[DVOC] Weekly Digest - Number 08-47 - 11/16/08

Sun Nov 16 10:38:28 PST 2008

The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club  (DVOC) Weekly Digest 

DVOC Annual Banquet - This Thursday November 20th 

6 pm cash bar (munchies included!)

7 pm dinner

Directions to the banquet are on the website

New this year - Door Prize: A $25.00 Nikon Pro Staff Gift Certificate, plus
a surprise package!

Contact Banquet Chairs Bernice and Joe Koplin for any last minute questions
or problems.
DVOC Hats will be available for purchase at the banquet - $17

Release of a New Book by Club Members
Club members Jeff Holt and Bert Filemyr are pleased to announce the
publication of their book - The Composite Prints of Audubon's Birds of
America. This book is the direct result of the March 2007 DVOC Field Trip to
Mill Grove, Audubon PA. 

In 1838, as John James Audubon's monumental creation, Birds of America, was
nearing completion, he requested that his engraver, Robert Havell, produce
13 extra, unique prints. Havell was instructed to combine images from two
separate plates into a single print, commonly known as a "Composite Plate".

Only two full sets, along with a handful of individual prints, of these rare
prints exist today and are rarely if ever seen by the public. 

In this book Jeff and Bert, for the first time anywhere, provide an analysis
as to how and why these plates were made, while providing illustrations
depicting all 13 of the Composite Plates.

Further information on this significant addition to the literature on John
James Audubon is available at
http://www.thefilemyrs.com/AudubonComposites/index.htm 

This book, produced in conjunction with the DVOC, is available at
www.Amazon.com. Search for "Audubon Composites".

In the November of 2009, Jeff and Bert will be presenting a program about
this topic at a club meeting.

Upcoming Field Trips  

November 22 (Saturday) - Brigantine (Forsythe) NWR, NJ

Forsythe NWR November is the time of year for waterfowl, but sparrows won't
be overlooked and last year on this trip we had a Cave Swallow which is rare
for this location. This trip is geared towards beginning birders - both
adult and young. The birds we will see this time of year are great to start
out with as they are easily visible, large, and they usually stay put for
excellent observations. Sandra Keller will also guide participants on
starting flight id. Again, the species this time of year make for an
excellent study.

The trip will be mostly driving as we circle the dikes probably 2 times, but
we may walk a trail for a short distance. Bring lunch or buy at one of the
many stores and/or restaurants along Rt. 9. Bring binoculars, scopes, field
guides, cold weather clothing - layers work best - and plenty of food and
drink.

Sandra will have many field guides and a scope for general use.

Meet in the parking lot by the restrooms at 11:30AM. We will probably go
until 4:30 or 5:00PM depending on whether Short-eared Owls are being seen.

Sandra may have to change the start time on this trip, so be sure and check
the web site a few days before. Inclement weather cancels, but Sandra may
switch to Sunday. Again, keep an eye on the web site. Directions to Forsythe
NWR are simple and are posted on many web sites and written up in many
books.

Bill Boyles "Guide to Bird Finding in New Jersey" has a good set of
directions.

Googlemaps and Mapquest are also excellent alternatives for driving
directions.

If any specific questions about the trip, please contact Sandra at
(856)383-2756.

Brigantine (Forsythe) NWR is marked on the Atlantic County Birding Page on
the club website.

Leader: Sandra Keller

November 28 (Friday) Hawk Migration at Raccoon Ridge, NJ

New in 2008 

Do you find yourself with nothing to do on the day after Thanksgiving? Want
to get out and burn off some of that turkey? Or pumpkin pie? Come join us at
Raccoon Ridge for a day of hawk watching. This late in the season usually
bring in Golden Eagles, Goshawks and other late migrants. We will meet at
the Blairstown Diner in Blairstown, NJ at 8:30 AM and proceed to the AMC's
Mohigan Lodge and hike along the Appalachian Trail for about two miles to
Raccoon Ridge. It will be COLD! Dress warmly with many layers. Bring lunch
and a pad to sit on. Meeting time is 8:30 AM. If you are going to attend,
please let Bob know in advance by email. He will try to arrange car pools. 

Leader: Bob Horton

The Blairstown Diner is marked on the Warren County Birding Page on the club
website.

2009 DVOC Membership Directory

It is time to start preparing the 2009 directory and that means it is time
for members to ensure that their contact information is correct. An update
packet will be circulated at the next couple of meetings for attendees to
check their information. If you are unable to attend and your contact
information has changed in the past year, please send the changes to
treasurer at dvoc.org. The contact information in the directory includes name,
address, e-mail address, home phone, work/daytime phone, and cell phone.

Looking For An End Of the Year Tax Deduction?

Contributions to the DVOC Conservation Fund are tax deductable. Any
contributions received by the club before 12/31 will be passed on to Scott
Wiesenthal's Saw-whet Owl Banding and Research Project, our major 2008
recipient. Make your check payable to DVOC and send it to Bert Filemyr, DVOC
Treasurer, 1314 Lenore Road, Meadowbrook, PA 19046

December 18th Meeting - Photo Contest 
Deadline for submissions is December 10th!

Format: Digital only

Well, fall is here and many of you have taken some great trips and shot some
wonderful photos. Will you win the DVOC slide contest? Prizes will be
awarded in four categories: Birds, Natural History (non-avian fauna and
flora), Scenery, and Birders (one year, former President Bob Sehl was shown
riding a camel).
Entries must be submitted in advance to Frank Windfelder. You can submit a
MAXIMUM of 5 shots in the categories of Birds and Natural History, but only
three in Scenery and Birders. Prizes will be awarded.

Put your pictures on a CD and either email them, snail mail them, or hand
them to Frank Windfelder at a DVOC meeting.

Recent Website Enhancement

(11/13/08) 2009 Field Trip Schedule

(11/13/08) Saw-whet Owl Banding Article

(11/13/08) Larus Volume 22 No. 1 Spring 1996

(11/13/08) Larus Volume 22 No. 2 Fall 1996

(11/13/08) Larus Volume 26 No. 1 Spring 1999

(11/13/08) Delaware Valley RBA

(11/12/08) 2009 Meetings and Programs

(11/10/08) 10/16/08 Meeting Minutes

(11/10/08) Jerry Vernick Personal Page

(11/10/08) Sandy Barenbaum Personal Page

Items Available for Purchase at DVOC Meetings

DVOC Hats - $17 each

DVOC car window stickers - $1 each
"Birders Conservation Handbook: 100 North American Birds at Risk" by Dr.
Jeff Wells - only $25 (limited supply)

"Song of the Blue Ocean" by Dr. Carl Safina - signed by author - A $17 value
now only $12 (limited supply)

____________________________________________________________________________
________________________
Report Your Sightings to the Delaware Valley RBA
The Delaware Valley RBA is posted on Thursday evenings at
<http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm>
http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm
It is also available at 215 240 7547
Report your sightings to  <mailto:rba at dvoc.com> rba at dvoc.com or 215 240 7547
The general guidelines of what to report are on the Delaware Valley Rare
Bird Alert Page -  <http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm>
http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm

Merchandise Available!
Both DVOC merchandise and Nikon/DVOC Lagerhead Shrikes merchandise are
available at our on-line store. 
 <http://www.cafepress.com/nikondvoc> http://www.cafepress.com/nikondvoc
 <http://www.cafepress.com/dvoc> http://www.cafepress.com/dvoc

Information on the Club and Club activities are at  <http://www.dvoc.org>
www.dvoc.org

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