7:30 PM Academy of Natural Sciences (Commons)
Meeting called by President Martin Dellwo. Minutes from last meeting approved by members.
Vice President: George Armistead
Secretary: Linda Widdop
Attendees: 27
Guests: Tom and Donna Halley, David Erterizes, Mkhar Walter, Tiffany Kersten
Opening Remarks Martin Dellwo
Marty Dellwo calls the meeting to order and welcomes members and guests.
Minutes from last meeting approved by membership
Committee Reports
Membership: Bonnie Witmer
Bonnie reports on table at Heinz refuge attracted many visitors. Victoria Sindlingher won photo contest.
Banquet Committee: Lauren Diamond
Website is updated with registration page to purchase tickets. Neil Hayward will be speaking on big year record.
Witmer Stone Committee: Gregg Gorton
Gregg explains the award criteria to members.
Field Trips: Linda Widdop
Houston Meadow
October 21, 2017 @ 8:00 am – 10:30 am
Houston Playground, 900 Grakyn Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19128, USA
Houston Meadow Bird Walk
Saturday, October 21 | 8:00 – 10:30 am
We will look for bluebirds, sparrows, and raptors migrating overhead.
Trip Leader: Martin Selzer
TANNERSVILLE CRANBERRY BOG FIELD TRIP
October 28, 2017 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tannersville Cranberry Bog, East Stroudsburg, PA
Cindy Ahern is leading a trip to the Tannersville Cranberry Bog again, this time for fall color. While the focus will be on the spectacular foliage of the bog, there are always birds, including winter arrivals. If the weather is warm enough, we may be lucky to find some herps, although no promises in that department. Since many DVOC members have an interest in botany, I am extending this invitation to interested members.
This is a free trip, but your donation to the Kettle Creek EEC is encouraged and appreciated (checks acceptable made out to Kettle Creek EEC).
RSVP is required for this trip. Please contact Cindy Ahern at songbird5212 AT msn.com or call or text 215-840-4010 to confirm your participation and for additional details about this trip, including meeting location and possible carpool.
Andorra Meadow
November 4, 2017 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Wissahickon Environmental Center- Tree House, 300 W Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118, USA
Harper’s and Andorra Meadow
Saturday November 4th Meet at the Tree House 8:00-11:00am
A diversity of habitats for a diversity of late fall migrants!
Trip Leader: Martin Selzer
Details can be found at http://dvoc.org/activities/field-trips/
Upcoming Meetings: George Armistead
Kate Garchinsky – Secret Life of the Red Fox
November 2, 2017 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
Kate Garchinsky illustrates and writes children’s books and educational media in her studio in Edgmont, PA. Her picture book, “The Secret Life of the Red Fox,” written by acclaimed wildlife author, Laurence Pringle, released this year and received a starred review from School Library Journal. In 2015 Kate Garchinsky received a grant from the Eckelberry Fellowship at the Academy of Natural Sciences, where she has spent time researching and illustrating extinction stories the Passenger Pigeon and the Carolina Parakeet.
Kate recently completed two more narrative non-fiction kids’ books, including a book about the little brown bat, and Rob Bierregaard’s kidlit debut, “Belle’s Journey: An Osprey Takes Flight.” Both will release in 2018.
Get to know more about Kate and her bird art projects at KateGarchinsky.com.
KIDS WELCOME!
Meeting schedule and details can be found at http://dvoc.org/wp/activities/meetings/
Announcements
Robert Mercer announces books available to members. Donations accepted for conservation committee.
Photo contest on 12/21. Judges Martin Dellwo, Patty Rehn and Steve Mattan. Compiler Paul Guris. Deadline for submission is Dec 5th. Categories: Birds, Flora, Fauna, Landscape and Birders. Contest information can be found at http://dvoc.org/activities/photo-contest/
Local Notes
A White-winged tern appeared at Heinz NWR during the Big Sit on Oct 8th. Best vagrant find in many years. The tern was seen by many birders.
George Armistead went birding with a friend from Sweden and found a Cackling Goose at Heinz NWR.
Marty Dellwo found 2 Tennessee warblers, Common yellowthroat, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, in his yard in center city.
Linda Widdop had a late Rose-breasted Grosbeak in her yard in Rydal PA
Rick Mellon spotted dozens of Lesser Black-backed gulls along Yardley-Newtown Rd in Bucks county.
Bonnie Witmer reports Eastern Screech Owl in the yard in Montgomery PA.
Barbara Grainger recently moved to Wyncote and is finding birds in the new yard daily.
Gregg Gorton reports common First of Season birds
Marty Dellwo reports that Harvey Tomlinson of Del Haven NJ found a Black-throated Gray warbler at Cox Hall Creek in Cape May NJ.
Program: Matthew Halley – John James Audubon: Separating Man from Myth
The legendary ornithologist John James Audubon (1785–1851) began his studies of American birds as a teenager, on the banks of the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. Few figures in American history have weathered as intense a scrutiny of their written work as Audubon. Nearly every scrap of his writing has been transcribed and debated in numerous biographies and articles spanning more than a century, each revisiting the same primary sources in search of a new angle, because no new material has surfaced in decades. Our speaker, Matthew Halley, recently discovered and transcribed several novel primary sources that provide a surprisingly fresh and intimate window into Audubon’s character and story, and fill critical gaps in our understanding of the genesis of his masterpiece The Birds of America.
Adjournment
Martin Dellwo Adjourns the meeting at 9:00 PM. About a dozen members gathered at Cherry Street Tavern to continue the discussion.