| Next DOS member
meeting: October 21st!
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| Blue grosbeak by Amy
Johnson
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Letter from
the President
I mentioned in my last
letter that fall is rarity season and fall
migration in Delaware has so far been excellent.
Already we have seen records of black-throated
gray warbler, anhinga, lark sparrow, red
phalarope, buff-breasted and upland sandpipers
and multiple golden-winged and Connecticut
warblers. By now warbler migration is
winding down, but October and November are
excellent for sparrows and western
vagrants. Do not drive by any kingbirds
perched on wires or pass off rusty-tailed
flycatchers automatically as great crested
flycatchers!
DOS is always looking
for volunteers to help with our many activities
and initiatives, but we are currently facing a
need for several volunteers with specific skill
sets.
Our treasurer of 21 years
(!!), Jim Lewis, will be stepping down at the
end of his current term on 30 June
2021. Jim has been a rock for the
organization and has always kept everything
running smoothly. We greatly appreciate Jim’s
dedication and service to DOS for so many
years. However, now we face the task of
replacing him. Treasurer is critical position
for any organization that handles
money. The treasurer pays the bills, keeps
the books, reports regularly to the Council and
membership, and files the tax returns. If
you think you have the skills for this and would
be able to help us out, we would really like to
hear from you.
The DOS Bylaws
mandate regular external audits of the
organization’s books. We felt that the
transition to a new treasurer would be a good
time for an external audit. The audit is
conducted by two DOS members who are not on the
DOS council. We therefore need two members of
DOS to volunteer to check over the books during
June of 2021. Again, contact me if you could
help with this task.
Finally, we are
seeking a chair for the Development and Finance
Committee. This committee was established
with the new bylaws adopted in 2018 but has not
yet by staffed. It is responsible for developing
and recommending a financial and investment
strategy, donor relations and grant
management.
DOS is much more than a
bird club. We have multiple grants and
partnerships in conservation, citizen science
and education. We need volunteers to help
us with the finances involved with all of these.
If you would like to help us or you know someone
you would like to nominate, please email me at
[email protected]
for more
information.
-Mike
Moore, DOS
President | |
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October 21st
Meeting:
Northern Clapper Rail Ecology
The
Northern Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans
crepitans) is a migratory subspecies of Clapper
Rail residing in coastal marshes. Efforts by the
Saltmarsh Habitat Avian Research Program and the
University of Delaware hope to uncover more
information regarding this secretive species.
This talk will include recent data from Delaware
on Clapper Rail nesting ecology and movement
patterns.
Lisa Elizondo is Ph.D. student
working at the University of Delaware on Clapper
Rail (Rallus crepitans) demography and
genomics. She is an alumna of Oklahoma State
University as well as Louisiana State
University, where she did her Master’s degree on
American Woodcock.
Meeting will take
place over Zoom from 7pm-9pm. Members receive a
Zoom link via email a few days prior
to meetings. | |
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Get
to know DOS member Barbara Conway!
 If
you’ve been on a DOS field trip in the past few
years or attended a membership meeting at
Ashland Nature Center prior to COVID-19, chances
are you will recognize Barbara’s smiling
face. Her welcoming demeanor and her
willingness to share her knowledge about birds
and the native plants they rely upon is
appreciated by all who cross her
path.
How long have you been a
DOS member?
Since
October of 2017.
What do you like
most about being a part of DOS?
The
great people and their friendliness, helpfulness
and knowledge about birds and wildlife! Also the
wonderful trips and the speakers at the monthly
meetings! I have made new friends, learned
so much and had lots of fun!
Do
you have a ‘spark’ bird?
The lowly
Brown-headed Cowbird and the House Finch. I had
recently moved to Delaware and had never seen
these birds where I grew up in New Jersey. I
immediately got some bird feeders and a Peterson
Field Guide and was on my way!
Do
you have a favorite birding patch?
I’d have to say Bombay Hook NWR and my backyard
in Ardentown, DE. I have spent the most time in
those two places and have had many great bird
encounters.
What’s the farthest
you’ve traveled to bird or see a particular
bird?
I researched birding
before a trip to Spain and arranged to stay in
the Ebro Delta, which is two hours south of
Barcelona, for several days. It is on the
migratory flyway between Africa and Northern
Europe, and is where the Bomba Rice, used in
paella, is grown. It was the most charming
place! It was full of birds, including a large
flock of resident
Flamingos.
Where (that you
haven’t been yet) do you daydream about birding
most?
My dream trip since I was a
kid is a trip to Egypt to see the pyramids and
other ancient treasures. I am eager to bird
there, too!
Do you create
bird-related art?
I take bird photos
for fun and to help me with identification. I
have framed and hung a few. I enjoy sharing them
on Facebook, too. Taking photos has made me slow
down and observe each bird longer. It has
enhanced my enjoyment of birding
immensely!
Share an interesting
birding experience.
In the 1980s, I
volunteered at Tri-State Bird Rescue when it was
at the small school house on Duncan Road. The
Great Horned Owl was the most intimidating bird,
by far. Nobody wanted to go in that
cage!
What advice would you give
a new birder?
I think it’s
imperative to follow the American Birding
Association’s Code of Birding Ethics. Other than
that, have fun and enjoy birding in a way that
makes you happy. You can bird almost anywhere
where you can see or be outside, and you never
know when an amazing bird will
appear! | |
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Membership News
The
DOS Membership and Outreach Committee wants
YOU!! We’re looking for a few individuals who
are willing to share their creative energy and
enthusiasm for the organization, and for the
birds of Delaware. DOS has over 400 members – no
small feat for a tiny state! Sustaining and
growing that membership helps the organization
stay healthy, allowing us to continue to support
important conservation initiatives, develop
opportunities for youth interested in birds, and
share the many wonders of birding the First
State with our communities. We’re looking for
volunteers with the following skills and
interests:
- Social
Media Mavens: Create content and help
spread the word about what DOS has to
offer
- Graphic
Designers: Develop eye-catching images and
infographics
- Photography
Fans: Gather and organize photos that can
be used to help with DOS outreach
efforts
- DOS
Ambassadors: Identify opportunities to let
the public know who we are and what we
do
If
you’re interested in serving on the DOS
Membership and Outreach Committee and/or
contributing towards the efforts described
above, please get in touch with me at: [email protected]
-Meghann
Matwichuk, Membership
Chair | |
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Ashland
Hawk Watch Update
The
Ashland Hawk Watch began its fourteen season on
September 1st. At the time of writing, the peak
day for Broad-winged Hawks was 19 September with
896 and a total of 1,059 migrant raptors.
Broad-winged Hawk numbers will be low this year,
but are higher than last year when we had a
record low. We have had good American Kestrel
numbers with a high-count of 58 on 18 September,
the second highest single-day count ever.
Olive-sided Flycatchers were seen on multiple
days in September. Common Ravens continue to be
seen almost every day with a new state
high-count of 6 on 4 September. Visitors are
welcome but must practice social distancing or
wear a mask. - David Brown
 American
Kestrel by David
Brown | |
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Cape
Henlopen
Hawk Watch Update
With
all the pandemic restrictions, DOS was pleased
to be able to continue to host the Cape Henlopen
Hawk Watch this autumn. Thus far, everyone has
been respectful of social distancing and this
year more visitors have remained on the lower
platform, presumably out of respect for COVID
protocol. There are about 20 visitors each day
at Cape Henlopen, but since it is a state park,
holidays like Labor Day bring in crowds - there
were 81 visitors over that weekend.
As in
past years, Jen Ottinger has been counting daily
since September 1, with the loyal and dedicated
help of Sue Gruver and other regular
volunteers. The first two weeks of
September were hot and humid with South to East
winds followed by Northeast winds, all
unfavorable for raptor flight past Cape
Henlopen. Total migrating raptors as of 9/22 was
(1481). September 23rd brought Northwest
winds and along with that came a great flight -
(467) birds, so one day later the season
total was 1948.
 Osprey
by Hank Davis
As
usual, the majority of the migrants by September
23rd were osprey (905), which was about
half of the total count. The high count was
(112) on both 9/14 and 9/23. By the 23rd,
(147) bald eagles were recorded as well as (166)
turkey vultures, which are always a challenging
bird to count. The most common Accipiter
was the sharp-shinned hawk (204). Cape Henlopen
usually has a good falcon flight, and by Sept
23rd the American kestrel count was (222),
merlins (115), and peregrines (19).
Lots of other good birds are seen
from the platform, with a rare lark sparrow
turning up September 12th and sticking around
the platform and parking lot for
five days. Other good sightings
included brown pelican, American oystercatcher,
black-bellied plover, black tern, pileated
woodpecker, bank swallow, an early red-breasted
nuthatch, and a Baltimore oriole.
All
helpful eyes are welcome to help us scan the
sky. Bring your binoculars and wear your
mask! Hopefully many DOS members will make
a visit to The Cape Henlopen Hawk watch this
fall - it’s a great way to be outside, see
birds, and feel safe!
- Jen Ottinger
& Sally
O’Byrne
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DOS Backyard
Birding
Challenge |
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The DOS backyard
birding challenge is still going strong. Check
the current leaderboard below. You can still
join in on the fun! Learn more
here. | |
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*Rankings
as of Sep 22,
2020. |
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| What's
this bird? Click here
for the answer. Photo by Katie
Bird.
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