7:30 PM Academy of Natural Sciences
Meeting called by President Martin Dellwo
Vice President: George Armistead
Secretary: Linda Widdop
Attendees: 34
Guests: 5 – Madeline Ray, Tara Ray, Bill Stewart, Josh Lachewitz, Amy Leshner
Opening Remarks Martin Dellwo
Marty Dellwo calls the meeting to order and welcomes members and guests.
Meeting minutes from the last meeting are approved by membership.
Anne Reeves announces that Lower Merion Conservancy has asked DVOC to cohost the documentary film “The Messenger” at St. Joseph’s University. Details will be posted as to date and ticket price. Phil Witmer will lead a discussion after the movie. Art McMorris adds that this is a movie that should not be missed by birders and non-birders alike. Gregg Gorton tells the group that Steve Kacir and other DVOC members have worked with Lower Merion Conservancy in the past.
Committee Reports
Billings Big Year: Art McMorris
Art McMorris announces the winner of the 2016 contest is Barb Bassett with 317 species seen. Congratulations to Barb.
Full information on the Bob Billings Big Year is on the DVOC website: http://dvoc.org/wp/about/committees/billings/
Conservation: Anne Reeves
Anne reminds members that the Great Backyard Bird Count is this weekend and urges members to participate.
Matt Halley announces that Keith Russell, Rick Rhoades scouted areas for Kestral nest boxes in East Park Reservoir area of Fairmount Park. Tony Croasdale will construct Kestral boxes for this project and other uses.
Communications Committee – Linda Widdop
No report. Maryland Ornithological Society contacted DVOC to ask about our website so that they could use our developer. A compliment to our own Navin Sasikumar who developed our new website.
Membership: Bonnie Witmer
Bonnie announces new member applications and new member – Lauren Diamond! Lauren was welcomed enthusiastically by the membership.
Field Trips: Tony Croasdale
February 21, 2017 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Birding Philadelphia Lecture at Andorra Library
Andorra Shopping Center, 705 E Cathedral Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128
The Andorra Library, in partnership with the Wissahickon Environmental Education Center, will be hosting Birding Philadelphia.
Speaker – George Armistead
February 25, 2017 @ 10 AM- Shark River Inlet
Ocean Ave & 1st Ave, Belmar, NJ 07719
Location – the Shark River Inlet – the south end. Ocean and 1st Ave.
Trip Leader – Sandra Keller
March 4, 2017 – Sod Farms for Short-eared Owls
Meeting Time: any time after 5 PM. The Fairgrounds close at sundown so trip will end when gates close.
Meeting location:
1988 Jacksonville Jobstown Rd
Mount Holly, NJ 08022
Trip Leaders – Patty Rehn and Steve Mattan
Details can be found at http://dvoc.org/wp/activities/field-trips/
Details can be found at http://dvoc.org/wp/activities/field-trips/
Trustees Report – Chris Walters
Chris Walters provides an overview of the Trustees Fund which stands at $220,000 to date. All life memberships fund the Trustees Fund. A full report will be provided at a future meeting. The Trustees also manage the Intern Fund and Billings Fund which stands at $5,000. The purpose is to raise enough money through interest to fund the annual $200 award. The Trustees intend to provide $6,000 to the general fund from interest payments. Bert Filmyr tells the members that annual dues collected is often less than $6,000 so over half of the annual budget for the club comes from the Trustees Fund. The purpose of the Interns Fund is to help pay interns at Academy of Natural Sciences offset the cost of interns.
Upcoming Meetings: George Armistead
March 2, 2017 7:30 PM at the Academy of Natural Sciences– Katrina Rakowski
Meeting schedule and details can be found at http://dvoc.org/wp/activities/meetings/
Announcements
Marty Dellwo announces a donation in the honor of recently passed member Sandy Bowes in the amount of $75
Mike O’Brien announces that we only have a few weeks left to purchase bluebird houses this season. Contact Mike to purchase.
Matt announces the Director of Smithsonian Bird Studies, Pete Marra will give a talk on ornithology at Drexel University next Thurs at 3:30 then a public talk at Academy on Cat Wars in the evening. The evening program requires pre-registration on Academy website.
Linda Widdop announces that the club has received a copy of Wounded Warriors, a book written by Robert Vallieres and Jacquelyn Howard for review by club members. A presentation will be coordinated for 2018 schedule.
Local Notes/Sightings
Barb Bassett announces that Brig is now open and fees are waived until April 1st. A recent drive included 110 Canvasback ducks.
Marty Dellwo and Debbie Beer went to water treatment plant in search of warblers and swallows. Debbie found Orange-crowned warbler at Trenton sewage plant.
Anne Reeves had Long-tailed duck at Amico Island in NJ
Matt went to Hopewell lake with20 Ring-necked ducks
Marty reports on the recent pelagic trip that did not have unusual species except an unidentified white-winged gull that remained unidentified throughout the day.
Barb Bassett reports a Peregrine Falcon perched on the Camden trash-to-steam plant yesterday.
Presentation – Bill Stewart – 9 (very true) Bird Stories
Adjournment
Martin Dellwo Adjourns the meeting at 9:10 PM. About a dozen members gathered at Cherry Street Tavern to continue the discussion.
