PIAS commissioned this beautiful illustration by Jennifer Brumfield specifically for the Festival of the Birds which each registrant to the Festival received.

We tried something a little different Friday late afternoon by offering 2 land-based field trips to Fry’s Landing and Pine Tree Trail as well as a Pontoon Boat tour led by DCNR Naturalist, Brian Gula. Despite the light rain that was falling we were afforded great looks at a nice variety of birds, coming up with 49 species at Fry’s Landing alone. We were accompanied by a reporter and photographer from the Erie Times News on the Fry’s Landing field trip. Click here to see some of their photos.  After drying off a little, we all headed up to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center for the kick-off reception complete with food, drink and entertainment! This was a great time to renew contacts with fellow birders and discuss plans for the rest of the event.

PIAS PIAS President, Mary Birdsong (center) with Carolyn and Phil Wallis. Phil is the Executive Director of PA Audubon and we were thrilled to have him and his wife participate in this years’ Festival.

The song stylings of guitarist, Frank Singer, were a wonderful addition to the reception.

On Saturday and Sunday morning participants enjoyed the stellar weather taking birding field trips throughout the park, led by our generous and knowledgeable volunteers. On Saturday afternoon we offered a variety of interesting workshops from basic nature photography to how to help a bird in need. Again, we must thank our volunteers for sharing their time and expertise.

On Saturday night we enjoyed a delightful dinner prepared by Kal and his crew from the Sunset Grill located in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. After dinner and a  raffle, we heard from Keynote Speaker, Jen Brumfield, a naturalist and scientific illustrator with the Cleveland Metroparks and a member of the Nikon Birding ProStaff. Jen regaled the audience with the Presents of the Presence of Birds, her insightful and entertaining interpretation of what we can learn from birds.

Oh, yeah…birds!! It seems that each year for the festival we have a “star” bird or birds that attracts the most attention. Last year it was the least bitterns who cooperatively built their nest about 40 feet off the main road allowing for amazing views of their nesting behavior. The year before it was the great horned owl family and their nest visible from the main road. This year we went a little more exotic and had a purple gallinule that was first spotted at the head of the bay by park ambassador, Brian Berchtold, during the first week of May. Fortunately, he decided to stick around for awhile and stay for the festival (maybe it was the fresh caviar we offered:)

In every way, the Festival of the Birds 2011 was a great time for all involved and a rewarding accomplishment for the very dedicated and tireless committee chaired by Janet Price who put it all together. Bravo!! and Thank You!

Stone House at Newbold Estate

As I lay awake in the early morning of April 23 listening to the thunder rolling up the Allegheny Valley and the rain pelting the roof, I thought that no one would be foolish enough to show up for a wildflower walk which surely would have no wildflowers in bloom. So I was surprised when a dozen people from as far away as Rochester appeared at 10 a.m. at the Newbold Estate’s stone house parking lot, equipped with rain gear and enthusiasm. Co-leader, Jeff Tome, and I started into the woods with our group and hadn’t gone more than 10 yards when we stopped to observe all the varied types of green leaves braving the cold. We found red trilliums in bud, as well as trout lilies and toothwort. Jeff pointed out sprouting Mayapples and regaled us with tales of many odd and fascinating facts about the wild world of plants. He found the seedhead remains of a clump of last year’s Indian pipe and several types of fungi: striate bird’s nest, puffball, jelly and others.

Double-checking species identification

I had studied the history of the Newbold Estate and was able to point out remnants of its past along the old driveway we were walking. Others spotted birds: Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a Common Merganser swimming into a channel in the island, the sound of Ruffed Grouse (our PA state bird) drumming, and even a Bald Eagle making a grand appearance. We spent nearly 2 1/2 hours tramping about in the woods exploring and sharing knowledge and adventures. The clouds finally cleared and the sun came out, and we were amazed to see trout lilies open and blooming brightly on our way out where they had been insignificant buds earlier on the walk in! We also had chickweed and hoary bittercress in bloom, and were excited to find Dutchman’s breeches open, plus the ever-reliable coltsfoot by the parking lot. Mark Lethaby found two redback salamanders, one of whom had lost its tail. Anders Run was roaring from the run-off coming from the hillside, and the goldfish pond had flooded its banks. Lee Ann Reiners, Co-leader.

Dutchman’s Breeches

Bird’s Nest Fungi

Redback Salamander

Moss Spore Cases

Trout Lilies

Birding in Crawford County

Eight people joined me for the Eagles and Waterfowl Field Trip on Saturday the 26th of March in Crawford County. We had clear skies and sun, and very cold temperatures (around 20 degrees). At our first stop we had our first Bald Eagle, many species of waterfowl, and a large flock of Tree Swallows bravely trying to glean insects from the partially frozen marsh. A singing Song Sparrow reminded us that it was indeed spring as we retreated to the cars to warm numbed fingers. The rest of the day was equally productive as we added Bald Eagles and other species at each stop. Our species total was 51 and our Eagle count was 31 – 14 immature and 17 adults. Some of the standouts were four Rough-legged Hawks, one that put on a great show by hovering in place while hunting. We also had three Greater Yellowlegs, a Common Snipe, a Horned Lark, and one Sandhill Crane. Thanks to all who attended. Trip Leader, Chuck Gehringer

After arriving at the Ranger Station, the counters formed teams coordinated by Chuck Gehringer who always does a bang up job with this event. The teams then hit the trails, roads and waterways. Click here for details and results of the local count.

After covering the neck of the park, our team: Pat H., Janet P., Marcy R, Julie L., Mike W. and yours truly, headed up the hill to Scott Park in hopes of finding some new species. Although generally quiet, we were quite happy to find this beautiful and unusually cooperative male pileated woodpecker that gave us some nice views.

Not much farther down the trail at Scott Park we heard a very vociferous mob of crows that were kind enough to flush this great-horned owl out of his densely covered roost.

We reported back to the Ranger Station at noon to warm up, eat some lunch, do some tallying and catching up.

After lunch our team headed east on the park and were happy to get a nice view of this peregrine falcon which made not one, but two passes over us.

We also had the pleasure of watching some not so unusual, but lovely nonetheless, American Robins that were feeding on some winterberry back off Duck Pond Trail.

Along Old Gas Well Trail, Julie and Pat did some detective work where a squirrel seems to have met his demise. There were large wing prints in the snow (where the squirrel tracks ended and blood droplets began). The DNA results are not yet back, but it looks to be the work of a red-tailed hawk or great-horned owl!!

After a nice day of birding and camaraderie, our team called it a day. I was unable to make the post-count dinner where I’m sure more tallying and “bird stories” took place. Maybe next year.

In the meantime, our next counting event will be the Great Backyard Bird Count in mid-February this year. Stay tuned for more details which will be posted shortly. The PIAS is also holding a raptor experience in coordination with the Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center this spring instead of the Hawk Watch. This will take place in mid-April at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, again, stay tuned for details.