Minutes of the DVOC
March 19, 2015

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Committee Reports
Membership:
Phil Witmer reported that there are no new members to be announced at this time.
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:
George Armistead reported on the failed proposal to build a velodrome in FDR Park, where a number of members attended to express concerns about how this might affect the wildlife. The velodrome proposal failed to meet the land protection ordinance, the parks commission saying that it would “adversely affect both the user experience and wildlife”.
http://www.phila.gov/ParksandRecreation/aboutus/PDF/PaRCVelodromeDeterminationLetter.pdf.
He also reported that we can expect developers to try again. Consider the quote below (from the article linked below):
“But the commission doesn't have the final word. City Council can still decide to grant land to Project 250 for the velodrome cycling facility, though the ordinance does stipulate that the council give the commission's recommendation substantial weight.”

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/homepage-feature/item/79459-developers-may-try-again-for-approval-of-120-million-cycling-track-in-phillys-fdr-park
George also reported on the Philadelphia Bird Race saying that website and registration to open soon. The Philadelphia Bird Race (PBR) is a ten-day birding fund-raiser event supporting education, awareness, and conservation of regional birdlife in the Philadelphia area. Teams will participate, and in some cases compete, but together raise money for each year’s causes. The PBR includes multiple events such as Big Days, Big Sits, Mini-Days, a Roadrunner Challenge, and a Big Green Hour. Awards are given in these categories, and in a photo contest. The conservation causes the PBR will raise money for this year include: NB4NB, DVOC Intern Fund, and PA Audubon’s Migratory Bird Initiative (reducing window strikes).

Phil Witmer announced that there is concern over some protected land in Beaver Valley. Development plans have been approved, but there is still time to fight it.

Field Trips:
Tony Croasdale reported that on 18 April there are three DVOC field trips, including one led by Lynn Jackson to Coastal Delaware, another to Wister Woods led by Tony and David Hewitt, and another to West Laurel Hill Cemetery led by Gregg Gorton. Tony also announced that BirdPhilly shirts on sale for $15.

Programs:
No Report.

Trip Reports:
No Report.

Announcements
Dennis Miranda noted that upcoming on May 5th, at the Wissahickon Watershed Association, Kevin Karlson is coming to give a talk.

Local Notes:
Bob Mercer: Enjoyed the American Woodcock dance at Silver Lake
Dennis Miranda mentioned sightings of Long-eared Owl and Fox Sparrow at the Crosswinds Reserve.

Tony Croasdale reported on the BirdPhilly field trips to Eastwick and Heinz. At Eastwick the group had bunch of displaying Woodcocks. And Debbie Beer noted that this is the largest contiguous land in the city yet to be developed. Feisbush, Johnson run off coming
Linda Widdop noted a new eagle nest at the Pennypack Environmental Trust in Montgomery County, and that the birds are on eggs.
Gregg Gorton was at the Kinwood Heritage Trail a couple weeks ago had Gadwall there, which is the 160th species there for that site. 198 sp for the Monthly count there.
Don Jones has an Eastern Phoebe that has returned to his Carport at his house to nest again, and he also saw 2 sapsuckers at suet feeder there.
Art reported on nesting Peregrine Falcons noting that a number of nests are occupied. The pair at the Exelon Eddystone Power Plant has nested there for 6 yrs now (succeeding 2/6 times), and they are using a new nestbox in a better location that should yield better fsuccess.
Phil Witmer has seen lots of Pine Siskins at his feeders.

Mike O’Brien noted that Bluebirds are starting to nest, and that he still has a few nest boxes for sale.

Main Program
Holly Merker: What eBird can do for you and what you can do for eBird.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:13pm. The usual suspects then assembled at Cherry Street Tavern.
Respectfully submitted,
George L. Armistead, Secretary