April 2008 Outings
Saturday April 5 - Yellow Creek State Park
Meet Margaret Higbee (724-354-3493) at the park office at 8:00 AM for this joint outing of the 3RBC and the Todd Bird Club. . 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. The park contains a wide variety of habitats and a large lake that attracts a wide variety of species. Some of the waterfowl numbers have been spectacular in the past with real rarities showing up on a fairly regular basis.
Sunday April 6 - Lower Buffalo Creek Watershed (Washington County)
Larry Helgerman (412-531-9273) and Mary Grey will lead this outing to this area which continues to produce an impressive list of species. We will meet at 8:00 AM. 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. Be prepared for muddy trails and pack a lunch to stay into the afternoon.
Wednesdays April 9, 16, 30 - Sewickley Heights Borough Park
In collaboration with the Fern Hollow Nature Center at Sewickley Heights Borough Park, these bird walks will be lead by Bob VanNewkirk (412-366-1694 or email at van126@comcast.net). The walks begin at 7:30 AM starting from the upper parking lot. Birders should bring water and be prepared for muddy trails. Besides birding in the park we usually drive and make stops along Little Sewickley Creek Road. Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Warbling Vireo nest in the area.
Wednesday, April 16 - 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. Tom will lead three walks to this location this spring. Meeting time will be 7:30 PM.
Saturday April 19 - Frick Park Earth Day Bird Outing
Meet leaders Jack and Sue Solomon, 412-521-3365, at 7:30 AM at the Frick Environmental Center (FEC) parking lot, 2005 Beechwood Boulevard, Squirrel Hill, a block south of Forbes Ave., for this joint outing with the FEC. Early neotropical migrants will be our targets. At 10:30 AM all, or some of us, will stop back at the center to pick up participants attending the Earth day event (visit http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/html/the_frick_center.html). Brunch at Kazansky's at Douglass Sat. Murray Ave. is likely after the outing.
Sunday April 27 - Boyce-Mayview Park
Join Patti Kaminski (412-831-8041) for an outing to Boyce-Mayview Park. In addition to a beautiful wetland area, there are woods and open fields, with recently developed trails throughout. We'll begin our walk at 7:30 AM 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, going 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 April 27 - Frick Park (Nine Mile Run)
Chuck Tague, Jack Solomon (412-521-3365) will lead this joint outing with Wissahickon Nature Club and Nine Mile Run Watershed Association (http//www.ninemilerun.org/ for more information). Meet at 7:30 AM at the Frick lower parking lot at the end of Lancaster St. Coming south (toward the Parkway) turn right (west) at W. Hutchinson Ave., and follow it to the sign at Lancaster; turn right and go down to the last lot. We will bird the Nine Mile Run valley, and learn about the ecological restoration projects.
Sunday April 27 - Enlow Fork Total Ecology Extravaganza
The Enlow Fork Total Ecology Extravaganza. Directions. Details Starting at 8:00 am, this will be a multi-organizational event. There will be Birding, Botany, Butterflies, Fish, Snails, Stream study and Watershed conservation. Multiple leaders in all fields. Picnicking is encouraged. All who came last year know not to miss this outing.
Wissahickon Nature Club Outing - Thursday, April 17 - Mingo Creek County Park
Meet at 10:00 a.m. Outing led by Chuck Tague and Esther Allen. According to Park Ranger Jeff Donahue Pond Road would be a good starting point for exploring. The Blue Horse Trail crosses Pond Road and could serve as a nice jump off point. The Hemlock Trail Area is also nice that time of year.
This trail is wheelchair accessible. Wear a hat. Bring your binoculars and field guides, lunch and beverages. Outings are not exclusive to members. Everyone’s invited. Call Susanne at (412)771-4737 to let us know you’re coming.
Meet at Shelter 4, Mingo Creek County Park, 12 miles east of Washington PA
Directions:>From Pittsburgh via I-79: Take I-79 South to Exit 43. Turn right and follow to stop sign. Turn right on Route 519 South and follow to Route 136 East. Follow signs for Mingo Creek Park (left turn into park) and the Park Office. Just past the Park Office (office on right), make a left to Shelter 4, through the Ebenezer Covered Bridge.
>From Pittsburgh via Route 51: Take Route 51 South to PA Toll Route 43 South. Pay $1 toll and take Exit 44. Turn right on Route 136 West. Follow signs for Mingo Creek Park (right turn into park) and the Park Office. Just past the Park Office (office on right), make a left to Shelter 4, through the Ebenezer Covered Bridge.
>From New Stanton: Take I-70 West to PA Toll Route 43 North (towards Pittsburgh). Take Exit 44 (toll 50 cents) and turn left on Route 136 West. Follow signs for Mingo Creek Park (right turn into park) and the Park Office. Just past the Park Office (office on right), make a left to Shelter 4, through the Ebenezer Covered Bridge.
>From South Hills via Route 88: Take Route 88 South until you’re approaching where a REALLY HIGH bridge (Route 43, Joe Montana Bridge) passes over it. Make a right onto Ginger Hill Road at a little sign on your right that says "Mingo Creek 2 miles". Make the next immediate right onto Little Mingo Road. Follow this until you get to the park entrance on your left. Turn left into the park and take the main park road through, following the signs for the Park Office. The first bridge you will pass is the Henry Bridge -- not Ebenezer; continue straight and do not go through it. Just past the Park Office (office on right), make a left to Shelter 4, through the Ebenezer Covered Bridge. Or visit visit at http://www.co.washington.pa.us/downloads/167.pdf.
