Water willow at Duck Hollow with (possibly) Tripudia flavofasciata moth feeding, 27 July 2025 (photo by Kate St. John)

21 July 2026

Join me this coming Sunday for a bird and nature walk at Duck Hollow and the Lower Nine Mile Run Trail — 26 July 2026, 8:30am to 10:30am.

Monongahela River at Duck Hollow Trail, 8 August 2020 (photo by Kate St. John)

A year ago at Duck Hollow, Charity Kheshgi and I found water willow blooming on the mudbar with an unusual moth feeding on it (photo at top). Our checklist included 24 species with these highlights: common mergansers in eclipse plumage, a ruby-throated hummingbird chasing a swallow, spotted sandpipers, and two indigo buntings.

We’ll find the same or more this year if the Monongahela River is at a normal level and the mudbar is exposed.

Duck Hollow mudbar has water willow growing on it, Monongahela River, 23 July 2025 (photo by Kate St. John)

But you never know. If there’s a flash flood before next Sunday we’ll see muddy water and no shorebirds.

Fisherman near flooded mouth of Nine Mile Run, 29 July 2017 (photo by Kate St. John)

Meet next Sunday at the Duck Hollow parking lot at the end of Old Browns Hill Road.

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring binoculars, field guides and a scope for river watching if you have them. Don’t forget to bring water, sunscreen and a hat.

Hope to see you there.

p.s. As of this moment, the 26 July forecast has temperatures in the 70s with a tiny chance of showers. But that could change so check the Events page before you come in case the outing is canceled for the sort of extreme weather that has plagued Pittsburgh this summer: excessive heat, wildfire smoke, thunder or heavy downpours.