Monticello Bird Club Zoom Meeting Minutes, 06 May 2020
President Guy Babineau opened the zoom meeting with 70 participants. First timers zooming in included Sara Bon-Harper with her father Peter, Jess Taggart, Adelaide King, Mo Nichols, Tracy McBook, Nancy Haisenleder, Paulina from New Mexico, and more.
Scott Connuck reported on membership, which is on target at 178 this week.
Guy presented an update on the Hampton Road Bridge Tunnel VDOT project, which has displaced the nesting island for Terns. A new site has been built. MBC is applauding this victory for birds.
Susan Babineau reported on the virtual “Birding Your Spot” activity. Eight checklists recorded 59 species. The world-wide citizen challenge during April 24-27 recorded 551 species. MBC members contributed. May 9 is the Global Big Day coordinated on eBird.
Many members shared recent sightings verbally and in the zoom chat. Highlights include:
Ron Kingston: Great Crested Flycatcher in yard
Peggy Cornett: a pair of male Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks at feeder. Pair of Catbirds at feeder eating safflower
Pete Myers: 45 Willets out near Crozet last week
Kevin Cwalina: we have been seeing the Leucistic Tufted Titmouse in the Bird Library
Janet Paisley: Brewster’s Warbler at O-Hill
Amy Neale: greater yellowlegs, spotted sandpipers
Eve Gauge: Screech Owl at O Hill on Monday, a life bird for me.
B Marshall: Angry Robin locked in eternal competition with my car side windows.
Will Kurtz: Magnolia Warbler today at Ivy Creek
JoAnn Dalley: 5 warbler species in the yard. Maybe from O-hill?
Pete Myers: Long billed Dowitcher near Scottsville
Amy Neale: 7 Red-headed Woodpeckers
Peggy Cornett: catbirds also like sumac berries. I put them in safflower feeder too
JoAnn Dalley: Pectoral sandpipers in Bedford county
Eve Gauge: You never forget a Veery once you’ve heard one. Even if it’s on a recording.
Nancy Newman: heard Bobwhite today on Carrsbrook walk
Beth Ann: We’ve been having a pileated attacking our car windows, screens and doors
President Guy Babineau’s PowerPoint Presentation:
Here is the link to Jennifer Ackerman’s recent presentation about her book for the National Audubon Society. Also joining her was renowned bird artist and guide writer, David Sibley, talking about his new book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC_HLKhXE7k.
Submitted by Peggy Cornett, Secretary
