June 2007 Outings
Friday June 1, 2007 — Vespers Outing
June 1 is the date for the annual Westmoreland Bird & Nature Club/3RBC joint "Vespers Outing" this year at Laurel Summit State Park. We are dining at the Darlington Inn, east of Latrobe, at 5:30 pm, giving us time for a leisurely Meal (Hungarian food is available!) and some daylight to see, and, especially, hear birds at the summit. Last year we listened in the gathering dusk to the sweet, piping, notes of Hermit Thrushes, and the twirling songs of Veeries, among the vocalizations of other resident birds, like Chestnut-sided Warbler and Common Yellowthroat. Blooming mountain laurel abounded on the road to the bog.
Let Karen Jackson know if you are coming by May 30 so she can alert the inn regarding dinner.
If you want to go directly to the summit, we should be there by 7:30 pm, and no reservations are needed.
Directions:
Darlington Inn: Rt. 30 east from Latrobe, pass the Hollow Tavern on the left, make the next right onto Darlington Road The inn is about 0.5 mi on the right. (If you haven't seen Darlington Road by the time you reach Rt. 259, you should turn around and go back, west, about a mile.)
Laurel Summit: Rt. 30 east to the top of Laurel Mt. Turn right at the signs directing you to Laurel Ski Slope and also Laurel Mt. Village. Go about 4 or 5 miles to Laurel Summit State Park on the right. Park in the lot near the intersection of Laurel Summit Road and Linn Run Road. See the map of the park on the Linn Run St. Park map at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/maps/linnrun_mini.pdf
Sunday June 3, 2007 — Lower Buffalo Creek Watershed (Washington County)
Outings to this area continue to produce an impressive list of species. Larry Helgerman (412-531-9273) and Mary Grey will be our leaders. 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 the leaders 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. We will meet for the May 20 and June 3 outings at 7:30 AM. Be prepared for muddy trails and pack a lunch to stay into the afternoon.
Saturday June 9, 2007 — Laurel Hill
Meet leader Mike Fialkovich (412-731-3581) at the Dairy Queen off the Donegal exit off the Pennsylvania Turnpike at 7:30 AM. After passing through the toll booths, turn left onto Route 31 East. Proceed about 1/4 mile and the Dairy Queen will be on the left. Allow a good hour driving time from Pittsburgh. The trail is relatively flat, but there are rocky areas. We will see forest birds, warblers, hermit thrush and vireos. Wear good hiking shoes for an extended hike along Wolf Rocks Tail. Bring a snack, drink and lunch.
