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> March 18, 2010 Minutes
Minutes of the DVOC
March 18, 2010
Minutes of the DVOC Meeting of March 18, 2010
President Frank Windfelder called the meeting to order at 7:33. Thirty-seven members and seven guests were present. The minutes of the March 4th meeting were accepted as submitted.
Frank announced that the World Series of Birding pledge sheet was going to be circulated with the attendance book. Everyone was urged to pledge generously.
Committees:
Conservation:
Chair Phil Witmer reported that this year the club has chosen to support a project
in collaboration with the John Heinz NWR (Tinicum) PA, entitled “Bird
Safe Glass Demonstration and Public Education Display at John Heinz National
Wildlife Refuge.” The project is designed to educate the public about
bird barriers and bird-safe glass to prevent bird deaths by window strikes.
It is estimated that over 1 billion birds are killed each year due to window
strikes. Phil also reported that over one third of the bird species in North
America are either threatened or endangered.
Membership:
Chair Connie Goldman reported that new name badges were printed and available
at the front of the room.
Field Trips:
Chair Win Shafer conducted the trip reports and announcements:
Trip Reports:
March 13: Barnegat Light, NJ. Nathaniel Sharp reported that the group had very
good views of the Harlequin Ducks. In addition, Surf and Black Scoters, Ipswich
Sparrows and a large raft of Long-tailed Ducks were seen.
March 14: Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, PA. Connie Goldman reported on this Snow Goose spectacle with thousands of geese. At one point, a Bald Eagle flew over and caused all of the Snow Geese to take flight. In addition, a Ross’s Goose and a Cackling Goose were viewed.
Trip Announcements:
Next Field Trips
March 7: Pinelands Birding, Franklin Park Preserve, PA. Led by Tony Croasdale.
This is a relatively new preserve, created from old cranberry bogs and pinelands.
March 8: Southwest New Jersey, including Pedricktown and Mannington Marsh, NJ.
Led by Frank Windfelder. This trip will search for winter stragglers, early
migrants and Woodcock.
Programs:
Todd Fellenbaum announced the upcoming Ornithological Studies.
4/1 -"Nesting Strategies of the Little Guys with the Big Guys" - Chris
Walters.
Art McMorris announced the next three upcoming programs:
The Program on April 1 will be Bud Cook presenting “Birds of the Boreal
Barrens of Northeast Pennsylvania.” The Pocono plateau in northeastern
Pennsylvania embodies the region’s boreal heritage, harboring species
tolerant of cooler temperatures reminiscent of its glacial past. The bird life
has a decidedly northern flavor, including many species that are rare or absent
elsewhere in the state.
The Program for April 15 will be Dyana Z. Furmansky presenting “Rosalie
Edge, Hawk of Mercy.” Most of us know Rosalie Edge as the fearless woman
who single-handedly saved Hawk Mountain from the gunners, but that is only the
tip of the iceberg. Ms. Furmansky will tell us more about this remarkable woman,
without whom nature and birding would not be what they are today.
The Program for May 6 will be Andy Wilson presenting “Results of the Second
Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas - a Sneak Preview.” During the 5 years
2004-2008, Pennsylvania has been engaged in a huge undertaking: to identify,
map and count all the breeding birds in the state. Dr. Andy Wilson will give
a sneak preview of the data and some surprises that have emerged.
Announcements:
Kim Custer announced that her group, Haddonfield Preservation, is making good
progress in preserving Boxwood Hall and is asking the club members to sign their
on-line petition at hhtp://preservationhaddonfield.org.
Phil Witmer announced that he and Kevin Loughlin are running a spring Poconos trip. The dates are May 23-25 and the trip is open to DVOC members and the public.
Art McMorris announced the summer meeting dates as July 1, August 5 and September 2. He is looking for members that are willing to make brief presentations at these meetings.
Local Notes:
Al Driscoll reported a great Woodcock display at the power line cut on Hawkins
Road, NJ.
Erica Brendel reported on Eastern Screech Owl nesting and courting behavior at Carpenters Woods, PA.
Barbara Granger started a discussion with questions on migration and the effect our local weather may have on it.
Frank Windfelder reported that the eggs had hatched two days ago on the Bald Eagle nest at Pennypack on the Delaware, PA.
Bob Horton reported seeing a leucistic Red-tailed Hawk near New Paltz, NY that had been reported to be a Gyrfalcon.
Bonnie Witmer reported that the Northern Juncos had finally left her area.
Nathaniel Sharp reported seeing a Bald Eagle at Springton Reservoir, PA.
Ornithological Studies:
Bert Filemyr presented a study entitled "In the Field: Bonaparte's Gulls
and Black-headed Gulls."
Main Program:
Win Shafer presented a program entitled “Birds of the Appalachian Trail.”
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Horton, Secretary