May 2007 Outings

Friday to Friday, May 4-11 — Crane Creek/Magee Marsh, Ohio

Co-leaders Jack Solomon (412-521-3365) and Margie Kern will lead this annual trip to see warblers and other migrants that swarm here on the shore of Lake Erie, between Sandusky and Toledo. For the location, visit stateparks.com/crane_creek.html. Past trips to Crane Creek 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, Port Clinton, OH 43452. For reservations and directions, call (419)-734-5633 or visit hotel-rates.com/us/ohio/port-clinton/best-budget-inn-and-suites.html. Ask if there is a Birders' Discount. Gather in the Best Budget lobby Friday evening, May 4, at 7 PM for a pre-outing get-together where we will firm up plans.

We will repeat our Jet Express Birdwatching Excursion to Point Pelee National Park in Canada if we can. It was not yet scheduled as of this writing. It fills up fast, so for reservations, click on Excursions at jet-express.com and/or call 1-800-245-1538. Visit coastalohio.com and lakeeriewingwatch.com for other birding areas along Lake Erie, which we might try to explore. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes, walkie-talkies, Ohio maps and gazetteers. Come for the whole week or just for a few days. You will have a great time. Let Jack know by email if you will be joining us, and whether it's for all or part of the trip. Provide a cell phone number, if possible. Those seeking to car pool should use the 3RBC.org web site's car pool discussion forum.

Additional information obtained about the outing May 4-11, 2007 to Crane Creek.
Best Budget Inn is now open for the season so folks can make their reservations. A discount coupon is available on their web site: www.islandsbestbudget.com. Jet Express bird outing to Point Pelee is scheduled for May 10, 2007. Price is same as last year, $85.00. Jet Express is taking reservations now. Their number is 1-800-245-1538.

Sunday May 6, 2007 — 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 spring 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 9, 2007 — Woodcock Walk

Meet leader Tom Byrnes (412-828-4539) at the Ladbrokes (now The Meadows) parking lot behind the Primanti Brothers restaurant off the Harmar exit of Route 28. We will carpool and drive a short distance to a field in Harmar Township that has produced lots of American Woodcock in the past several years. Be prepared for a muddy walk and bring a flashlight. Meeting time will be 7:30 PM.

Friday May 11, 2007 — Sewickley Heights Borough Park

This bird walk will be lead by Bob VanNewkirk (412-366-1694 or email at van126@comcast.net). on Friday morning at Sewickley Heights Borough Park. The walk will begin at 7:30 AM starting from the upper parking lot. Some trails may be muddy. Bring water and pack a lunch to stay into the afternoon.

Saturday May 12, 2007 — 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 13, 2007 — Buttermilk Hill Nature Sanctuary

Buttermilk Nature Sanctuary is a 460 acre, predominantly wooded nature sanctuary owned by Jerry Stanley and his wife, Kathie Goodblood, (814-432-4496) 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 then turn right onto route 62 and follow 62 into Sandy Lake.In Sandy Lake go north on route 173. Travel on route 173 for 4.4 miles then 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 1 mile. Our house is a log home on the right.

Saturday May 19, 2007 — Bells 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 20 / 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.