Bimonthly Membership Meeting
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
7:30 PM -- 9:30 PM
Zoom Meeting Originating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Seventy-four computers were logged on to the meeting via Zoom, with some shared by more than one person. In total, more than 90 individuals viewed the meeting which featured the club's popular Slide-Slam, which highlighted amazing photos from thirteen different club members.
President Mike Fialkovich called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 pm. He and other club officers, directors and members next made the following announcements and reports.
- Mike noted that his upcoming "President's Message" in The Peregrine will talk about winter birding, and in particular, the Winter Atlas. He called our attention to a posting on the club's website by Tom and Janet Kuehl, reminding us about the Winter Atlas project, and that it's time to get back to Atlas work now. The 2025-26 Winter Atlas project began on December 1 and runs through February 28, 2026.
- Treasurer Tom Moeller relayed that the club is doing very well. Membership has grown to 338 total members, which translates to about 450 individuals in our club. Tom told the members that a 3RBC membership makes an excellent holiday gift. As is his usual custom, Tom extended his gratitude to our loyal ongoing members for their continued support and generosity and to the new members who have chosen to join us.
- Webmaster Tom reminded the members that the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) season is upon us, beginning on December 14 and running through January 6. The Pittsburgh CBC takes place on December 27. All relevant information about the CBC is available on the club's website. Tom also mentioned that the Winter Atlas had begun, and urged members to look at the Kuehls' posting on the website.
- Outings Director, Steve Thomas, relayed a summary of the club's upcoming outings.
- December 5 – Frick Park with Ted Floyd
- December 20 – Beginners Winter Birding Outing with Adrian Fenton
- January 31, 2026 – Frick Park - Dead of Winter Walk with Mike Fialkovich
Outing participants must follow club guidelines. When appropriate, social distancing is recommended; equipment sharing is discouraged; wear a mask when appropriate. Each outing leader may set additional restrictions and requirements: some leaders require pre-registration, and numbers of participants may be limited. Each leader may discontinue the outing at any time if conditions warrant such an action. Attendees should also note that pets are not permitted on 3RBC outings. Please see the full outing listing on the website for all restrictions and requirements that may apply! As always, check the club's website and Facebook page for details, directions, and possible last minute changes or cancellations. - President Mike Fialkovich next gave his recap of highlights of recent bird sightings: A number of Tundra Swans and some Snow Geese passed through the area in the past few days; American Wigeon in Oakmont, the Gulf Lab Road Wetland, and the PennDOT wetland near Boyce-Mayview Park; Horned Grebe at Highland Park Reservoir; late Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Squirrel Hill; late Killdeer in South Park and Dashields Dam; late Spotted Sandpiper in Bunola; American Woodcock at North Park; late, late White-eyed Vireo at Frick Park; late House Wren at Boyce-Mayview Park; American Pipit at Duck Hollow and Aspinwall; Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow in West Deer Township; late Tennessee Warbler at Frick Park; Nashville Warbler in Squirrel Hill; Mourning Warbler at Boyce Park; Common Yellowthroat at Homewood Cemetery; very late Yellow Warbler at Frick Park; very late Black-throated Blue Warbler at Hampton; late Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Westview; Snow Geese at Dashields Dam; Northern Shovelers at North Park; Gadwall at Gulf Lab Road Wetland, Dashields Dam, and Cheswick; Surf Scoter at Aspinwall; Black Scoter at Duck Hollow; Northern Bobwhite at Boyce-Mayview Park; Dunlin at Imperial; Virginia Rail at Wingfield Pines; Black Vultures reported in small numbers; Rufous Hummingbird at Ron Burkert's feeder; several Northern Saw-whet Owls caught and banded in Sewickley Heights Borough Park; Red-headed Woodpeckers in North Park; the Red-headed Woodpeckers at Highland Park appear to have departed; Marsh Wren continues to be at Wingfield Pines; Rusty Blackbirds at Janosky's Farm, Findlay Township; several Pine Siskin reported in various locations; and Orange-crowned Warbler at Beechwood Farms and Frick Park.
- Program Director Carol McCullough announced that our next meeting will be held on February 4, 2026, and will feature distinguished Ontario ornithologist, Jean Iron. The meeting will be held on Zoom only. Jean has made two previous presentations to the club over the past years, both to great acclaim. Her topic this time will be "Are There Penguins in the Arctic?"
Carol next turned the meeting over to Dave Brooke, who hosted the club's very popular Slide-Slam. Here are the thirteen individuals who presented and the titles of their presentations:
- Ryan Tomazin – Birds of the Mississippi Flyway
- Kraig Cawley – Slide Slam 2025
- Ron Chan – Bird Journey Through Photos
- Dan Mendenhall – Birds in Flight
- Amy Henrici – 2025 Bird Photos from Western Pennsylvania
- Charity Kheshgi – Variety of Birds of 2025
- John Dzikiy – Costa Rica
- Amanda Haney – Birds of Arizona, Magee Marsh and Maine
- Conor Thompkins – 3RBC Slide Slam 2025
- Daniel Weeks – Slide Slam 2025: Butler County, Ocean City and Cape May
- Ron Burkert – South America
- Mike Fialkovich – December 2025 Slide Slam: A Year in Birding
- Dave Brooke – Hummingbirds of Cost Rica
At the conclusion of the Slide-Slam, President Fialkovich thanked all the presenters for their wonderful photos and adjourned the meeting.
— prepared by Frank Moone on December 23, 2025
