[DVOC] Weekly Digest - Number 10-35 - 8/29/10

Sun Aug 29 12:09:41 PDT 2010

The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club  (DVOC) Weekly Digest 
(Send any items for inclusion to  <mailto:weeklydigest at dvoc.org>
weeklydigest at dvoc.org )

Upcoming Meeting 

This Thursday - September 2, 2010 - 7:30 pm

Informal Summer Meeting held at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
(Tinicum), Philadelphia, PA
Check www.dvoc.org for full details
Short presentations including:
Global Warming: the Impact on Birds - Phil Witmer
Bird-Safe Glass Demonstration Project at Heinz - Gary Stolz
Identification of Wigeon - Frank Windfelder 

Manayunk Chimney Swift Roost Field Trip Date Set

The trip will be on Wednesday September 15th, 6:45 pm.  See below for
details.

Upcoming Field Trips

September 2 (Thursday) - "CONFUSING FALL BIRDERS" AT HIGBEE BEACH WMA, NJ 

Spend a morning birding the fields and forest edges looking for songbird
migrants. We will sort through the fall plumages of the (hopefully) numerous
migrants at this Fall hotspot. With luck we will get to see a huge fallout
of birds, but there should be plenty to see regardless at this time of year.
Emphasis will be on sorting out "confusing fall warblers". The warblers are
not confused, we are. They know who they are, but we are the ones confused
(sometimes anyway). Meet at the main lot at Higbee Beach WMA (the one at the
end of the road) Cape May Point NJ at 7:30 AM 

This DVOC trip is free to members and non-members. 

Leader: Mike Fritz 

September 11 (Saturday) - FORT WASHINGTON STATE PARK, FLOURTOWN, PA

For fall migrants. 

This is a joint DVOC / Wyncote Audubon Society field trip and is free to
members and non-members

Meet 8 AM at the Militia Hill Hawk Watch deck

Trip Leader: Jane Henderson

September 12 (Sunday)- STONE HARBOR POINT, NUMMY'S ISLAND, NJ 

We will meet at 11:30AM (note this time) in the parking lot of the Wetlands
Institute which is located along Rt. 657 - Stone Harbor Blvd.

We will follow the birds from their high tide roosts to their favorite
medium and low tide feeding areas enjoying good studies and hopefully a
rarity or two. Even though shorebirds will be the focus, this area is also
good for herons and egrets, terns, and depending on the winds, maybe some
migrant passerines.

Bring a scope, bird id books, suntan lotion, insect repellant, and snacks.
There will be plenty of opportunities for restroom breaks or even to hit a
store for food if desired. You can always catch up with the group at any
time. We will hit 4 or 5 locations for shorebirds - none of which are far
from the Wetlands Institute.

For a more detailed list of possible species we could see, please see last
year's trip report. Feel free to call my cell a few days before or even the
day of the trip if needed - (856)383-2756.

The trip will probably go until 5:00PM or so. Very bad weather will cancel,
but a light rain could actually be good for the birding. Check the web site
a couple days before if any questions on the weather.

This DVOC trip is free to members and non-members.

Trip Leader: Sandra Keller (856) 383-2756.

September 15 (Wednesday) - MANAYUNK CHIMNEY SWIFT ROOST- PHILADELPHIA, PA

In autumn migration, huge numbers of Chimney Swifts roost in chimneys of
certain schools in the Roxborough/Manayunk area. The birds have been going
down the chimney just before dark, so people should get there around 6:45 PM
when the birds begin to gather.

Location:

Shawmont School

535 Shawmont Ave.

Philadelphia 19128

Parking is available in school lot.

This is a joint DVOC / Wyncote Audubon Society field trip and is free to
members and non-members

Leader: Jane Henderson

Interesting Link

http://whyy.org/cms/news/health-science/2010/08/24/purple-martins-swarm-sout
h-jersey/43856 - submitted by Judy Stepenaskie

New Ornithological Studies Chairperson

President Frank Windfelder is proud to announce that Dino Fiabane has agreed
to accept the position of Ornithological Studies Chairperson. Dino replaces
Todd Fellenbaum who the club thanks for his service.

If you have a short presentation, or know someone who does, Dino Would
appreciate hearing from you.

Cradle of Birding Festival at Heinz NWR

The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (PA) is hosting the
annual CRADLE OF BIRDING Wildlife and Conservation Festival, on Saturday,
September 18, from 7 AM to 3 PM.  This fun-filled afternoon features bird
walks for all ages, live animals, trolley tours, workshops, music,
exhibitors, free food and more!  

The afternoon culminates with a Keynote program presented by our own past
president, Adrian Binns.  His topic is:  Birds: A Dozen Delights, described
as:

"Beautiful, bizarre, common and obscure. Endlessly moving in migration,
population and distribution. All these things and more have fascinated me
about the birding world for many years. As a professional tour guide,
educator, naturalist and writer, I have enjoyed learning about many facets
of birds in a wide variety of contexts. I look forward to sharing insights,
observations and anecdotes in this program, Birds: A Dozen Delights."

This fun-filled day is sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the
Friends of Heinz Refuge at Tinicum (FOHR).

http://www.dvoc.org/Misc/2010/Festival%20Schedule%20Flyer2010%20_2_.pdf  

Looking Ahead to the Banquet

Annual DVOC Banquet on Thursday November 18th featuring Scott Weidensaul as
the speaker!

Mark your calendar now!

Looking Ahead to the DVOC's Annual Awards

The DVOC presents three awards each year at the banquet.

The Witmer Stone Award - presented to a one or more members for the best
publication which embodies the results of ornithological research not
undertaken in the course of professional duties.

The Julian Potter Award - presented to one or more members who have made an
outstanding contribution to field ornithology.

The Rosalie Edge Conservation Award - presented to one or more non-members
of the Club who have made a significant contribution to conservation of the
environment.

Now is the time to start thinking of nominees. Information on submitting
nominations will be posted when available.

Further information on these awards is posted at:
http://www.dvoc.org/Awards/Awards.htm 

BioBlitz at Pocono Environmental Education Center

The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in association with the
National Park Service will be running a 24 hour biodiversity survey of the
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.  This event, known as a
BioBlitz, is in need of experts to aide in the identification of plants and
wildlife.  

PEEC feels that DVOC members would be a valuable asset as experts in the
field of ornithology for the BioBlitz.  The event is occurring Friday,
September 24th into Saturday, September 25th.  There are overnight dormitory
accommodations available at a cost of $10 a person.  You can bird both
Saturday and Sunday in the beautiful Delaware Water Gap during fall
migration.  Spend Saturday in the park and Sunday on sunrise mountain
counting raptors as they fly by.  

If this event sounds like something you would like some more information
about please visit http://www.peec.org/bioblitz/index.html or send an email
to  <mailto:bioblitz at peec.org> bioblitz at peec.org.  

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Items Available for Purchase at DVOC Meetings

DVOC Hats - $17 each (or $20 by mail)

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)

____________________________________________________________________________
________________________

DVOC is on Facebook. Check out
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DVOC-The-Delaware-Valley-Ornithological-Club/4
9975018421 

The DVOC has a discount program for Birds of North America Online. Check out
http://www.dvoc.org/Membership/DVOC_BNA.htm 

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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