Minutes – March 5, 2026

This was a hybrid meeting, broadcast on Zoom.

Call to Order: Navin Sasikumar

Call to Order: 7:30 PM

Attendees: 28 on Zoom

In person: 16

The last meeting’s minutes were approved unanimously.

Committee Reports

Membership – Rebecca Reicherter

Four new members have joined.

Field Trips – Linda Widdop

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

Upcoming field trips:

DATETIMETRIPLEADER
March 7 10:30am –12:00pmWinter Gulls at Glen FoerdHolger Pflicke
March 8 9:30 am – 11:30 amFDR ParkRobert Karchnyak
March 82:00 pm – 4:00 pmDixon Meado Preserve with Liberty Bird AllianceTroy Bynam
March 148:30 am – 10:00 amFernhill ParkSean Bradley
March 158:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Pennypack on the Delaware		Holger Pflicke
March 218:30am – 11:00 amTacony Creek ParkHolger Pflicke
March 254:45am – 6:45amPennypack Park with NE Regional LibraryHolger Pflicke
April 17:30 am -9:00 amWednesday Spring Bird Walks at Lorimer Park & Fox Chase FarmMartin Selzer
April 28:00 am – 9:30 amThursday Bird Walks at Harriet Wetherill Park – Montgomery CountyMartin Selzer
April 87:30 am – 9:00 amWednesday Spring Bird Walks at Lorimer Park & Fox Chase FarmLinda Widdop
April 98:00 am – 9:30 amThursday Bird Walks at Harriet Wetherill Park – Montgomery CountyMartin Selzer
April 123:00 pm – 5:00 pmDixon Meadow Preserve with Liberty Bird AllianceTroy Bynum
April 157:30 am – 9:00 amWednesday Spring Bird Walks at Lorimer Park & Fox Chase FarmLinda Widdop
April 168:00 am – 9:30 amThursday Bird Walks at Harriet Wetherill Park – Montgomery CountyMartin Selzer
April 227:30 am – 9:00 amWednesday Spring Bird Walks at Lorimer Park & Fox Chase FarmLinda Widdop
April 238:00 am – 9:30 amThursday Bird Walks at Harriet Wetherill Park – Montgomery CountyMartin Selzer
April 297:30 am – 9:00 amWednesday Spring Bird Walks at Lorimer Park & Fox Chase FarmLinda Widdop
April 308:00 am – 9:30 amThursday Bird Walks at Harriet Wetherill Park – Montgomery CountyMartin Selzer
May 27:00 am – 11:00 amHigbee Beach for Spring MigrantsLinda Widdop
May 67:30 am – 9:00 amWednesday Spring Bird Walks at Lorimer Park & Fox Chase FarmLinda Widdop
May 78:00 am – 9:30 amThursday Bird Walks at Harriet Wetherill Park – Montgomery CountyMartin Selzer
May 137:30 am – 9:00 amWednesday Spring Bird Walks at Lorimer Park & Fox Chase FarmLinda Widdop
May 148:00 am – 9:30 amThursday Bird Walks at Harriet Wetherill Park – Montgomery CountyMartin Selzer
May 207:30 am – 9:00 amWednesday Spring Bird Walks at Lorimer Park & Fox Chase FarmLinda Widdop
May 218:00 am – 9:30 amThursday Bird Walks at Harriet Wetherill Park – Montgomery CountyMartin Selzer
May 248:00 am – 10:00 amDixon Meadow Preserve with Liberty Bird AllianceTroy Bynum
May 277:30 am – 9:00 amWednesday Spring Bird Walks at Lorimer Park & Fox Chase FarmLinda Widdop
May 308:00 am – 11:00 amThe Great Marsh Institute (Chester County) with Liberty Bernard Brown
June 148:00 am – 10:00 amDixon Meadow Preserve with Liberty Bird AllianceTroy Bynum
July 128:00 am – 10:00 amDixon Meadow Preserve with Liberty Bird AllianceTroy Bynum

Conservation – Rob Karchnyak

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking comments on proposals for two satellite systems that will be bad for birds as they will increase light during night.

Rob Karchnyak, Jason Hall and Keith Russell met with City Councilmember Cindy Bass to advocate that Philly become a Bird Town, which helps with conservation efforts. They are planning to meet again next month.

The FDR Park case is set for trial in April and this may stop the construction at the park. Rob also got new bluebird boxes for the park.

Billings – Art McMorris

Go birding! Art McMorris stated that Christian Shiebe will be presented the award at the April 16 meeting and give a short talk on their efforts.

Cassinia – Holger Pflicke

No report.

Announcements

Navin Sasikumar repeated that the American Birding Association community weekend will take place from May 22-25 in Philadelphia with gathering points, social happy hour, and bird walks.

Navin also reported that the City Nature Challenge will be April 24-27th and that it is “not a competition this year ”. The challenge is a bioblitz and the local area includes Philadelphia and its bordering counties. This is a worldwide challenge with hundreds of cities across the globe participating.

Local Notes

Linda Widdop had a Dickcissel at her patio feeder on the 13th in Abington Township. 

Patrick McGill had a Snow Goose with Canada Geese over his apartment.

Bert Filmyer has had 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches at his yard all winter.

Martin Dellwo had 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches at Glen Foerd and a Red-necked Grebe at Pennypack on the Delaware.

Linda Rowan reported having Common Mergansers in  the creek behind our house. This is the first time they have had them in 15 years in this house. She also has had Hooded Mergansers and Mallards. Red Tail Hawks have been visiting their nest (seen from our house) recently.  Levittown, Bristol Township, Bucks County

Gregg Gorton noted that raptors are starting to migrate through Arizona. 

Laila Reilly had a Barred Owl calling in Rittenhousetown.

Programs – Patrick McGill

The March 19th meeting will be a hybrid meeting with Bryce Robinson giving a talk on the work of the Red-tailed Hawk.

Evening Program

Ian Gray (in-person) – Rooted in Research: The Mission of Wild Bird Research Group

Ian Gray discussed the work of the nonprofit organization Wild Bird Research Group. The organization is involved in bird banding, habitat restoration, community outreach, and other bird conservation efforts. The group is not affiliated with academia or any government organizations so it can be nimble and pursue endeavours without the sometimes cumbersome restrictions that face other groups.

Gallery

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.