Three Rivers Birding Club

Three Rivers Birding Club Outings

Throughout the year, we have many outings to locations in Western Pennsylvania and beyond. For a more comprehensive calendar of birding and other Western Pennsylvania natural history outings and outdoor activities of other groups, see the links at the bottom of this page under the heading of "Events Calendars".

If you are birding one of the areas listed below, download a PDF copy of the birding checklist provided and take it with you:

Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania — Beechwood Farms Bird Checklist
Cook Forest — Cook Forest Bird Checklist
Erie County, Pennsylvania — Erie County PA Bird Checklist
Frick Park — Checklist of Birds in Frick Park
Harrison Hills Park — Harrison Hills Park Bird Checklist
Oil Creek State Park — Oil Creek State Park Bird Checklist
Shenango Reservoir — Shenango Bird Checklist
Westmoreland County — Westmoreland County Bird Checklist
Yellow Creek State Park — Yellow Creek State Park Bird Checklist

Outings are free and open to the public. In the event of inclement weather, contact the leader in advance to confirm whether the outing is on or canceled. Also, contact the leader with any questions about weather, driving directions, or trail conditions. Although we, too, like our pets, it is the club's policy not to include them on our walks.

Below is a general statement that will be followed for all our outings. Also, the leader may have specific requirements that are stated in the outing description:

"It is our intention to foster a safe environment during our outings. Social distancing and mask wearing are not required, and sharing equipment is optional; however, attendees should respect individuals who decide to remain socially distant or wear masks. Pets are not permitted on 3RBC outings. The leader may have certain prerequisites and can end a walk if an uncomfortable situation arises."

In the event of a late cancellation of or a change to any of our outings, please check the Three Rivers Birding Club Facebook page or the "Items of Interest" section of the Home page of this website for the latest information on outings, cancellations, and other events that could not make our newsletter's deadline.

3RBC Current Outings --- March 2026

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - Woodcock Walk

Photo by Mike Fialkovich

Enjoy the woodcock walks again this spring with leader Tom Byrnes (724-715-7184). Meeting time will be 7:00 PM. We will drive a short distance to a field in Harmar Township that has produced lots of American Woodcocks in the past several years. Be prepared for a muddy walk and bring a flashlight. Before going to the field, we will check the Great Blue Heron nests and for possible cormorants, which in previous years were exciting finds on this trip.

Please note: We are meeting at the same starting location as last year.

Directions: GPS coordinates: 40.540648, -79.810521
From PA Route 28, Exit 11 continue right to Freeport Road, then turn left onto Freeport Road and head east. Continue 2.4 miles passing under the PA Turnpike until you see the parking lot of Harmar House on the left - 1349 Freeport Road - our meeting place.

Sunday, March 22, 2026 - Pymatuning Area

Meet leader Ken Knapp (kcknapp50@gmail.com) at 8:00 AM in the parking lot of the former Pymatuning Wildlife Center, 12590 Hartstown Road, Linesville, PA. PA (GPS coordinates: 41.63526, -80.43404) for this half-day outing. Plenty of waterfowl species and a variety of raptors should be around. Sandhill Cranes are also a possibility. We will spend the morning visiting various locations in the area.

Please let Ken know that you are planning to attend by email at kcknapp50@gmail.com.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - Woodcock Walk

Enjoy our second woodcock walk of this spring with leader Tom Byrnes (724-715-7184). Meeting time will be 7:00 PM. We will drive a short distance to a field in Harmar Township that has produced lots of American Woodcocks in the past several years. Be prepared for a muddy walk and bring a flashlight. Before going to the field, we will check the Great Blue Heron nests and for possible cormorants, which in previous years were exciting finds on this trip.

Please note: We are meeting at the same starting location as last year.
Directions: GPS coordinates: 40.540648, -79.810521
From PA Route 28 Exit 11 continue right to Freeport Road, then turn left onto Freeport Road and head east. Continue 2.4 miles passing under the Turnpike until you see the parking lot of Harmar House on the left - 1349 Freeport Road - the meeting place.

3RBC Current Outings --- April 2026

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - Woodcock Walk

This will be the final woodcock walk of this spring with leader Tom Byrnes (724-715-7184). Meeting time will be 7:00 PM. We will 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. Before going to the field, we will check the Great Blue Heron nest and for possible cormorants, which in previous years were exciting finds on this trip.

Please note: We are meeting at the same starting location as last year.
Directions: GPS coordinates: 40.540648, -79.810521
From PA Route 28 Exit 11 continue right to Freeport Road, then turn left onto Freeport Road and head east. Continue 2.4 miles passing under the Turnpike until you see the parking lot of Harmar House on the left - 1349 Freeport Road.

Saturday, April 4, 2026 - Yellow Creek State Park

This outing will be a joint outing of the 3RBC and the Todd Bird Club. Meet Sue Dickson (724-388-5000) at the park office at 8:00 AM. The Park office is located on Route 259 just off Route 422 east of Indiana. Allow an hour and a half to drive from Pittsburgh.

The Park has a wide variety of habitats and a large lake that attracts a wide variety of waterbirds and sometimes exciting rarities.

Saturday, April 25, 2026 - Sewickley Heights Borough Park

This walk is intended for beginning/inexperienced birders and will be limited to the first six people who email the walk leader Adrian Fenton at AFe9963285@aol.com.

Sewickley Heights Park is an excellent location for seeing Spring migrating birds. We will go slowly to give everyone the opportunity to see and identify birds. The starting time will be at 7:30 AM in the upper parking lot. See the 3RBC Birding Locations page for directions. Please bring binoculars.