Minutes – December 4, 2025 | Delaware Valley Ornithological Club

This was a in-person meeting only.

Call to Order: Vice President Navin Sasikumar

Call to Order: 7:30 PM

Attendees:

In person: 38

Martin Dellwo moved to approve minutes of the last meeting and Rob Karchnyak seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

Committee Reports

Membership – Navin Sasikumar for Rebecca Reicherter

Four new members: Michelle Li, Elizabeth Thomas, Jonah Perelman, Frann Shore

Field Trips – Linda Widdop

If you wish to lead a field trip, contact Linda: linda@techimpact.org

Upcoming field trips:

DATE	TIME	TRIP	LEADER
December 6	8:00-10:00am	Bird Walk at The Discovery Center	Navin Sasikumar
December 6	8:30 – 10:00am	Robert A. Borski, Jr. Park	Holger Pflicke
December 7	8:30am-2:00pm	Barnegat Inlet Bird Walk, with Liberty Bird Alliance	Linda Widdop
December 7	9:00-11:00am	Pennypack on the Delaware	Holger Pflicke
January 10	1:00pm -2:30pm	Winter Gulls at Glen Foerd	Holger Pflicke
January 17	7:300am – 6:00pm	Parque Natural Metropolitano – Panama City and Surroundings – Panama	Tanya Burnett
February 7	11:30am – 1:00pm	Winter Gulls at Glen Foerd	Holger Pflicke
March 7	7:300am – 6:00pm	Winter Gulls at Glen Foerd	Holger Pflicke

Conservation – Rob Karchnyak

Rob has a meeting with Councilwoman Cindy Bass on January 20. Councilwoman Bass is on the Environmental Committee, and the meeting is about getting Philadelphia designated as an official Bird Town.

Billings – Art McMorris

Go Birding!

Cassinia – Holger Pflicke

Holger mentioned he was waiting on some articles but still plans to publish next year.

Nominations – Art McMorris

Art McMorris announced the nominees for officer positions:

President – Navin Sasikumar

Vice President – Patrick McGill

Secretary – Peter Hamner

Treasurer – Martin Dellwo

Council at large nominees:

Katrina Clark

Stephanie Egger

Election will be held at first January meeting – Members Meeting

Announcements

Debbie Beer announced the Glenolden CBC is on December 20 and is looking for volunteers.

Nilesh Shah announced that Liberty Bird Alliance also doing their CBC on December 20 and all are welcome to participate.

Barb Bassett mentioned the Gloucester County CBC will also be on December 20 and that the Cape May County CBC will be held on December 14.

Holger Pflicke noted that the 40^th annual Philadelphia Mid-winter Census will be taking place on January 11.

Local Notes

Martin Dellwo noted that a Ross’s Goose was found at John Heinz NWR and seen by several local birders. He also had a Clay-colored Sparrow at Pennypack on the Delaware.

Bob Horton had a Chuck-will’s-widow in East Windsor New Jersey

Holger Pflicke had a Yellow-breasted Chat at Tacony Creek Park and also noted he had a record number of 22 Dickcissels over the fall flying over his NFC station in South Philadelphia.

Debbie Beer mentioned she had about 200 Wilson’s Snipe flying overhead from marsh into the impoundment on the evening of the Ross’s Goose at John Heinze NWR, she also heard Coyotes howling in the distance.

Jason Weckstein reported a lingering Ovenbird has been seen at Red Square in Center City Philadelphia.

Barb Bassett had a Winter Wren in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

Manny Dominguez noted that Canvasback have returned to Navy Yard in Philadelphia, but in small numbers so far.

Programs

December 18^th – Member’s Photo Night – The results will be revealed by compiler Navin Sasikumar. Prizes will be awarded in each category and for the Most Artistic Photo (Avocet Award) and the Best in Show (Steve Kacir Award).

This year’s judges are Barb Bassett, Peter Hamner, and Robin Irizarry.

January 8^th – Annual Member’s Meeting at the Discovery Center, Potluck, Elections, Raffle, and Bert Filemyr will be doing a talk.