September 2007 Outings
Sunday, September 2 — Frick Park
Join leader Jack Solomon (412-521-3365) for the first fall outing at Frick! 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.
The Environmental Center is located at 2005 Beechwood Blvd. It is just north of Forbes Ave.,in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill section.
Sunday September 2 and September 30 — Lower Buffalo Creek Watershed (Washington County)
Larry Helgerman (412-508-0321) and Mary Grey will be our leaders. We will meet at the S-Bridge. 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. For the September 2 and September 30 outings we will meet at 8:00 AM. Be prepared for muddy trails and pack a lunch to stay into the afternoon.
Fridays September 7 and 21 — Sewickley Heights Borough Park
Bob VanNewkirk (412-366-1694 or email at van126@comcast.net) will lead this joint bird walk with the Fern Hollow Nature Center and 3RBC at the Sewickley Heights Borough Park. The walks will begin at 8:00 AM starting from the upper parking lot. Some trails may be muddy. Bring water and pack a lunch if you like to stay into the afternoon.
Sunday September 9 — Presque Isle State Park
Bob VanNewkirk (412-366-1694 or email at van126@comcast.net) will lead us at one of the state's prime locations for seeing fall migrants. Meet at 8:00 AM in the first parking lot on the right as you enter the park. The park is at the north end of Route 832 just west of the city of Erie. Bring a lunch.
Saturday September 15 — Harrison Hills County Park
Meet leader Jim Valimont (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.
Tuesday September 18 — Bird and Wildflower Outing at Moraine State Park 10:00a.m.
The outing will led by Esther Allen and Chuck Tague of the Wissahickon Nature Club. 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 plus some nifty mushrooms. Last year we saw an embarrassment of caterpillars including Tiger Swallow, Spicebush Swallowtail and Jerry Stanley discovered the enormous Hickory Horned Devil.
We may catch the migrating thrushes as they pass through, and the enormous flock of Turkey Vultures. 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.
Sunday September 23 — Fox Chapel Parks
Steve and Sue Thomas (412-782-4696) will lead this outing to several different parks and nature reserves in the Fox Chapel area in search of migrant and resident species. Meet at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve at 614 Dorseyville Road at 7:30 a.m. Be prepared for muddy trails!
Sunday September 23 — Boyce-Mayview Park
Join Patti Kaminski (412-831-8041 to Boyce-Mayview Park. In addition to a beautiful wetland area, there are woods and open fields, and a new tail has recently opened . We'll begin our walk at 7:30 a.m. in a small parking area off of Boyce Road; travel South 19 past South Hills Village (on your left). Continue on 19 a few miles past Upper St. Clair High School (on right) until you reach Boyce Road; turn right onto Boyce, past Boyce Middle School and then about 1 mile downhill, going past Friendship Village (on your left). At the bottom of the hill on your right is the entrance to the parking area, adjacent to a small pizza shop.
Sunday September 23 — Monarch Tagging Noon - 2:00 p.m.
Meet Tom Pawlesh and the Wissahickon Nature Club at the Fern Hollow Nature Center for this hands-on scientific excursion. We are going to participate in Monarch Watch, a biological survey dedicated to education, conservation and research of the Monarch Butterfly. Tom will provide Monarch Watch tags and tagging datasheets as well as his enthusiastic knowledge. Bring binoculars, snacks and beverages and if possible a butterfly net. The dollar stores usually carry them.
For directions visit http://web.mac.com/babyowl/iWeb/Wissahickon/Home.html This outing is not exclusive to members only. Everybody's invited. Bring a friend or three and call Susanne (412)771-4737 or email natureob@city-net.com so we know you're coming. For more information about Monarch Tagging visit http://www.monarchwatch.org/
Sunday September 30 — Pymatuning Area
Meet leader Bob VanNewkirk (412-366-1694 or email at van126@comcast.net) at the Pymatuning Wildlife Learning Center (Waterfowl Museum) at 8:00 AM for this all day outing. Plenty of waterfowl, lots of Bald Eagles, migrant songbirds should be around for this trip. Dress appropriately for the weather. Bob is trying late September this time, hoping to avoid snow, which has been the hallmark of recent trips. Bring a lunch or join us as we stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
