May 2010 Outings
Wednesday May 5 - Harrison Hills 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 8:00 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, Philadelphia and Yellow-throated Vireos, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Scarlet Tanagers.
Friday May 7 to May 9 - Crane Creek/Magee Marsh, Ohio
Three Rivers Birding Club's annual unstructured outing to Crane Creek, just west of Port Clinton is the weekend of May 7. In the past, these trips have graced us with a total of as many as 187 species, quite a few seen almost at arm's length along the Magee Marsh boardwalk! Watch the Peregrine and 3RBC.org for further details and check coastalohio.com and lakeeriewingwatch.com for general information, including hotels with birders' discounts.
Fridays May 7 and May 21 - Sewickley Park
In collaboration with the Fern Hollow Nature Center, Bob VanNewkirk (412-366-1694 or email at van126@comcast.net) will lead these bird walks at Sewickley Heights Borough Park. The walks begin at 7:30 AM starting from the upper parking lot. Directions to the park can be found on the 3RBC's website (http://www.3rbc.org). Birders should be prepared for muddy trails. It is also advisable to bring water and a lunch. Besides birding in the park we will drive and make stops along Little Sewickley Creek. Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Warbling Vireo nest in the area
Wednesday May 12 - Woodcock Walk
Meet leader Tom Byrnes (724-715-7184) for our final spring outing of the Woodcock walk at the Ladbrokes (now The Meadows) parking lot behind the Primanti Brothers restaurant off the Harmar exit 11 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 7:45 PM.
Saturday May 15 - Bell Farm
Join Ralph Bell at 9 AM at his farm in Greene County. Eastern Bluebirds that feed out of your hand, nesting American Kestrels up close and personal 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.
Friday May 21 - Hillman State Park
Chuck Tague (412-432-8760) will lead an outing through Hillman State Park and the gamelands along Route 22. Target species may include whip-poor-wills and owls. Meet at 6:30 pm at Kings in Imperial to arrange carpools. Directions to Kings - from the Parkway West, take the US22W/US30W exit towards Wheeling. Take the Imperial exit. Kings is located in the shopping area on the left.
Saturday May 22 - Imperial Area
An outing for grassland sparrows will be led by Chuck Tague (412-432-8760). Meet 6:30 AM at Kings on Route 30 in Imperial to arrange car pools. An optional afternoon outing will include a walk on the Pitch Pine Trail for pine woods species. Bring a lunch if you plan to stay the whole day. Directions to Kings - from the Parkway West, take the US22W/US30W exit towards Wheeling. Take the Imperial exit. Kings is located in the shopping area on the left. The restaurant opens at 6AM.
