[DVOC] Weekly Digest - Number 09-05 - 2/1/09

Sun Feb 1 19:55:17 PST 2009

The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club  (DVOC) Weekly Digest 

Upcoming Meeting

This Thursday February 5, 7:30 pm at the Academy of Natural Sciences

Program - Mary Gustafson, "Don't just Blink: Look Twice - Texas Style"

How often do we name a bird and move on without double checking to be sure
our ID is correct?? Do we listen to our gut reaction that something isn't
right and verify our initial impressions, or do we let it go?? What should
we do as birders? Texas offers birders a chance to be truly baffled by some
unusual combinations of species from east, west, north, and south, often at
unusual seasons. Mary will talk about some serious identification challenges
she sees every winter, and will likely rant and rave about care, caution,
and looking twice at birds. Malcolm Gladwell's book "Blink: The Power of
Thinking Without Thinking" describes how we glance at a bird and can put a
name to it. Mary will encourage us to go one more step and look again - to
be sure we're right.

Ornithological Study - Adrian Binns - "Distribution of Eastern Screech Owl
Morphs"

New DVOC Committee -  Witmer Stone Sanctuary Committee

The purpose of this committee is to encourage the state to designate part of
the property it already owns in Cape May Point State Park as the Witmer
Stone Sanctuary.  You may remember the photo shown by Pat and Clay Sutton at
this year's banquet program, with Mr. Stone standing in front of the sign
for the Witmer Stone Sanctuary.  We are hoping for the restoration of this
designation to honor a man who did a great deal for both conservation and
who was closely associated with DVOC.
Mick Jeitner will chair the Witmer Stone Sanctuary Committee.  Linda Rowan
is also on this committee.

Anyone interested in the initiative should contact Mick Jeitner

Shortly, there will be a page on the website for this committee.

Upcoming Field Trips  

February 7 (Saturday) - DELAWARE CITY, DE 

A morning trip around the freshwater ponds can be very productive. Meet at
8AM at Veteran's Park (Delaware River end of Clinton St) in Delaware City.

Leader: Colin Campbell

February 8 (Sunday) - MANAHAWKIN WMA, NJ

New in 2009

The dead of winter is a splendid time to spend in salt marshes. Sometimes
the "Bridge to Nowhere" is a stop on a return trip from Barnegat Light,
however this spot is definitely worth a trip of its own to discover what
treasures it may contain. The "Bridge to Nowhere" is a bridge at the end of
a poorly maintained dirt road that was once supposed to lead to a failed
development. This spot is notorious for Short-eared Owls and Rough-legged
Hawks and has had Sedge Wren. We will also visit nearby Cedar Run Dock Road
which is better maintained, less wild but has access to Barnegat Bay. This
is also a good spot for short-ears and rough-legs as well as diving ducks
and grebes, this spot has held Red-necked Grebe before. 

We will meet at the Stafford Diner on route 72 and Mermaid Drive, next to
Wawa at noon. This trip is timed for Short-eared Owls at dusk; those who
want to bird the whole day can do Brig or Barnegat Light in the morning. 

Leader: Tony Croasdale

2009 Conservation Grants

The Conservation Committee is looking for worthy projects for 2009 grants.
If you are interested in suggesting a grant recipient, contact Chairperson
Debbie Beer at debbeer at hotmail.com

Information on past grants are at
http://www.dvoc.org/Conservation/Conservation.htm 

Interesting Link

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/38206914.html  - submitted by
Judy Stepenaskie

2009 Dues

Dues notices were mailed with the 2009 DVOC Directory. If you are still
paying yearly dues, consider a life membership. Full information is
available at http://www.dvoc.org/Membership/Membership.htm 

Looking for a Current Address of a Club Member 
If anyone has a current address for Ann O'Leary please e-mail
treasurer at dvoc.org 

Recent Website Enhancements

(2/1/09) Roosevelt Park Field Trip Report

(1/29/09) Husted Landing Field Trip Report

(1/29/09) Delaware Valley RBA

(1/28/09) Montauk Field Trip Report

(1/28/09) Conowingo Dam Field Trip Report

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)

Bert Filemyr and/or Jeff Holt will have copies of their book "The Composite
Prints of the Audubon's Birds of America" available at most meetings - $12
each

____________________________________________________________________________
________________________
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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