May 2006 Outings
Wednesday, May 3 — Panhandle Trail
Carol and Fred McCullough will lead this new outing. The outing will begin at the Walker's Mill entrance to the Panhandle Trail which is 1 and 1/2 miles from the Carnegie exit of I-79. Construction has closed the I-79 southbound exit for Carnegie. Instead, if you’re coming from the Fort Pitt Tunnel on Parkway West, take the Parkway’s Carnegie exit and follow the right fork on the ramp that says Carnegie. Continue on this road for 3.4 miles. The street name changes several times – Mansfield Ave. then Main St. then Noblestown Rd. At 1.7 miles (halfway to the trailhead) you pass under I-79. Continue another 1.7 miles to a stop sign at Walkers Mill. Turn left. Parking lots are on both sides of the road. If you are coming from another direction and need advice, call Carol and Fred McCullough at 412-921-6873. Meet at 7:30am at the shelter at the beginning of the trail. Bring a lunch to eat along the trail.
Friday, May 5-12 — Crane Creek/Magee Marsh
Co-leaders Margie Kern (412-369-0592) and Jack Solomon (412-521-3365) will lead this outing to see warblers and other migrants that swarm there. Past Crane Creek Week trips have blessed us with up to 150 species, many seen at arm’s length along the Magee Marsh boardwalk! Our headquarters will be the Best Budget Inn, 1735 East Perry Street, Port Clinton OH 43452 (419-734-5633). Ask for the Birder’s Discount when you make your reservations. Gather in the Best Budget lobby Friday evening, May 5, at 7pm for a pre-outing get together where we will firm up our plans. We will be repeating our Jet Express Birdwatching Excursion to Point Pelee National Park in Canada. This year the excursion is scheduled for May 11, 2006. For reservations, call Jet Express at 1-800-245-1538. Visit the following web site for other birding areas along Lake Erie which we will try to explore if time permits: http://www.coastalohio.com.
Bring binoculars, spotting scopes, walkie talkies, Ohio maps and gazetteers. Come for the whole week or just for a few days. We guarantee you will have a great time. Please contact Margie or Jack by email to let us know you are joining us on the outing. Please provide your cell phone number in your email.
Coastal Ohio Bird List
(Excel Format)
Birds of Ohio Checklist
(PDF Format)
DeLorme Map Coastal Ohio
Locations Listing (Excel Format)
Friday, May 5 — Beechwood Farms
Brian Shema will lead this walk through the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s nature reserve at the peak of the land bird migration. Last year, 24 species of warblers were observed in one day. Brian will show us the birding hot spots where Mourning Warbler and Gray cheek thursh have been seen in the past. Meet at 8:00 AM in the parking lot at 614 Dorseyville Road, Fox Chapel. Take Route 8 north to Harts Run Road, turn right (east), go to the T at Dorseyville Road and turn right (south). Beechwood is a few tenths of a mile on your right.
Sunday, May 7 — Boyce Park
Joe Walko will lead us through this often-overlooked park in search of migrants. From Pittsburgh, take the Parkway East (Route376), and bear left onto Route 22 toward Murrysville. Exit Route 22 onto Route 286 ramp on the right. At the third light (about 3 miles), turn left onto Frankstown Road. After about 2 miles, bear right onto Pierson Run Road. Continuing half -mile, bear right at the Y intersection, staying on Pierson Run Road. Continue another half-mile to the top of the hill and turn right at a sign for the soccer fields. Meet in the soccer fields parking area at 8:00 AM.
Wednesday, May 10 — Harrison Hills County Park
Meet leader JimValimont at this county park off Freeport Road between Natrona Heights and Freeport. As you enter the park, bear left and meet in the first parking lot on the left at 8:15 AM for this morning walk in search of migrants. Dress for wet grass and mud. Previous fall outings have produced a nice variety of warblers (including Cape May and Wilson's), Philadelphia and Yellow-throated Vireos, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Scarlet Tanagers.
Wednesday, May 10 — 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 has produced lots of American Woodcock last year. Be prepared for a mud and bring a flashlight to witness the strange display of the Timberdoodle.
Friday, May 12 — Beechwood Farms
We will again visit the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s nature reserve with host Brian Shema. There is a possibility of observing 24 species of warblers. Brian will show us the birding hot spots where Mourning Warblers and Gray cheek thursh have been seen in the past. Meet at 8:00 AM in the parking lot at 614 Dorseyville Road, Fox Chapel. Take Route 8 north to Harts Run Road, turn right (east), go to the T at Dorseyville Road and turn right (south). Beechwood is a few tenths of a mile on your right.
Saturday, May 13 — Frick Park
Join leaders Jack and Sue Solomon at Frick Park for Migratory Bird Count Day. Frick 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 14 — Lower Buffalo Creek Watershed (Washington County)
Larry Helgerman will again lead this outing to this exceptional birding area. 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 Dan 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.
Saturday-Sunday, May 20-21 — PSO Meeting
This year the PSO meeting will be held at Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector PA.
Saturday, May 27 — Bell's Farm
Join Ralph Bell at 9 AM at his farm in Green County. Eastern Bluebirds that feed out of your hand, nesting American Kestrels up close and personal, and possible Summer Tanagers are features of the perennially favorite outing. Bring lunch and spend all day. Take I-79 south to the Ruff Creek exit. Turn left onto Route 221, drive under the interstate, continue 5 mile to a golf course, and turn left onto Route 188 toward Jefferson. In Jefferson, turn left onto Pine Street, then proceed down hill and under the railroad bridge. Go straight up the hill for 0.5 mile and turn at the "R.BELL Tree Farm” sign. Park 0.5 mile down the road.
Sunday, May 28 — Lower Buffalo Creek Watershed (Washington County)
Larry Helgerman will lead another visit to this exceptional birding area. 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 Dan 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.
(Non-3RBC) Wednesday, May 17 — Wissahickon Nature Club: Raccoon Creek State Park Valley Picnic Trail
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Leaders: Esther Allen and Chuck Tague.
Meet at Park Office on Route 18, between Routes 22 and 30, in southern Beaver County.
Call (412)771-4737 to let us know you’re coming.
Join us in our search for spring things. Search for Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Golden Ragwort, Solomon Seal and Blue Cohosh. Scan a little higher for Chipping Sparrows, Brown Creepers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and listen for the song of the Eastern or Rufous-sided Towhee. Maybe we’ll see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and a few butterflies. This is the perfect time to search for those elusive warblers. Dress for the weather and expect mud. Bring your binoculars and field guides, lunch and beverages.
