[DVOC] Weekly Digest - Number 08-49 - 11/30/08

Sun Nov 30 12:04:16 PST 2008

The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club  (DVOC) Weekly Digest 

Upcoming Meeting

This Thursday December 4th 7:30 pm at the Academy of Natural Sciences

Program - Scott Weidensaul, "Of a Feather"

>From the moment Europeans arrived in North America, they were awestruck by a
continent awash with birds - great flocks of wild pigeons, woodlands alive
with brilliantly colored songbirds. Join naturalist and author Scott
Weidensaul as he traces the unpredictable history of bird study in America,
from frontier ornithologists (one of whom barely escaped pursuing Apaches
with a precious hawk egg hidden in his mouth) to society matrons who
organized the first effective conservation movement; from luminaries like
Alexander Wilson (a convicted blackmailer) and Audubon (an accomplished
liar) to modern geniuses like Roger Tory Peterson.

Also at the meeting - Presentation of the 2008 DVOC Conservation Award

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

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. 

Format: Digital only

Please name the contents of the photo and give the place where it was taken.

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. 

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

Bert and Jeff will have a few copies available at this week's meeting for
$12 each.

An article about this book recently appeared in the Gloucester County Times
-
http://blog.nj.com/southjerseylife/2008/11/resident_coauthors_first_book.htm
l 

Christmas Count Season is Rapidly Approaching

The Christmas Bird Count schedule is now posted on the DVOC website, and
volunteers are needed in many areas.  Contact the compiler to join one of
the many counts in the Delaware Valley region.

http://www.dvoc.org/DelValBirding/CountsCensuses/index.htm 

Request for Help

The DVOC is pleased to pass this on.

            I am a grad student at U Penn and as the final project before
the completion of my degree I have chosen to write a management plan aimed
at restoring and protecting Common Nighthawk and Chimney Swift populations
in urban Philadelphia.  Both of these species have shown declines (more
dramatic for the nighthawk) particularly in the urban habitats that have
helped to sustain these species in regions where the majority of their
natural habitat has been degraded or destroyed.

            The plan that I am working on will most likely involve the
construction of gravel nest patches for Nighthawks and chimney boxes for
Swifts, as both gravel roofs and accessible chimneys have become more scarce
and both species have less available habitat as a result.

            Among the questions that I have not yet answered about this
project are where the best locations for nest patches or swift boxes would
be.  It seems logical to start in areas where these species are already
living and expand from there.  So where are they living?

            I have looked at the most recent BBC and there was only one
confirmed nesting Common Nighthawk in all of Philadelphia.  I am sure there
are more than this (I myself am fairly sure that a pair was nesting in south
philly near 7th and reed st.) but confirming the nest locations of
Nighthawks has some inherent difficulties.
            So, I have sent this email to all of you in the hopes that this
skattershot approach can turn up some anecdotal data about where Nighthawks
are currently breeding or where they have nested in the past.  If you have
seen Nighthawks in Philadelphia or surrounding areas like Manayunk please
let me know where and when you have seen them.
            Thanks for taking the time to help me, the Common Nighthawk is
always a bird that I enjoy seeing and hearing during the summer and perhaps
we can help it to continue to cohabitate with us in the urban landscape that
we have created.
            If anyone has other thoughts about this or knows someone who
might, I would also be glad to hear those comments.  There is very little
being done with this bird outside of Project Nighthawk in New Hampshire and
I would be grateful for any input.

Michael Coll
University of Pennsylvania,
Masters of Environmental Studies
Land Steward
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust
267.625.1725

Upcoming Field Trips  
January 2 (Friday) - HUDSON SHELF VALLEY CBC PELAGIC

Explore the underwater trench called the Hudson Shelf Valley that extends
from near shore all the way to the Hudson Canyon. Birds of interest seen in
the past include Dovekie, Razorbill, Common Murre, Atlantic Puffin,
Black-legged Kittiwake, Iceland Gull, and Northern Gannet.

The trip sails from Belmar, NJ from 8:00 AM to approx. 4:00 PM

Cost: $115 + $5 CBC Fee (optional)

Leader: Paul Guris

January 10 (Saturday) - PHILADELPHIA MID-WINTER BIRD CENSUS, PENNSYLVANIA
(PMWBC) 

Join the 23rd annual mid-winter census which highlights the incredible
diversity of habitat and species found within our city borders . An average
of 92 species are recorded each year including notable rarities. 

Contact: Keith Russell

2009 DVOC Membership Directory

The club is 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 two December 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.

Submit all changes by Friday December 19

Recent Website Enhancements

(11/26/08) Delaware Valley RBA

(11/24/08) 2008-09 Christmas Counts

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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