Minutes of the DVOC
March 20, 2014

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
President Phil Witmer called the meeting to order at 733PM.
There were a total of 29 people present including 6 guests.

Committee Reports

Membership:
Committee chair Bonnie Witmer noted new applications from Sophie Vinning (present at the meeting), and for Kim Sheriden and Jennifer Cross.

Cassinia:
No Report.

Website:
No Report.

Youth Birding:
No Report.

Orn. Studies:
No Report.

New Bins for New Birders (NB4NB):
No Report.

Bob Billings Big Year:
No Report.

Conservation:
Art McMorris noted that House bill 1576, as of now, appears dead, but that victory is likely only temporary. Be aware of a new bill, which could come back at any time, and similarly threaten the endangered species act within the state.

Field Trips:
Tony Croasdale reported that on the Tussey Mountain field trip a total of 18 Golden Eagles were seen in 4 hours of watching. He noted the upcoming April 19 bird walk at West Laurel Hill cemetery, and that on 26 April the Bartram’s Garden Birding Smackdown would be taking place led by none other than Tony himself. He also stated that Bob Horton would be leading a June 19th field trip to Lakehurst Naval Air Station to search for Upland Sandpipers among other birds.
Chris Walters reported on the Barnegat Mar 8th, field trip led by Brian Quindlen that enjoyed sightings of Harlequin Ducks, and later at Forsyth NWR (Brigantine division) had 2 Snowy Owls.

Programs:
Steve Kacir noted that the following week would be Bert Filemyr’s talk on "Hosting a Wintering Hummingbird".

Trip Reports:
No report

Announcements

Local Notes:
Al Driscoll noted that he and Don Jones discovered a Swallow-tailed Kite. This prompted George Armistead to report that shortly after this sighting Tri-state Bird Rescue had been brought a Swallow-tailed Kite from New Jersey. Tony Croasdale reported at Red-necked Grebe from the Schuylkill.
Steve Kacir announced that David Sibley would be doing a book signing of his new 2nd edition field guide on 23 March at Free Library of Philadelphia. He also announced that the judges for the 2014 photo contest would be Andy Curtis, Mike Fritz, Anita Guris, among others. He also solicited submission for photos to Cassinia for last four years.
Gregg Gorton informed members of a new book by area native Andy Mack titled “Searching for Pec Pec” which is about his work on conservation in New Guinea and cassowaries.
Tony Croasdale invited all members for mirth and merriment following the meeting at Cherry Street Tavern.
Guest Laura Chamberlain from the Manomet Center for Conservation Science, spoke on her work with shorebird conservation, and specificall trying to keep horseshow crabs from getting turned over, and sought volunteer crab-flippers from the membership. They also are in search of volunteers for their steward project, which involves hosting visitors on the beaches of Delaware and informing them about the wildlife there. There is a training on May 4th.
Phil Witmer noted that Peter Saenger’s Birds of the Lehigh Valley, 2nd edition is now available and that he had a few extra guest passes available for for Tyler Arboretum and Hawk Mtn. And he informed members that from 3-11 May the Delmarva Ornithological Society Bird-a-Thon will be held (more info: https://www.dosbirds.org/bird-a-thon).
Mike O’Brien noted that he still had 1-2 bluebird houses available for sale.

Rob Bierregaard informed members that the 2nd week in July was Raptor Rapture week in Hog Island, ME.

Linda Widdop noted that on 1 April from 6pm-7pm, there would be a panel discussion on “Big Years” held at the Natural Lands Trust, that would involve herself and several other club members.

Youth Birding:
Steve Kacir on behalf of Cindy Ahern announced the Adam J. Sabatine Youth Birding Scholarship, which in 2014 would be a $900 gift towards the winner to attend the ABA’s Camp Avocet in DE.
(http://www.dvoc.org/Committees/YouthBirding/YouthBirdingCommittee.htm)

Trustee’s Report
No Report.

Main Program
Steve Kacir introduced the evening’s speaker Deb Allen who delivered her talk, “Central Park Birds Through the Seasons”.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:18pm. The usual suspects then assembled at Cherry Street Tavern.
Respectfully submitted,
George L. Armistead, Secretary