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Next meeting: February 16th!
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Red-throated Loon by Shannon Modla.
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Letter from the President
Volunteerism.  This word is the core of DOS’s success over the last few decades. DOS is an organization run entirely by volunteers. There has been a small core group of volunteers at the heart of DOS that has ensured that our missions in conservation, education and citizen science have advanced over the last few decades. Volunteers organize field trips, monthly presentations, and youth birding activities. They are responsible for publications like the Flyer, the Birdline and the Delaware Ornithologist and ensure that the Bird-a-thon, Christmas Bird Counts and Hawk watches continue to run. In addition, we have volunteers that manage the membership rolls and budgets for all these activities and maintain a current website and a social media presence. We owe a great debt of gratitude to all these volunteers.
However, volunteer organizations like DOS inevitably experience turnover in the pool of volunteers needed to run all these activities and must constantly recruit new volunteers. DOS is also a small organization of about 350 members relative to its large, diversified, and ambitious mission. We can’t continue to run DOS at its current level without members who step up to help. We have opportunities for volunteers across all activities in the organization that run from behind-the-scenes tasks that take a couple of hours a week to larger commitments such as elected officers, council members and committee chairs. DOS could use your help. Please use the contact form here if you would like to find out more about the opportunities we have. -Mike Moore, DOS President
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Call for Fellows and Honorary Members
It’s that time of year again when we start accepting nominations for DOS Fellows and Honorary Members! Nominations for either category can be submitted to [email protected].
Nominees for DOS Fellow must be active members of at least two years standing who have made a significant contribution to the affairs of the Society, preferably as a Committee or Council member, and/or to the ornithology of the greater Delaware area. Nominees for Honorary Membership should be of national prominence in the field of ornithology or a closely related field and have been of service to the Society.
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DOS Flyer Archive
Click here to read digital copies of past Flyers.
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February 16th Meeting:
Oliver Patrick
"A Summer with the Boreal Birds of Maine"
Spruce Grouse by Katie Bird.
Oliver spent this past summer working for Maine Breeding Bird Atlas; his work with them involved surveying remote and difficult-to-access regions of the state and focusing on finding scarce and declining species. This presentation will take us to the world of dedicated “Atlasing” and introduce us to the wonderful cast of species nesting in the northern woods.
The meeting is held online from 7-9pm 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 click here to request login info which is available a few days before the meeting.
We look forward to ‘seeing’ you soon!
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Upcoming Field Trips
Sea Watching 2021-2022
Indian River Inlet (South side parking lot)
8:00am - 12:00pm
Join Anthony Gonzon and Chris Bennett for brisk birding adventures at the Indian River Inlet this winter!
Sea Watch III – March 13 (Sunday) 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM
To be enjoyed at the Southside Day Use Area (lot on the south side of Indian River Inlet along ocean). 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.
Participants should monitor the DOS website and social media for last minute changes due to weather or other conditions.
Owl Walk with Jim White (DOS Members Only)
February 13, 2022 @ 8:00 am
Location to be determined – Owl Walk with Jim White
Full day search in various locations for as many species of owls as possible, and other raptors along the way! Bring snacks, lunch etc, although there is typically a stop around lunchtime at Wawa/Royal Farms to refuel. Be sure to dress appropriately for extended periods of time in the mid-winter elements!
DOS members only – MUST contact Jim if you’d like to attend, registration is required (302) 593-9622
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Submission period opens January 15th, 2022 and closes March 15th, 2022.
Open to undergraduate students 18 and older, in any year of their college studies (full-time undergraduate). Through this scholarship, we seek to increase the number of Black birders and Latinx birders studying in STEAM. Scholarship awards range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $5,000, depending on funding for the current year. Click here for more details on how to apply!
The committee for the annual Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship includes independent members and members of Amplify the Future, American Bird Conservancy, Audubon Society, Audubon New York, and DC Audubon Society. |
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Female Northern Cardinal by Shannon Modla.
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Access Pass Reminder
Don't forget: Conservation Access Passes are required to visit state wildlife areas such as Augustine (including Ashton Tract), Assawoman, Cedar Swamp, and Woodland Beach.
The cost to renew your pass is $32.50 for Delaware vehicles and $65.00 for out-of-state vehicles. Click here to get your pass!
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Meet DOS Member Nick Barbato!
My name is Nick Barbato. I am 18 and have been birding for about a year now. I live in Pike Creek, and have lived in Delaware my whole life. I go to Conrad Schools of Science and plan on attending Neumann University next fall for college.
I have been a DOS member for the past year and my favorite part is seeing the weekly Birdline emails.
My favorite bird is the Green heron - I think they’re one of the coolest and most fascinating looking birds, and they’re always a thrill to look for and find. My favorite time of year to bird is either late summer (because of hummingbirds) or early winter (because of ducks). My favorite type of birding is hawkwatching.
I do bird photography, actually more than I watch birds.
My most influential birding mentor is my dad.
If I could go anywhere to bird, it would be the Galapagos Islands.
Long-eared Owl photographed by Nick.
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Wanted: Membership and Outreach Chair!
The DOS Membership and Outreach Committee is in need of a volunteer (or a few!) who are willing to share their creative energy and enthusiasm for the organization, and for the birds of Delaware. Sustaining and growing DOS’s 300+ strong 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.
The Membership and Outreach Chair works with DOS Council (which meets every other month virtually) to advance the goals of the organization. They manage DOS’s membership database via the Neon platform and communicate with membership about DOS initiatives. Time commitment required by the role varies, but in general it requires ~2 hours per week. The current Chair in this position would work with the incoming volunteer(s) to show them the ropes and offer support. The current Chair will be transitioning off of DOS Council in June.
If you like to work with people and make connections, please consider reaching out.
Other skillsets and interests that would be helpful include:
- 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, and attend membership fairs and events to represent DOS
If you’re interested in learning more about serving as the DOS Membership and Outreach Chair and contributing towards the efforts described above, please be in touch at: [email protected]
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Cedar Waxwing by Shannon Modla.
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- Your backyard bird feeding specialist -
"Recycling Works!
This Suet Plug feeder is made entirely out of Wild Birds Unlimited seed bags."
Wild Birds Unlimited-Hockessin
Open Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.
Lancaster Pike & Yorklyn Road
Hockessin, DE
(302)-239-9071
www.wbu.com/hockessin
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What's this bird? Click here for the answer.
Photo by Katie Bird.
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DOS Backyard Birding Challenge
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Both Jeff Kietzmann and Gary Griffith are starting 2022 off strong, each with 52 species logged so far in their yards.
We're one month into our DOS Backyard Birding Challenge but it's not too late to join! Compete by submitting eBird checklists from your own yard.
Learn more here. |
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*Rankings as of January 31, 2022.
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Hooded Merganser by Mike Moore. Field Sparrow by David Lewis.
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Want to see your photos in the Flyer? Submit them to [email protected]!
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