Three Rivers Birding Club Southwestern Pennsylvania

Winter/Spring Outings in 2025

Dead of Winter Outing at Frick Park — February 1, 2025

This outing was rescheduled due to frigid weather and trail conditions in the park. Upon arrival, I noticed a large group of people gathered at the entrance to the park. It was a running group, and I wondered if a race was going on at the park. It ended up the runners took to the sidewalks of Squirrel Hill to run, probably due to possible ice on the trails. A wise move and good for us, too, although I don't think it would have been a major disruption after the start.

A nice group of 14 people joined me for this outing. Most were beginners, and some were on their first club outing!

We started at the Environmental Center where the birds were very active. We saw many wintering Red-winged Blackbirds and discussed how the feeders are likely keeping them at the park with a reliable source of food. We had good views of both Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers that allowed for comparison between the two.

Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows were around the feeding area at the base of Clayton Hill. We also saw a Red-bellied Woodpecker working on digging a cavity in one of the trees; next, our first White-breasted Nuthatch of the day made an appearance.

We walked South Clayton Trail and heard a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker calling. This has been somewhat of a target bird for me during these outings, although we often miss them. But not this time! We had very close views of an immature bird tending its drilled holes within a few feet of our group, completely unconcerned with us.

As we continued on the trail, distancing ourselves from the feeder area, bird activity was reduced. However, we were rewarded with another close view – this time it was an adult Red-tailed Hawk perched low just off the trail. It remained in place the entire time we viewed it, allowing those with cameras the advantage of a very cooperative subject.

We also came across two Pileated Woodpeckers. The first was low, working the bottom part of one tree and a nearby fallen tree. We then found a second bird just a bit farther down the trail. I mentioned this would have been unheard of years ago as Pileated Woodpecker was truly rare in the city not that long ago.

We had to carefully navigate some ice on the trail, but the areas off the trail were devoid of snow thanks to mild temperatures and rain during the previous days. This allowed us to walk along the edge of the trail to keep from slipping. We descended to Tranquil Trail and stopped to see one of the resident Barred Owls sleeping in a tree cavity. Thanks to those who knew where to find the roost site; the specific location was unknown to me. A few of the local birds noticed the roosting owl and started to alert everyone in the neighborhood. Dark-eyed Juncos, chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, and American Goldfinches were flying around the roost tree, keeping careful watch on this drowsy predator.

The trail here was quite icy due to the location in the valley where sunlight was limited. We walked up Falls Ravine on another icy trail to check two Eastern Screech Owl roosts, but both were empty.

We worked our way back up to the Environmental Center where we saw three soaring Red-tailed Hawks before the outing ended. We saw 22 species. Thanks to the attendees for braving the cold temperatures and icy spots on the trails.

—by leader, Mike Fialkovich

Woodcock Walk — March 19, 2025

A group of 19 birders joined leader Tom Byrnes for the second woodcock walk for the season.

As usual we started by observing the Great Blue Heron nesting colony on the Allegheny River just upriver from the Harmar Dam. At least 33 birds were at the nests. There were a few ducks on the river, including a pair of Wood Ducks, a few scaup sp., and a male Canvasback. We were also treated to the sight of a young man climbing a tree along the river.

A kettle of 27 Turkey Vultures was flying around, and we carefully checked them for Black Vulture, but we did not see one. After our fill of watching the river, we drove up to the woodcock field, arriving just in time at sunset to experience the spring courtship display of American Woodcocks. The conditions were perfect. Temperatures were mild, wind was calm, and the sky clear with good visibility. For some participants, this was their first experience, and the birds did not disappoint.

As we walked into the field, we heard several American Robins and White-throated Sparrows calling. A Song Sparrow was singing, and an Eastern Towhee was calling.

As the sun set, we heard the peent of a woodcock, quickly followed by another some distance away. We had one fly past the group just above the shrubs – excitement was building! A woodcock started calling near our group, and then it launched into flight. Some followed it as long as they could but lost the bird as it gained altitude. When we heard the chirping calls, we knew it was descending, so we kept our eyes open and saw the bird fly past us once again and land out of sight. Some members of our group did see the bird on the ground, as it prepared for another flight display. We observed the nearest bird perform several flight displays during our stay and saw others flying low past us, so the outing was a success. It's amazing this dumpy shorebird can make these spectacular flights that is a rite of spring for them and for us, who enjoy this annual experience. Tom graciously thanked everyone for coming as we departed.

—by participant, Mike Fialkovich

Woodcock Walk — March 26, 2025

Two fairly new bird club members showed up on a clear, chilly night. On arrival, it was pointed out to me of a black and white bird over a hundred yards down river perched in a tree. Eventually, it took off and flew upriver, towards us. We were able to see it was an Osprey. We watched as it was flying around the upriver end of the island. We watched as it eventually soared up and out of view. The Heron rookery was pretty active, birds flying in and out of the nests, birds going into the river, and moving around the nests. Outside of a lone Canada Goose, there wasn't much else going on.

At the field, we had a nice dry path to walk. There were plenty of robins, cardinals and some Song Sparrows making a lot of noise. After ten minutes or longer we heard our first peent. For both birders, they were getting life birds. After a bit we had birds peenting and fluttering feathers as they took off and landed, and we were able to watch them climb into the sky. Another great showing!

—by leader, Tommy Byrnes

Sewickley Heights Borough Park — April, 25, 2025

Thirteen birders started the day in a light drizzle hoping to find some first of season migrants. Eastern Towhees and Hooded Warblers, two species that are plentiful at this location, called from heavy cover. Even the poor light couldn't dim the brilliance of a Scarlet Tanager that sang from a treetop.

We had a high count of Purple Finches, mostly females with a couple of bright males. The variations of a double phrased call alerted us to the presence of a Brown Thrasher. A few minutes later the actual bird presented itself as a dark silhouette high on a bare branch.

With our rain jacket hoods up, it was difficult to hear, except for the exuberant queep call of a Great-crested Flycatcher. Everyone got good looks at the russet-crested, lemon-yellow bellied bird.

Rain continued all day with only a few breaks. Despite the damp weather, we still found 5 warbler species, Hooded, Black-and-white, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green with a spectacular look at a Blue-winged Warbler for a total on the outing of just over 30 species.

—by leader Sheree Daugherty