FLYER 1 April 2011 PV

VOLUME 42 NUMBER 8
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WWW.DOSBIRDS.ORG
APRIL 2011
f l ye r
N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E D E L M A R VA O R N I T H O L O G I C A L S O C I E T Y
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Letter from the President
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!
!
I was in South Florida for two weeks in late March. I felt far removed
from Delaware. My son’s wedding was my main focus, although my birding
was limited it was still interesting. Large flocks of introduced parrots flew
overhead regularly, a juvenile white ibis flew in to commune with the chickens
in the back yard, and a family of peacocks wandered across the road during
our morning walk. The daily reports on the DE-BIRD listserv were my sole
connection to the Delaware birding scene.
In this Issue:
However, I was reminded regularly of April in Delaware because many of the
birds I saw were probably en route or about to head north. Osprey and
vultures (and an occasional swallow-tailed kite) soared in the blue sky, palm
warblers graced the entrance booth at Everglades National Park, and ruddy
turnstones were walking along the shore during my son’s wedding ceremony.
As we drove down toward Key West, a variety of shorebirds were feeding in
the flats, and egrets and cormorants lined the highway.
continued on page 2
Field Trip Schedule Conservation
Corner Announcment:
Spring Roundup
2
3–4
Delaware Dunlins 5
6
Dunlin Poem
6
Birdathon
announcement 7
Peace Love and
Horseshoe Crab Festival 7
New Member Welcome 7
Monthly Meetings
Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through May, usually at the Ashland Nature Center near
Hockessin. DE. Refreshments are at 7:00 p.m., followed by the meeting and presentations at 7:30. We are always delighted to
have volunteers to bring refreshments. Contact Matt Sarver– 724-689-5845– if you would like to bring treats.
April 20, 2011
Bert Filemyr and Jeff Holtz--The Rarest of the Rare
Bert and Jeff will explain the story behind Audubon's monumental work "Birds of America" and the special
"composite prints". In 1838, as John James Audubon’s creation was nearing completion, he requested that his
engraver, Robert Havell, produce 13 extra, unique prints. 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. Bert and Jeff did extensive research
and travel to unlock the story behind these prints. Their work resulted in the publication of a book on this
subject which has become a standard reference source for Audubon print scholars. They will provide an overview of
Audubon, his work, and the production process to provide background for the discussion and analysis as to how and
why these unique plates were made. Illustrations depicting all 13 of the Composite Plates will be shown.
May 18, 2011 Richard Crossley --Past, Present and Future
This talk, by the author of the new Crossley ID Guide, is a story told in a Yorkshire brogue through a camera lens
that loves color and art. Come hear tales of lessons learned while growing up in the wild British birding scene. From
traveling around the world to living in Cape May, Richard has seen it all. With humor and depth, Richard will
highlight the thoughts behind the revolutionary ‘The Crossley ID Guide’ series. But, is changing how we look at
books and birds enough? ‘Hell, no’ says Richard. Come listen to his past: perhaps it will change your thoughts on
the future! Bring your copy of the book for Richard to sign.
Continued From Page 1-- Letter From the President
We will be seeing all of these birds in Delaware as they
arrive to set up nesting territories or as they pass
through on their journeys north. Already the Cape
Henlopen hawk watch has had a good kestrel day as
raptors follow the coast and phoebes and osprey are
arriving as the last of the waterfowl leave our inland
ponds. Owls are on their nests as are the peregrines in
the Wilmington nest box
(http://www.dosbirds.org/wilmfalcons) - more
evidence that spring is upon us. In another month,
Delaware will be crazy with migrants and nesting
birds will be madly singing their territorial songs.
At the recent wedding, we had family arrive from all
parts of the globe, and I was struck by the international
connections and consciousness that flowed between us.
The migration of birds from continent to continent is
another reminder of our connection to other countries
and other places. Birds help us see the earth as a not so
big place, made up of many communities all connected
by the bonds of habitat and time. This year, as we
listen for the first warblers’song and as we celebrate
the returning raptors, give a moment’s thought to
where those birds spend the rest of their year. We are
privileged to be a part of their lives.
We often think of the nesting birds we see in Delaware
as our birds, but the time spent in our fair state is only
a fraction of their lives. We know that the neotropical
birds that pass through Delaware spend most of their
lives elsewhere, but unless you have been there, it is
hard to imagine a bobolink on the grasslands of
Venezuela or red knot sitting on a nest in the arctic
tundra. The home of many birds is not fixed, but is
defined by seasons - each month an integral piece of
the bird’s whole life. Our little piece of America, our
little wedge of the world, is an essential component to
the success of the birds that pass through, whether it be
for a week or for several months.
Good birding and hope to see you in the
field.! !
!
!
—Sally O’Byrne
DOS Field Trip Schedule
APRIL
SUNDAY
4-17-2011
Middle Run
Natural Area
Derek
Stoner
Middle Run Parking
Lot off Possum Hollow
Rd.
SATURDAY Lum’s Pond
4-23-2011
Bob
Strahorn
Glascow High School 7:30 AM.
Parking Lot
SUNDAY
4-24-2011
Nanticoke
Watershed
Anthony
Boyds Corner Park
Gonzon
and Ride, Rts 13 and
Eric Braun 301 Opposite Wawa.
6:00 AM
FRIDAY
4-29-2011
Rail Trip
Note unusual
time
Andy
Ednie
10:00 PM A 3 hour rail bonanza in the middle of the
Boyds Corner Park
and Ride, Rts 13 and
301 Opposite Wawa
8:00 AM
Search for early Spring Migrants including
Louisiana waterthrush, white-eyed vireo, and
blue-gray gnatcatcher. Half Day.
Look for early breeding and migrating
passerines. Half Day.
Spring migrants; trip will include Redden SF,
Trap Pond, Phillips Landing. Bring bag lunch,
boots, and bug spray. Full Day.
night! Targets 7 species. Bring boots and bug
spray.
MAY
SATURDAY Spring
5-7-2011
Roundup
John
Janowski
See flyer for details
State of Delaware Spring Migration Bird
Census. Great way to learn bird migration by
sight and sound.
2
CONSERVATION CORNER
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEANUP APRIL 16TH
The DOS Adopt-A-Highway cleanup of Port Mahon Road is scheduled for Saturday
April 16th. Volunteers are needed to help cleanup this internationally famous stretch
of road before the hundreds of shorebird enthusiasts start to descend upon the
shores of the Delaware Bay in hopes of red knot and ruddy turnstones. Please plan
on meeting at the Little Creek Post Office (458 Main Street) on Rt. 9 at 9:00a.m. This
is a two to three hour effort and is usually filled with some great flyovers! Bring
gloves and boots. All interested volunteers should call Bill Stewart @ 610 864 0370. PEREGRINE FALCON WEBCAM UPDATE
As of this writing, the female peregrine falcon has laid her 5th egg and is busy
incubating. Start to watch for both adults incubating, close observation will be required
to get a look at the eggs and observers may get a glimpse at the adults repositioning
the eggs. Prey will be brought into the nest box for the adults to share. The eggs
should start to hatch in 30 to 34 days...............third week of April if all goes well!
Website of the Month
www.dosbirds.org/wilmfalcons
Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam | Delmarva Ornithological Society
Conservation Quote of the Month
"We're dismayed, the count showed the
population dropping again,
to between 10,000 and 11,000".
REALITY TV AT ITS BEST!!
—Larry Niles, shorebird biologist
and expert upon returning from
this winter's red knot count in Tierra del Fuego, Chile
The Conservation Committee is always looking for new members.
If you would like to attend one of our monthly meetings and see first hand what we are doing,
please contact
our Conservation Chair.
Bill Stewart at 610-864-0370
or by e-mail at hcf2@earthlink.net
3
Birders
and Sightseers: Bird the Rehoboth-Lewes Canal!
Rehoboth Beach, DE - Join the staff at Delaware Seashore State Park in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for the first
pontoon boat trip of the season, Birding the Rehoboth-Lewes Canal! Catch sightings of spring and summer birds on this June 11th tour from 8 a.m. – noon. This brand new program is for birders and sightseers of any age and provides a unique view of Delaware’s
inland bay and canal system. Constructed in the 1890s, the Rehoboth-Lewes Canal was originally built to
connect the Delaware and Rehoboth Bays for commerce. Its course cuts through sections of upland forest
and saltmarsh that attracts a wide variety of songbirds, shorebirds, wading birds, and raptors.
Participants will be able to observe a naturally built osprey nest and hopefully some activity from it as well! Not only will participants be able to bird in the canal, they will also have the opportunity to learn about
Delaware’s inland bays and get a bayside view of Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Bay Yacht and Country Club and
Thompson Island Nature Preserve. This preserve is a tract of land managed by Delaware Seashore State Park
that highlights the Native American Nanticoke Tribe and their history on the coast.
Our vessel, the 50’ pontoon boat, SandDollar, is equipped with restrooms and food and beverages are
permitted on-board. Binoculars and cameras encouraged, and binoculars will also be available to borrow. Please refrain from bringing scopes on-board. Tickets for this exciting new trip are $35 per person. Since
space is limited so pre-registration is recommended; walk-ins are welcome on a space available basis. For more information, directions or to register, please call 302.227.6991
4
DOS May 14, 2011 Spring Roundup
DOS has conducted a statewide spring census annually for close
to 50 years - a half century of citizen science and fun. Saturday,
May 14, 2011 marks the 44th consecutive year where both
species and individual numbers of birds are counted and
documented. The Spring Count with its traditional label
"Roundup" is unique to Delaware. We are small enough to pull
this off each spring, but we need a good show of volunteers to
keep it a success.
May is also International Birding Month and there are many
competing events. If other events interest you, try to combine
them. All levels of birding (beginner to expert) are
welcomed. Below is the list of area compilers that are
waiting to hear from you.
Note the geographic limits of each area, in particular: Areas 3 and 7 need birders!
Area 1: New Castle County south to the C&D Canal,
Mike Smith—Michael.A.Smith@villanova.edu
Area 2: C&D Canal south to the Leipsic River in Kent County,
John Janowski—jsbirders@verizon.net
Area 3: Kent County south of the Leipsic River
to the Sussex County Line,
Joe Sebastiani—bunker17@verizon.net
Area 5: Sussex County south to Lewes,
Frank Rohrbacher— rohrbaf@aol.com
Area 6: Lewes to the Indian River Inlet,
Glen Lovelace—glenlovelace@verizon.net
Area 7: Indian River Inlet south to the Maryland Line,
Bob Rufe —rrufe1@aol.com
Need a Spring Roundup tally list? I'll be glad to e-mail you one.
Thank you and enjoy this wonderful season of birding.
John Janowski
—Jean Woods
5
This Month's Field Trip:
Spring Migration at Middle
Run Natural Area
DELAWARE DUNLINS
Sunday, April 17
9:00am to Noon
Spring migration is beginning
to kick into full swing, and
we will meet the birds on the
move at Middle Run Natural
Area near Newark, DE. Birds
like broad-winged hawks,
red-shouldered hawks, and
common loons will be flying
north, joined by colorful
warblers and vireos freshlyarrived from South America.
Explore this wonderful county park and hike
the new Middle Run Birding Trail.
—Photo by Derek Stoner
Souvenir
Once upon a brown moon
From the cacophony of the birds
I saw a feather.
Not glistening, not paintedBut emitting.
Heat.
Not smooth, not painted,
But soft.
Grey and tan.
A bad photograph
Onwards and upwards
On the day of remembrance.
Gorging on berries
Lined for defecation
Were the waxwings.
That feather
Soft, heated,
A keepsake on the wall
For eternity.
—Photo by Derek Stoner
Visit www.DelawareDunlins.com
details on future fun filled field trips!
by Dominic Morrell, age 10
Second Annual
May 21, 2011
At the DuPont Nature Center
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
rain or shine
Activities for Everyone!
Estuary Eco Challenge for Kids
Crafts & Vendors
Food
Shorebirds and Horseshoe Crabs
At the Slaughter Beach Fire Hall
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Friends of the DuPont Nature Center Benefit
Tickets - $35 each or $60.00 per couple
Food and beverages will be provided by Chef Phillip Harris
Entertainment begins at 6:00 pm with singer/songwriter Em McKeever
The Island Boyz steel drum band will provide music from 7 ² 10:00 pm
Silent Auction
Raffles
7KHSURFHHGVIURPWKLVHYHQWZLOOEHQHILWWKH'1&·V6FKRODUVKLS3URJUDP.
For more information, call 302-422-1329
www.dupontnaturecenter.org
http://www.dupontnaturecenter.org/
NEW MEMBERS
Please join us in welcoming our newest
members to the DOS!
Tom Corl & Mary Cotton
Oxford, MD
Turning the birding
world upside down
Your Backyard Bird Feeding
Celebrate Our
16th Anniversary with
16% off your entire purchase
16th of April ONLY!
7
Lancaster Pike
& Yorklyn Road
Hockessin, DE
302.239.9071
www.wbu.com/hockessin
IT’S
IT’S HERE!
HERE!
DELMARVA
ORNITHOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
P.O. BOX 4247
WILMINGTON DE 19807
100% Post Consumer Recycled Paper
Osprey
Photo by: Larry Hitchens
http://hitchensphotography.ifp3.com/site/
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