Delaware Ornithological Society

March Pea Patch Island Heron Survey
2021-03-31 16:00 - 21:00 UTC
Pea Patch Island Heron Survey

Pea Patch Island, located just off Delaware City, hosts one of the largest breeding colonies of herons and egrets in the mid-Atlantic region.

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation takes a monthly census of birds using the colony. Led by counter Chris Bennett, herons, egrets, and ibis leaving and returning to the colony are counted in the evening to estimate the size of the colony.

Please join Chris and the other volunteer counters for the monthly census. This is a great opportunity to learn how to identify these beautiful birds- beginners are welcome. A number of other species are often seen during the survey including Osprey and Bald Eagle.

When?

The surveys run from February to August and they are scheduled for the last Wednesday of the month. They always begin 2 hours before sunset and end 30 minutes after sunset. It is possible that the date can change due to weather or be cancelled outright if there is not a rain-free day during the week the survey is scheduled.

During the COVID19 public health emergency, please note that anyone attending the survey is required to wear a mask and must maintain safe physical distancing from other participants at all times.

Third Sea Watch for 2020-2021
2021-03-20 08:00 - 12:00
Join Anthony Gonzon and Chris Bennett for 3 brisk birding adventures at the Indian River Inlet this winter!

Dec 13 – 8am until 12pm (Sunday)Feb 6 – 8am until 12pm (Saturday)Mar 20 – 8am until 12pm (Saturday)

To be enjoyed at the Southside Day Use Area (lot on the south side of Indian River Inlet along ocean) with the caveat of potential tweaking of times and possibly location depending on the weather forecasts!

Come prepared for cold conditions and the seashore wind and bring your scope if you have one – as a Covid precaution there will be no scope sharing, but we will try to round up some extras.

Contact information to follow

DOS March Meeting: "Understanding Bird Loss" by CareyJo Titus
2021-03-17 19:00 - 21:00
About the presentation:

CareyJo will talk to us about the Ecology of Bird Loss Project, which looks to understand how the loss of birds affects ecosystem processes such as seed dispersal, pollination, and invertebrate abundance. Her team works to understand the relationship between Såli (Micronesian Starlings), the only remaining seed-dispersing bird on Guam, and Brown Treesnakes, invasive predators that have led to the extinction of all other native forest birds. By monitoring Såli fledgling survival before and after snake suppression efforts we can determine the most effective methods to control this prolific invasive species, with the ultimate goal of reintroducing Guam’s lost avifauna and restoring ecosystem function.

About the Speaker:

CareyJo Titus is an Avian Field Technician with Iowa State University’s Ecology of Bird Loss Project in Guam. Her interest in birds began while studying Zoology and Wildlife Biology at Malone University. This interest led her to pursue a Master’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University, where I worked with Loggerhead Shrike vocal behavior. In addition to her work, which she loves, she enjoys hiking, snorkeling, wildlife photography, and learning about new cuisines whenever she travels!

The meeting is held online via Zoom software.

Members will receive an email with Zoom login info prior to the meeting. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please use the button below to request login info which is available a few days before the meeting.

We look forward to ‘seeing’ you soon!

Request Zoom Login

February Pea Patch Island Heron Survey
2021-02-24 16:00 - 21:00

DOS February Meeting: "The Emilie Snethlage Expedition: Tales from the Juruá River in Brazil" by Marky Mutchler
2021-02-17 19:00 - 21:00
About the presentation:

A group of women, partnered through LSU, inspired by the life of the courageous and adventurous ornithologist Emilie Snethlage, spent several years planning out a long and harrowing journey to investigate the Juruá River, a tributary of the Amazon. This river had never before been surveyed in modern times by ornithologists. Despite outside comments questioning the abilities of an all-women expedition, they prevailed and soon enough found themselves in the small river town of Carauari where the expedition began- and 3 weeks later, ended. Working with local people and traversing various habitats, the women proved all doubts wrong and returned with valuable memories, data, and friendships (and 400+ bird species added to their lists!). Join Marky to hear the tale of this expedition from the eyes of a newly fledged undergraduate researcher and get a taste of what birding the Amazon Basin is like!

About the Speaker:

Marky Mutchler has been a birder since the age of 4 and interested in nature and art for as long as she can remember. She is currently finishing her senior year at Louisiana State University, pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences. While attending LSU, she has had many opportunities to work in both lab and field settings in the pursuit of making her interest in ornithology a career. Continuing her dedication at LSU, she was able to be a member of an all-woman expedition to the Brazilian Amazon. Upon graduating, she plans to start her Ph.D. involving work in the field of evolutionary biology. Marky has also spent the last several years guiding at multiple birding festivals around the US. She has even had the opportunity to work with and share the conservation success story of the once-endangered Kirtland’s Warbler. Marky hopes that the coming decade will bring even more opportunities to share her passion for birds and illustration with others and inspire more people, especially women in STEM.

The meeting is held online via Zoom software.

Members will receive an email with Zoom login info a couple of days prior to the meeting. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please use the button below to request login info which is available a few days before the meeting.

We look forward to ‘seeing’ you soon!

Request Zoom Login

Second Sea Watch for 2020-2021
2021-02-06 08:00 - 12:00

DOS January Meeting: Annual Christmas Count Recap
2021-01-20 19:00 - 21:00
Join host Jim White and other Christmas Count compilers for a recap of all the exciting discoveries during the 2020-2021 Christmas Counts. In addition, we will catch up with Lisa Smith and hear about some of Tri-State Bird Research and Rescue’s best stories from 2020.

The meeting is held online via Zoom software.

Members will receive an email with Zoom login info prior to the meeting. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please use the button below to request login info which is available a few days before the meeting.

We look forward to ‘seeing’ you soon!

Request Zoom Login

DOS December Meeting: Annual "For DOS, by DOS" short presentations by DOS members
2020-12-16 19:00 - 21:00
Tri-State Bird Rescue has had numerous interesting patients this year; join us to hear about some of the most exciting and rewarding cases from Lisa Smith, Executive Director at Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research. Lisa has been an avid birdwatcher since childhood and has been a DOS member since 2012.

Aaron Reb will be sharing how birding in his yard has shaped the birder and naturalist he is today. He will also share tips for finding birds in your local area. Aaron is a sixteen year old birder, artist and insect enthusiast currently residing in southern Kent County, Delaware.

Megan Kasprzak will be sharing her most memorable sightings from 2020 at her favorite birding patch, Ashland Nature Center. She will also give some tips on the best spots to bird there. Megan started birding in 2009 as an education intern with Delaware Nature Society. She can often be found looking for warblers in New Castle County.

The meeting is held online via Zoom software.

Members will receive an email with Zoom login info prior to the meeting. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please use the button below to request login info which is available a few days before the meeting.

We look forward to ‘seeing’ you soon!

Request Zoom Login
