October 2005 Outings
Saturday, October 1 — Buffalo Creek Valley IBA, Butler County
Explore the Buffalo Creek and Little Buffalo Creek valleys with Brian Shema (412-963-6100) at this wonderful location designated by Pennsylvania Audubon as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Many migrant landbirds are sure to be found. Meet Brian at 8 AM in the park-and-ride lot on Route 356 a short distance north of Route 28. From Pittsburgh take Route 28 north to Exit 17 (Butler/Freeport) and turn right at the end of the ramp onto Route 356 north. Just after crossing the Route 28 overpass, look for the park-and-ride lot on the left. Depending on the number of cars, we will carpool to the limited parking area on Monroe Road.
Sunday, October 2 — Buffalo Creek IBA-80
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 in the parking area about 200 yards on the left. Allow about 3/4 hour from Pittsburgh. In case you get lost, ask for directions to the S-bridge, which is a well-known local landmark at this intersection. Meet at 8:00 AM at the S-bridge.
Saturday, October 15 — Presque Isle State Park
Mid-October will bring a different set of migrants than were present in September, including a good variety of waterfowl and sparrows. Meet leader Bob VanNewkirk (412-366-1694) at 9 AM in the first parking lot on the right as you enter the park. The park is at the north end of Route 832 just west of the city of Erie.
Wednesday, October 19 — Allegheny Front Hawk Watch
Join Jack Solomon (412 521 3365) for a day of hawk watching on the Somerset/Bedford County border. Meet at 9:00 AM. See September 11 for directions.
Sunday, October 23 — Lake Arthur
The 3RBC Fourth Anniversary picnic: Bob Machesney (412-366-7869) will lead a day of birding, food and fun. Meet at 8 AM in the Moraine State Park day use area (south shore) in the first parking lot on the right. Besides the nice variety of waterfowl expected, species could include Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Common Snipe, American Woodcock, and Ruffed Grouse. Lake Arthur is a man-made lake that is the heart of Moraine State Park. Although it is heavily fished, waterfowl are more comfortable with the fishermen than they are with hunters. Therefore, the lake gets good (sometimes spectacular) numbers and variety of waterfowl in migration.
After the morning outing, we will have a picnic lunch at a park pavilion near McDanel’s boat launch, celebrating the fourth anniversary of our club’s first outing. Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share with the group. A main course will be provided.
From I-79, take route 422 east toward Butler and exit at the Moraine State Park exit. Turn left (north) onto Pleasant Valley Road and go straight into the park to the first major parking area on your right, where we will meet. Allow one hour driving from Pittsburgh. Carpool, if you wish, at 7 AM in the park-and-ride lot at the intersection of Routes 19 and 228 (across from Denny’s) in Cranberry Township. Enter the lot from the service road behind, accessible from the Burger King on Route 19.
Tuesday, October 25 — Allegheny Front Hawk Watch
Bill Judd (412-571-2057) will lead the season’s third hawk watch outing at a peak time for seeing Golden Eagles and Northern Goshawks. Meet at 9:30 AM at the hawk watch site. Take the Turnpike east to the Somerset exit, then Route 281 north to Stoystown, and Route 30 east to Reels Corners. Go north to Central City. You will come to a sharp left turn with a sign to go left for Route 160 north. Go straight here (on Lambert Street) 0.5 mile to the intersection with Shaffer Mountain Road. 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. Instead of turning left, go straight for 0.5 mile. Turn right at the blue gate and go 0.2 mile to the parking lot. Allow two hours driving time from Pittsburgh. Bring lunch and dress for cold weather at the high elevation.
Saturday, October 29 — Pymatuning State Park
Bob VanNewkirk (412-366-1694) will show us a marvelous array of waterbirds and other specialties of Pymatuning Lake and nearby hotspots. Meet at 9 AM at the Wildlife Learning Center (formerly the Waterfowl Museum) south of Linesville. Bald Eagles abound there, and the resident albino Red-tailed Hawk may be present. Take I-79 north to Route 6, and go east to Linesville. Turn left at the light where the sign points toward the spillway. The sign for the center’s lot will be on the left, past the fish hatchery and before the spillway. Bring a lunch.
Sunday, October 30 — Buffalo Creek IBA-80
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 in the parking area about 200 yards on the left. Allow about 3/4 hour from Pittsburgh. In case you get lost, ask for directions to the S-bridge, which is a well-known local landmark at this intersection. Meet at 8:00 AM at the S-bridge.
