Loyalhanna Dam – A Gathering of Eagles

Date & Time: Saturday, February 1, 8:30 am.  We will meet at the office parking lot.

Leader: Dale Matuza, 724-327-0826, dmmatuza@comcast.net

Directions: The site is located a few miles east of Saltsburg, PA off routes 286 and 981.  The address is 440 Loyalhanna Dam Road, Saltsburg, PA, 15681-9302.  GPS Coordinates are 40 degrees, 26' 49.16" N, 79 degrees, 26' 40.34" W. 

Description: We will hopefully be viewing a number of Bald Eagles and other waterfowl from the crest of the dam.  In addition, we may walk a portion of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail south from Saltsburg to search for additional overwintering species.  There are modern restroom facilities.  Dress for the season and weather conditions.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Collections Tour  +  Panhandle Trail Owl Prowl

Date & Time: Saturday, January 18, times to be determined

Leader: Alex Busato, busatoalex67@gmail.com, 724-963-6612

Directions: The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is located at 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  Most direct routes from the east are via 376 (Parkway) and the Oakland Exit (Bates St.).  Restaurant directions will be provided.  To the Montour Panhandle Connector, proceed on the 376 (Parkway West) exiting on I 79 South past Carnegie.  The address is Montour Panhandle Connector, Montour Trail, McDonald, PA 15057.

Description: This is a dual-venue outing helping us to shed those winter blues.  We will start with a midday visit to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to explore some of the museum’s 190,000 avian specimens on a private tour through the ornithological collection! We’ll also have time to roam the remainder of the museum before departing for a late lunch/early dinner (location tbd). From there, we will proceed to the Panhandle Trail for a late afternoon search for wintering grassland birds like Northern Harrier and Short-eared Owls.  Additional details will be provided prior to the event, please RSVP to Alex no later than January 6th so we can plan for appropriate reservations and perhaps organize carpooling.

Christmas Bird Count Dinner

Date:  Saturday, January 11, 2025, 6:00 pm

Leader:  Xina Matuza, dmmatuza@comcast.net, 724-327-0826

Directions: We have reserved a room at The Boulevard Restaurant in Greensburg, PA.  Address is 900 Towne Square Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601. 

Description:  We have gone retro with an event from the past!  Come and enjoy a night out with good food, socializing, and member reports on their Bushy Run CBC efforts.  Please RSVP to Xina by Friday, December, 15, 2024, and include the following:

·        Number attending

·        Attendee choice of one of the following entrees.  Note: Entrees include House Salad tossed in house made Italian dressing, bread and butter, Coffee, Tea, Iced Tea or Fountain Soda, Van/Choc/Rasp Sheet cake, Tax and Gratuity.  (Cash Bar)

1.      Penne Pasta with Meatball  - $24.00

2.      Baked Cod with Baked Potato - $31.00

3.      Bruschetta Chicken with Baked Potato - $31.00

·        Mail RSVP with check made out to Xina Matuza for the appropriate amount to:

Xina Matuza,   3264 Mayer Drive,  Murrysville, PA  15668

Christmas Bird Count - Bushy Run Circle

Saturday, December 28, 2024

Leader: Steve Manns, psuloon@yahoo.com, 724-516-2244

Description:  Please contact Steve to grab a spot or team up with another party. Want to bird yourself?  Great!!!  If you are in the circle you can tally the birds yourself for that day.  Check to see if you are in the circle on this map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appi d=ac275eeb01434cedb1c5dcd0fd3fc7b4.  Zoom in to see if your yard is in the circle for the count.  Doesn’t matter if you are a night owl or an early bird.  You can count the birds in the circle between 12:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.  Turn data in to Steve.

Christmas Bird Counts:

Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Rector Circle

Leader:  Annie Lindsay, LindsayA@carnegiemnh.org, 724-331-0660

Description:  Please contact Annie to grab a spot or team up with another party. Want to bird yourself?  Great!!!  If you are in the circle you can tally the birds yourself for that day.  Check to see if you are in the circle on this map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appi d=ac275eeb01434cedb1c5dcd0fd3fc7b4.  Zoom in to see if your yard is in the circle for the count.  Doesn’t matter if you are a night owl or an early bird.  You can count the birds in the circle between 12:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.  Turn data in to Annie.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - Donohoe Barn – Club Meeting

Meet inside at the Donohoe Center at 7:00 p.m. Doors open 6:30 p.m. for member’s night

Leader:  Alex Busato/Tom Moser, busatoalex67@comcast.net, 724-963-6612

Directions:  Turn north onto Donohoe Road at the Route 30 traffic light near the overpass to the Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg.    Drive north on Donohoe 1.7 miles past WOW Outlets until you see the sign on the right for the Donohoe Center.   The Barn is in the back.

Description:  After a short administrative meeting, you can share your seasonal experiences for the past year.  Let Tom Moser (mosertd@gmail.com, (412-478-5513) know prior to the meeting.  Bring your nature pictures on a flash/USB drive.  Limit your show to 10 minutes.  These “show and tell” pictures can be from actual outings, trips, vacations, other adventures or just shots from around your backyard or neighborhood.

Nature Paraphernalia Auction Fundraiser:  Have any nature paraphernalia to donate to the club – books, feeders, checklists, old binoculars, hand lens, working electronics, baked goods, a husband or wife or significant other, etc.?  Items donated to the club will be sold at silent auction for $1.00 a ticket or 5 for $3.00.  

Finally, we will appreciate members who can provide baked goods such as cookies and pies to share.  Please bring your own drinks, since coffee and tea are no longer provided.

Saturday, November 2, 2024 - Jacobs Creek Park (Greenlick Run Lake)/ Bridgeport Dam County Park/ Jacob’s Creek Wetlands:

 Meet at 8:30 am at the Jacobs Creek Park (Greenlick) parking lot near the boat launch.  Waterfowl often take off with the morning sun, so we’ll begin here where waterfowl most often gather.

Leaders: Georgia Shalek, gshalek@gmail.com, 724-887-9210 or 724-875-9222 Mike Smith, skeetor72@yahoo.com, 412-526-8360

Directions: From points east & west - Take Route 31 east through Mt. Pleasant toward the village of Bridgeport. Turn right onto Bridgeport Street and proceed 1.3 miles to a four-way stop sign.  Go straight through the stop sign and over the bridge, veering left along the stream. Follow this to the intersection (no stop sign) and turn left.  Jacobs Creek Park (Greenlick) will be on your right.  Follow to the entrance and park in the lot toward the boat launch.  From points North and South- follow Route 119 to Route 31 East. Follow the directions above to Jacob’s Creek Park (Greenlick).

Description: Bridgeport Dam is a multi-purpose flood control dam on Jacobs Creek, where Jacobs Creek and Brush Run converge. We’ll spend our day beginning at Jacobs Creek Park (Greenlick), then caravan to Bridgeport Dam and on to the Jacobs Creek Wetlands. These beautiful areas often boast large numbers of migrating waterfowl,            especially in rainy weather which brings them down to ride out the storms, usually overnight.  All of these sites are in close proximity with adequate parking.  Some of our hiking may take place in grassy, wet or muddy areas, so toss some boots and rain gear in your car.  A scope will also come in handy if you have one.

Saturday, October 12, 2024:  Various – Ebird’s October Big Day Bird Count

Leader:  Steve Manns,psuloon@yahoo.com, 724-963-6612

Directions:  Bird your favorite areas - Be a part of something bigger!

Description:  Like Global Big Day, October Big Day is an opportunity to unite around our shared love of birds. Last year, nearly 36,332 people from 191 countries submitted 83,735 checklists with eBird, demonstrating the power of birds to bring people together.  Each year more and more participants join in this global celebration, how many people will contribute this year?  Wherever you are on 12 October, take a few minutes to join in this global celebration.  Participate from anywhere—even from home!  By taking part in October Big Day, you’re also celebrating Global Bird Weekend and World Migratory Bird Day. Be a part of the global team and help set a new record for October birding.  Turn data in on eBird.  Steve will review the species counts, high counts, and unusual sightings for the day.  We will summarize in the next newsletter.

We will meet at the trailhead.

Leader: Denny McCarthy, dennymccarthy@comcast.net, 412-913-9064

Directions:  On Rt 30, drive 2 miles east of Ligonier.  Turn south onto Rt 381 and drive two miles to Rector.  In Rector, turn left onto Linn Run Road and drive 7.7 miles to Laurel Summit State Park.  Turn left as you approach the pavilion and drive into the parking lot.  Find the trail on the left side of the parking lot that leads to Wolf Rocks.

Description: We will hike this trail to the scenic Wolf Rocks Overlook.  It is about a 4.5-mile forested loop over relatively flat but sometimes very rocky ground.  Sturdy shoes and a hiking pole are helpful.  Many breeding songbirds along with spring and summer wildflowers like Mountain Laurel can be seen.  With a little luck we may spot Timber rattlesnakes sunning on the rocks. 

We will meet at the Darlington Inn

Leader:  Denny McCarthy, dennymccarthy@comcast.net, 412-913-9064

Directions:  We will begin at the Darlington Inn just off Route 30.  Address is 1473 Darlington Rd, Ligonier, PA 15658.  Following Rt. 30 east from Latrobe, bear right onto Darlington Road (2043) just before you cross Longbridge.  In about a mile, you will see the restaurant on your right and the parking lot on your left.  Please RSVP your dinner reservation to Denny McCarthy, 412-913-9064 or dennymccarthy@comcast.net no later than May 24.  After dinner we will drive to the parking lot at Spruce Flats bog.  For the bog, from Rt 30, drive two miles east to Ligonier, turn south onto Route 381 and drive 2 miles to Rector.  In Rector, turn left onto Linn Run Road and drive 7.7 miles to Laurel Summit State Park.  Turn left as you approach the pavilion and drive into the parking lot.  Find a trail on the right side of the parking lot that leads to the bog boardwalk.

Description: It’s hard to beat a Hungarian buffet and a leisurely walk to the haunting songs of woodland thrushes and high elevation warblers.  It is always a bit colder at the bog and may be muddy, although the actual viewing is from an elevated boardwalk.  The bog contains many special flora including balsam fir trees, mountain laurel (our state flower), and carnivorous sundews and pitcher plants.  Bring mosquito repellent.

We will meet in the BCNP parking lot.

Leader: Tom Moser, mosertd@gmail.com, 412-478-5513

Directions:  Address is 154 Monroe Road, Sarver, PA.  From Route 28, take PA-356 North for 0.9 miles.  Turn right onto Monroe Road and follow for 0.8 miles.  The road will wind around as you make your way down a hill.  BCNP will be on your left at the bottom of the hill.  Todd Nature reserve is 2 miles further up the hill at 367 Kepple Road, Sarver, PA.

Description:  Depending on the number  of attendees, we will first car pool 2 miles to the Todd Nature Reserve for an Audubon naturalist-led “Birds and More” walk on trails through ravines, forests and reverting meadows with streams and a pond.  We will then return to the Nature Park for a level walk along Little Buffalo Creek via the Butler-Freeport trail.  Buffalo Creek Valley is listed as Important Bird Area # 22.  Last year in late May we identified 45 species.  The Park facilities feature the Babcock Nature Center, an Audubon Nature Store, concessions and modern restrooms.  You can bring a bagged lunch for socializing after the walks in the adjacent picnic pavilion.

We will meet at the Saltsburg, Pa Trailhead

Leader:  Denny McCarthy, dennymccarthy@comcast.net, 412-913-9064.

Directions:  Follow Rt 981 north from New Alexandria, about 8 miles, to PA 286 and turn right across the bridge into Saltsburg.  After 0.2 miles, turn right on Salt Street and travel 0.4 miles to the playground and trail parking lot.

Description:  We will walk this section of the trail out and back toward Sara Steele trailhead, approximately 5 miles round trip.  This should be the peak time for spring wildflowers and migration movements for warblers and vireos.

Leader: Steve Manns, psuloon@yahoo.com, 724-963-6612

Directions: Bird your favorite areas - Be a part of something bigger!

Description: Be a part of birding’s biggest team! Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around you.  No matter where you are, join us virtually on May 11, help celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, and share the birds you find with eBird.

Participating is easy—you can even be part of Global Big Day from home.  If you can spare 5 or 10 minutes, report your bird observations to eBird online or with the free eBird Mobile app. If you have more time, submit several checklists of birds throughout the day. You never know what you might spot.  Your observations help us better understand global bird populations.

Last year, Global Big Day brought birders together virtually from more countries than ever before.  More than 51,000 people from 201 countries submitted 132,000 checklists with eBird, setting new world records for a single day of birding. Will you help us surpass last year’s records?

How to participate

·        Get an eBird account: eBird is a worldwide bird checklist program used by millions of birders.  It’s what allows us to compile everyone’s sightings into a single massive Global Big Day list—while at the same time collecting the data to help scientists better understand birds.  Watch birds on May 11:  It’s that simple.  You don’t need to be a bird expert or go out all day long, even 10 minutes of birding from home counts. Global Big Day runs from midnight to midnight in your local time zone.  You can report what you find from anywhere in the world.

·        Enter what you see and hear in eBird:  You can enter your sightings via the website or download the free eBird Mobile app to make submitting lists even easier. Please enter your checklists before 14 May to be included in our initial results announcement.

·        Watch the sightings roll in:  During the day, follow along with sightings from more than 200 countries in real-time on our Global Big Day page.

Meet inside the Donohoe Center at 7:00 p.m.  Doors open 6:30 p.m.

Leader: Alex Busato, busatoalex67@comcast.net, 724-963-6612

Directions:  Turn north onto Donohoe Road at the Route 30 traffic light near the overpass to the Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg.  Drive north on Donohoe 1.7 miles past WOW Outlets until you see the sign on the right for the Donohoe Center.  Address is 214 Donohoe Road, Greensburg, PA.  15601.  “The Barn” is in the back.

Description: Please join us for our spring members meeting.  We will provide updates on club goings-on including the upcoming Bird Atlas.  Come, relax and enjoy socializing with other club members, listen to speakers, programs and other topics.  Homemade snacks and baked good contributions are always appreciated.

Special Guest Speaker – Don German, Plant Manager, Mon Valley Works, US Steel Corporation: “The Bald Eagles of US Steel “

Meet at the walking trails parking lot at 8:30 a.m.

Leader: Regina Gaison, rgaison1@gmail.com, 724-853-7715

Directions:  The park is located off Rt 66 between Greensburg and Rt 22.  From either direction, turn off Rt 66 (old 66, not the toll road) onto Rt 993 and drive until you come to the park.  The GPS address is 1253 Bushy Run Road, Jeannette, PA 15644.  Find and park in the lot near the entrance to the walking trails.

Description: We will hike the Edge Hill Trail, the main trail around the park, for the best chance for viewing wildflowers and migrating passerines.  114 bird species have been sighted.  Time permitting, we may also walk Iroquois Trail and Flour Sack Trail.  For those interested in brown-bagging a lunch, we can find an available picnic table.

Meet at the long trailhead parking lot along Rt 31 at 8:30 a.m.

Leader:  Denny McCarthy, dennymccarthy@comcast.net, 412-913-9064

Directions:  From the Donegal Turnpike Exit, head east on Rt 31 for 9.2 miles and watch for the Main entrance on your right.  You can follow Lake Loop Trail thru the park to the trailhead parking lot on the other end of the park.  Or you can drive past the main park entrance and turn right after 0.2 miles to the big long parking lot visible from Rt 31.

Description: We will hike the Kincora, Tree Army, and Kooser Run Trails, which essentially loop around the park.  Spring will just be arriving at this elevated park with migrants arriving and wildflowers blooming.  Lake and stream areas along with deciduous and coniferous forests can be viewed.  Picnic areas are available for those wishing to socialize over a brown-bag lunch.

Meet at the parking lot by the confluence of Cedar Creek with the Youghiogheny River at 10:00 a.m.  (Coordinates are 40°10'43.1"N 79°46'42.1"W.)

Leaders:  Mark Bowers and Loree Speedy, monarda55@gmail.com, 724-454-4012

Directions: Address is 216 Municipal Drive, Belle Vernon, PA 15012.   Whether driving north or south on SR 51 in Rostraver Township, turn onto Concord Lane.  If driving north from the intersection of I-70 and SR 51, you will turn right onto Concord Lane at a red light by the Burger King, and then turn right onto Municipal Drive (roads here have been recently modified).  If driving south on SR 51, turn left onto Concord Lane at a red light by Harper Drive and turn left onto Municipal Drive.  Follow Municipal Drive 0.7 mile and turn left onto Evergreen Drive.  This left turn is at the main entrance to Cedar Creek Park.  Follow Evergreen Drive 1.4 mile to a parking lot at the end of Evergreen Drive.

Description:  We will tour this scenic venue looking to ID early spring trees, plants, animals, and birds.  The plan is to walk the flat floodplain trail in the gorge and/or the GAP bike trail.  Of course, dress for the season and weather conditions, and be aware that some trail areas may be steep, wet, and slippery. 

Meet at Dragonfly Pond parking lot at 8:30 a.m..

Leader: Denny McCarthy, dennymccarthy@comcast.net, 412-913-9064

Directions: Yellow Creek State Park is along Rt 422 between the towns of Ebensburg and Indiana.  The address is 170 Route 259 Highway, Penn Run, PA, 15765.  GPS Coordinates are 40°34’41”N, 79°0’2’W.   

Description: This is primarily a Waterfowl outing and should be near the peak of the spring migration.  Binoculars are a must and spotting scopes are appreciated.  It is easy walking to various points around the lake, including an observatory.  Yellow Creek State Park covers 3,140 acres containing varied ecological areas and has been designated as Important Bird area #23.  Its close proximity to Chestnut Ridge allows for viewing of large numbers of waterfowl and gulls stopping to use the lake.  There are 219 total birds verified on the park checklist, with 87 of those seen in March.

Meet at Georgia’s between 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Leader: Georgia Shalek, 724- 887-9210, gshalek@gmail.com / Steve Manns, 724-309-3312, psuloon@yahoo.com.

Directions: 1481 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, 724- 887-9210. Take the Scottdale Exit off 119 South. Make a left off the exit ramp onto 819 South toward Scottdale. Take a right at the light onto w. Pittsburgh St. and follow it through the 2nd light for 2 miles to the bottom of a large hill where you’ll cross a small cement bridge. Turn left immediately after you cross the bridge between the guard rail and fire hydrant. If you come to Creek Road, you’ve gone 5 feet too far.

Description: Georgia Shalek has once again invited us to her home for a feeder-watch get together. Time: 8:00 - 3:00 with a walk around the grounds and lunch. Throw some boots into your car if you want to do the walk. Bring any drinks or snacks you want to share. Arrive and depart at your convenience. No rain date. Bad weather – still on for those who can make it.

If you can’t make Georgia’s, do your own armchair birding as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Count the maximum number of each species at your feeder at any one time from Feb 16-19. Walk the neighborhood to add non-feeder species. Count on as many of the four days as you wish. Turn data in to Steve Manns. psuloon@yahoo.com

Leader: Dale Matuza 724-327-0826, dmmatuza@comcast.net

We will meet at the office parking lot at 8:30 a.m

Directions: The site is located a few miles east of Saltsburg, PA off routes 286 and 981. The address is 440 Loyalhanna Dam Road, Saltsburg, PA, 15681-9302. GPS Coordinates are 40 degrees, 26' 49.16" N, 79 degrees, 26' 40.34" W.

Description: We will hopefully be viewing several Bald Eagles and other waterfowl from the crest of the dam. In addition, we may walk the short trail from the parking lot down to the lake. There are modern restroom facilities. Dress for the season and weather conditions.