Doug Rogers opened the meeting and welcomed first-time visitors and members of the Charlottesville Camera Club. There were twenty-four in attendance on a very cold night.
Unusual sightings were solicited. Jim Nix reported that he and Allen Hale sighted a Red-headed Woodpecker and Rough-legged Hawk in Albemarle County on the James River. A Long-tailed Duck was spotted at Holliday Lake State Park near Farmville, VA. Guy Babineau also saw a Long-tailed Duck and a Common Goldeneye at Chris Greene Lake.
The Priscilla Kingston Memorial is coming to a conclusion. $1,160 was donated. The plan, which was approved by the Ivy Creek Foundation Board, is to have two memorial slate benches installed on either side of the walkway coming into the Education Building. Hopefully, the final revision to the design will be approved and work can begin by next week.
Marshall Faintich’s proposed photography class – Late January or February but not the last weekend. He can do 7:00 to 9:00 at night. If it is on a weekend, he prefers to do early afternoon or 7-9 p.m. Dates to be decided. (Editor’s update: The Class will be held Jan. 18th from 7-9pm at Ivy Creek.)
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel boat trip CBBT Boat Trip is scheduled for January 13. Fifty-nine people have already signed up. Maximum is sixty.
Doug is working on an overnight field trip to the Eastern Shore (about twenty miles north of Kiptopeake State Park) to see migrating shore birds. Accommodations (in a private beach house) would be $25 per person per night. Kayaks would be available in the marsh. A birding guide could be hired at an additional cost, if desired. More details will be forthcoming. Such a trip will be scheduled in May if there is enough interest.
Susan Babineau reported on upcoming field trips, including January 20 trip to the Green Springs Historical District to see/hear Short-eared Owls and Sparrows. The trip to Highland County is January 27 to see Golden Eagles.
Dan Bieker reported that he plans to meet with Mary Mapel regarding the community outreach project.
Treasurer Maynard Davis reported that we have not yet received applications for the PVCC Field Ornithology scholarship, but that there is still time. We are halfway through fiscal year 2017-18 with +$3,700 in the bank. We are spending this in the coming year on various projects including the CCC photography contest. The full treasury report is posted on the MBC website.
Myrlene Staten gave the membership report. We are at 148 members, including sixteen new members. The photos from last year’s contest are on display at the main Charlottesville library through February and then will go to the Crozet library.
Past President, Lou Tanner, introduced the evening’s speaker.
