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Next meeting: June 18th Picnic!
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Male Scarlet Tanager by Mike Moore.
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Letter from the President
 Spring migration is almost over, and it is usually one of the highlights of the birding year. Unfortunately, a strong Nor’easter that lingered in the middle of the May pushed many of the migrants to the west of us resulting in one of the poorer migration shows in Delaware in recent years, at least in terms of numbers of migrants. Still the birds were there, it just took a lot more work to find them. June always feels a little bit like the birding doldrums but fall migration will start by the end of the month with a few shorebirds starting to return. These birds are often fun to look for because they will still be in full breeding plumage.
May did see the successful completion of the highlight of the DOS year, the Bird-a-thon. Results will be announced at the June Picnic, kindly hosted by Delaware Wildlands on their Roberts Farm property. (315 Taylor’s Bridge Rd, Townsend, DE). The picnic is on Saturday 18 June and will start at 2:00 PM. It will feature awards presentations, Bird-a-thon Summary, and opportunity for bird walks, including to the Fortner Farm which was purchased with last year’s Bird-a-thon funds. Thanks so much to Mike Hudson and Matt Sarver for organizing this year’s Bird-a-thon. This year’s funds are being used to purchase the Cataldi Property along the Smyrna River. It is not too late to donate and you can find more information on the property and how to donate here: https://www.dosbirds.org/conservation/bird-a-thon/
DOS elections in May saw two new faces elected to the DOS Council. Matthew Halley was elected as the new DOS Vice-President and Kayla Krenitsky as the new DOS Councilor. In addition, Carolyn Holland has been appointed as the new chair of the Field Trips Committee. Welcome Matthew, Kayla and Carolyn! Outgoing council members John Skibicki, Mike Hudson, Carolyn D’Amico and Meghann Matwichuk deserve enormous thanks for their hard work and dedication to the organization.
This is the last newsletter of the DOS year. The next newsletter will be in September. Thanks so much to Katie Bird for the GREAT job she does each month with the newsletter. I hope you all have a great summer and, like I am, are all looking forward to a great fall migration season!
-Michael Moore, DOS President
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Upcoming Field Trips
Killen’s Pond State Park with Chris Bennett
June 18 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
We will walk the 2.6 mile pondside trail in search of summer nesting birds including Prothonotary, Yellow-throated and Kentucky warbler, Summer and Scarlet Tanager, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and other breeding birds of Delaware’s coastal plain forests.
Chris Bennett – [email protected]
Meet at Meet at the sports complex parking area. State Park fees in effect.
44th Annual Beginner’s Shorebird Field Trip!
July 23 @ 4:00 am – 8:00 am EDT
Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS) is sponsoring a Beginner’s Shorebird Field Trip on Saturday, July 23rd, at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna, Delaware. This will be a Half Day trip – tailored for beginners, and is the 44th consecutive outing for this popular field trip. “Par” is 15 species of shorebirds, usually a challenging goal, because arrival dates, water levels and weather conditions all change year to year.
Emphasis is on basics of shorebird identification for beginners, although there are always several experienced birders to assist. Pace is slow – everyone should see each shorebird species satisfactorily. While this is not a photography workshop, our slow pace allows for photographic experimentation and networking. There will be some “prizes” awarded for categories not yet determined!
Drinks and snacks advised, as well as sunscreen, bug spray and a hat. An optional, informal tally luncheon is usually held following the trip at a local eatery.
We meet in the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center parking lot in Smyrna, DE at 8 a.m. and wrap up by noon.
Refuge fees are in effect – $4 per car, or free entry with a 2021-2022 season duck stamp (or other special passes). This would be a fine opportunity to recycle your lightly used, expired prior season duck stamp(s) – Donate it/them to support DOS Bird-a-Thon!
Trip leader is Bob Rufe – [email protected] – if you have questions. A few “loaner” binoculars will be available, please contact leader to request if needed. More information on Bombay Hook NWR is available at here.
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Red Knot Youth Birders
Do you know kids who enjoy being outside and love birds? Join the DOS Red Knot Youth Birders today!
Sign up at [email protected] to receive field trip schedules and other updates for the fall.
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DOS June Picnic!
Delaware Ornithological Society Annual Picnic, hosted with Delaware Wildlands at The Roberts Farm: 315 Taylor's Bridge Rd, Townsend, DE; June 18th at 2pm.
The Delaware Ornithological Society’s Annual Picnic is back! On June 18th, join us to celebrate another successful Bird-A-Thon, enjoy food and good company, and even get a little birding in! Our friends at Delaware Wildlands have graciously invited us to hold the picnic at their property, The Roberts Farm at 2:00pm. As usual, we will also announce the results of this year’s Bird-A-Thon, present awards to the winning teams, and recognize the contributions of outgoing DOS Council members.
While hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers will be provided, we do ask that everyone consider bringing a side dish or dessert to share; we are also asking for a few folks to volunteer to help set-up and break-down chairs and tables and to assist with any other clean up at the end of the evening.
If you plan on bringing a dish with you or can volunteer to help clean, please email DOS Vice President, Mike Hudson at [email protected]
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Rose-breasted Grosbeak 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 annual 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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Delaware Ornithologist Article Request
Do you have something to say about birds? The Delaware Ornithologist is looking for articles related to birds in the Delmarva region. Anyone is welcome to submit articles. Past topics have included unusual bird nests, observations of interesting or unusual bird behavior, results of personal research projects or surveys, and description rare bird sightings. If you have an idea for an article please contact [email protected]. Articles should be submitted by 15 July.
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Tree Swallows by Shannon Modla.
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- Your backyard bird feeding specialist -
"Is your backyard full of orioles?
Keep them happy with an orange or jelly feeder!"
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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Lighting conditions can make identification tricky! This photo simulates harsh field lighting, but still shows key field marks.
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 and Gary Griffith now share the lead each with 121 species. Andrew gained 37 species since last month while Gary gained a whopping 54!
Compete by submitting eBird checklists from your own yard.
Learn more here.
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*Rankings as of June 1, 2022.
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Canada Warbler by Mike Moore. Red-bellied Woodpecker by Shannon Modla. Wood Duck by David Lewis.
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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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The Flyer will be back in September. Have a great summer!
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