Even though Pittsburgh and south saw 2-3 inches of rain the night before, Jennings was dry and the sun was shining for our annual walk through the prairie. We found 62 species in flower including a new one for our records, Featherfleece, Stenanthium gramineum. Click here to see the list of what we found. After lunch, six of us went to Moraine to see the Spotted Coralroot.
Photos by Dianne Machesney and Tom Moser.
Outings are free and open to the public. Bring your friends. Trails are wheelchair accessible. Dress for the weather: wear a hat and expect muddy trails. Bring your binoculars and field guides, lunch and beverages.
July 29, Saturday, 10:00 am. Jennings Prairie, Wissahickon Nature Club. Visit the unique ecosystem at Jennings Prairie.
This is the perfect time to explore the relict prairie. The hot weather brings the stunning Blazing Star and some of the other dazzling summer flowers to peak performance. The goldenrods of fall will begin to show. Don’t miss the spectacular butterflies that grace the prairie with their breathtaking beauty. Flycatchers, vireos, tanagers, Common Yellowthroats and Cedar Waxwings sometimes make an appearance. We may come across a Red Eft, the larval form of a Red-spotted Newt.
Wear a hat and sunscreen. Bring binoculars, field guides, water and a lunch.
Directions From Pittsburgh: take I-79 North to Exit 99, New Castle/ Butler. Drive east on Route 422 roughly 5.8 miles to the Prospect Exit. Turn left (north) onto Route 528.
Continue on Route 528 for about 7 miles. Meet in the Jennings Environmental Center Parking Lot on the left (west) side of the road.
The day started out cloudy with a few scattered showers but quickly turned to increasing sun and mid-70’s. Kim and Jean, Walt and Dana, joined walk leaders Bob and Dianne at 10AM for the count. Mid-day we met up with the 8:30 AM group consisting of Glenn and Maryalice, Curt, Neil and his children, Samuel, Harvey, Ruth Ann, Rachel and Naomi. After a picnic-style lunch, we continued to the Polk Wetland to look for the Baltimore Checkerspot, which we found. 28 species of butterflies and 80 species of flowering plants were recorded . Click here to see the lists.
Vipers Bugloss Sandy Lake Gamelands
Moth Mullein
Chicory
Bouncing Bet
Bee Balm
Angelica
Notice: bring boots or old shoes that can get muddy. It’s been raining in that area the past two days and the dirt road we will be walking could be messy!!