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Next meeting: January 17th
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Ruby-crowned Kinglet by Shannon Modla.
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Letter from the President
 Happy New Year, birders! As we enter 2024, let’s reflect on our many organization successes of 2023. DOS hosted a full slate of meetings, with talks spanning local Delaware birds to distant Italy and the Galapagos Islands. Our volunteer field trip leaders hosted 40 trips across the state and in neighboring Maryland and New Jersey. In May, we continued our traditional Delaware Bird-a-thon and raised an impressive $24,000 for our habitat conservation mission.
The New Year also brings the annual announcement of the American Birding Association Bird of the Year. This year the species recognized is the Golden-winged Warbler. This warbler is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, and has declined in total population by 66% since the 1960s according to Cornell University. Their greatest threats are habitat loss and hybridization with the closely related Blue-winged Warbler. The Golden-winged Warbler is quite a rarity in Delaware, and I invite DOS members to take special care this upcoming spring migration to sort through those mixed warbler flocks and try your best to spot one. The most recently photographed Golden-winged Warbler on eBird was by our very own member, Declan O’Neil, on Sep 1, 2022. View his eBird checklist of that sighting here.
Golden-winged Warbler by Declan O'Neil.
The start of a new calendar year also restarts the clock on a birder’s year list. This year there are a couple challenges to mention. First is the eBird 2024 Checklist-a-day Challenge. Anyone who submits 365 or more eBird checklists during 2024 is entered to win a pair of fancy Zeiss binoculars. This is a great incentive to create a new habit at a favorite patch. Second is our DOS Backyard Birding Challenge, a friendly competition for bragging rights to see who can see the most bird species in their Delaware home yards. Simply submit eBird checklists from your yard to participate. Remember that all contributions to eBird are useful for science and conservation efforts, even for common species!
Lastly, I hope you’ll consider some birder resolutions this year. Whether that’s planting more native plants in your yard, keeping your bird feeders clean, making your windows bird-safe, or volunteering more with DOS, there are many ways you can make your world a better place for birds.
~Flyer Editor Katie Bird, on behalf of Michael Moore, DOS President. Mike is recovering from back surgery -- please send him your well wishes! |
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January Meeting:
Annual Christmas Count Recap
January 17, 2024 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm EST
Join host Jim White and other Christmas Count compilers for a recap of all the exciting discoveries during the 2022-2023 Christmas Counts. Each compiler will summarize the highlights of their count and discuss recent trends in bird populations.
This meeting is in-person at Ashland Nature Center.
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Midwinter Bird Walk at Alapocas with Sally O’Byrne
January 17, 2024 @ 8:30 am – 12:00 pm EST
Golden-crowned Kinglet by Carolyn Holland.
Explore Alapocas Woods for wintering birds! Come out and get to know some of the birds that are at home in the woods and fields during winter.
Contact Carolyn at [email protected] if you have any questions about this trip.
Meet at the Blue Ball Barn near the traffic circle on West Park Drive off Rt 141.
Sea Watch I with Chris Bennett & Anthony Gonzon
January 21 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Long-tailed Duck by Mike Moore.
Join Anthony Gonzon and Chris Bennett for 3 brisk birding adventures at the Indian River Inlet this winter!
January 21, 2024 – 8am until 12pm
March 17, 2024 – 8am until 12pm
To be enjoyed at the Southside Day Use Area (parking lot on the south side of Indian River Inlet along the ocean). Come prepared for cold conditions and the seashore wind and bring your scope if you have one.
Participants should monitor the DOS website and social media for last minute changes due to weather or other conditions.
Contact Carolyn at [email protected] if you have any questions about this trip.
Late Afternoon Bird Walks at the DuPont Environmental Education Center/Russell W.
Peterson Refuge with Joe Francis
January 28 @ 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm EST
Rusty Blackbird by Mike Moore.
End the week on a positive note with a leisurely walk at the Russell W. Peterson Refuge. These walks will begin roughly 2 hours before sunset, allowing opportunity to check out roosting waterfowl, shorebirds, rails, wrens and blackbirds as well as early spring migrants. Crepuscular sightings of muskrat, beaver and river otter are possible. We will walk about two miles, mostly on boardwalk. Beginners are welcome, so bring a friend who is new to birding. Thanks to regular pedestrian traffic and security patrols from the Wilmington Riverfront, this has been a safe area even after dark.
Meet by the Russell Peterson statue in the parking area for the DuPont Environmental Education Center. Those interested in more information may contact Joe at [email protected].
Raptors in Winter with Jim White (DOS Members Only)
February 11, 2024 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm EST
Red-shouldered Hawk by Carolyn Holland.
Join us for a full day quest for raptors that may be found in our area during the winter months. We will visit several areas in Delaware and while we will include owls in our search, no tape recordings will be used to call them in. Bring snacks, lunch etc. There is typically a stop around lunchtime at Wawa/Royal Farms/etc. to refuel. Be sure to dress appropriately for extended periods of time in the mid-winter elements!
DOS members only: This trip will be limited to 16 participants. You must fill out and submit the registration form by clicking here. Each form registers one participant so each participant must fill out a form. If the trip is full, the form will not be displayed.
Contact Carolyn at [email protected] if you have any questions about this trip.
Meet in the parking lot at Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE.
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Red Knot Youth Birders
Sunday, January 21st, 8:30-10:30am
Chambers Works Natural Area
Our first Red Knots trip into New Jersey brings special access to Chemours’ Chambers Works site in Penns Grove. Youth birding committee member Scott Northey will show us around the site’s 500 acres of freshwater impoundments, grasslands, and forested wetlands to look for wintering birds and waterfowl!
Meeting address will be forwarded with RSVP- Please email [email protected].
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Sign up at [email protected] to receive field trip schedules and other updates for the fall.
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Seeking volunteers to help with advertising!
The youth birding committee is looking for individuals to help with distributing the Red Knots' new rack card. We are especially in need of people who would be able to drop off a pack of cards at their local libraries in any county. If you have suggestions for other family-friendly locations that allow outside advertising materials, we would love to hear those suggestions as well. Contact Jessica at [email protected] if you would like to help out!
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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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Hawk Watch Reports
Northern Harrier by David Brown
Ashland Hawk Watch End of Season Summary
The Ashland Hawk Watch concluded at the end of November with a record total of more than 24,000 raptors. It was also a record season for Northern Harriers, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Broad-winged Hawks. The Golden Eagle total was the second highest ever as well. Thanks to all of the volunteers and visitors who make the Ashland Hawk Watch such a memorable place to spend a season!
The count was held every day during this period but was significantly shortened on two days due to rain. The period started off unseasonably warm. A cold front came through the night of November 17-18 bringing moderate winds and sunny skies for a few days. Rain ended the count early on the 21st. Temperatures remained cooler for a few days. More rain shortened the count on the 26th. The end of the period brought much colder weather with several mornings of freezing temperatures. The last day of the count was more pleasant with a temperature near 50 degrees Fahrenheit by the afternoon.
Overall, totals were low in the second half of November with no days surpassing one hundred migrants. The November total of 126 Northern Harriers was the highest ever, easily passing the previous high of 85 and resulting in a record season total of 244. The November total of Red-shouldered Hawks was the highest ever with 587 compared to the previous high of 448, resulting in a record season total of 789. Only one Golden Eagle was seen in the second half of November but the November total of 15 still tied the highest ever and the season total of 20 was the second highest ever. No migrating falcons were tallied in the second half of November. An Osprey on the 28th was very late.
Non-raptor highlights included a Snow Goose on the 20th and Cackling Geese on the 24th and 28th. No monarchs were tallied during this period.
Thanks everyone for your help this season! It was a record season for us and a very enjoyable one.
~David Brown, Ashland Hawk Watch Coordinator
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Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch End of Season Summary
Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch had a total of 7,385 raptors that migrated past the site in fall 2023. The count was 16% lower than the previous year, which had 8,762 total birds. The majority of regularly occurring species that pass by Cape Henlopen showed a decrease in the count. However, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Golden Eagle, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon had an increase from the previous year. The Golden Eagle count of 15 was the highest recorded since 2014. Northern Harriers (351) had the highest count since 2014. The Bald Eagle total of 651 was close to the record year of 656 eagles seen in 2022.
Season highlights for the site include the peak flight that occurred on September 14 when 476 migrants were observed. The total included the season high count for Osprey with 277 recorded. High numbers of American Kestrels (77) and Merlin (28) were also seen that day. A Mississippi Kite flew by the platform on October 10. An American Goshawk was observed on October 17. Two Rough-legged Hawks were recorded this year for the first time since 2019. One rough-legged flew by on November 1 and a dark morph was seen on November 8.
Other species of note observed during the season include an albino Eastern Kingbird that was seen perched in the vicinity of the hawk watch platform and bath house from September 4 through September 10. A Sabine’s Gull was observed on October 2 by Tom Stock. On October 15, a very rare sighting of a Fork-tailed Flycatcher occurred. Kevin Bronson found the bird coming in off the ocean near Fort Miles. Bruce Peterjohn also saw the bird and made the identification. Unfortunately, the flycatcher was not relocated. A Common Raven flew over the parking lot on October 5. A Black-capped Chickadee was heard and seen in the pines near the parking lot from October 18 through the end of November. It was the second year a Black-capped Chickadee has been recorded at the hawk watch.
~Jen Ottinger, Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch Coordinator
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Ashland Hawk Watch 2023 Video Summary
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- Your backyard bird feeding specialist -
"Give the Gift of Birds!"
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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Here's a tricky one with a habitat clue! What's this bird?
Check your answer here. Photo by Katie Bird.
We'd love more quiz photos! Send yours to [email protected]
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DOS Backyard Birding Challenge
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Andrew Dunn finished out the 2023 Backyard Birding Challenge at the top of the pack with an impressive 137 species. Now is the time to start your 2024 yard lists!
Compete by submitting eBird checklists from your own yard.
Learn more here.
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*Rankings as of Dec 31, 2023.
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2023 Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium
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Dear DOS Members,
The Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium Planning Team want to thank you again for your support of our 2023 Symposium held at Ashland Nature Center on November 3rd, 2023.
Thanks to your help and financial support, the event was an overwhelming success with students attending from at least 11 different states, coming into DE for the Symposium from as far away as Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, and Tennessee! We had 15 different presenters, all of whom gave inspiring and engaging talks to our attendees. Your financial help enabled us to provide a rich experience for both the students and the presenters, many who traveled distances to Ashland in order to give their presentations.
Here's an excerpt from some feedback we got from one attendee, Ethan Kang, a high school student from Delaware County, PA
"From the cumulative insight of all of the presenters, I learned to take all opportunities, to meet as many new people as possible, to be patient and give yourself time to grow, to celebrate your accomplishments and reflect on your goals, to pay attention to your mentors and peers, and above all to pay attention to your passion and follow your dreams.
All of the presenters did a remarkable job at conveying their journey through life, or “flight pattern,” as one presenter put it. Their engaging presentations taught me that there is no one path to follow, as each person finds their career differently. Frontiers suggested a few ways to reach that objective. Some presentations covered topics that I and others are already enthusiastic about and enthralled by such as bioacoustic sound recording and hawkwatching. Meanwhile, others mentioned the true frontiers of ornithology—things like cutting-edge cellular tracking technologies and radar to track bird movement. The symposium taught me that there’s still so much more to discover about birds and that bird science isn’t just traditional lab ornithologists or field researchers. You can find a way to connect any skill or career to birds; the best contributions come from people with backgrounds in other fields. For example, Matthew Young from the Finch Research Network began his career studying meteorology which he later connected to birds with his adept forecasting skills to predict finch crops. Likewise, with a passion for finding out how things work, Michael Lanzone reverse-engineered a cellphone and invented a device capable of tracking a bird as small as a warbler all on his dining room table. Further, the youth keynotes gave me a relatable understanding of their current journeys. These sorts of stories inspire me to channel my passion into something meaningful, whatever that may be."
Again, we appreciate your support in helping make this year's symposium an incredible experience for all those who attended!
~Holly Merker and the entire Frontiers in Ornithology Association Board of Directors and Symposium Planning Team
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Evening Grosbeak by Mike Moore. Brant by Shannon Modla.
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Want to see your photos in the Flyer? Send them to [email protected]!
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DOS Flyer Archive
Click here to read digital copies of past Flyers.
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