Letter from the President
For many birders May is the most  anticipated month of the year because spring warbler migration is the most anticipated birding event of the year. Following warm nights with southerly winds, the trees and bushes fill with these brightly colored neotropical migrants. Delaware has a rich warbler avifauna with 15 breeding warbler species and another 20 possible in migration. However, don’t forget the migration of other birds that peaks in May. The migration of the often-confusing shorebirds peaks in May and they are often seen in their less confusing breeding colors. Flycatchers often sing in migration, making them much easier to identify. And while you are craning you necks to looks at treetop warblers, don’t forget to scan the understory for one of the several species of thrushes that can be seen in Delaware in May.
For DOS, May is Bird-a-thon month. This year, DOS’s signature event is being held on 1-8 May. In the 16 years since it began, the Bird-A-Thon has raised over $600,000 for conservation, helped preserve over 2,400 acres of habitat and supported DOS's Conservation Science Grants program. Funds raised this year will support the purchase of the 165-acre Cataldi property near Woodland Beach. Thanks to Mike Hudson and Matt Sarver for organizing this event. Please consider donating to this year’s effort. To donate or learn more go to https://www.dosbirds.org/conservation/bird-a-thon/.
Finally, I want to congratulate Andy Ednie for being the recipient of the 2022 DNREC Environmental Education Individual Volunteer of the Year award. Andy has been a fixture in the Delaware Birding Community for decades and is the author of the weekly Birdline distributed to DOS members. He recently joined the DOS leadership as Chair of the Citizen Science Committee. Read more below. Congratulations Andy!
-Michael Moore, DOS President
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Snow Geese by Mike Moore.
Recent cases of Eurasian H5 Highly Pathogenic Influenza (HPAI) in Delaware and other states have prompted responses from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Delaware Department of Environmental Control (DNREC).
Please see this DNREC statement for more information on personal precautions and precautions for domestic birds.
To report groups of dead or sick waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, hawks or owls, contact the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Section Wildlife Disease Program at 302-735-3600.
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Upcoming Field Trips
Nanticoke Wildlife Area
Sunday May 1, 2022
This trip will focus on recently-arriving songbirds, including Prothonotary and other warbler species, Vireos, Tanagers, along with other residents. A Conservation Access Pass is not required for Phillips Landing, but may be needed at later stops on this trip within the wildlife area.
Meet at Phillips Landing, Nanticoke Wildlife Area at 8 AM. Participants should expect at-grade hiking for most of this field trip. Sturdy waterproof footwear is recommended and be sure to bring along water and insect repellant!
Please contact Anthony Gonzon with questions regarding the trip at [email protected].
Blackbird State Forest
May 7 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Led by Ian Stewart - limited to 20 participants.
In this twist on an old walk, we will explore the area around the headquarters of Blackbird State Forest followed by a convoy to some of it’s lesser known corners in search of specialty birds and fresh experiences! Offered during the week of the DE Bird-A-Thon for folks out for the count.
Meet in the main parking lot by the pavilion (there is a parking lot by the office as you enter but keep on going past that), accessed by the entrance along Rt 471 Blackbird Forest Rd (if you are coming from US 13 the entrance is on your left just after you pass the turn for Oliver Guessford Rd. Please contact Ian to reserve a spot.
Mother’s Day Walk at White Clay Creek
May 8 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Come spend Mother’s Day at beautiful White Clay Creek State Park looking for local breeding birds and late migrants still passing through. This walk is offered during the DE Bird-A-Thon (DBAT) and led by Judy Montgomer. [email protected]
Meet at the Chambers House Nature Center off of Hopkins Road in Newark; State Park Fee/Pass required.
DE Bay Horseshoe Crabs & Shorebirds
May 15 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
We will scan the harbor for birds near high tide and then head south to Slaughter Beach and Prime Hook Beach Road in search of migratory shorebirds and other coastal water birds. This trip is led by Chris Bennett. [email protected]
Meet at the DuPont Nature Center in Mispillion Harbor.
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Red Knot Youth Birders Trips
Saturday May 21st, 8am to 10am
This month, the Red Knot Youth Birders will be adventuring around the trails at Ashland Nature Center as we look for migrating warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, and more! Youth birders must be accompanied by an adult. Loaner binoculars will be available. Please email [email protected] to RSVP.
Sunday, May 22nd, 9am to 3pm
The youth birding committee will be at the Brandywine Shad Fest with our bird beaks activity this month. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the group and find out ways your family can participate.
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May Meeting: Patricia Gonzalez
"Shorebird Conservation in the Americas"
Patricia Gonzalez is a field ornithologist from Argentina who studies migration of Red Knots throughout the Americas. She is known as “Red Knot Woman” and “Mother of Moonbird.” She currently works at the University of Buenos Aires and has been studying shorebird conservation for more than 20 years.
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.
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Now is a great time to check out shorebirds! Delaware is an incredibly important stopover area for migrating shorebirds like the Red Knot. Some excellent shorebird viewing spots include the DuPont Nature Center along the Mispillion River, Bombay Hook NWR, and Cape Henlopen State Park.
You can also check out the Bar Charts eBird tool to see when certain species will be more common and plan your birding trips efficiently.
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DOS COUNCIL NOMINATIONS
Below are the nominations for next year’s members of the DOS Council. Elections will be held at the May regular monthly meeting. At the April monthly meeting the DOS Bylaws state: “any member present may propose additional nominations for any office on the ballot. Any such proposal must be supported by at least five additional members. No nominations may be made after the April regular monthly meeting.”
DOS Council Nominees
Mike Moore: President
Shannon Modla: Secretary
Angie Barbato: Treasurer
Matthew Halley: Vice President
Kayla Krenitsky: Council member
Mike Moore is a retired Biology professor who has been a life member of DOS since he moved to Delaware from Arizona in 2009. He started his life list when he was 11 years old and has been an avid lister ever since. He serves as an eBird reviewer for Delaware. As current DOS president, he has tried to help advance DOS’s multifaceted mission, strengthen its relationship with partners. and increase its visibility in the birding community.
Shannon Modla began birding in 2009 in Delaware and enjoys using photography to capture the beauty of birds and other flora and fauna. She is grateful for the conservation efforts put forth by DOS and their ability to secure important habitats that will support populations of birds and other creatures. Shannon has recently become enthusiastic about the implementation of native plants in residential landscapes and their ability to provide ecological benefits.
Angela Barbato:  Raptors! Raptors! Raptors! They are what took me beyond backyard birds. I started as a volunteer at the Ashland Hawk Watch in 2012, then joined DOS shortly thereafter and have seen so many amazing things and met so many fantastic people thanks to this membership. Hawk Watch, Falcon Watch, and Bird Banding have been my favorite activities, and now I look forward to taking on a larger role in this one of a kind organization.
Matthew Halley is an ornithologist and historian from Chester County, PA, who has been active in the Delaware Valley birding community for more than a decade. He is the author of numerous research papers and a popular blog about the evolutionary biology of American birds and the history of American science. He earned an MS degree from Delaware State University (2014) and a PhD from Drexel University (2021), where he conducted extensive research on Catharus thrushes and other American songbirds. Halley is also known for relocating lost artifacts, specimens, and manuscripts which have transformed our understanding of the history of American ornithology. He currently serves as the Interim Curator of Birds at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science and is a Research Associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
Kayla Krenitsky has been a  member of DOS since 2018 and currently runs the DOS Instagram account under the membership committee. She has always had a love for nature and wildlife and graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Delaware in 2015. She began seriously birding during college and has been hooked ever since. She is looking forward to contributing to the organization on a deeper level and furthering the mission of DOS.
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Rufous Hummingbird by David Lewis.
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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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2022 Bird-a-thon!
The Delaware Bird-A-Thon is back and under way! This year's Bird-A-Thon is running from May 1-8, 2022. In the 16 years since it began, the Bird-A-Thon has raised over $600,000 for conservation, helped preserve over 2,400 acres of habitat, and supported DOS's Conservation Science Grants program.
Brochures will be mailed directly to members in April, but registration forms, the full list of rules, and tips and tricks for a successful Bird-A-Thon are available on our website.
In years past, Bird-A-Thon funds have been used to protect critical habitat across the state of Delaware, from the marshlands around Mispillion Harbor to the Fortner Farm in the Augustine Creek drainage to the famous Fowler Beach. This success is wholly because of the support that our partners, and DOS members like you, have shown us. Thank you, and we look forward to another successful Bird-A-Thon!
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DNREC Volunteer Award Recognition
Andy Ednie (left) presented with the DNREC Environmental Education Individual Award
by DNREC Secretary Shawn Gavin (right).
On April 18th, DOS member Andy Ednie was presented with a Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Annual Volunteer Education Award. Specifically, he was awarded Environmental Education Individual Volunteer of the Year.
Please be sure to congratulate Andy the next time you see him!
Read more here.
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Black-and-white Warbler by Shannon Modla.
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- Your backyard bird feeding specialist -
"Are you ready for orioles?"
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 David Lewis.
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DOS Backyard Birding Challenge
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Andrew Dunn continues in the lead, gaining 5 species since last month.
The rankings are sure to shake up over the next couple of weeks as spring migration hits its peak! Compete by submitting eBird checklists from your own yard.
Learn more here.
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*Rankings as of April 28, 2022.
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Indigo Bunting and White-eyed Vireo by Mike Moore. Black-throated-blue Warbler by Shannon Modla.
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Want to see your photos in the Flyer? Submit them to [email protected]!
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DOS Flyer Archive
Click here to read digital copies of past Flyers.
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