November 2007 Outings

Saturday November 3 — Yellow Creek State Park

This outing will be a joint outing of the 3RBC and the Todd Bird Club. Meet Margaret Higbee (724-354-3493) at the park office at 8:00 AM. The park office is located on Route 259 just off Route 422 east of Indiana. Allow an hour and 15 minutes to drive from Pittsburgh. Yellow Creek State Park has been the prime outing location for the Todd Bird Club since the club was created. A wide variety of habitats and a large lake that attracts a wide variety of waterbirds an sometimes exciting rarities.

Wednesday November 7 — Allegheny Front Hawk Watch

Karen Jackson (724-668-7421) will lead this joint outing with the Westmoreland Bird and Nature Club to this exciting hotspot of observing raptors in migration. The date offers an opportunity to see Golden Eagles, Northern Goshawk and other late-fall migrants. Meet at 10:00 AM at the Burger King parking lot near the intersection of Route 601 and Route 30 at Jenners Crossroads in Westmoreland County. We will travel to the Hawk Watch from there (Approx ½ hour). Bring a lunch and dress warmly. Be prepared for changes in the weather! Allow 2 hours drive time from Pittsburgh.

Sunday Nov 11 — Moraine State Park

This will be leaderless outing to Moraine State Park. We will gather at the Moraine State Park day use area (south shore) in the first parking lot on the right at 8:00 AM. From I-79, take route 422 east toward Butler and exit at the Moraine State Park exit. At the end of the ramp, turn left and go straight into the park until you see the first major parking area on your right. Allow one hour driving from Pittsburgh.

Nov 23, 24, (25) Thanksgiving Weekend — The Lower Susquehanna River, Muddy Run Reservoir, and Octoraro Reservoir

Guides Scott and Karena Gregg, plus Rick Schoenberger, Lancaster County Bird Club will take us to see migrating and wintering waterfowl and gulls, Bald Eagles, maybe a Golden Eagle and Peregrine Falcons.

The schedule is:

*Friday - Columbia (Chickies Rock), Washington Boro and the Conojehela Flats, Safe Harbor Dam, Holtwood Dam, Muddy Run Reservoir, and Susquehannock State Park

*Saturday - Octoraro Reservoir, Conowingo Dam (the Grand Finale, as Karena puts it), Port Deposit, and Havre de Grace (the head of the Chesapeake Bay).

*Sunday - The decision to stay for a third day of birding will be determined by participants.

Scott Gregg writes: "This area is my original home turf. My dad, my kids, and I have birded here for many years. In the early 80s when I birded Conowingo Dam, we considered it a banner day when we tallied 12-15 Bald Eagles. I have heard that the official count last year (2006) in November was somewhere in the 180s, so I would expect that this year we will see at least 200 as they move up out of the Chesapeake Bay toward their winter dispersal areas. For the photography enthusiast, unforgettably close-up shots are promised of Bald Eagles at Conowingo Dam, even in fog."

This trip will be dependent on weather forecast and amount of interest. The leaders can assist with finding lodging in Lancaster if needed. Accommodations in the Route 30 area are most desirable. Call Scott Gregg at 724-846-9258 or 724-494-6128".

Meet at the Columbia Burger King at 9:00 A.M. on Friday Nov. 23, 2007. Directions: 1) From Lancaster: Take Route 30 west to the Columbia Exit (just before crossing the Susquehanna River), turn left at the end of the ramp (stop sign, Route 441 South), Burger King is immediately on the left. 2) From the west: Take the PA Turnpike to Exit 242 (Route 83) following the signs for Route 83 South. Take Route 83 South to the Route 30 East exit in York, PA. Take Route30 East to the Columbia Exit. Turn right at the T (Linden St.), Turn right onto 3rd St (Route 441 North). Burger King is immediately on the right.

Addtional information from Scott Gregg:

If you are considering participating in the Lower Susquehanna Trip over T-Day weekend (Nov. 23,24,25), I recommend you start planning ASAP. Central Lancaster County is a year-round tourist magnet, especially over holiday weekends. Many people come from outside the area to shop at the large outlet malls. Room reservations should be made ASAP, or you may not find anything. I am recommending a particular place, Spruce Lane Lodge (see Recommended Lodging below), but as of Labor Day weekend it was already 50% booked for T-Day weekend.

Recommended Lodging:

I would not recommend driving to Lancaster County on Friday morning since we will be doing a fair amount of driving for bird watching that day.

Spruce Lane Lodge: www.sprucelanelodge.com/ or call: 1-800-446-4901

You might also try: www.800padutch.com/mem-hotels.shtml

Lodging on the east side of the city (in the vicinity of Rt. 30 East) is best.