations for finding migrants in the park. From Pittsburgh, take the parkway east (US 376) to the end. Bear left onto PA 22 towards Murraysville. Exit 22 onto PA 286, ramp on right. At the 3rd light (about 3 miles), turn left onto Frankstown Road. After about 2 miles, bear right onto Pierson Run Road. At about ½ mile, bear right again at Y-intersection, staying on Pierson Run Road. Continue another 1/2 mile to top of hill and turn right at sign for the soccer fields. Meet in the soccer fields parking area at 7:30 AM. We will walk to two different areas where Joe usually finds the most migrants.
Sunday, May 8 — Buffalo Creek Valley
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 a chance to explore this property during a spring migration, where Brian has found 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.
Wednesday, May 11 — Woodcock Walk
Meet leader Tom Byrnes (724-275-7230) at the Ames/Giant Eagle parking lot just off the Harmar exit of Route 28 at 7:30 PM. Meet in front of the old Ames store. We will carpool and drive a short distance to a field in Harmar Township that produced lots of American Woodcock last year. Be prepared for a muddy walk and bring a flashlight to witness the strange display of the Timberdoodle. This is the last of three walks Tom will lead to this location this spring.
Saturday, May 14 — Pennsylvania Migration Count
Carol and Fred McCullough (412-921-6873) are the Allegheny County compilers for this annual event. Please contact them for an area to cover. (More Info)
Saturday, May 14 — Frick Park
Join leaders Jack and Sue Solomon (412-521-3365) on Migration Count day. The park is an excellent migrant trap that can sometimes have a great variety of warblers. Meet at the Frick Environmental Center parking lot off Beechwood Boulevard at 7:30 AM.
Sunday, May 15 — Lower Buffalo Creek Watershedp
Larry Helgerman (412-531-9273) will lead this outing to this exceptional IBA site. For directions, see March 20. Meet at 7:30 AM.
Friday-Sunday, May 20-22 — PSO Meeting in Clarion
The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology will hold its annual meeting at the Clarion Holiday Inn, including many outings on Saturday and Sunday mornings. (More Info)
Saturday, May 21 — 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 possible Summer Tanagers are 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 29 — Lower Buffalo Creek Watershed
Larry Helgerman (412-531-9273) will lead this outing to this exceptional IBA site. For directions, see March 20. Meet at 7:30 AM.
(Non-3RBC) Wednesday, May 18 — Wissahickon Nature Club; Spring Wildflower & Bird Outing at Raccoon Creek State Park
Esther Allen and Chuck Tague will lead this outing to Raccoon Creek State Park.
Meet at the Park Office parking lot on Route 18 for this educational wildflower and bird identification walk. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars, a lunch and beverage. After lunch we’ll decide what adventures await us!
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the Parkway West and U.S. Route 22 West to the exit for Route 18. Turn north on Route 18; continue this two-lane highway for 6-7 miles to the Park Office, where we will meet. Trip may be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions. Call Susanne at (412)771-4737 to let us know you’re coming.
