Category Archives: Schenley Park

Fledge Watch + a BioBlitz, Jun 2,4,6

Books & Events, Peregrines, Schenley Park
Schenley Plaza tent (photo by Kate St. John)
Schenley Plaza tent (photo by Kate St. John)

26 May 2021

Now that COVID restrictions have eased outdoors(*) join me for fun activities at Schenley Plaza and Schenley Park on June 2, 4 and 6.

  • Pitt Peregrine Fledge Watch, Schenley Plaza, midday June 2, 4, 6
  • Phipps Bio-Blitz, Sunday June 6 (Registration required)

Pitt Peregrine Fledge Watch, Schenley Plaza, June 2, 4, 6. 11:30a-1:00p

Did you know that the Cathedral of Learning is such as safe nesting site that we never have to rescue a young peregrine from the street? That means that Pitt Peregrine Fledge Watch is pure fun. Drop-in when you can, no need to stay the whole time. Swap peregrine stories, learn about peregrines and watch the Pitt youngsters learn to fly. Bring binoculars or camera if you have them. Check the Events page before you come in case of weather cancellation.

Where: Schenley Plaza near the tent, shown above.
When: Wed Jun 2, Fri Jun 4 and Sun Jun 6, 11:30a-1:00p. Fledge Watch is weather dependent and will be canceled for rain or thunder. Check here before you come.
Parking: Parking is free on Sunday. Otherwise you must use the pay stations on the street at Schenley Plaza. Garage parking is available at Carnegie Museum, entrance on Forbes Ave at Craig St.
(*) Face masks: Wear a face mask if you want to or need to. CDC guidance on 27 April 2021 says fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear a face mask outdoors; un-vaccinated people can go maskless outdoors if they are alone or with household members.

Phipps BioBlitz Bird Walk in Schenley Park, Sun June 6, 8:30a – 10:30a

Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens with Cathedral of Learning in the distance (photo from Wikimedia Commons)

On Sunday June 6, Phipps BioBlitz will bring together families, students, local scientists, naturalists, and teachers for a biological survey of the plants and animals in Schenley Park. See and learn about birds, plants, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, mollusks and more. As part of the BioBlitz I will lead a bird walk 8:30am-10:30am. The event is free but registration is required. Read all about Phipps BioBlitz Day here.

How to join the walk: Participation is limited. Registration is required. Sign up here.
Where: Starting from Phipps’ front lawn. You’ll see a sign for my walk.
When: Sunday June 6, 8:30a-10:30a
Parking: Free on Sundays!
(*) Face masks: Will follow Phipps rules. Bring a mask and be prepared to wear it. See details here.
Note: As soon as the bird walk is over, I’ll adjourn to Schenley Plaza for Pitt Peregrine Fledge Watch.

(photo credits: Schenley Plaza tent by Kate St. John, Phipps Conservatory from Wikimedia Commons)

Today in Schenley Park

Schenley Park
Participants at the Schenley Park outing, 23 May 2021 (Ooops. I lined up the photo poorly and missed one person on the left)

23 May 2021

This morning 11 of us took a walk in Schenley Park, starting at the Visitors Center and around Panther Hollow Lake.

Right off the bat the best tree was a Kentucky yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) blooming next to the Visitors Center. It smells so sweet.

Kentucky yellowwood flowers, Schenley Park, 20 May 2019 (photo by Kate St. John)

Best birds were a very cooperative scarlet tanager (photo below by CJ Showers), a wood thrush, and a rose-breasted grosbeak male with his lady on their nest.

Scarlet tanager at Schenley Park, 23 May 2021 (photo by CJ Showers)

We saw 29 species — not a huge count but a good morning nonetheless.

Canada Goose, 10 flyover
Mallard, a pair at the lake
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift, skimmed the lake to take a drink
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, perched on a snag
Red-tailed Hawk, one on the nest, one in flight
Red-bellied Woodpecker, heard
Peregrine Falcon, 1 perched at the Cathedral of Learning
Eastern Wood-Pewee, heard
Eastern Phoebe, carrying food
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
House Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Wood Thrush, perched to watch us and raised his head feathers
American Robin, carrying food
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow
Orchard Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Yellow Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, female on nest + male nearby

Click here https://ebird.org/checklist/S88834695 for the eBird checklist.

Thanks, everyone, for coming.

(photos by Kate St. John and CJ Showers)

Schenley Park Outing, May 23, 8:30a

Books & Events, Schenley Park
Red-winged blackbird (photo by Bobby Greene)

Join me on Sunday May 23 at 8:30am for a 2-hour bird and nature walk in Schenley Park.

Meet at the Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center where Panther Hollow Road meets Schenley Drive (40.4383304,-79.9464765). We’ll see flowers, late migrants and nesting birds.

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them.

Red-winged blackbirds nest at Panther Hollow Lake. We are sure to see them!

This event will be held rain or shine but not in a downpour or thunder. Check the Events page before you come in case of cancellation.

p.s. Face masks: Wear one if you want to or need to. On 27 April 2021 the CDC said that fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear a face mask outdoors while un-vaccinated people can go maskless outdoors if they are alone or with household members. I am fully vaccinated so I won’t be wearing a mask. Only you know whether you got the vaccine. It’s up to you.

(photo of red-winged blackbird by Robert Greene, Jr.)

A Last Look At April

Phenology, Plants & Fungi, Schenley Park
Golden ragwort, Raccoon Creek State Park, 26 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

1 May 2021

This week April’s wildflowers faded, May flowers began to bloom, and the trees in Schenley Park leafed out.

On 26 April I found golden ragwort, wild geranium and white violets along the Lake Trail at Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County.

Wild geranium, Raccoon Creek State Park, 26 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
White violets, Raccoon Creek State Park, 26 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

The city’s heat island effect was evident among the trees. The redbuds in Schenley Park leafed out while those in Beaver County were a week behind, still flowering.

Redbud leafs out, Schenley Park, 28 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

We have so many leaves that they almost obscured an eastern screech-owl on the last day of April.

Eastern screech-owl, Schenley Park, 30 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Welcome to the month of May.

(photos by Kate St. John)

Today in Schenley Park, 25 April

Books & Events, Schenley Park

This morning was overcast and chilly when 17 of us explored the west end of Schenley Park beginning at Anderson Playground.

We saw a peregrine fly around the Cathedral of Learning (the eggs are hatching today!) and a red-tailed hawk bring food to his nest. Our Best Bird was a Louisiana waterthrush walking in the wetland under fallen logs.

When the birds were quiet we examined pawpaw flowers.

Pawpaw flowers, Schenley Park, 24 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Unofrtunately we did not see this eastern screech-owl near the pawpaws. He was there yesterday when I scouted the park … but not today. Alas. 🙁

An eastern screech-owl who did NOT show up today, Schenley Park, 24 April 2021

Here’s our list, 28 species :

  • Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
  • Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
  • Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
  • Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
  • Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)
  • Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)
  • Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
  • Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)
  • Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
  • American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
  • Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)
  • Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)
  • Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis). heard
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)
  • European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
  • American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
  • American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
  • Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)
  • White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
  • Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
  • Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
  • Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
  • Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)
  • Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)
  • Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

(photos by Kate St. John)

Between The Showers

Phenology, Plants & Fungi, Schenley Park
Raindrops on a trout lily, closed flower, Jennings, 12 April 2021

17 April 2021

Though it didn’t rain a lot this week April showers and chilly weather put a damper on outdoor plans.

On Monday 12 April we dodged the raindrops at Jennings to find ruby-crowned kinglets, field sparrows and a palm warbler. Rain beaded up on the trout lily leaves and rolled right off the dog violets. We got wet at the end of our walk. It poured on my way home.

Dog violets, Jennings, 12 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

In Schenley Park …

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) was in full bloom by Tuesday 13 April.

Redbud in bloom, Schenley, 13 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

This jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens) flower was fading by Thursday 15 April. Native to China and Korea, jetbead was planted as an ornamental but became invasive in eastern North America.

Fading flower on jetbead, Schenley, 15 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Squawroot (Conopholis americana), a native parasitic plant, is now emerging at the base of oaks and beeches. Alternative names include American cancer-root, bumeh or bear corn.

Squawroot emerging from the soil, Schenley, 13 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

As the leaves come out so do the insects. Even though these hackberry leaves are not fully open yet, tiny winged insects are crawling in the crevices. When the warblers arrive they will eat the bugs. This tree can hardly wait!

Insects in new hackberry leaves, Schenley, 13 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

After Friday’s chilly drizzle I hope for warm dry weather soon.

(photos by Kate St. John)

Spring Green

Phenology, Plants & Fungi, Schenley Park, Trees
Spring green among the trees, Frick Park, 8 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

10 April 2021

This week Pittsburgh’s sugar maples are clothed in spring green flowers while the oaks remain bare. Most trees bloom long before leaf out so their leaves won’t block the pollinators. These flowers take full advantage of the wind.

Sugar maple flowers, Schenley Park, 9 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Did your allergies kick in this week? The trees are throwing off lots of pollen with little rain to lay the dust.

Insect-pollinated flowers will follow soon. On 3 April pawpaw flowers (Asimina triloba) were still tiny buds in Schenley Park but by the time they bloom the stems will be long and flexible. The dark maroon fetid-smelling flowers will hang like bells to attract flies and beetles. Click here to see a pawpaw flower.

Pawpaw flower bud, Schenley Park, 3 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Eastern redbud flowers (Cercis canadensis) had not opened in Schenley as of 7 April, but they showed promise.

Redbuds, Schenley Park, 7 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Spring cress (Cardamine bulbosa) was blooming at Raccoon Wildflower Reserve on Easter Day.

Spring cress, Raccoon Wildflower Reserve, 4 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

And Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) were open in Schenley Park on 9 April.

Virginia bluebells, Schenley Park, 9 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

This winter I noticed that when moss grows up the base of saplings it looks like leggings on the trees. At Raccoon Wildflower Reserve I found an entire group of saplings wearing mossy leggings. Click here to see the whole group. (Anyone know what this mossy phenomenon is?)

Mossy “leggings” on saplings, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 4 April 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Spring green will continue in the coming weeks as tiny leaves pop open and more trees bloom.

(photos by Kate St. John)

Spring Unfolds, Late March

Phenology, Plants & Fungi, Schenley Park
Harbinger of spring, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

29 March 2021

For more than a week the temperature has not dipped below freezing in western Pennsylvania, providing a chance to watch spring unfold.

On 24 March at Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve my walking route took me past harbinger of spring (top), hazelnut catkins, skunk cabbage, spring beauties and cutleaf toothwort.

Hazelnut catkins, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Skunk cabbage after the flood, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Spring beauty, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Cutleaf toothwort about to bloom, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

On 26 March my favorite northern magnolia in Schenley Park began to bloom.

Northern magnolia flower, Schenley Park, 26 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

The buds looked like this only three days before.

Northern magnolia bud, Schenley Park, 23 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

I also found spicebush in bloom, bottlebrush buckeye leaf out, and Ohio buckeye buds bursting.

Spicebush in bloom, Schenley Park, 26 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Bottlebrush buckeye leaf out, Schenley Park, 26 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Yellow buckeye bud, Schenley Park, 26 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Yellow buckeye bursting buds, Schenley Park, 26 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

The trees are still bare but European willows provide a spot of green and maple flowers add a hint of red and orange.

Bare trees lean toward the light at Pymatuning Lake, 27 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Flowering sugar maple, Pymatuning State Park, 27 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Tonight the temperature will dip close to freezing in the city and will reach a low of 24 degrees on the night of April Fools Day. No fooling! Get outdoors before that happens. Many flowers will be brown on April 2.

(photos by Kate St. John)

Spring Update, 24 March

Phenology, Plants & Fungi, Schenley Park
A small wasp explores a daffodil, 23 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

24 March 2021

Spring has been popping out all over now that we’ve had a string of warm — even hot — sunny days.

Above, a small wasp checks out the daffodils at Carnegie Mellon. Below, coltsfoot is blooming in Schenley Park and cherry trees are flowering at Carnegie Museum.

Coltsfoot blooming, Schenley Park, 21 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Cherry tree in bloom, Carnegie Museum, 21 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

The 23 March 2021 National Phenology Network (NPN) Spring Leaf Index indicates that Leaf Out hasn’t reached the bottom left corner of Pennsylvania. The map uses honeysuckle buds as the Spring Leaf Index gauge because, though invasive, the plants are everywhere.

National Phenology Network Spring Leaf Index, 1 Jan to 23 March 2021

I should have reported what I found on Monday in Washington County. Honeysuckles were leafing out at Hillman State Park on 22 March 2021.

Leaf out! Honeysuckle leaves emerge, Hillman State Park, 22 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Garlic mustard leaves are up, too.

Garlic mustard leaves, Hillman State Park, 22 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

Did you notice that all the plants I’ve shown so far are non-native?

Our native trees are cautious about frost so only the earliest, such as this red maple, have opened their flowers.

Red maple flowers, 22 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)

More blooms ahead! This week’s forecast looks promising.

(photos by Kate St. John)