May 2008
Synopsis of Outings
May 2 through May 9—Crane Creek Outing
Over fifty members of our club made the annual pilgrimage to Northwest Ohio and the Lake Erie shore to explore the environs of Magee Marsh, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and other hotspots in search of spring migrants. Conditions were not always optimum for bird watching. Recent rains had raised water levels in the marshes and farm fields keeping shorebird numbers down and stormy weather cut the search short on several days, but as always, we had those magical moments that keep us returning year after year.
The adventures and special sightings are too numerous to mention. Both the unusual species and the every day birds can touch the birder at any time during the week and each 3RBC participant has a story to tell. It's difficult to summarize a week of intense birding. Perhaps the best way to document the experience is to look at a single day on and off the boardwalk at the old Crane Creek State Park (now part of the Ohio Division of Wildlife).
The weather forecast for Wednesday, May 8, called for clear skies in the morning, becoming cloudy and rainy in the afternoon. Margie Kern and I walked onto the boardwalk at 6:45AM and climbed the stairs to the observation platform to watch warblers drop into the trees to feed. We saw 35 species of birds from that platform in a little under an hour. Warblers included Cape May,Nashville, Northern Parula and Black-throated Green. Flocks of 40-80 Goldfinches would drop in to create boisterous distractions and would then fly off in an instant. A Red-headed Woodpecker flew in and out of the trees. Robins piped from 4 different nests positioned around us. Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons cruised overhead. Vireos (Red-eyed, Warbling and Blue-headed) launched into song. Indigo Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles dazzled us with bursts of color. Just below the platform, Northern Waterthrush and a Blue-winged Warbler teased the watchers with quick looks as they moved through the shrubs and tangles.
That was a great hour, but just as quickly as the excitement started, it stopped. The birds retreated out of sight to take care of their needs and the sightings on the boardwalk virtually stopped. A foraging Woodcock and cryptic Screech Owl charmed the watchers, but all in all, the day settled into a big lull. 3RBC members met along the boardwalk and speculated about the best place to spend the rest of the day. Sue and Jack Solomon went to Mallard Club wetland impoundments. Bill and Karen Parker took off to the same area. Paul Hess and Jim Valimont stayed at Crane Creek and hoped for the best. Birders gathered in small groups at midday for lunch.
The clouds were building as we cleaned up our picnic. We watched a large group of birders that had gathered west of the boardwalk on the beach. They stared into the trees and shrubs and in one motion the binoculars went up. A passerby hurried toward the group while mentioning "Prairie Warbler". Margie and I were off to join them.
As we approached we knew that what was happening was even better than our early morning show. Joining the other birders, including Jim and Paul and Don Koch, for the next hour, we watched 17 species of warblers, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Kingbirds. We didn't know where to look. Where was Wilson's Warbler? Right next to the Tennessee Warbler behind the Cape May Warblers. At one point, a Canada Warbler first appeared on the lowest limbs of a small shrub. Fifty birders dropped to their knees - literally - to get the best possible view. The moment was wonderful and absurd. The birds have the power to humble us all. We watched the birds until the rains made binoculars impossible to use. Walking to our cars we marveled at the spectacle we had witnessed as we repeated the names of each species that had appeared and then we smiled all of the way back to Port Clinton where we were staying during the trip .
The group bird list is impressive. We tallied 181 species for the group. 32 different warblers made the list. Standouts included Lapland Longspur, Northern Shrike, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Blue Grosbeak, Black-crowned Night-heron and a most cooperative Prothonotary Warbler. In addition, five members of the club traveled to Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, adding sightings of Kentucky Warbler and White-winged Scoter.
The birding is great, but the opportunity to get together with other 3RBC members is a special part of the week. Stories were swapped over dinner on Saturday night a the Garden Restaurant and during the week at informal happy hours and an evening lakeside picnic. And very often , the conversation would turn to a discussion of the next trip in 2009. What a great tradition.
—by Joan TagueBird species: 181
| Canada Goose | Rock Pigeon | Tennessee Warbler |
| Mute Swan | Mourning Dove | Orange-crowned Warbler |
| Tundra Swan | Yellow-billed Cuckoo | Nashville Warbler |
| Wood Duck | Eastern Screech-Owl | Northern Parula |
| Gadwall | Great Horned Owl | Yellow Warbler |
| American Wigeon | Common Nighthawk | Chestnut-sided Warbler |
| Mallard | Whip-poor-will | Magnolia Warbler |
| Blue-winged Teal | Chimney Swift | Cape May Warbler |
| Northern Shoveler | Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Black-throated Blue Warbler |
| Green-winged Teal | Belted Kingfisher | Yellow-rumped Warbler |
| Greater Scaup | Red-headed Woodpecker | Black-throated Green Warbler |
| Lesser Scaup | Red-bellied Woodpecker | Blackburnian Warbler |
| White-winged Scoter | Downy Woodpecker | Pine Warbler |
| Bufflehead | Hairy Woodpecker | Prairie Warbler |
| Hooded Merganser | Northern Flicker | Palm Warbler |
| Red-breasted Merganser | Pileated Woodpecker | Bay-breasted Warbler |
| Ruddy Duck | Eastern Wood-Pewee | Blackpoll Warbler |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | Willow Flycatcher | Cerulean Warbler |
| Pied-billed Grebe | Least Flycatcher | Black-and-white Warbler |
| Horned Grebe | Eastern Phoebe | American Redstart |
| Double-crested Cormorant | Great Crested Flycatcher | Prothonotary Warbler |
| American Bittern | Eastern Kingbird | Ovenbird |
| Great Blue Heron | Northern Shrike | Northern Waterthrush |
| Great Egret | White-eyed Vireo | Kentucky Warbler |
| Snowy Egret | Yellow-throated Vireo | Connecticut Warbler |
| Cattle Egret | Blue-headed Vireo | Mourning Warbler |
| Green Heron | Warbling Vireo | Common Yellowthroat |
| Black-crowned Night-Heron | Philadelphia Vireo | Hooded Warbler |
| Turkey Vulture | Red-eyed Vireo | Wilson's Warbler |
| Osprey | Blue Jay | Canada Warbler |
| Bald Eagle | American Crow | Yellow-breasted Chat |
| Northern Harrier | Horned Lark | Scarlet Tanager |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | Purple Martin | Eastern Towhee |
| Cooper's Hawk | Tree Swallow | Chipping Sparrow |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | Northern Rough-winged Swallow | Field Sparrow |
| Broad-winged Hawk | Bank Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Red-tailed Hawk | Black-capped Chickadee | Grasshopper Sparrow |
| American Kestrel | Red-breasted Nuthatch | Song Sparrow |
| Peregrine Falcon | Brown Creeper | Lincoln's Sparrow |
| Sora | Carolina Wren | Swamp Sparrow |
| Common Moorhen | House Wren | White-throated Sparrow |
| American Coot | Winter Wren | White-crowned Sparrow |
| Black-bellied Plover | Marsh Wren | Dark-eyed Junco |
| Killdeer | Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Lapland Longspur |
| Greater Yellowlegs | Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | Northern Cardinal |
| Lesser Yellowlegs | Eastern Bluebird | Rose-breasted Grosbeak |
| Solitary Sandpiper | Veery | Blue Grosbeak |
| Spotted Sandpiper | Gray-cheeked Thrush | Indigo Bunting |
| Ruddy Turnstone | Swainson's Thrush | Red-winged Blackbird |
| Least Sandpiper | Hermit Thrush | Eastern Meadowlark |
| Dunlin | Wood Thrush | Yellow-headed Blackbird |
| Wilson's Snipe | American Robin | Rusty Blackbird |
| American Woodcock | Gray Catbird | Common Grackle |
| Wilson's Phalarope | Northern Mockingbird | Brown-headed Cowbird |
| Bonaparte's Gull | Brown Thrasher | Orchard Oriole |
| Ring-billed Gull | European Starling | Baltimore Oriole |
| Herring Gull | American Pipit | Purple Finch |
| Caspian Tern | Cedar Waxwing | House Finch |
| Common Tern | Blue-winged Warbler | American Goldfinch |
| Forster's Tern | Golden-winged Warbler | House Sparrow |
| Black Tern |
May 4—Buffalo Creek IBA-80 Outing
This was our only outing scheduled for May, an early May outing in search of Spring migrants and breeders. The day started off cool in the low fifties and overcast, birds were singing. Eastern Phoebe's were on nests. Yellow Warblers seem to be everywhere, the Baltimore Orioles were already pairing. A first year male Orchard Oriole was singing at the Walker Bridge, this small iron bridge over Buffalo Creek also gave us great close views of many birds including Warbling Vireo and Indigo Bunting. Up on Post Rd. the Savannah Sparrows had returned along with many Bobolinks. On Colby-Young Rd. we enjoyed a singing Grasshopper Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chats, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Nashville and Blue-winged Warblers. Along our walk on Buck Run Rd. many birds were seen and heard including American Redstarts, Cerulean Warblers, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos. At the Buck Run and Greencove wetlands numerous swallows flew by the Canada Geese and their goslings. Wood ducks perched in trees. A Sora made a brief appearance and a Marsh Wren was a nice find. Walking back we watched an American Kestrel fending off a grackle from a cavity in a dead tree (a possible nest) and a group of Eastern Kingbirds zipping by chasing one another. A nice Spring outing in IBA-80.
The wildflowers: Spring Beauty, Large Trillium, Mayapple, Wild Mustard, Larkspur, Star pink, Purple, Yellow and White Violet. Mammals: White-tail Deer, Ground Hog, Chipmunk, Eastern Cottontail. Butterflies: Tiger Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Sulfur, Meadow Fritillary, Spring Azure, Mourning Cloak, Juvenal's Duskywing, Pearl Crescent. Amphibians: Green Frog. Dragonflies: Green Darner. —by co-leaders Mary Grey and Larry Helgerman
Bird species: 75
| Canada Goose | Red-eyed Vireo | American Redstart |
| Wood Duck | Blue Jay | Louisiana Waterthrush |
| Mallard | American Crow | Common Yellowthroat |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | Tree Swallow | Hooded Warbler |
| Wild Turkey | Northern Rough-winged Swallow | Yellow-breasted Chat |
| Great Blue Heron | Barn Swallow | Scarlet Tanager |
| Turkey Vulture | Carolina Chickadee | Eastern Towhee |
| Cooper's Hawk | Tufted Titmouse | Chipping Sparrow |
| Red-tailed Hawk | White-breasted Nuthatch | Field Sparrow |
| American Kestrel | Carolina Wren | Savannah Sparrow |
| Sora | House Wren | Grasshopper Sparrow |
| Rock Pigeon | Marsh Wren | Song Sparrow |
| Mourning Dove | Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | Northern Cardinal |
| Black-billed Cuckoo | Eastern Bluebird | Rose-breasted Grosbeak |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Wood Thrush | Indigo Bunting |
| Belted Kingfisher | American Robin | Bobolink |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Grey Catbird | Red-winged Blackbird |
| Downy Woodpecker | Northern Mockingbird | Eastern Meadowlark |
| Northern Flicker | Brown Thrasher | Common Grackle |
| Pileated Woodpecker | European Starling | Brown-headed Cowbird |
| Eastern Phoebe | Blue-winged Warbler | Orchard Oriole |
| Eastern Kingbird | Yellow Warbler | Baltimore Oriole |
| White-eyed Vireo | Yellow-throated Warbler | House Finch |
| Yellow-throated Vireo | Cerulean Warbler | American Goldfinch |
| Warbling Vireo | Black-and-white Warbler | House Sparrow |
May 5—Sewickley Heights Park
Thirteen chilly birders attended the final spring outing of 3RBC and Fern Hollow Nature Center. As participants gathered in the parking lot, they were serenaded by a Wood Thrush perched at the top of a tree, an omen of good things to come. Before leaving the lot, our leader Bob VanNewkirk identified by ear a Hooded Warbler, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, and a Brown-headed Cowbird.
The sunshine in the wildflower meadow was welcomed by birds and birders alike. One small tree was a hub of activity for warblers including Magnolia, Canada, Cerulean, and Yellow-rumped. A House Wren sang from its nest box, an Indigo Bunting sang from the top of a tree, while a Ruby-throated Hummingbird fed in the honeysuckle vine. Also present were Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, American Goldfinches, Song Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow-throated Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Tree Swallows, White-throated Sparrows, and Golden-crowned Kinglets. As we left the meadow, attention was drawn to a Northern Harrier flying overhead.
On the path leading out of the meadow an elusive Hooded Warbler sang loudly in the understory. Eventually it was lured into view. Eager for more warblers, we walked to Pine Tree Trail where Bob promised and produced a Blue-winged Warbler. We continued our search for migrants along the road, where present were Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Black-throated Blue Warblers, American Redstarts, both male and female, a Nashville Warbler, and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Heard but not seen were two Kentucky Warblers that finally emerged and flew back and forth across the road. Leaving the road, we worked our way back along Chestnut Trail where we added a Turkey Vulture and Great Crested Flycatcher to our growing list. To our delight, Cerulean Warblers were numerous and vocal.
At Little Sewickley Creek Park a Louisiana Waterthrush sang above the stream. Mallards floated downstream, while Eastern Phoebes fed their young in nests under eaves of the picnic shelter. We watched with fascination as Carolina Chickadees fed each other while a Common Yellowthroat foraged in the same shrub.
A sharp-eyed birder spotted a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher on its nest in the top of a large sycamore tree. In that same tree we added our 48th species, a brilliant male Yellow-throated Warbler.
Thanks to Bob's expertise and guidance, some great spring weather, and cooperative birds, this was a spectacular outing. It was with reluctance that we said our goodbyes and parted company. —by participant Virginia McQuown
May 10—Allegheny County 2008 Migration Count
A chilly rainy morning limited participation on the migration count this year. However, as the day progressed the sun came out and birding improved. Despite the slow start 129 species including 25 warbler species were located. Since 1995 the average has been 131 species; this year wasn't far below that. And to emphasize each participant's importance 29 species- 22% of the total - were located by only one party.
Our thanks to each participant who helped make this count a success. This is the last year we will be coordinating the migration count. We have enjoyed working with all of you and wish you many hours of great birding in the future. —by Carol and Fred McCullough
Species List (128 total):
|
Canada Goose-117 Wood Duck-4 Mallard-70 Ring-necked Pheasant-1 Wild Turkey-35 American Bittern-1 Great Blue Heron-22 Great Egret-3 Green Heron-1 Turkey Vulture-25 Northern Harrier-1 Sharp-shinned Hawk-1 Cooper's Hawk-3 Red-shouldered Hawk-4 Broad-winged Hawk-2 Red-tailed Hawk-30 American Kestrel-3 Killdeer-24 Greater Yellowlegs-1 Lesser Yellowlegs-3 Solitary Sandpiper-3 Spotted Sandpiper-10 Least Sandpiper-2 Bonaparte's Gull-2 Ring-billed Gull-4 Herring Gull-4 Common Tern-2 Rock Pigeon-54 Mourning Dove-97 Black-billed Cuckoo-1 Great Horned Owl-2 Common Nighthawk-4 Chimney Swift-397 Ruby-throated Hummingbird-4 Belted Kingfisher-4 Red-bellied Woodpecker-71 Downy Woodpecker-30 Hairy Woodpecker-6 Northern Flicker-37 Pileated Woodpecker-12 Acadian Flycatcher-4 Least Flycatcher-5 Eastern Phoebe-19 Great Crested Flycatcher-1 Eastern Kingbird-25 White-eyed Vireo-19 Blue-headed Vireo-5 Yellow-throated Vireo-5 Warbling Vireo-34 Red-eyed Vireo-103 Blue Jay-125 American Crow-124 Common Raven-2 Horned Lark-1 Tree Swallow-18 Norhtern Rough-winged Swallow-195 Barn Swallow-51 Carolina Chickadee-28 Black-capped Chickadee-9 Chickadee Sp.-46 Tufted Titmous-87 Red-breasted Nuthatch-2 White-breasted Nuthatch-16 Carolina Wren-59 House Wren-40 Ruby-crowned Kinglet-3 |
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher-38 Eastern Bluebird-28/font> Veery-2 Swainson's Thrush-1 Wood Thrush-115 American Robin-492 Gray Catbird-98 Norhern Mockingbird-15 Brown Thrasher-5 European Starling-205 Cedar Waxwing-16 Blue-winged Warbler-15 Tennessee Warbler-7 Nashville Warbler-11 Northern Parula-2 Yellow Warbler-153 Chestnut-sided Warbler-13 Magnolia Warbler-13 Cape May Warbler-1 Black-throated Blue Warbler-16 Yellow-rumped Warbler-60 Black-throated Green Warbler-24 Blackburnian Warbler-9 Yellow-throated Warbler-3 Prarie Warbler-4 Bay-breasted Warbler-4 Cerulean Warbler-7 Black-and-white Warbler-6 American Redstart-18 Ovenbird-11 Northern Waterthrush-1 Louisiana Waterthrush-3 Kentucky Warbler-5 Common Yellowthroat-34 Hooded Warbler-35 Yellow-breasted Chat-5 Scarlet Tanager-64 Eastern Towhee-150 American Tree Sparrow-2 Chipping Sparrow-73 Field Sparrow-22 Savannah Sparrow-1 Grasshopper Sparrow-4 Henslow's Sparrow-1 Song Sparrow-172 Swamp Sparrow-1 White-throated Sparrow-17 White-crowned Sparrow-4 Dark-eyed Junco-1 Northern Cardinal-275 Rose-breasted Grosbeak-35 Indigo Bunting-54 Bobolink-2 Red-winged Blackbird-187 Eastern Meadowlark-2 Common Grackle-129 Brown-headed Cowbird-70 Orchard Oriole-22 Baltimore Oriole-128 Purple Finch-1 House Finch-26 American Goldfinch-187 House Sparrow-106 |
May 12—Frick Park
On a chilly, damp and gray Monday morning, 24 intrepid birders met Ted Floyd at Frick Park Environmental Center. Ted, a Pittsburgh native, is the editor of Birding magazine and the author of the newly published Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America.
The forest canopy was quite thick, and viewing was difficult. With Ted's magnificent ear we were able to identify several neotropical species on the Meadow Trail. As we began our hike, we were greeted by a darting Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The sighting of an elusive Veery was very exciting. Warblers included Tennessee, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, Cerulean, and Black-and-white.
The always-dependable Baltimore Orioles were out in full force, as were Scarlet Tanagers. We glimpsed Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, and Pileated Woodpeckers. A large flock of Cedar Waxwings moved through the field at the base of South Clayton Trail.
When we reached the Nine Mile Creek watershed wetland, we were greeted by our Pittsburgh standbys: Carolina Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, European Starlings, American Robins, and American Goldfinches. We also saw a Northern Flicker, Red-winged Blackbirds, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Carolina and House Wrens. We identified a Cooper's Hawk nest near the stream. There were two Mallards in the pond.
The day's species total was 65. After this highly productive day, Jack and Sue Solomon asked the cold and hungry crowd to join them at Kazansky's Deli for a tummy-warming lunch. What a great way to start a week! —by participant Jolie Schroeder
May 14—Woodcock Walk
Two birders, Ian and Margaret Haigh, participated in our last woodcock walk of the spring. It was drizzling when we met in Harmar Township, but we headed up to the site where the birds make their courtship flights. While we stood in the field getting soaking wet, we heard one male perform his flight. Before he came out, we also had an Eastern Towhee, American Robins, Northern Cardinals, and Song Sparrows.—by leader Tommy Byrnes
May 16—Audubon Prints and Peregrine Falcons
The inaugural field trip of the 2008 PSO meeting in Allegheny County took place at Pitt's Hillman Library on Friday, May 16 at 2:00 PM. An even dozen registrants were greeted by Dr. Charles Aston and invited into the Special Collections Room to view the University's superb, recently restored collection of John James Audubon's history-making Birds of America.
About half of the viewers were 3 Rivers Birding Club members including President (soon to be Emeritus) Jack Solomon and his lovely wife Sue, along with soon-to-be-president Jim Valimont. The other half were welcomed PSO visitors from around the state and beyond! We were all treated to an easel-mounted display of several dozen of the 435 original prints as well as an opportunity to leaf through one of the original volumes of Alexander Wilson's American Ornithology. (A display case located on the ground floor of the library was designed especially for the Audubon collection and features only one of the prints, changed every two weeks throughout the year.)
Dr. Aston is an expert in the field of 19th Century printmaking and an Audubon enthusiast who persuaded the University to unbind their treasured collection, restore each print and make it available to the public. In the hour we spent among the collection, Dr. Aston offered insightful comments about Audubon's audacious undertaking of collecting and painting every American bird and the difficult process of converting his watercolors into these sumptuous prints.
Dr. Aston prepared a small catalogue of the prints he chose to present, as well as some reprints from Audubon's journal. One was Audubon's detailed description of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The display included that bird alongside the portrait of the Pileated Woodpecker. This was very helpful as I sometimes have difficulty distinguishing the two in the field. I've heard that others have that problem, too! The other reprint was a journal entry describing his journey through Western Pennsylvania.
Dr. Aston generously presented each attendee with a small collection of note cards reprinted from the collection, and normally on sale. Also on display was the print depicting the Peregrine Falcon. We were shortly to exit the building, cross the street, and observe the pair that nests on the Cathedral of Learning. —Leader Eric Marchbein.
About a dozen intrepid birders joined me at the Schenley Plaza tent in Friday, May 16th's cold, wet weather to look for the Peregrine Falcons nesting at the University of Pittsburgh. I brought my laptop so we could watch the webcam that shows their nest. Several people brought scopes and set them up just inside the tent.
The rain blew in our faces as we peered around the tent flaps, searching the south face of the Cathedral of Learning. On the laptop we could see the mother peregrine (Dorothy) huddling with the chicks at the nest. Her mate (E2) flew around the top of the Cathedral of Learning and perched in easy view. We all got good looks at him through the scopes.
I described the history of the nesting site and the various stages the adults and chicks go through during the nesting season, including stories of feedings, flight lessons and the whereabouts of their yo ung from prior years. It is a very successful nest site. Pitt peregrine alumni have been found nesting from Pittsburgh to Michigan.
The chicks were still fluffy white babies when I held the outing. They will leave the nest and start to ledge-walk during the first week of June and will fledge from June 7 to June 9. I invited everyone to come back for a Peregrine Fledge Watch, June 5 to 9 at the Schenley Plaza tent.—Leader Kate St. John
May 16—State Game Land 203
Despite the heavy overcast and light showers twelve birders enthusiastically walked the trails and fields of State Game Land 203 in Wexford. On the trek up the hill from the parking lot, it was quickly apparent that birding would be difficult because there were few birds calling or actively moving around in the woods. The silence was periodically broken with calls mainly coming from scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, and eastern towhees. The usually present ovenbirds and wood thrushes were unusually quiet. A blue-winged warbler was coaxed out of hiding by playing a recording of its song. Six other warbler species also were sighted scattered in various areas of the game land. Other warblers observed were hooded, magnolia, chestnut-sided, American redstart, cerulean, and common yellowthroat.
Woodpeckers, which are regularly seen, also proved to be in short numbers. A pileated was heard calling and drumming while only a single downy, a hairy, and a northern flicker were viewed. The most unexpected sighting happened when a hen wild turkey flushed out of a field just ten yards in front of us. One of the birders discovered that she was sitting on her nest containing only one egg. We observed the nest from a distance so as not to disturb the area or the turkey. Birding by ear revealed a hermit thrush, a ruby-crowned kinglet, a great-crested flycatcher, and a fly over from a pair of cedar waxwings. Some species did provide us with close, open views such as the foraging male and female rose-breasted grosbeak, the red-eyed vireo that was more interested in singing than flitting about, and the indigo buntings that acted like sentries as they watched us every where we walked.
Thirty two species were totaled for the wet outing. The birders' spirits were not dampened, however, as people from different sections of the state came together to have fun and to go birding. What a great way to begin the PSO meeting!—Leader Bob Van Newkirk
May 16—State Gamelands 203 Whip-poor-wills Outing
At 8:30 p.m. sharp I went through the lobby of the Sheraton handing out directions to the Game Lands. I felt a little sullen when there were few takers. I was overwhelmed when outside there were 40+ waiting for me to lead them to the Game Lands. So we all assembled in the Game Lands parking lot and marched single file up the access road about 50 yards up the hill. The sun had set, the almost full moon was rising, as we gazed shoulder to shoulder over the firing range waiting for the call to begin.
8:45 p.m. We all stood totally quiet.
8:50 Nothing yet. Scarlet tanagers and wood thrushes are still calling.
9:00 Maybe what I heard the past two nights was an illusion. A buck snorts. The final robin calls goodnight.
9:05 I was wondering what a Wildlife Conservation Officer would think seeing the parking lot full of cars and 45 adults standing check to jowl, facing west in total silence? Were we some demonic cult? Or were we answering a casting call for "Night of the Living Dead"?
9:08 Maybe I could slip away unseen, and avoid the PSO dinner tomorrow. All the birds had gone to bed.
9:09 Everyone's feet where shifting side to side, heads where turning, some mumbling was heard,,,'kill...leader...'
9:10 Whip-poor-will! Whip-poor-will! Whip-poor-will! Whip-poor-will! Whip-poor-will!
Another check on the year list!
May 17—Sewickley Heights Park
Six members of PSO gathered in the upper parking area of Sewickley Heights Park and were greeted by mostly overcast skies, cold northwest winds, and little bird song. Undeterred, and donning our best mud-going footwear, we headed off to the wildflower area in search of migrants. Instead, as would be a recurring theme for this outing, we found only summer residents, including a House Wren in a nest box and a few Indigo Buntings. Seeing not much in the way of activity we hurried off to the top of Chestnut Path and began making our way along the small ravine it traverses. After crossing the creek, this trail makes a U-turn and parallels the opposite side of the ravine for a short way. I find this hillside often is the most productive area in the park first thing in the morning.
Today, with those awful northwest winds, bird activity was minimal, but we were still able to see Hooded and Magnolia Warblers at close range, as well as a flyby Kentucky Warbler. In the treetops, we could hear several more warblers, including Cerulean, Blackpoll, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, and American Redstart, as well as Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Oriole. Unfortunately all of them were being very uncooperative and seemed to be always one tree too far back in the woods.
Farther down the trail, we were delighted with close encounters with two of the park's specialty species. First was a female Cerulean Warbler, which came down to eye level right along the trail, offering excellent views. Just a short way along from here, a pair of Kentucky Warblers worked the trail edges, staying in touch with each other by giving soft contact calls, and periodically allowed us great views from no more than 20 feet away. One of them was probably carrying nesting material.
Despite these pockets of activity, the park was still mostly quiet. We pressed on to the other side of the main road and headed down the pipeline trail. Here we found our first truly good wave of activity. It began with a singing Cape May Warbler, and by the time we moved on from the spot, we had recorded Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Hooded Warblers, Nashville Warbler, and a few more Scarlet Tanagers, including one that was not a true orange-variant male, but which was certainly tending that way and not anywhere near the bold scarlet red typical of this species.
Then it was off to the section of the park known as Waggoner's Hollow. This area, a small part of the Little Sewickley Creek floodplain, is often unproductive early in the morning but quite active by mid-morning when the sun is able to reach down into the valley where it sits. This morning was no exception. Immediately upon exiting the cars, we were treated to good views of several Scarlet Tanagers, a singing Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and another female Cerulean Warbler at close range. Dan Brauning, a last-minute addition to our outing lineup, stopped us all when he said he might have heard a Mourning Warbler, but he didn't hear it well and, anyway, we lost track of it, so we decided to chalk it up in the "who knows?" column and move on. Farther on down the trail, we happened onto a Baltimore Oriole singing a very distinct 6-note phrase, one which he kept up for the next hour! He never seemed out of earshot and always kept with the same six notes. We also witnessed a territorial battle between two Acadian Flycatchers, including aggression calls not often heard (at least, I haven't heard them very often) , and we heard our first and only Veerys of the day.
On the way back to the cars, I began hearing a very different chip note, one that had me stumped for a time. But not for long, because the bird soon began to sing, and we all clearly heard the distinct churr churr churr turi turi of a Mourning Warbler! Dan was right after all! Unfortunately, but expectedly, the bird proved very difficult to see, and we had to content ourselves with enjoying the bird's song. Eventually it quieted down again and moved back into the brush. Since we were wrapping up the outing anyway, finding this rare Allegheny County bird was an excellent way to end.
Perhaps the most interesting footnote to the outing, and one indicative of the type of cold, quiet morning we had, was that we ended the outing without seeing or hearing a single Song Sparrow! It really isn't often in Allegheny County when you spend 4 hours in the field and find more Mourning Warblers than Song Sparrows; in fact, I think it's safe to say this was a first for me.—Co-leader Geoff Malosh.
May 17—Settler's Cabin Park
We had a rather average May morning at Settler's Cabin Park on May 17. I was happy upon arrival that it was not raining. I had been expecting rain all morning. Six people attended, including me.
We listed 54 species including 11 Warblers. The most notable finds were a Red-breasted Nuthatch and the bird it was feeding with. They were in the very top of a tall flowering tree. The other bird was a tough warbler for us. After suffering through some warbler neck for a few minutes I offered a best guess that it was a female Cape May Warbler, none challenged this ID. Meanwhile, Jim Smith was studying his Dunn and Garret Warbler book and showed me the undertail drawing of Cape May Warbler and it was a perfect match. I was delighted and my best guess became highly probable. This reminded me to use the undertail ID tool more often. Jim is a Consulting Naturalist at the PPL Holtwood & Brunner Island Environmental Preserves, Lancaster & York County.
May 17—Harrison Hills Regional Park
Light showers had just cleared as we entered Harrison Hills Park. Singing birds at the parking lot included Wood Thrush, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Tennessee Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, and just-arrived Eastern Wood-Pewee. We walked up the hill to the new environmental learning center, where we found Tree Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, and heard Field Sparrow.
Birding was sometimes difficult when the light rain showers reappeared, but we continued to walk along the streamside trail, followed by the trail along the bluff which overlooks the Allegheny River. The bluff trail was our most productive, with good views of Yellow-throated Vireo, Cerulean Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Scarlet Tanagers. At the far end of the trail, we were amazed to watch two Kentucky Warblers chase each other for at least ten minutes.One would occasionally sing softly. Paul saw a female, so this duel may have been over possession of this territory.
Before we left this spot, a Philadelphia Vireo was sighted in the trees above the Kentucky Warblers. Along the bluff trail on the way back, a singing Worm-eating Warbler was heard. At the platform overlooking the river, we heard a distant Yellow-throated Warbler and a Northern Parula.
A quick trip over to the pond yielded several new species for the trip, including House Wren, Yellow Warbler, Mallard, and Magnolia Warbler. But the best bird of the day was the Fish Crow briefly seen and clearly heard by Paul Hess and Carol Reigle. This was a new species for the Harrison Hills park list! Our species count of 62 included 15 species of warblers. —Co-leader Jim Valimont.
May 17—Frick Park
Ten of us went there on Saturday, suffering only light, intermittent rain, and hearing many more birds than we could see. Still, a few warblers' early appearance gave me hope for some good birding. Things were fairly slow, however.— Co-leader Jack Solomon.
May 17—Beaver County Raptors
All six participants fit in leader Scott Gregg's van. We got to see Peregrine, Osprey, Red-shouldered, and Cooper's Hawk nests.
The Peregrines were cooperative. When we arrived at the East Rochester Monaca Bridge, the male was perched on the Monaca high-tension tower. He launched from the tower, flying all the way across the river, to take a blue jay. He returned to the Monaca tower and proceeded to prepare the prey and then took it to the nest platform under the bridge.
The Potter Township ospreys were not cooperative. They were not on the nest but were observed flying at a distance over Raccoon Creek.
The Red-shouldered hawk in Chippewa gave a great treat to all. When we arrived, the female was feeding the two young. After the feeding, she flew to a nearby limb and gave a couple of calls which the young on the nest tried to imitate.
As I expected, the Cooper's Hawk in Beaver Falls was the least cooperative. She is always skittish, but us ually remains in the nest area, out of sight but constantly giving a disturbed chirp. As expected, she flew immediately, but was not heard or seen again. —Leader Scott Greg.
May 17—National Aviary
Throughout the 3-day weekend, Scott Katzner and the National Aviary staff at the aviary arranged for half-price admission for PSO registrants. On Saturday, May 17 the National Aviary staff provided a special Breakfast with the Birds for PSO registrants at the aviary Saturday morning. Those unsure of the driving route caravanned behind Pat Lynch.
Ten PSO members went to the National Aviary for their Breakfast with the Birds field trip, especially arranged for the PSO Annual Meeting. Luminaries among the attendees included Jack Holcomb, Daniel Klem, Jr., Bob and Ruth Cook, and Rudy Keller. Todd Katzner, one of our afternoon speakers, welcomed us.
Handlers Teri Grendzinski, Linda Weisenmiller, and Diane Lavsa presented and discussed their birds while we enjoyed breakfast. A beautiful Peregrine Falcon, appropriate for the Pittsburgh conference, was the first bird. Next, was a magnificent Spectacled Owl. Sidney, the Aviary's famous penguin named for Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguin's (National Hockey League) star, entertained us and allowed itself to be petted.
Chris Gaus, our tour guide, expertly led us throughout the National Aviary. Chris located and discussed many of the aviary's fabulous birds. One of the highlights was entering the Rainbow Lorry room and seeing these beautiful birds up close. Visiting the two free flight areas also was exciting as colorful birds frequently flew close to our group. We wish to thank the National Aviary for hosting us for a very enjoyable experience.—Participant Patrick Lynch.
May 18—Schenley Park
The outing began at the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh campus where we had great looks at both resident Peregrine Falcons as they flew around the building and perched on the lightning rod.
We moved on to Schenley Park and heard a Blackpoll Warbler singing and saw a Mallard with chicks on Panther Hollow Lake. Northern Rough-winged and a single Tree Swallow were flying over the lake.
The rain soon followed and we were drenched by the downpour. Wood Thrushes and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were singing and I heard a faint Swainson's Thrush singing. A few Scarlet Tanagers seemed to glow in the gloom. An Empidonax flycatcher was unidentifiable in the rain and poor viewing conditions.
The rain finally ceased and the sun began to shine which resulted in a small wave of singing warblers. Tennessee, Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, and an American Redstart were all in song. A Wilson's Warbler feeding in the low vegetation provided great views. We also saw an American Robin feeding young in a nest.
When we returned to the cars Chad Kauffman spotted a late White-throated Sparrow feeding along the street.—Leader Mike Fialkovich.
May 18—Frick Park
Our sightings included 15 warbler species. Canada and Kentucky were my favorites. Orchard Oriole, Swainson's Thrush and a pair of Solitary Sandpipers tickled my fancy, too. We looked at and identified as many wildflowers as we could, as long as we were between birdy spots. No one met my challenge to identify the mystery tree, a mockernut hickory. —Co-leader Jack Solomon.
May 18—Harrison Hills Park
Although the weather forecast was much the same, a group of 12 birders arrived for the second Harrison Hills outing of the PSO weekend. The parking lot was much busier this morning, with all of the same singing birds again identified plus a few others, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird. A trip up the hill to the environmental learning center again produced the Tree Swallows and Eastern Bluebird, but missed on the Field Sparrow.
The stream trail was very slow, partially due to a heavy shower that convinced us to wait in a picnic shelter until it subsided. As the rain eased, we heard the first of the year Acadian Flycatcher break into song. The trail along the bluff yielded many of the same species seen the day before, including excellent looks at Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, and the ever present Scarlet Tanagers. A Gray-cheeked Thrush was briefly seen by a few observers, but quickly disappeared down the hill.
To our surprise, the dueling Kentucky Warblers were still at it a day later! Again, we watched for about ten minutes before heading back toward the cars. On the way back, Herring Gulls were heard and spotted along the Allegheny River. Tom Kuehl thought he was looking at a large black-backed gull when he realized it was an adult Bald Eagle, which conveniently landed in a tree along the opposite shore so that everyone could see it! Back at the parking lot, the entire group (except for Paul Hess who was on a bathroom trip) enjoyed a beautiful male Bay-breasted Warbler calmly working the trees along the lot.
Another trip to the pond produced some of the same species as yesterday with the addition of an Alder Flycatcher along the wetland end of the pond. Our total species count came to 65 today with 13 warbler species. Our two day warbler list netted 18 species. The participants all marveled at the number of Scarlet Tanagers that were observed both days.— Co-leader Jim Valimont.
May 18—Boyce-Mayview Park
Six of us met in the parking lot by the pizza shop and hiked up road leading to the fields and mulching area. We began the rainy hike by circling the small hidden pond. A first year male orchard oriole didn't mind the rain and gave us all nice views. By the end of the morning we would see all three plumages of orchard oriole (male, female, and first year male).
We hiked down to the lake, swollen from many days of rain. What little mud flats there were gave as both solitary and spotted sandpipers. Female mallards were swimming with their chicks. We saw great blue herons, which were expected, but the highlight of our trek around the lake was an unexpected first year black-crowned night-heron. It was the first one I ever saw at the wetlands. Yellow warblers were heard and seen around the lake, but the blackpoll warbler, high on a sycamore across Chartiers Creek, would be the only migrant warbler we would see on this hike. Northern rough-winged swallows and barn swallows were streaming across the creek and the lake. Both orchard and Baltimore orioles made their colorful appearances for us. A warbling vireo was heard but not seen.
We left the wetlands and hiked to the high elevation fields through a gas pipeline cut through the woods. On the way up we heard a hooded warbler. Up in the fields, it took a while, but we finally got a view of the yellow-breasted chat that is known to breed there. He wasn't very vocal, but white-eyed vireos were singing loudly and we all got good looks at him. Many indigo buntings were present and singing. A female bunting came out of hiding to show herself off. An eastern king bird was quietly perched on a stalk. On the way back to the parking lot, the sun finally came out, which brought out the bluebirds. Back at the cars, everyone agreed that it was a good outing and we celebrated with Sherron's cookies. —Leader Neil Nodelman.
May 21—Frick Park
Despite a forecast for continuing cloudiness and unseasonably cool temperatures, a dozen or so participants were rewarded with bright sunshine for a walk led by Jack and Sue Solomon.
A reasonably good variety of warblers included Tennessee, Nashville, Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, American Redstart, and Hooded.
The highlight was a Kentucky Warbler, singing on what we hoped to be a territory, as it had been seen in the same area for at least four days. Sue noted that the habitat, a brushy area with a little stream, looked quite suitable, and Kentucky had bred in the park until several years ago. (Unfortunately, there was no further sighting on the last couple of days of that week.)
Other birds typical for the park were found, such as Eastern Wood-Pewee, Scarlet Tanager, and Indigo Bunting. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen building a nest above one of the trails. —by participant Chuck Herrold
May 24—Ralph Bell's Farm
There was a clutch of warm eggs, but with the cold and wet spring, there were no American Kestrels to band on the 2008 Bell's Farm outing. Ralph was apologetic; however, if there was an unhappy soul among the 87 participants, it escaped my notice. Perhaps it was the return of sunshine and a semblance of warmth after a cold and rainy week, but it seemed to be a contented group that picnicked on the lawn facing the show being put on by the Purple Martin players.
This annual outing has long been on our list of things we wanted to do, but this year my wife Janet notched it in stone on her calendar, and here we were, finally making our first visit to Ralph Bell's Farm. Hey, it's a farm, right? So I wasn't surprised to see waves of grass fields and to arrive to the sound of meadowlarks singing. But after the crowd gathered and was nudged into motion, I was surprised to find myself descending into woodland habitat. The over-the-top song of the Northern Parula from the pines and spruces along Ralph's driveway gave way to the Cerulean Warbler's song as we walked downhill from the farm. In a side show, cooperative Tree Swallows swooped for the chicken feathers that were tossed to the winds.
Wondering how Ralph's hearing is holding up, I found myself confirming his calls on Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. He had heard them before they got into my hearing range. Ralph attributes his keen sense of hearing to his need to compensate for his color blindness.
Highlights were both good and bad. The good: We delighted in finding the nest of a hard-working pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. The bad: A giant fledging in their nest was the obvious result of a deposited cowbird egg. However, there was more good than bad, and yellow seemed to be the color of the day. A cooperative Yellow-throated Vireo entertained the crowd with good looks and flew off with nesting material. After many minutes of work, a weakly singing Yellow-throated Warbler finally revealed his identity from behind a maze of Sycamore leaves.
Departing from the yellow theme, but still a thrill, was a female Pileated Woodpecker. After hiding from our group for perhaps 15 minutes, she exited her nest in a well-drilled snag.
The threat of development looms over the area. Apparently, there are plans that will wipe out a large swath of woodland habitat between the farm and the creek. Ending our experiences on a lighter note, Larry Helgerman barely escaped serious damage to his camera bag. Fortunately, Ralph's dog was just a bit off the mark as it made a misguided attempt to mark its territory on the bag. A post-outing stroll up to the kestrel box yielded Bobolinks. Many thanks to Ralph and his family. —by participant Tom Kuehl
