Three Rivers Birding Club Southwestern Pennsylvania

Bimonthly Membership Meeting
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
7:30 PM -- 9:30 PM
Hybrid Meeting Originating from Beechwood Farms in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Fifty-six individuals were present at 3RBC's April meeting, which was held at the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania's Beechwood Farms auditorium. Thirty-four computers also logged on to the meeting via Zoom (with several of those shared by more than one person). In total, more than one hundred individuals viewed the meeting (either remotely or in-person), which featured speaker and club president, Mike Fialkovich, who showed us more than one hundred images of birds he encountered on his 2023 trip to Costa Rica.

3RBC President Mike Fialkovich called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 pm. He and other club officers and members made the following announcements and reports:

• President Fialkovich told us that the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO) will hold its annual meeting in nearby Washington County this year on May 31 through June 2. The meeting will be held at the Doubletree Hilton in Meadowlands, near the racetrack and casino. He strongly recommended that 3RBC members attend. The PSO meeting will feature a slate of fascinating speakers, more than a dozen bird outings over the course of the weekend, and a banquet on Saturday evening. Mike also thanked the several 3RBC members who have volunteered to lead outings for the PSO event.


• Club Vice President Adrian Fenton told the members that the club frequently gets calls from the general public to speak about birding, as well as requests for a 3RBC member to lead ad hoc informal bird walks and the like. Adrian explained that he is putting together a pool of volunteers to respond to these types of calls and asked anyone interested in helping with this important community outreach to contact him.


• Sheree Daugherty announced that club president Mike Fialkovich has been selected by the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology Awards Committee as the recipient of the 2024 Earl Poole Award. The award honors Mike's significant contributions to Pennsylvania ornithology through his work with the Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee, the Pennsylvania Birds journal, the Breeding Bird Atlas, and so many other projects. The Earl Poole award is presented annually to a person or persons who have made significant contributions to Pennsylvania's ornithology. This may be in the form of research, volunteer efforts, publications, field work, or any other pursuit that has increased our knowledge and understanding of the birdlife in Pennsylvania. Mike will receive the Earl Poole Award at the upcoming PSO Birding Festival and Annual Meeting in Washington County to be held May 31 to June 2, 2024.


• Peregrine editor, Bob Mulvihill, was unable to attend the meeting, so Sheree delivered a short Peregrine report on his behalf. Bob asked her to remind members that Tom Moeller's "Observations" column will feature a wonderful piece about birding Duck Hollow (with photos!). As Tom says in the article, it's "a deceptively grand place to bird." Also, Bob has made room in the upcoming issue for member photos of birds, places, or people birding. Please send them, along with a caption, directly to Bob at: robert.mulvihill@gmail.com.


• Treasurer Tom Moeller was not able to attend, so, on his behalf, Sheree presented the treasurer's report. After gaining some new members, and closing out some delinquent memberships, the club's membership roll currently stands at 324. Tom wanted everyone to remember that 3RBC is now an official non-profit, so membership dues as well as any extra contributions to the club are fully tax deductible. As is his custom, Tom sent along his gracious thanks to the new members who have chosen to join us, and to everyone for their continued support and generosity.


• Since webmaster Tom Moeller was unable to attend, there was no webmaster's report.


• Outings Director Steve Thomas reported the following upcoming club outings:
  
  
  • Saturday, April 6, 2024 – Yellow Creek State Park
  • Wednesday, April 10, 2024 – Woodcock Walk
  • Saturday, April 20, 2024 – Raccoon Creek State Park
  • Sunday, April 21, 2024 – Duck Hollow
  • Friday, April 26, 2024 – Sewickley Heights Borough Park
  • Friday, May 3, 2024 – Sewickley Heights Borough Park
  • Friday, May 10, 2024 – North Park
  • Saturday, May 11, 2024 – Deer Lakes County Park
  • Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Linda's Farm
  • Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Harrison Hills Park
  • Saturday, June 8, 2024 – 3RBC Annual Picnic at Harrison Hills Park
  • See a summer outing on the Outings Page.
  
  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. Finally, each leader may discontinue the outing at any time if conditions warrant such an action. 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.


• Mike next began his recap highlights of recent bird sightings: American Wigeon at Duck Hollow; 40 Gadwall were also seen at Duck Hollow; Long-tailed Ducks on the Allegheny just above the Highland Park Dam; Snow Geese flew over Franklin Park; Great Egret in Findlay Township; Black Vultures at Beechwood Farms, Natrona Heights and North Braddock; Greater White-fronted Geese in Findlay Township; American Woodcock are back and displaying in the area; Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Fox Chapel, Etna, and Hartwood Acres; Field Sparrow at North Park, Harrison Hills Park, and West Deer Township; Fox Sparrow in Etna; Louisiana Waterthrush have recently arrived; Northern Shoveler in North Park; Northern Pintail at Wingfield Pines; Long-tailed Duck at Duck Hollow; Rusty Blackbirds at Frick Park; Pine Siskin at North Park, Ross Township, and Natrona Heights; very early Barn Swallow at Gibsonia; Gray Catbird at Duquesne University; possible cismontanus Dark-eyed Junco at Frick Park; and Vesper Sparrows at Linda's Farm.


• Program Director Carol McCullough told the members that the club's next program on June 5th will feature Kate St. John, who will tell us about the history of our local Peregrine Falcons. From their extinction in eastern North America in the 1960s to their removal from the Endangered Species list, Peregrine Falcons have proven that recovery of a species is possible. Kate St. John, the lead volunteer peregrine monitor in southwestern Pennsylvania, will tell us of the falcon's fascinating story in her program "Peregrine Falcons: An Environmental Success Story."
  
  Kate has over two decades of experience observing these charismatic birds. She'll describe their breeding strategy, the history of their crash and recovery, and notable breeding sites and peregrine dynasties in western Pennsylvania. Her engaging account of their lives and histories will give you a new appreciation for these fierce yet beautiful raptors.
  
  Fascinated by birds, curious about nature, and addicted to Peregrine Falcons, Kate St. John is a birder, blogger, and Pittsburgh's lead Peregrine Falcon monitor. She writes about birds and nature every day at Outside My Window, www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org.

Carol next introduced club president, Mike Fialkovich. Carol reminded us that Mike really needs no introduction to 3RBC, since he has been a deeply involved member since the club's inception more than 20 years ago, and has delivered a bird report at nearly every meeting since then. What's more, Mike was the speaker at 3RBC's very first meeting! Mike also compiles for the PSO's scientific publication, Pennsylvania Birds, where he does a quarterly summary of the entire state. In addition to the state summaries, he also provides a monthly listing of all birds seen in two Pennsylvania counties. Along with the Earl Poole award, Mike also received the Todd Award from the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. Besides his knowledge of birds, Mike is also quite well versed in Pennsylvania natural history.

Mike began by telling us that Costa Rica's geography is as diverse as it is beautiful. Costa Rica geographical features include active and extinct volcanoes, steep mountain slopes, endless tropical beaches, and many, many acres of primary and secondary rainforests, dry forests, mangroves and cloud forests, swamps, wetlands, raging rivers, lakes and thunderous waterfalls.

Costa Rica has parallel mountain ranges, running northwest-to-southeast, on the east and west, with the Valle Central in between. Visitors flock to popular destinations there like the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Arenal Volcano National Park. The Cordillera de Tilarán is in the mountainous central valley, the Cordillera Central. Over half the population resides in the central valley. The mountains in the Cordillera de Talamanca to the South are taller and harder to traverse due to steep terrain. Many of the volcanoes of Costa Rica are active, including the Arenal Volcano (currently dormant).

Costa Rica is one of the great wonders of the world because it has the densest biodiversity found on Earth. Primary and secondary forests, mangroves, plains, and volcanoes host an incredible variety of flora and fauna.

Mike explained that in the central plain, the southeast and east coast is tropical, since these areas get rain from the Caribbean, and the eastern mountain slopes are very wet as well. The northwest corner of the country is more arid since the western mountains block the rain. Yet the southwest corner of the country is wet and tropical, with rains coming in this case from the Pacific Ocean.

As with most tours of the country, Mike's Holbrook tour began in San Jose, the country's capital, where he birded the hotel's property. From there he traveled through most of the country's many and diverse regions. His presentation featured more than one hundred photos and videos of some of the country's 903 avian species. As he detailed the many birds he saw, it became apparent that he saw many representatives of the most well-known families of birds in Costa Rica.

Toucans – There are six toucan species in Costa Rica: Keel-billed, Yellow-throated, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Fiery Billed Araçari, Collared Araçari, and the Emerald Toucanet. The most recognizable of these is the Keel-billed Toucan with its over-sized rainbow beak. Toucans commonly eat fruit from flowering trees, but also consume the eggs of other birds, insects, and small reptilian species.

Hummingbirds – There are 52 hummingbird species in Costa Rica. Mike's group saw 28 of them, including a wintering Ruby-throated that might make its way back to Pittsburgh this summer! The hummingbirds' brilliant iridescent colors, delicate grace, and quick fluttering movements are a source of fascination for birders and non-birders alike. Their metabolism is so high, they need to eat all day to survive. They visit over 2,000 flowers in a day to do so! One of the most popular hummingbird dwellings in Costa Rica is the cloud forest. Monteverde Cloud Forest, Santa Elena Reserve, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Bajos del Toro, and Poas Volcano National Park are prime hummingbird viewing destinations. Many destinations have also made efforts to attract hummingbirds to their feeders, allowing guests to see these magnificent birds up close.

Parrots – There are 17 parrot species in Costa Rica, and Mike told us that his group encountered ten during the trip. The parrot's bright colors and unique bill stand out from other animal families. Additionally, these birds can live to over 100 years old. They are also one of the few families of birds that can imitate human voices. The Scarlet Macaw is the largest parrot in the world and one of the most well-known birds in Costa Rica due to its vibrant colors and unique mating preferences. Scarlet Macaws mate for life. Typically, if you spot one Scarlet Macaw in the wild, its mate is close by. Mike reported that his tour group saw Scarlet Macaws in and around Carara National Park. They also saw the less common Great Green Macaw in the Sarapiqui Region.

Trogons – There are ten trogon species in Costa Rica, and Mike saw five of them during the trip. The males and females differ in plumage with the males being a bit more vibrant. One of the most famous trogons is the Resplendent Quetzal, a cloud forest dweller. The male quetzal is especially high on many birders' bucket list with brilliant emerald plumage and four extended upper tail coverts that stream down up to 30 inches beyond their square tail tip. Like many a human guacamole lover, avocado is one of the Resplendent Quetzal's favorite snacks. Mike's tour guide took the group to see them at a farm where both cultivated and wild avocados grow.

Tanagers – There are 51 species of tanagers in Costa Rica. They are actually a bit difficult to define as recent genetic research has caused scientists to move species around a bit among families. To further confusion, many of the common names have not changed resulting in "tanagers" in two different bird families. Regardless, these birds are some of the most vibrant yet common birds in Costa Rica. They feed mainly on fruits and wild berries. Mike's group saw a number of wintering Summer Tanagers during the trip.

Motmots – With bright brilliant feathers and a long tail, motmots inhabit the edges and interiors of the forest. All of the Costa Rica motmots, except for the Tody Motmot, have the characteristic racquet-tipped tails. The Blue-crowned Motmot is the most common. The group was pleased to see all species of Motmot except the Tody, which has a very restricted range.

In addition to these, Mike saw many other birds, including jays, woodpeckers, and a Tropical Kingbird, to name only a few. Of course, he also saw the ubiquitous Clay-colored Thrush, Costa Rica's national bird and one of the most common birds in the country, found throughout nearly every region. The Clay-colored Thrush's mating season is typically from April-June, also the start of the rainy season, when its unmistakable song alerts farmers to the beginning of the coming rains. He also saw several migrant birds there that he frequently sees in Pennsylvania, including Spotted Sandpiper, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Northern Waterthrush, Tennessee Warbler, and Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Mike also saw a stunning variety of plants, fewer butterflies than he expected, and crocodiles and porcupine! He even overcame his fear of heights and crossed a hanging bridge!

After his fascinating presentation, Mike took several questions and comments, and then adjourned the meeting.

— prepared by Frank Moone on April 21, 2024