VSO NewsletterA Publication of the Virginia Society of Ornithology

Website: www.virginiabirds.org eBird: ebird.org/content/va/ Facebook: Virginia Society of OrnithologyListserve: mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird

Vol. 63 • No. 1Spring 2017

Contents: 2017 Annual Meeting 1 President’s Message 2 Programs and Schedule 3 Santa Domingo Conservation 4Blacksburg Trip Details 5

Outer Banks Trip Report 6 Annual Election Slate 7 Annual Meeting Field Trips 10

RICHMOND AUDUBON SOCIETY HOSTS 2017ANNUAL VSO MEETING - REGISTER NOW!

There’s never a bad time to visitRichmond, Virginia, but if you had topick just one weekend out of the year,the first weekend of May will notdisappoint. It’s typically theGoldilocks of weather—not too hot,not too cold—and spring migration istypically right around its peak. Thisyear, the Richmond Audubon Societyis proud to serve as the host chapter forthe VSO Annual Meeting during thatfirst weekend in May. The WyndhamVirginia Crossings will serve as our

home base for the weekend (May 5-7,2017), and we have an exciting line-up ofprograms and field trips planned. Ourkeynote speaker on Saturday evening willbe Charlottesville resident JenniferAckerman, author of The Genius of Birds.Register at the VSO website(here:http://www.virginiabirds.org/annual-meeting-registration) or by mailinga check with the registration form found inthis newsletter. Prices per person are:registration $40, banquet $40, and raffle fora pair of Zeiss Optics binoculars $5.The Wyndham Virginia Crossings hotel islocated at 1000 Virginia Center Parkway,Glen Allen, Virginia. We have negotiateda special rate for the Annual Meetingweekend. Single occupancy rooms withbreakfast for one included (at therestaurant’s breakfast buffet) is $124 pernight, and double occupancy rooms withbreakfast for two included is $134 per night.To get the group rate, call (804) 727-1400or 1-888-444-6553 and identify yourself asa member of the Virginia Society ofOrnithology group to get the reduced rate.If you want to register online, use this linkto get the reduced rate:  https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/groups/virginia-society-of-ornithology-2017-annual-meeting.Be sure to register with the hotel beforeApril 12, 2017!Field trips for the 2017 VSO AnnualMeeting will visit the best spring birdingsites in the Richmond area. Most of thetrips will focus on riparian forest andwetland habitat along the James River as itflows through and below Richmond.Spring migrants will be filling the forestsand species like Prothonotary Warblers willbe defending their territories. Several of

the locations have restricted access(Curles Neck and Belmead) andare being made availablespecifically for the VSO field trips.And boat trips down the James willprovide spectacular views of baldeagles and other species along theriver.Trips will be offered Fridayafternoon, Saturday and Sundaymorning. All trips will depart fromthe meeting hotel except the BaldEagle Tours, which will meet at theboat dock at the start time noted onthe schedule. Carpooling is highlyencouraged and for some trips, tolocations with limited parkingspace, a necessity. The number ofparticipants for each trip is limited.Paths at the sites, none of whichare particularly strenuous, may bewet so wear appropriate footwear.Bathroom facilities at most sitesare limited. Trip leaders will havewater and some snacks. All fieldtrips are subject to last minutechanges depending on weather andnumber of participants (so registerearly).All sites are ebird hotspots – getmore information on site locationsand expected species on the ebirdweb site (www.ebird.org).All field trips are free withregistration for the Annual Meetingexcept for a $45 per person cost forthe Discover the James Bald EagleTours.

Eileen Gellerpresident@richmond

audubon.org

Photo by Robert Coles

Northern Pintail, Outer Banks Trip

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Editor: Len Alfredson 1300 Crystal Drive #509 Arlington, VA 22202

vsoeditor@verizon.net

Change of Address and requests for electronic delivery: Virginia Society of Ornithology PO Box 5994, Williamsburg, VA 23188

vsomembership@cox.net

Send submissions electronically via e-mailwhenever possible. Attach text as Worddocument or plain text file. Attach imagesas separate files; please do not imbed inemail body. Send the largest file possible.The images will not print well if formattedsmaller as for the web.

Submissions may be edited for style orlength.

2017 Submission Schedule

Issue Copy DueSummer 2017 May 19, 2017Fall 2017 Aug 11, 2017Winter 2017 Oct 29, 2017Spring 2017 Jan 26, 2017

Bird reports in this newsletter may nothave been approved by VARCOM (TheVirginia Avian Records Committee).

President’s Message:It is always difficult for me to envision what the world will be like by thetime everyone reads my President’s Message. It is January as I write this,but you won’t read this until March or April. I have no idea what we willbe experiencing in the world in two or three months. The PresidentialInauguration just took place last week and a new administration couldmean big changes. In addition, it is 54 degrees today and raining heavilyand we’ve only had one small two-week stretch of winter so far this year.Meteorological winters don’t always coincide with astronomical wintersso we may have more cold weather while you read this than we have atthe time I’m writing it!!I say all this to make my point that tomorrow is an unknown quantity andchange is often difficult. I am one of those strange beasts who enjoyschange, usually because I believe it provides new opportunities to improve,

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to use new technology, or just to shake me out of a rut. In my career I have had five distinct jobs; four of themhave been brand new positions. The great thing about a new position is that no one has done it before, so usuallyno one knows “how it should be done.” Experience has taught me, however, that not everyone enjoys change.I am always cognizant of those around me who struggle with how fast our world is changing. Sometimes youhave to slow down and walk a few folks through the process of learning something new, changing an establishedprocedure or even being moved to a new job entirely.Right now I see the world changing fast, and none of us knows what the future will bring. Some people resistchange, press to turn back, rail against the current situation or shout how unfair it is. Yet things continue tochange. During times of change we must all support one another. This means we have to listen, carefully considereach other’s views and look for ways to help each other along.The VSO and conservation efforts overall are very much traveling this same path. Our membership is aging.Most young people don’t connect with nature as they did in the past, and conservation does not have the shinylook it did when Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring. Ironically, the enormous number of media and social mediaoutlets make getting the conservation message out much more difficult.I hope you will take time to review what you can do to not only make change happen, but to help others whostruggle with the change. Could you write letters to your representatives? Do you have a few extra dollars youcan give to the VSO (or any conservation organization for that matter)? Do you have some time to serve on acommittee, work on a team, clean up a stream, or attend the VSO meeting and get to know many of your fellowconservationists?Change is coming, of that, there is no doubt! So what can you and I do to work together to grasp theopportunities that change will bring? What is your next step? Good birding all…..and good Atlasing!!

- Jeff Trollinger, President Virginia Society of Ornithology

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Friday Speaker, Ashley Peele, PhD - The VSO meetingwill begin with a talk on the Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas2 (VABBA2) by Dr. Ashley Peele, the Coordinator for the2016-2020 survey effort in Virginia. The VABBA2 is acooperative citizen-science project being run by theVirginia Society of Ornithology and Virginia Departmentof Game and Inland Fisheries, and will result in the state’ssecond Breeding Bird Atlas. Ashley Peele earned herBachelor’s degree in Zoology from Ohio Wesleyan

University before attending Tulane University for her PhDin Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She has researchedAmerican Redstart populations in Jamaica, feather-degrading bacteria, and importance of feather melanin onfeather wear. Her current interest is engaging non-consumptive users and wildlife enthusiasts intoparticipating in conservation efforts to contribute to a largerbody of scientific knowledge.

Keynote speaker: Jennifer Ackerman is both author and naturalist,having written The Genius of Birds in April 2016, which delves into theintelligence of “bird-brained” species across the globe that exhibit incrediblefeats of memory and creativity. Jennifer earned the Silver Medal Award forNature Writing from the International Regional Magazine Association, hasbeen selected for the New York Times “Editor’s Choice,” and also the NewYork Times “New and Noteworthy” paperback. She has been published byThe New York Times, National Geographic, and Scientific American (toname a few) for her writing, has been interviewed by National Public Radio,and has published five books with critical acclaim. The Daily Progresscommended, "Richly researched... The Genius of Birds provides engrossingevidence that will have readers looking at birds in a completely new way.

We are happy to announce that the afternoon Paper Sessionon Saturday will be sponsored by the VCU Rice RiversCenter, the VCU Center for Environmental Studies, and theDepartment of Biology. Students from each of thoseprograms will be participating as presenters, and we areinviting VCU students to attend the session free of charge.Other presenters are welcome. The scientific paper sessionis set for Saturday, May 6, from 2-4 pm. Presentations shouldbe 15 minutes long, including time for questions. If you areinterested in giving an oral presentation at the conferenceabout your research, please submit the following informationby March 17, 2017 in an e-mail to Abby Walter, ProgramsCoordinator (lawalter@udel.edu).

• Name• E-mail address• Phone Number• Names of co-authors (if applicable)• Institutional affiliation (if applicable)• Title of oral presentation• Brief abstract (250 word limit)• Audio-visual needs (e.g. laptop and LCDprojector, overhead projector, slide projector)

The board will review submissions and applicants will benotified of their acceptance and time slot by March 3

TECHNICAL PAPER SESSION

Check the VSO and Richmond Audubon Societywebsites for updates as we get closer to the AnnualMeeting, but the tentative schedule for the weekendis as follows:

Friday:Afternoon (Various) – Field Trips3:00 p.m. – Registration begins. Vendor/Exhibitor area opens.6:00-7:00 p.m. – Reception with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar7:00 p.m. – Program with Ashley Peele

Saturday:Morning (Various) – Field Trips11:00 a.m. – Registration continues. Vendor/Exhibitor area open.2:00-4:00 p.m. – Paper sessions4:15 p.m. – VABBA2 Workshop with Ashley Peele6:00-7:00 p.m. – Reception with a cash bar7:00 p.m. – Banquet dinner and program with Jennifer Ackerman

Sunday:Morning (Various) – Field TripsNoon – Conference ends

SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL MEETING ACTIVITIES

PROGRAMS

Virginia’s birders know that habitatloss is impacting neo-tropicalmigrants, and that much of that losthabitat results from simple choiceslocals have to make in order tomake a living. But it’s notnecessarily the case that what’sgood for people has to be bad forbirds or vice versa. Therefore theVSO is partnering with Virginianon-profit Earth Sangha to see howdifferent land use practices canprovide both profit andconservation benefits. The VSOmade a strong step forward oninternational conservation with itsinitial trip to the DominicanRepublic this past December.Those who have been followingthis project will recall that the VSOand Fairfax County non-profitEarth Sangha are gathering avianbiodiversity data in Earth Sanghaconservation projects along theDominican-Hatian border. Overthe next few years, the data shouldgive a better idea of the results ofthe farmers’ efforts The VSO teamconsisted of six birders: Bob Ake,Bill Akers, Lenny Bankester, JerryVia, Dave Youker, and BillWilliams.Earth Sangha asked for help inassessing three pieces of land onthis first trip: a bean field in the

process of being reforested, a forestremnant in a stream valley, and ashade-grown coffee farm. Theplots were small enough that theVSO team was able to divide upinto pairs and rotate through thesites over three days, ensuring thateach site was visited by each of thethree pairs. Compiling this datafrom multiple visits will give abetter baseline for comparingobservations from this year withfuture years. In total, 39 specieswere seen, with 11 of those speciesbeing North American migrants(and possibly part-timeVirginians!): The migrant specieswere:1. American Redstart2. Black-and-white Warbler3. Black-throated Blue Warbler4. Cape May Warbler5. Common Yellowthroat6. Killdeer7. Northern Parula8. Ovenbird9. Palm Warbler10. Prairie Warbler11. Yellow WarblerWhile accommodations were basic- cold water and outhouses are thenorm in the Los Cerezos area - thehospitality could not have beenwarmer or more gracious. Localfarmers Manolo Sanchez and

Cosme Quezada guided the teamthrough their properties andprovided great insights regardingthe local flora and fauna. Chris andMatt Bright from Earth Sanghahelped make sure everythingworked out all right and were greatcompanions throughout the trip.Planning is already underway fornext year’s trip. The data from thecurrent trip is being analyzed andconsolidated to form the foundationfor another round of data-gathering.To expand on its commitment toVirginia ornithology, the VSOboard has agreed to fund theparticipation of a Virginia graduatestudent to accompany VSOvolunteers in 2017. One step at atime, the VSO is building a strongerscientific basis for conservation onneo-tropical wintering grounds.

- Lenny Bankester

VSO-Earth Sangha Partnership in the Dominican Republic Begins

Prairie Warbler - Virginia migrant ??

Antillean Mango - Not a Virginia Migrant !! International Conservation Partners

Photo by Bill Williams

Photo by Jerry ViaPhoto by Bill WilliamsPhoto by Bill Williams Photo by Jerry Via

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The New River Valley Bird Clubwill host the VSO summer field tripJune 9-11, 2017, featuring some ofthe best birding areas in the NewRiver Valley and SouthernAppalachians. The variedtopography and the river valleyoffer a wide variety of habitats andbird species. Field trips will beoffered Friday afternoon, all daySaturday, and Sunday morning. BillAkers and Jerry Via will be our tripleaders, and they have organizedsome terrific activities for us!TRIP REGISTRATIONTo help us plan for the weekend,please register in advance. Providethe names of participants in yourparty with a telephone number andemail address so we can contact youif needed. Register with MeredithBell, trip coordinator, at merandlee@gmail.com or 804-824-4958.Please bring FRS (two-way) radiosif you have them to stay in contactin our caravans when calling outbird sightings.HEADQUARTERSHoliday Inn Express and SuitesBlacksburg is the host hotel (Thisis the same hotel as the 2015 trip,now under new ownership). Thespecial rate for the VSO block ofrooms is $95/night (plus tax) forsingle or double. Double and Kingbeds are available, and some suiteshave pull-out beds. There aremicrowaves and refrigerators in allrooms.Register by Friday, MAY 8,to get the special rate: (540) 552-5636. Hotel address is 1020Plantation Road, Blacksburg, VA24060

MEALSA complimentary hot breakfastbuffet is included with your stay,beginning at 6:30 AM on Fridayand 7:00 AM on Saturday andSunday. You’ll need to bring lunchfor Saturday. (There’s a convenientstore next to the hotel.) Dinners areon your own. There are manyexcellent restaurants in Blacksburg.SCHEDULEFRIDAY, JUNE 9 (approximately35-minute drive)Meet at 1:30 PM in the hotel lobbyfor departure to Mountain Lake.We’ll start at the Biological Station,where target birds include Rose-breasted Grosbeak, BlackburnianWarbler, Black-throated GreenWarbler, and Black-cappedChickadee. From there we’ll go toan area of rhododendrons nearMountain Lake Lodge, where we’lllook for Canada and Black-throatedBlue Warblers.SATURDAY, JUNE 107:45 AM - Departure for GlenAlton and Kelly Flats(approximately 45-minute drive)This is a full day trip, so be sure tobring lunch, snacks and beverages.Once at our destination, we willdivide into two groups and alternatevisits to both areas.Glen Alton is an estate now ownedby the Jefferson National Forest. Itis unusual because the elevation is2,600 feet, but some of the birdsthere are normally found at muchhigher elevations. There are manybeautiful trails along a stream, fishponds and beaver pond. Thewalking is level and easy.

Specialties include BlackburnianWarbler, Black-throated BlueWarbler, Northern Parula, Blue-headed Vireo and Brown Creeper.Kelly Flats includes a small bogand a walk along a fire road. Thistrail requires walking up a hill, butwe’ll cover it at a slow pace.Highlights will be Red-breastedNuthatch, Scarlet Tanager, AcadianFlycatcher and singing HermitThrush.After LunchWe’ll visit other areas in the NewRiver Valley in search of specieslike Golden-winged, Hooded andKentucky Warblers.6:00 PM - Tally of species, 1st

floor hotel conference roomDinner on your ownSUNDAY, JUNE 117:45 AM - Departure for nearbyareas in BlacksburgPlans are still being finalized for thespecific destinations Sundaymorning, but they will be near thehotel for ease of checking out.If you have any questions, contactfield trip coordinator Meredith Bellat (804) 824-4958 or merandlee@gmail.com.

VSO Summer Field Trip to BlacksburgJune 9-11, 2017

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Report of the 2017 VSO Outer Banks Field TripWhat a fabulous experience we hadFebruary 3-5, 2017, for the annualVSO Outer Banks field trip! With thecombined eyes and ears of 100participants, we tallied a record-setting154 species. Among these were severalrarities: Manx Shearwater, Dovekie,Trumpeter Swan, Anna’sHummingbird, Eurasian Wigeon,Anhinga, Lark Sparrow, Brewer’sBlackbird and Loggerhead Shrike.We also had an amazing number ofSparrow (11) and Wren (5) species..In addition to the rarities, highlights atLake Mattamuskeet included upcloselooks of an American Woodcock andWilson’s Snipe. The impoundmentsalways astonish us with an abundanceof waterfowl, and this year was nodifferent. Those who joined LeeAdams at Alligator River NationalWildlife Refuge at dusk to listen forShort-eared Owls scored a bigsuccess.On Saturday many participants bravedthe strong winds and cold temperaturesto visit nearby Jennette’s Pier twice –first thing in the morning and afterlunch. We were rewarded with dozensof fly-by Razorbills, Red-breastedMergansers, Northern Gannets and

Black Scoters. In the water we spottedHorned Grebe and Red-throatedLoon as well as a lone femaleCommon Eider. At Pea Island wefound several American WhitePelicans and more than 100 AmericanAvocets. We gathered at Bodie IslandLighthouse in the late afternoon, wherewe enjoyed diverse species ofwaterfowl in the impoundments. Manyhad good looks at a Sora, ClapperRail, and Marsh Wren. More than 30people stayed after dark to listen forowls, and they got Northern Saw-whet Owl and Great Horned Owl.On Sunday morning’s trip to AlligatorRiver National Wildlife Refuge, wewere delighted to find quite an array ofraptors: Northern Harrier, BaldEagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailedHawk, Red-shouldered Hawk,American Kestrel and Merlin. Weadded Lesser Yellowlegs and an earlyYellow-throated Warbler to ourspecies total for the weekend.We dedicated the weekend to ourbeloved VSO member Jerry Thornhill,who died last year. Jerry was such apositive force about the Outer Bankstrip – and ALL VSO field trips for thatmatter. His enthusiasm motivated

many of his birding friends inSouthwest VA to attend each year. Wewere gratified that his wife Janecontinued the tradition by bringingeight birders with her this year.Special thanks to James MadisonUniversity professor Charles (Zig)Ziegenfus for bringing six students.Not only that, four of his graduateswho attended last year came back thisyear and joined VSO because they hadsuch a great experience. Zig has beenbringing students to this trip for morethan 40 years! We especiallyappreciate our team of exceptional tripleaders - Lee Adams, Bill Akers, andJerry Via - who did an outstanding jobof making sure participants in theirgroups saw as many species as possible.Make plans to join us next year. We’vealready locked in the dates, February2-4, 2018. We always have amemorable time, no matter what theweather brings!For a complete list of the 155 speciesfor the weekend go to the VSO websiteat www.virginiabirds.org.

Meredith BellVSO Field Trip Co-chair

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UPCOMING 2017 EVENTS - SAVE THE DATESCraney Island, April 21 - Meet at 4599 River Shore Road, Portsmouth, VA. Arrive at 7:30 AM to enter the compoundat 7:45 AM. Craney Island We will have 15 minutes to sign-in and listen to a safety announcement. Trip around CraneyIsland will be from 8 until 11 and we will be following one leader and stopping where they choose. Carpooling is required.Please wear closed-toe shoes to the Craney Island trip as the Army Corps of Engineers is requiring. Please do not arrivebefore 7:30 and do not park in driveways, either private or the one for Craney, or on any grassy areas. Limit of 25 people.

Due to expected construction this date may be changed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Contact LeeAdams to register at leeloudenslageradams@gmail.com or 540-850-0777.

Annual Meeting, May 5- 7 - Richmond Audubon Society will host the 2017 Annual Meeting of the VSO and planningis well underway. See this issue for details. Watch the website for continuing updates.

Piney Grove, May 27 - The VSO and Center for Conservation Biology (CCB) are jointly offering a field trip to TheNature Conservancy’s Piney Grove Preserve, site of nesting Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers. Bryan Watts from the CCBwill be our leader. We are given access to this protected site through CCB’s support and the cooperation of The NatureConservancy. In recent years we have had good views of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, nestlings and nest sites.We will assemble at 5:15 AM on the morning of May 28 at the Virginia Diner in Wakefield and leave in time to catchsunrise at the nest site. Because of the sensitive nature of this area, we are limited in the number of participants who canattend. (20 people). We will need to carpool as parking is limited on the site. This field trip will end mid to late morning.

Blacksburg, June 9 - 11 - Complete details in this issue.

Well-camouflaged American Woodcock

6E Lark Sparrow

Birds seen and photographed during Outer Banks trip.

This page is a lagniappefor those who haveelected to receive thenewsletter electronically.

If you are from NewOrleans, you will befamiliar with the term.

Photo by Robert Coles

Photo by Robert Coles

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Annual Meeting Vendors/Exhibitors:Vendors and exhibitors interested in participating should contact Bob Schamerhorn by e-mail: bob@iPhotoBirds.com or by phone: (804) 477-3433 for details and availability.

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The Nominating Committee, Joe Coleman (Chair), BruceJohnson, Mike Lott, and Laura Neale, are proposing thefollowing slate of officers and directors for the consider-ation of the membership at the business meeting of the2017 Annual Meeting, May 5 – May 7 which will be heldat the Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel and ConferenceCenter, Richmond, Virginia. Nominations will also beaccepted from the floor.

OFFICERS:President: Lenny Bankester – Lenny wasborn in Mobile, Alabama and, after living in various places,settled in Virginia 11 years ago.  He has worked in variouspositions in the federal government, though he focusesprimarily on budgeting and planning at the present.  Birdsintroduced him to a love of the whole wider world of natureand inspired him to obtain a Master of Natural Resourcesfrom Virginia Tech in 2011.  He's interested in strengthen-ing the connection between birding and conservation.  Helives in Alexandria with his wife, Bonnie, and two daugh-ters, Sylvie and Melody.Vice-President: Daniel Bieker – Dan is an Ad-junct Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences at PiedmontVA Community College, where he teaches Field Ornithol-ogy and Appalachian Ecology. He began his career in 1976with the Ohio Division of Wildlife working extensivelywith Wood Ducks, and later Prothonotary Warbler andAmerican Kestrel nesting studies. Upon joining the VSOboard of directors in 2013, he initiated the Kestrel Nest BoxProject. Prior to joining the VSO board he served as presi-dent of the Ivy Creek Foundation and was instrumental inestablishment of the Ragged Mountain Natural Area, aswell as the design and construction of the foundation’sEducation Center. He is a 30 year member of the VSO. Danowns a horse farm in southern Albemarle.Past President: Jeff TrollingerTreasurer: Terri CuthriellSecretary: Christine  Stinson  ─ Christinegrew up in Warrenton, Virginia, and has been watchingbirds since the age of 5. She has an undergraduate degreefrom Swarthmore College, a Master’s Degree in Biologyfrom William & Mary, a Ph.D. in Zoology and an M.B.A.in Finance from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D.in Accounting from Stanford University. She is currentlyan Associate Professor at Ferrum College where she is headof the accounting program. She teaches accounting, fi-nance, and vertebrate zoology classes. She has served asSecretary of VSO since 2016.

Membership Secretary: Shirley DevanEditor, The Raven: Andrew DolbyEditor, Newsletter: Len Alfredson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Class of 2020:Rexanne Bruno ─ Before retiring, Rexanne Bruno taughtstatistics and mathematics at Lynchburg College. In Lynch-burg she was an active member of the Lynchburg Bird Clubwhere she edited The Bluebird, the club newsletter. Shepreviously served on the VSO Board from 2006 to 2013including a term as President. She worked with the VirginiaDepartment of Game and Inland Fisheries for several yearslaying the groundwork for the Second Virginia BreedingBird Atlas (VABBA2), which finally began in 2016 andcurrently serves as a member of its Steering Committee.She has lead field trips for the VSO, the Lynchburg BirdClub, and the Virginia Beach Winter Wildlife Festival. Shecurrently lives in Virginia Beach.Ashley Peele ─ Ashley, an Avian Ecologist based at  theConservation Management Institute at Virginia Tech, is inher second year of coordinating Virginia’s Second Breed-ing Bird Atlas (VABBA2) and as such has traveled all overthe state. She recently obtained a PhD in Ecology andEvolutionary Biology from Tulane University.  As part ofthe Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center research program,she spent five years studying American Redstarts and othermigratory warblers in Jamaica.  Prior to this, she receivedher BA in Zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University andworked on many other bird research and conservationprograms all over the United States.Leonard Smock ─ Len received his M.S. degree for stud­ies on bird communities in Illinois and then his Ph.D. fromthe Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineer-ing at the University of North Carolina.  He was a facultymember in the Department of Biology at Virginia Com-monwealth University since 1979, serving as the depart-ment’s Chair for 19 years, and then served as Director ofVCU’s Rice Rivers Center, the university’s environmentalfield station situated on the James River, until his retire-ment in 2017.    He has had a life-long interest in birds,having asked his grandparents to buy him a Field Guide tothe North American Birds at the age of 4, the start of over60 years of birding.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Class of 2019 (to fillthe position being vacated by Dan Bieker):Laura Neale

Slate of Officer and Director Candidates for 2017 - 2018The Virginia Society of O

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Craney Island in Portsmouth, VAwas the site of the kickoff field tripof the annual Virginia Society ofOrnithology Virginia Beachweekend. Highlights include aBlack coyote, Hudsonian Godwit,Snow Buntings, and AmericanAvocets FLOATING in the river.Oh yeah, and the EurasianWigeon! Thousands of Double-crested Cormorants streamed byin a long line.

Brian Taber and Bill Williams fromCoastal Virginia WildlifeObservatory lent their years ofexpertise at the site, and led the trip.They survey Craney Islandregularly and continue Ruth Beck’sconservation efforts. For moreinformation, check outhttp://www.cvwo.org.

A flock of Snow Buntingsappeared beside the car caravan andsettled on the ground with Killdeer.Their camouflage is perfect for tansand and golden grasses, andalthough the snow was missing,their white did not make it easier tospot them. Thanks go to ShannonReinheimer of the Army Corps ofEngineers for allowing access to,and important information onCraney Island.

Later nine of us met MaxLonzanida, park ranger at theFisherman Island/Eastern Shore ofVirginia NWR at Fisherman Island.Due to restrictions on parking thetrip was offered to those signed upfor the Craney Island trip. Thegroup wandered across the islandand out to the beach on theChesapeake Bay. Brant, BlackScoters and Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers were

spotted. A huge whale vertebra, aportion of an Atlantic Sturgeon, andsea turtle ribs were among theartifacts that have been collected byUSFW staff to show visitors on theisland. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/fisherman_island/  The Meetand Greet/Tally held at thehospitality room of the hotel hadmore than 25 people attending,sharing great nibbles andbeverages, and discussing greatbirding areas and recent trips.

Forty eight people braved the coldwinds to visit the Chesapeake BayBridge Tunnel islands with theVirginia Society of Ornithology onDecember 3, 2016. Long-tailedDuck, Northern Gannet, LesserScaup, Purple Sandpiper andGreat Cormorant were among thespecies of the morning. HarborSeals were an added treat. Evenwith the brisk wind and the coldfront that had moved through, thereseemed to be fewer birds thanexpected. Some participants choseto head north to Chincoteague afterthe CBBT trip.

At Willis Wharf many MarbledGodwits and Willets fed on theflats with a couple of Dunlin anda Forster’s Tern. AmericanOystercatchers and GreaterYellowlegs were foraging on theoyster beds at Queen SoundLanding on the causeway intoChincoteague. www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/queen-sound-public-landing/

The wildlife loop at ChincoteagueNational Wildlife Refuge heldseveral immature Little BlueHerons and Tricolored Herons.Sharp eyes picked out two

Eurasian Wigeons among thesmall American Wigeon flock.Green-winged Teal, NorthernShovelers, Northern Pintail,American Black Ducks,Mallards, Gadwall and TundraSwans were watched by three BaldEagles. Two eagles sat together ina bare tree. The winter daylightfaded too quickly on a beautifulday. https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/chincoteague-national-wildlife-refuge/

Sunday's Virginia Society ofOrnithology Back Bay NWR/FalseCape State Park tram trip departedfrom normal by being neither rainy,nor horribly cold. Some participantseven saw the continuing LarkSparrow before boarding the tram.Gray skies did not dampen theenthusiasm and birders wererewarded with views of NorthernGannets and Brown Pelicans outover the ocean, raptors aplenty, andvarious waterfowl. A small flock ofSnow Geese flew overhead and aflock of eight Hooded Mergansersdashed out of the water.

When the tram reached False CapeState Park some folks opted to walkthe road to the visitor center, whilesome stayed on the tram. SwampSparrows, a Marsh Wren, PalmWarbler and CommonYellowthroat obliged some withquick glimpses. Several KingRails, seeming not the leastconcerned about many peopletalking and crowding the edge ofthe road, wove in and out of thegrasses along the water's edge, andeven swam across the ditch towardus. A few people saw and photo-graphed a Yellow-breasted Chatin a viney tangle near the visitor

TRIP REPORT, VIRGINIA BEACH DECEMBER 2-4, 2016

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center. Erica Ryder, our tram driverextraordinaire and Visitor ServicesSpecialist at Back Bay NationalWildlife Refuge, pointed out animmature Little Blue Heron withan injured wing, which iscontinuing in an area near the bay.Motoring along the loop back intothe wildlife refuge an impoundmentheld one American Coot and oneWhite Ibis.

A Wood Duck box had a grayEastern Screech-owl perched atthe entrance hole. Canada Geese,

Tundra Swans, Ruddy, AmericanBlack & Ring-necked ducks,Gadwall, American Wigeon,Northern Pintail, Green-wingedTeal and Lesser Scaup dotted thewater. Bald Eagles stirred theducks. Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawksand an American Kestrel allcommandeered their own airspace.A cottonmouth, torpid from thecold, was hidden by a few strandsof golden dried grass. It was livelyenough to open wide and show itscottony-white mouth when people

got too near trying to examine it.Sunday was a good day to be abirder in southeastern Virginia. Alucky few chose to search for a LeConte's Sparrow in the BeasleyTract of the Princess Anne WMA20 miles away from Back Bay, andrefound the bird. What aspectacular way to end a wonderfulweekend.https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/back-bay-national-wildlife-refuge/https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/false-cape-state-park/

The Virginia Society of Ornithology N

ewsletter Spring 2017

HAVE AN INTERESTING BIRD STORY TO TELL? WE NEED RACONTEURS!Every year the VSO publishes a Speakers Directory for the VSO-affiliated bird clubs and other natureorganizations across the state, to help them get great speakers for their meetings.  To see the current 2016 –2017 directory, visit the VSO’s Web site at http://www.virginiabirds.org/publications/speakers-directory/.It’s time to create the 2017-2018 edition and we're always looking for new speakers to include in the directory.Please consider telling your birding story! If you would like to list program(s) you are willing to present, pleaseprovide the title(s) and your contact information to me at gnatcatcher@gmail.com NO LATER THAN APRIL7. Have a look at the current directory to get an idea of the kind of write-up I'll need and contact me atgnatcatcher@gmail.com  if you have any questions. The Speaker's Directory is distributed statewide, so youshould be willing to travel but can specify limits in your speaker’s profile.The updated 2017-18 VSO Speakers Directory should be available at the VSO's May Annual Meeting and we'dlove to include your program.

Russell Taylor,Member, Board of Directors

Elizabeth Wilkins, Yorktown, VAAudrey Whitlock, Nags Head, NCBlanca Vandervoort, Boyce, VACarol Evans, Richmond, VAMarshall McCord, Christiansburg, VAThomas Dietz, Afton, VAChristine Sokol, Rich Creek, VAScott Byrd, King George, VAShawn Sullivan, Blacksburg, VAMichael Bishop, Centreville, VAElizabeth Olsen-Hodges, Blacksburg, VA

Portia Belden, Williamsburg, VALynn Walter, Richmond, VAMatthew Bright, Annandale, VAVirginia Broome, Williamsburg, VAEd Talbott, Grundy, VAMary Miguez, VA Beach, VALisa Benish, Independence, VASue Mutell, Williamsburg, VADonna Forrest, Lynchburg, VA

The VSO warmly welcomes our newest members

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Field Trip Schedule:Friday AfternoonDiscover the James Bald Eagle Tour –1:00-3:00. Trip Leader – Mike OstranderHarrison Lake Fish Hatchery – departat 1:00. Trip Leader - TBDHenricus-Dutch Gap – depart at 1:00.Trip Leader – John CoeBrown’s Island-Potterfield MemorialBridge-James River Floodwall – departat 1:30. Trip Leader – Ellison Orcutt

Friday EveningDiamond – depart at 8:00. Trip Leader –Wes Teets

Saturday MorningDiscover the James Bald Eagle Tour –7:00-9:00. Trip Leader – Mike OstranderBelmead Plantation – depart at 6:30.Carpooling required. Trip Leader –Leslie BulluckJames River Park – Reedy Creek –depart at 6:30. Carpooling highlyencouraged. Trip Leader – Arun Bose

James River Park – Wetlands – departat 7:00. Carpooling highly encouraged.Trip Leader – Lewis BarnettJames River Park – 42nd St. – depart at7:00. Carpooling highly encouraged.Trip Leader – Wes TeetsAshland Trolley Line – depart at 7:00.Trip Leader – Linda ColeCurles Neck Farm – depart at 7:30.Carpooling required. Trip Leader –Ellison OrcuttHenricus-Dutch Gap – depart at 7:30.Trip Leader – John Ditto

Saturday AfternoonDiscover the James Bald Eagle Tour –12:00-2:00. Trip Leader – MikeOstranderHenricus-Dutch Gap – depart at 1:00.Trip Leader – TBDHollywood Cemetery – depart at 1:30.Trip Leader – John CoeHarrison Lake National Fish Hatchery– depart at 1:30. Trip Leader - TBD

VA Breeding Bird Atlas Workshop –Wyndham Crossings – (time TBD).Trip Leader – Ashley Peele

Sunday MorningDiscover the James Bald Eagle Tour –7:00-9:00. Trip Leader – Mike OstranderDiscover the James Bald Eagle Tour –9:30-11:30. Trip Leader – MikeOstranderBelmead Plantation – depart 6:30.Carpooling required. Trip Leader – BenNickleyJames River Park – Reedy Creek –depart at 6:30. Trip Leader – Arun BoseJames River Park – Wetlands – departat 7:00. Trip Leader – Lewis BarnettJames River Park – 42nd St. – depart at7:00. Trip Leader – Wes TeetsHenricus-Dutch Gap – depart at 7:00.Trip Leader – John DittoCurles Neck Farm – depart at 7:30.Carpooling required. Trip Leader –Ellison Orcutt

Field Trip Locations:Discover the James Bald EagleTour (35 minutes, 27 miles to boatdock)Ride along with Capt. MikeOstrander aboard the DiscoveryBarge II, a comfortable 24-footcovered pontoon boat for thisunique 2-hour, 5-mile trip on thetidal James River. This is a greatopportunity to get up close tonumerous resident bald eagles andother birds along the river.Experience this ecosystem rich withwildlife, abundant history andbeautiful scenery. This tripprovides great photographyopportunities. See moreinformation at http://www.discoverthejames.com/ ?q=eagle-tour.Capt. Mike has reserved five tripsjust for the VSO meeting. Cost perperson is $45. Maximum of 6people per trip (minimum of 4people registered per trip requiredby April 25 or trip will becancelled). Departs from DeepBottom park boat dock (for

directions to the dock, seehttp://discoverthejames.com/?q=Discover-the-James-Directions#DBBL.Curles Neck Farm (35 minutes; 31miles)This 5,500 acre, privately ownedworking farm was one of theoriginal great James Riverplantations and has been incontinual operation for nearly 400years. It is listed on the NationalRegister of Historic Places.Located along the north bank of theJames River in eastern HenricoCounty, it has a wide variety ofhabitat, including nearly 2,000acres of both wetland and fields,1,000 acres of forest, and a numberof ponds. Bird life is diverse at alltimes of the year.Belmead Plantation (50 minutes;40 miles)This historic site, located along thesouth bank of the James River inPowhatan County to the west ofRichmond, is owned by the orderof the Sisters of the Blessed

Sacrament. This restricted accesssite consists of nearly 2,300 acresof forest, wetland, and field habitat,as well as numerous streams andJames River frontage. Springmigration birding can be especiallyrewarding.James River Park (all sites about25 minutes; 15 miles)The premier birding location withinthe city of Richmond, the JamesRiver Park system runs along bothsides of the James River at the FallLine between Virginia’s Piedmontand Coastal Plain. Here the rapiddrop in elevation of the river makesRichmond the only city in thecountry with Class IV white waterrapids in the middle of downtown.The park’s 550 acres are primarilyriparian woodland, prime habitatfor migrating birds and the bestlocation in the Richmond area forspring warblers. Three separatelocations in the park are scheduledfor both Saturday and Sunday. TheJRP-42nd St. and JRP-Reedy Creektrips cover the same areas of thepark, but start from different

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locations. An elevated walkwaynear the 42nd St. entrance providestreetop birding. The JRP-Wetlandstrip covers a different area of thepark.Henricus Historical Park-DutchGap Conservation Area (40minutes; 30 miles)Henricus and Dutch GapConservation Area include anextensive area of forest, river,wetlands, meadows, oxbow lakes,ponds and a tidal lagoon inChesterfield County to the southeastof Richmond. Henricus HistoricalPark, with open woodland, is thesite of the Citie of Henricus,founded in 1611 as the secondsuccessful English settlement in theNew World. The variety of habitatsprovide for great birding.Harrison Lake National FishHatchery (40 minutes; 36 miles)

Harrison Lake National FishHatchery is a 444-acre U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service facility locatedeast of Richmond in Virginia'shistoric tidewater plantationcountry. The hatchery plays a keyrole in the efforts to restoredeclining and imperiled populationsof migratory fish and other aquaticspecies of the Atlantic coast. Thefacility includes extensive forest,field, stream and lake habitat thatsupport a wide variety of birdspecies.Brown’s Island-PotterfieldMemorial Bridge-James RiverFloodwall (20 minutes; 14 miles)Brown’s Island, on the south bankof the James River in downtownRichmond is the jumping off pointto walk across the river – on thenewly opened Potterfield MemorialBridge. This pedestrian bridge,linking the north and south shores

of the river, crosses over anextensive area of rapids and allowsan excellent opportunity to observebirds on and along the river. Thetrail along the Floodwall alsoprovides easy observations of birdson the river and in its riparian areas.Ashland Trolley LineThe Ashland Trolley Line runsalong a portion of the formerRichmond-Ashland Electric Line,which linked the two communitiesfor 31 years until its closure in 1938.The 0.5-mile grass and gravel trailnow runs through dense forest, afavorite birding location for locals.Limited parking is available at theAshland Trolley Line’s southerntrailhead on Gwathmey ChurchRoad/State Route 707 in HanoverCounty.The Diamond (15 minutes; 9 miles)Do you want to see nighthawks?

ANNUAL MEETING - SILENT AUCTIONWhat's your superpower? And, can you share it with your fellow bird lovers? Richmond Audubon is planningan exciting silent auction, plus raffles and door prizes for the VSO's annual meeting. We have some greatsurprises, but need your help to make this the best auction ever!

 Your donations of bird- and nature-themed equipment, art, etc. are always very welcome, as are giftcertificates to related businesses. Some of our popular favorites are the things money can't always buy -except at the auction! Unique experiences have been best sellers at our past RAS auctions; are there some youcan provide?

Maybe it's a walk with a local expert to access a special spot, or it could be a kayak, canoe, or other boat tripwith beautiful scenery, wildlife, and a guide who can help us get out there. Perhaps it's a stay at a lodge, inn,or home in one of those places we've always wanted to visit. Are you a researcher who'd like to share whatyou do with interested amateurs? (Would people really pay to tromp around with a biologist in briery insect-infested woods searching for radio-tagged rattlesnakes in 98-degree heat? I did! It was great!) Wildlifephotography trek? Or something more relaxing? You make the rules.

Contact Kim Harrell or Lori Schamerhorn, and let us know what you can share to make this an auction toremember. As always, proceeds benefit local Virginia conservation projects.

Kim Harrell flyingfish1@erols.comLori Schamerhorn lorischamerhorn@gmail.com

The Virginia Society of Ornithology N

ewsletter Spring 2017

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The Virginia Society ofOrnithology

PO Box 5994,Williamsburg, VA 23188

ADDRESS SERVICE

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONUS Postage PaidLynchburg, VAPermit No. 161

VSO Officers President: Jeff Trollinger Past President: Joe Coleman Vice President: Lenny Bankester Secretary: Christine Stinson Treasurer: Terri Cuthriell Raven Editor, Andrew Dolby Newsletter Editor: Len Alfredson Membership Secretary, Shirley Devan

VSO Board of Directors

Terms Expire 2017 Bruce Johnson, Loudoun County Michael Lott, Fredericksburg Laura Neale, Rockbridge CountyTerms Expire 2018

Patti Reum, Highland County Russell Taylor, Fairfax County David Youker, Yorktown Terms Expire 2019 Bill Williams, Williamsburg Lesley Bulluck, Richmond Daniel Bieker, North Garden

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VSO Annual Meeting Registration FormYou can also register online at :

http://www.virginiabirds.org/annual-meeting-registration

Please print names as they should appear on nametags

Name 1: ___________________________________________________

Name 2: ___________________________________________________

Name 3: ___________________________________________________

Name 4: ___________________________________________________

Mailing address: _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Email address: ___________________________________________________

Primary phone: __________________________ Alternate phone: ___________________________

Registration Fee: $40 x __________ (# attending) = $ _______________

Banquet: $40 x __________ (# attending) = $ _______________

Win a pair of Zeiss Optics binoculars! Purchase as many tickets as you want.

Raffle ticket: $5 x __________ (# raffle tickets) = $ _______________

Total amount enclosed (registration, banquet, and raffle tickets) $ _________

Make check payable to: Richmond Audubon Society

Mail completed form and check to:VSO 2017 Annual Meetingc/o Richmond Audubon SocietyPO Box 26648Richmond, VA 23261

For Annual Meeting inquiries, contact Eileen Geller at president@richmondaudubon.org or (260) 348-4020