Minutes of the DVOC
November 7, 2013

President Art McMorris called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Approximately 40 D.V.O.C. members and 36 guests were present at the meeting, including guests representing the Willistown Conservation Trust, Morris Arboretum, other area birding groups, and students.

The minutes from the October 17, 2013 meeting were approved as posted on the website.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE:
Nothing to report

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE:
Nothing to report

YOUTH BIRDING COMMITTEE:
Chairperson Cindy Ahern reported that over $600 has been raised as a result of the recent request for donations from D.V.O.C. members. The contributions helped cover the cost of participation as a sponsor at the ABA Young Birders Conference, and will serve as a basis for the new scholarship fund the committee is working to establish. Cindy announced that Edie Parnum is assisting with the scholarship application that is currently in the works, and the scholarship will be announced in the near future.
A new gift fruit fundraiser will be available in time for holiday ordering, the Youth Birding Committee will receive $10 for each online gift ordered. Details will be available next week.

FIELD TRIP COMMITTEE: Marty Dellwo reported for the committee.
TRIP REPORTS –
The two field trips on November 2 were both very successful: Tom Reeves’ Conowingo Dam trip participants observed over 100 Bald Eagles plus Great Blue Herons, gulls, Winter Wren, and many photographers. Debbie Beer’s trip to Hidden Valley Banding Station for Northern Saw-whet Owls had a surprising 6 owls for what has been a slow season.
UPCOMING TRIPS - Sandra Keller will be leading a trip on November 30 to Barnegat Light and Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Although this trip is designated for beginner birders, all are welcome to attend. Meet at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park at 10:30am, then depart for Forsythe and re-assemble at 2:00pm. Trip is weather permitting. More details on the D.V.O.C. website.

UPCOMING ORNITHOLOGICAL MOMENTS:
December 5, 2013 – Art Mc Morris will present the 2013 summary of Peregrine Falcons
December 19, 2013 – Rob Bierregaard will present the 2013 Osprey migration summary

BANQUET COMMITTEE:
Chairperson Barbara Grainger announced that the banquet is November 21, and the deadline for banquet reservations has been extended until NOVEMBER 18. Notices have been posted on Facebook, the D.V.O.C. website, and sent through email distribution. There will be a new chef this year, offering different entrée options, including a new vegetarian entrée. A number of resource tables will be available at the banquet including speaker Bill Thompson, bluebird boxes, Pennsylvania Audubon, and Willistown Conservation Trust.
Bonnie Witmer requested members to send photos with a maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 for the slide show during the banquet.
Vice President Phil Witmer announced the banquet program featuring speaker Bill Thompson III, Editor of Birdwatcher’s Digest as he shares "The Perils and Pitfalls of Birding: A humorous narrative about the many mistakes, accidents, and embarrassing situations experienced in 30+ years as a bird watcher.”

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
Vice President Phil Witmer announced the following programs:
December 5, 2013: Members Photo Night. Awards for various categories of photos will be announced at the meeting.
December 19, 2013: Kevin Loughlin “All Who Wander Are Not Lost”

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
President Art McMorris announced that the upcoming 2014 Annual Members Meeting, a 115 year-old tradition of the D.V.O.C., will not be held at the Academy of Natural Sciences due to restrictions regarding alcoholic beverages. The meeting has been arranged by Bonnie Witmer and Anita Guris, and will now take place offsite at the Jenkins Arboretum where the regular meeting will be held followed by food and alcoholic beverages. Watch the website for details.
President Art McMorris announced that Wyncote Audubon Society Annual Banquet is December 1, 2013 at Williamson’s in Willow Grove. The featured speaker is ABA President Jeff Gordon, "Birding Together: How Birding Can Save Your Life and Maybe, Just Maybe, Save the World". Information will be included in the D.V.O.C. weekly distribution.
President Art McMorris announced that ABA President Jeffrey Gordon and the ABA Headquarters are moving to Delaware.
President Art McMorris announced that HB1576 is active again under a different name, “An Act providing a process for the designation of certain species.” This bill removes the protection of Pennsylvania wildlife, and was not written by any Pennsylvania legislators. It contains language such as:
No species can be declared endangered in Pennsylvania unless it is on the Federal Endangered Species List.
Listing decisions will no longer be made by biologists!
Any listing decisions would only last two years and the species would then come off the list.
This bill is very bad for wildlife as it sets conditions that make Pennsylvania ineligible for $27 million dollars in funds for wildlife protection.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2013&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1576
You can find your state representative (and senator) and their contact information at
http://www.house.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/#address

President Art McMorris announced a press release from Gary Stolz, Manager at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Gary states that the refuge was included in an economic analysis and the results show the refuge pumps $2.5 million into the local economy in Philadelphia. The refuge pumps $4.60 into the local economy for every dollar invested in the refuge, proving National Wildlife Refuges are profitable.
Mike O’Brien announced that he plans to have a bluebird table at the banquet. Bluebird boxes are available for purchase at $35 each, or $20 each in quantity of 6 or more. Boxes should be installed by March 1.
Mike O’Brien announced a request for a TV/VCR combination.
Mike O’Brien announced a request for donations of optics and nature-related books (birds, plants, etc.) for Holy Family Home at 53rd and Chester.

Witmer Stone Committee Co-Chairpersons Linda Rowan and Mick Jeitner announced that all signs are now in place, including a sign which reads, “Former site of Witmer Stone Wildlife Sanctuary” near the Concrete ship in front of the fence by the World War II tower. The sign has the D.V.O.C. logo and website and includes “Funded by D.V.O.C. members” on the sign.

LOCAL NOTES:
President Art McMorris announced that there has been a Gray Kingbird in Delaware.
Marty Dellwo announced that a Gray Kingbird had been observed at Forsythe a few weeks ago and is presumably the same bird.
Rob Bierregard observed a House Wren and and Andean Condor on the same day (in Patagonia!)
Nathaniel Sharp announced that his ornithological census at Strath Haven High School has reached a cumulative 65 species with recent additions of Ring-billed Gull, Great-Horned Owl, and Hermit Thrush.

Linda Rowan and Mick Jeitner observed a Grasshopper Sparrow last weekend in Cape May at the woodpile behind the dunes.

President Art McMorris spoke on behalf of Paul Guris and announced that the pelagic scheduled for this Sunday at the request of Billings competitors has been upgraded to a larger boat. There is now room for another 12 people on the trip. Please visit Paulagics.com for information.

Mike O’Brien observed Eastern Phoebe, Hermit Thrush, and Dark-eyed Juncos in his yard at home.
Cindy Ahern observed Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Brown Creeper, and a flock of Cedar Waxwings on the campus of Temple University in Ambler.

MAIN PROGRAM:
Vice President Phil Witmer introduced speaker Doug Tallamy to present “Plant A Better Bird Feeder”

ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Ahern