June 2006 Outings

Sunday, June 4 — Butternut Hill Nature Sanctuary

Butternut Nature Sanctuary is a 460 acre, predominantly wooded nature sanctuary owned by Jerry Stanley and his wife, Kathie Goodblood, who have offered to host this field trip. At least 20 species of warblers have presumably nested at BHNS, and there are usually 5 to 10 singing cerulean warblers on territory. Other possibilities are: yellow-throated warbler, yellow-throated vireo, Louisiana waterthrush, both cuckoos, alder and great-crested flycatcher, 9 species of diurnal raptors and owls. Later migrants such as mourning and blackpoll warblers, Swainson's thrush and olive-sided flycatcher are not unusual. Meet at 7:30 AM.

Directions from points south via interstate 79:

Take exit 121 – route 62/Mercer
Turn right onto route 62 and follow 62 into Sandy Lake
In Sandy Lake go north on route 173.
Travel on 173 4.4 miles
Turn right onto Georgetown Road.
Drive about 3 ½ miles to a sign pointing to the left for Utica. Take this road into the little town of Utica.
Cross the bridge in Utica (this is over French Creek).
Drive 1.2 miles and take a right onto Buttermilk Hill Road.
Drive 1.2 miles and take a right onto Keith Lane.
This is our lane, Please drive slowly.
Go back this lane through a gate for about 1mile.
Our house is a log home on the right.

Friday, June 16 — Sewickley Heights Borough Park

April Claus and Bob Van Newkirk will lead you through Sewickley Heights Borough Park for birds! Bird walks will take place in various areas within Sewickley Heights Park. Meet in the upper parking lot at the park. Birding programs are geared more for adults and children with a serious interest in birding. Please bring your boots, binoculars, field guides and water bottles. Sewickley Heights Borough Park — Hundreds of acres of woods, trails, streams, and fields....perfect!

Directions: Take I-79 to Mt. Nebo exit. Take Mt. Nebo Road west towards Sewickley. This will become Blackburn Road. Follow Blackburn Road through the countryside until you come to a stop sign. Make right at stop sign onto Fern Hollow Road. You will pass Boro Building on your right. Park entrance is immediately after that on right. Follow the drive all the way to the parking lot at end. Meet at 7:00 AM.

Saturday, June 17 — Clarion Area

Mourning Warblers and other woodland breeding birds will be featured in the morning half of this all-day outing. After lunch we will lead to the local reclaimed strip mine areas to find Clay-colored, Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows, and we will have possibilities for Upland Sandpipers, Northern Harriers, Bobolink and other grassland specialties. Mike Leahy, who knows just about every corner of the county, will be our leader. Meet at 9 AM at the Country Fair convenience store at the intersection of Route 66 and Route 322 approximately 3 mile north of Exit 60 on I-80 (Shippenville & Cook Forest).

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(Non-3RBC) Monday, June 12 — Meeting of the Botanical Society of Western Pennsylvania:

The next meeting will be Monday, June 12, 7:15 p.m., at Kresge Theater, Carlow College, 3333 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland). Kresge Theater is on the top floor of the Grace Library and is accessed from the upper campus. Place a note on your dashboard saying “Botanical Society Meeting,” or use your parking permit.

Dr. Gordon Whitney will present “Forests through Time: The Natural and Human History of Northwestern Pennsylvania’s Woodlands.” Northwestern Pennsylvania encompasses a variety of soils and landscapes and contains elements of most of the state’s major forest communities. Its post-European settlement history also includes a long history of logging and widespread forest clearance for agriculture. Much of the region has reverted back to forest after widespread farm abandonment in the later half of the twentieth century. Forests of the more rugged third of the region were never cleared as extensively.

In light of this activity, how much change has occurred in the forests of northwestern Pennsylvania? How has the divergent human history of the region altered the composition of the forest?

Dr. Whitney is author of the book From Coastal Wilderness to Fruited Plain which describes the enormous environmental changes that occurred in the Northeast and upper Midwest as a result of European settlement. His more recent research focuses on pin cherry's role in ecosystem development, the changing farm/forest landscape of northwestern Pennsylvania and the maple sugar industry. He is currently working on a book with Marc Abrams, Ann Rhoads and Roger Latham on the natural vegetation of Pennsylvania.

(Non-3RBC) Friday, June 16 — Wissahickon Nature Club: Butler Freeport Trail

Time: 10:00 a.m.
Leaders: Esther Allen and Chuck Tague.

You are cordially invited to enjoy the transformation from spring into summer. This delightful walk with Esther along the  Butler Freeport Trail is a long-standing Wissahickon tradition. Esther  knows this trail like the back of her hand and is famous for finding  dozens of strikingly beauty flowers and some so inconspicuous they are  usually overlooked. Birders can expect to see Cerulean Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Warbling Vireo and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. We may even hear a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. We usually find many species of butterflies, reptiles and other fascinating creatures.

This trail is wheelchair accessible. Wear a hat. Bring your binoculars  and field guides, lunch, snacks and beverages. Call Susanne at (412)771-4737 to let us know you’re coming.

Free and open to the public. Bring your friends.

Directions: From Pittsburgh: take Route 28 North to Exit 17 in Freeport. Then, Route 356 North (right) for 3.6 miles. Turn right onto Sarver Road (SR  2018). After 0.7 mile, turn left into the parking lot of the trail, just after the Buffalo Township Fire Hall.

(Non-3RBC) Saturday, June 24 & Sunday, June 25 — Dolly Sods Natural Area Tucker County, W. VA.

Time: 10:00 a.m.
Leaders: Bonnie & Joe Isaac; Charles & Martha Oliver join us on Sunday.

Dolly Sods has been described as “a little bit of Canada placed a hair too far south.” Many of the plant communities are typical of what would be found in Canada rather than West Virginia. We will explore huckleberry heaths, bogs, and spruce stands, and enjoy rhododendron and mountain laurel. Arrive Saturday or Sunday, or join us for the weekend.

Directions: Routes 51 & 40, or I-79 & I-68 are suggested ways to reach the intersection of US 40, US 219 and I-68 in Keysers Ridge, Maryland. From this point, take US 219 south to Thomas WV. In Thomas, take WV 32 to Davis. Continue south on WV 32; about 9-10 miles south of Davis, turn right into Canaan Valley Resort (a well-marked resort of Canaan Valley State Park).

Canaan Valley is approximately 180 miles from Pittsburgh; allow ample time for traveling. Cold temperatures and fog can occur anytime of the year. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy foot gear!

For information on accommodations in the Davis, WV, and Canaan Valley area, call 1 800 CALL WVA. Camping is available at Blackwater and Canaan Valley State Parks.