September 2006 Outings
Friday, September 1 — Harrison Hills County Park
Meet our leaders Jack and Sue Solomon (412-521-3365) 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 8:30 AM for this morning walk in search for early migrants.
Sunday, September 3 — Lower Buffalo Creek Watershed (Washington County)
Larry Helgerman (412-531-9273) will lead this outing to the Lower Buffalo Creek Watershed. This area continues to produce an impressive list of species. 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 Larry 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 8:00 AM. Be prepared for muddy trails and pack a lunch to stay into the afternoon.
Saturday, September 9 — Presque Isle
Bob Van Newkirk (412-366-1694) will lead this outing to Presque Isle. We will meet in the first parking lot on the right at 9:00 AM. At this time of year at Presque Isle, expect to see early waterfowl, lingering shorebirds, hawks, lots of sparrows, and migrating species of warblers. Presque Isle always seems to have that real rarity lurking in some corner, waiting to be found.
Friday, September 15 — Beechwood Farms
Brian Shema (412-968-0855) will lead this walk through the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s nature reserve at the peak of the land bird migration. Brian will show us the fall birding hot spots. Meet at 8:00 AM in the parking lot at 614 Dorseyville Road, Fox Chapel. Take Route 28 north to Route 8 north/Butler exit. Turn right at the first traffic light on to Kittaning Road, whch becomes Dorseyville Road. Travel 4.3 miles and Beechwood will be on your left.
Saturday, September 16 — Harrison Hills County Park
Meet leader JimValimont (412-828-5338) 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.
Saturday, September 23 — Sewickley Heights Park
Bob Van Newkirk will be our guide for a morning walk through this community park in western Allegheny County to find summer residents and migrants. Meet in the parking lot at 9AM. The bird walk will take place in various areas within Sewickley Heights Park. Please bring your boots, binoculars, field guides and water bottles. Sewickley Heights Borough Park has hundreds of acres of woods, trails, streams, and fields.
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.
Tuesday, September 26 — 2nd Annual Birds & Beer Outing
We'll look for Chimney Swifts arriving, en mass, and swirling into a chimney to roost, after sunset.
Arrive at 7:10PM at the Sharp Edge Beer Emporium (412-661-3537) located at 302 S. Saint Clair Street, East Liberty, Pittsburgh.
S. Saint Clair St. is between Friendship Avenue and Baum Boulevard. You'll probably be OK to come as late as 7:15PM without missing anything. Much later, you may miss something. Use http://maps.google.com or any mapping site to find the Sharp Edge if you haven't been there before.
Last year we tried this on October 4th and it was too late. Barring bad weather, we should be OK. Eric Marchbein tried it 2 nights ago and the swifts were there, in full force. After birding, consisting of standing near S. St. Clair & Baum and watching a chimney across S. St. Clair, we go into the Sharp Edge, where they have scores, literally, of imported beers on tap. They serve snacks and meals, too. What more could a birder want, I ask, rhetorically.
At the stop sign onto Fern Hollow Road, you will pass the Borough Building on your right. Park entrance is immediately after that on the right. Follow the drive all the way to the parking lot at end.
(Non-3RBC) Thursday, September 14 — Wissahickon Nature Club: Bird & Wildflower Outing at Moraine State Park
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Leaders: Esther Allen and Chuck Tague
Esther will lead us to a patch of Nodding Ladies Tresses. We’ll look for many species of asters, Thin Leaf Coneflower, Silverrod, Burr Marigold, Horsebalm, Great Blue Lobelia, Rosinweed, Spotted Wintergreen, Common Sneezeweed and Bulb Bearing water Hemlock.
We may catch the migrating thrushes as they pass through, and the enormous flock of Turkey Vultures. The abundant moisture in the soil should stimulate a fine fruiting of mushrooms. There’s something for everyone on this trail. Bring binoculars, field guides, water and a lunch. Call Susanne at (412)771-4737 or email natureob@city-net.com so we know you’re coming.
Directions: From Pittsburgh, take I-79 North to Exit 96, (formerly Exit 28), Portersville, Prospect. At the end of exit ramp, turn Right onto Rt. 488 East. Travel 1.1 miles to a “Y”; Bear Left at the “Y” to Moraine State Park. From the “Y” go .9 miles to the entrance of Moraine State Park. Passing under US422 turn Left onto 422 West Go 2.1 miles; Turn Right at the North Shore Exit (brown sign); Cross a small bridge. At the “Yield”, go right and travel .3 miles. Turn Right into Moraine State Park. Go .9 miles to bicycle concession on the Right. We will then carpool to the trail.
