JANUARY 2009 Outings

Sunday, January 4, 2009 - Presque Isle

Jack and Sue Solomon (412-521-3365) will be leading this outing to Presque Isle. Meet at 9:30 am at the first parking lot on the right inside the park. Gulls, waterfowl, and possibly an unusual winter species such as Common Redpoll or Snowy Owl, are our targets. Bring a lunch or eat at a nearby restaurant. Dress very warmly, in layers, and a ski mask may help. The wind off the lake can be painful. The park is at the north end of Pa. Rt. 832 in Erie County, West of the City of Erie. From Pittsburgh: I-79 North to the US-20/26TH ST exit (No. 43). Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp, merge onto US-20 West, go about a mile and turn RIGHT (north) onto Pa. 832 and go 2.1 miles to the park. Total distance from Pittsburgh is about 130 miles. Estimated driving time: 2.5 hours. Because of winter weather conditions, call Jack before noon Saturday January 3 to check outing status.

January-February - Lawrence County Farm Country

Jim Valimont (412-828-5338) will lead outing(s) in search of Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, Rough-legged Hawks, Sandhill Cranes, and Short-eared Owls. Call Jim after January 8th to reserve a spot. Preference will be given to those who have not been on previous Lawrence county winter trips. Jim will determine the trip dates in order to have the best chance of viewing these winter birds, which is when there is snow on the ground. We will meet at noon in the park-and-ride lot in Cranberry to organize the carpools. The park and ride lot is located at the intersection of Route 19 and 228 (across from Denny's) in Cranberry Township. Enter the lot from behind the service road, accessible from the Burger King on Rt. 19.