Pleasant Valley Park at 8:30 a.m.

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

Directions: From the McDonald’s light in Murrysville, turn south onto Trafford Rd. Cross over the bridge and railroad tracks, then bear left onto Pleasant Valley Road. Continue on this road for 1.2 miles and turn left into the parking lot.

Description: Spring migration will be in full swing as WBNC members hike through the variety of habitats at Pleasant Valley Park. With its open meadows, deep woods, river bottoms, and shrubby edge habitat, the park regularly hosts a multitude of Warbler species as well as flycatchers, sparrows, woodpeckers, Scarlet Tanager, orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and hawks. We will let the warblers be our guides through the upper portions of the park, loosely following Hank’s Trail to the East and looping via the Chestnut, Red Oak, and Hemlock Trails back to the Main Farm Road. This location has produced some uncommon species in the past and potential encounters with Connecticut Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and Olive-sided Flycatcher are a good possibility. This hike can be moderately hilly and trail conditions can be muddy in some locations. Sturdy hiking boots, hiking poles, and a good pair of binoculars are recommended. Meet at the main parking lot off of Pleasant Valley Rd.