Club president, Guy Babineau, opened the March 3 meeting promptly at 7:00 PM. He remarked about the unsettling assault in Georgia by a prominent male birder.
Scott Connuck, membership chairperson, reported that membership has now topped 200.
Field Trip chairperson, Susan Babineau, said that the spring field trips will have limited numbers of participants, observe public health protocols including mask wearing and social distancing, and be held in places where there is plenty of space to spread out. She asked for volunteers to lead trips.
Lee Surdukowski gave an update on the annotated checklist. He proposed a simple list of birds that might be spotted by new birders in this area.
Interesting sightings: Members reported seeing Mute swans, large flocks of gulls, red shouldered hawks, flocks of red winged black birds, and Tundra swans in this area. Woodcocks were heard but not seen.
Getting Started with Birding program is being offered as a virtual program through JMRL. Sign up is required.
Guy announced that the board is recruiting members to volunteer for open board positions.
Myrlene introduced the guest speakers Kim Biasiolli, Natural Resources Manager for Albemarle County and Christine Putnam [title?] who discussed the Albemarle County Biodiversity Plan.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:10 PM. There were 45 attendees.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ann Kirkpatrick
Acting Secretary
