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

Sewickley Heights Borough Park — May 9, 2025

The calendar said May 9, but the temperature hovered in the low 40s as eleven birders gathered in the parking lot around leader Sheree Daugherty. Not many birds were vocalizing in the cold, but we were thrilled when we recognized a Kentucky Warbler singing just a short distance away. We quickly made our introductions and welcomed a couple of new birders, and then we were off to stalk the Kentucky! A few lucky people were able to catch a quick glimpse before it headed away into thicker brush. We also heard a second bird a little later. Kentucky Warbler has been rare here for the last few years, so we hope they will begin breeding in the park again.

After the Kentucky excitement, we wandered back to the parking lot and crossed the road to the Butterfly Trail. A Wood Thrush and a Scarlet Tanager were trading songs back and forth, and an Eastern Towhee called. A few people spotted a Magnolia Warbler as it sang its short and sweet song. Lining up on the path, we spotted the Scarlet Tanager across a brushy field. An Indigo Bunting flew to a tree next to the trail, giving everyone a great look. We were almost as startled as the bunting, when an agitated Ruby-throated Hummingbird showed up and buzzed the bird, daring it to fight! The bunting stood its ground for a minute or two before fleeing, followed by the psycho hummer.

We moved on to the Upper Fields, and the mounds of the Allegheny Mound Ants were pointed out to our new birders. Only a few ants were active, and we didn't linger, but hurried towards the sound of a bubbling House Wren, recently renamed the Northern House Wren in North America. There are now six Caribbean and tropical species that split, so if you had managed to snag a House Wren in the tropics earlier, your life list just expanded!

We circled back to the top of the Pipeline Trail and followed it down to the bottom of the hill. Bird activity slowed to a crawl, and we decided that our feathered friends had decided it was too cold to be out and had gone back to bed. Hooded Warblers, the most numerous warbler in the park, were almost always within earshot, however, and we were happy when one popped up next to the Nature Trail.

Any day out birding is a good day -- thanks to Sheree for a good day out with old friends and new! We had 31 species, including seven warblers: Ovenbird, Tennessee, Kentucky, Hooded, American Redstart, Northern Parula, and Magnolia Warbler.

—by participant, Debbie Kalbfleisch

Deer Lakes Park — May 10, 2025

On a beautiful, cool morning in early May, fourteen birders gathered at Deer Lakes Park's upper parking lot anticipating a great day of birding. Some new and some seasoned, the birders were greeted by numerous singing warblers welcoming them to a sunny adventure that would excite them at many turns. From Northern Parula to Black-throated Green, and Black-and-white to American Redstart, the continuous songs and sightings just above their cars would not let them begin their trek, pleasantly surprising them that so many warblers would present themselves right from the start.

The group pulled themselves from the lot to begin their ascent up the access road toward the big day of birding that awaited them. As they swept across the upper field and streamed through the trails, they were met by a Great Crested Flycatcher and the songs of Blue-winged, Tennessee, and Nashville Warblers, as well as the sweet sight of a Cape May. After hearing a Brown Thrasher and sweeping around the upper trail system, a thorough search led them to finally spotting the Kentucky Warbler that had been singing in front of them for several minutes, as well as a White-eyed Vireo from a similar endeavor.

After hearing what sounded like a whining, juvenile raptor, the group was delighted to hear a member point out, "An owl, an owl!" as a Barred Owlet sat on a branch 30 feet above them. The adorable, gray, fluff ball yawned in the understory and eventually laid down, balancing its body, lowering its head to get a better look at the odd creatures goggling up at it from the forest floor. The group peeled itself away from such a privileged treat, so that they could spend some time experiencing the riches of the lower lakes.

As the band of birders curled around all three lakes, they passed Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, a Spotted and a Solitary Sandpiper, Warbling Vireos, and Eastern Kingbirds.

As the long morning of birding came to a close, the group was pleased to total 72 species, 17 of them warblers. The comradery of the birders, beautiful weather, and expansive signs of spring migration truly led to a grand morning of birding, from the very beginning to the end.

—by leader John Vassallo

Frick Park — May 25, 2025

This was advertised as a Frick Park Breeding Bird Atlas Walk. Ten enthusiastic birders, ranging from novice to knowing, joined me on a delightful walk through Clayton Hill, down Biddle, across on Tranquil, and back through Falls Ravine Trails. We discussed the PA Bird Atlas 3 and looked at the published book from the Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania, so attendees could see how the data are used.

We got to enjoy both several migrants, including eight species of warblers (lovely to see Blackburnian Warbler before they leave) and a Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher (found by Sofia DiGennaro and Eric Hall), as well as many breeding birds in the park for a total of 47 species observed. A pair of Scarlet Tanagers came down low to give everyone great looks at both the male and female (pair in suitable habitat), and we saw Downy Woodpeckers tending their nest with young along South Clayton Trail.

But the highlight [Note: just like the Deer Lakes outing revisited above!] was finding one of the Barred Owlets in Falls Ravine. I heard one hissing, and Sofia spotted him on the ground, hopping around and wing-ercising, much to the delight of our remaining group, Eric and Sue Solomon (whom we met with Jack on Tranquil Trail after Eric's outing), and several passersby. Shernaaz Kapadia went back after lunch and relocated the fledging, taking some wonderful photos that she graciously allowed us to share.

—by leader, Michelle Kienholz