Eve Sweatman called the last meeting of the year to order at 7:10 p.m. Dave Prosser gave a treasurer's report and stated a bill was received from Julie Covey for $110.00 for typing of the Plover newsletter. June Walker gave a membership report of 119 paid members, which is down from previous years. Discussion followed on Julie Covey encountering troubles with sending the newsletter out to members on e-mail as they are unable to open it. It was decided to stop sending the newsletter by e-mail and going back to sending it in the regular mail to members. Chris Reidy asked if we could start publicizing the field trips and hopefully get more participation by the public. June Walker brought up the need for a new checklist of birds. Chris Reidy asked for bird club members e-mail addresses and Judi LeTendre said she would send him a list.
The general membership meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by President Eve Sweatman with 20 people in attendance. Eve announced that e-mailing of the newsletter would be stopped and everyone would receive their newsletter by regular mail. Bird sightings were reported by members. Jerry and Judi LeTendre observed a northern shrike on the Gosier Road in the Town of Cape Vincent. Dick Brouse had approx. 175 rusty black birds at his home on Hazelhurst Avenue in Watertown. Mention was made of cave swallows being observed on Lake Ontario and at Derby Hill Hawk Watch. Chris Reidy stated that cave swallows are expanding their range and come here from Southern Texas. Various members stated they are now seeing snow buntings in flocks. Eve Sweatman told of a photo contest being conducted at Blue Seal Feeds. Chris Reidy told of a whooping crane that had been observed near Castorland and that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned about this bird and wants to capture it and relocate it.
The need for a new bird club checklist of birds was discussed and it was decided to hold meetings preferably on weekdays during early December 2005 for interested parties to give their input and get this list established.
Jerry LeTendre introduced Jeff Bolsinger as the speaker for this meeting talking about E-bird (which stands for electronic bird). This program was put together by Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The website is simply www.ebird.org and birders can go to this website to list the bird sightings. Jeff stated this would be very helpful in his preparation of the Kingbird Publication submission. For the Kingbird, Jeff needs arrival/departure date of birds, any unusual high/low numbers of birds, noteworthy congregations, rarities and species of concern sightings. Jeff also talked about listserve. One of mention was Northern New York Birds which covers all of Northern New York. Jeff recommended becoming a subscriber. Jeff's next submission for the Kingbird covers Sept. - November of 2005 and his deadline is Dec. 15.
Judi LeTendre provided refreshments and the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be in March 2006.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi LeTendre,
Secretary
President Eve Sweatman called the executive board meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. with the following members in attendance: Irene Mazzocchi, Rich Barry, June Walker, Bob Walker, Judi LeTendre, Dave Prosser, Chris Reidy, Rena Young and Jan Mallory. June Walker gave a membership report of 128 paid members. Discussion followed on raising membership fees effective January 1, 2006 to $10 from $7. It was decided it should be stated in the next newsletter to alert members of the raise in membership fees. Dave Prosser gave a treasurer's report with no outstanding payments and savings solvent. Dave stated that the expenses for the mailing of the newsletter were for typing, postage, AMF printing. There was discussion of a fee of $25 per year to keep the domain name for the bird club web site. A motion to keep the web site going for at least one year and then taking a look at its effectiveness was passed. Irene Mazzocchi gave a brief summary of attendance of Fragile Wilderness. Jerry LeTendre announced that long time DEC employee Bob Miller had passed away.
The executive board meeting ended at 7:30 p.m.
The general membership board meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by Eve Sweatman with 23 members in attendance. A field trip to El Dorado is scheduled for Saturday, September 17, but may have to be cancelled due to bad weather forecasted. Marion Brouse announced the Chicken and Biscuit Dinner is $9 per person and she needs a head count. Rich Barry announced he is compiling butterfly and dragonfly sightings and to please e-mail them to him including species, date, and location to rbarry8931@aol.com. Jeff Bolsinger announced that he has taken over reporting for the Kingbird. Jeff stressed the absence of normally seen birds is just as important as bird sightings and he would like them by September 15th this time if possible. Jeff's e-mail is cadybols@gisco.net The time frame Jeff is working with right now are the months of June, July and August 2005. An announcement was made that a lesser frigatebird (male) was spotted on Lake Erie. Eve Sweatman said she has palm warblers at her house and Jerry LeTendre told of 2 long eared owls in Jefferson County. Discussion followed on butterfly gardens and proper mulching of perennials to keep them over winter. June Walker told of two trips this past spring/summer to Ray and Corky Marlowe's camp to see birds, butterflies, etc. and thanked them for the experience.
Pearl McGory gave a talk on her trip to the Pacific Coast to see whales and birds complete with a projector and her photos. The McGory's trip was in March of 2005 and the cost was $2,300. Pearl showed photos of cassins auklets and gray whales. She showed San Ignacio Lagoon which is 16 miles deep and 3 miles wide. On this trip participants were able to pet the whales.
Refreshments were provided by Marion Brouse and Corky Marlowe. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. The next meeting will be the October 11, 2005 chicken and biscuit dinner at Rutland Church with a presentation by Nick Donnelly on Dragonflies and Damselflies. The next regular meeting will be November 9, 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi LeTendre
September 18, 2005
The executive board meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by outgoing president Gerry Smith. Directors and officers in attendance were Rena Young, June Walker, Millie Germaine, Jerry LeTendre, Judi LeTendre, Jan Mallory, Dave Prosser and Rich Barry. Absent were Irene Mazzocchi and Vice President Jeff Bolsinger. Dave Prosser gave a treasurer's report. Gerry Smith announced the nominating committee would be recommending Eve Sweatman as president and Chris Reidy as Vice President, with Dave Prosser staying on as treasurer and Judi LeTendre as secretary. Gerry Smith also suggested that certificates of appreciation be awarded to the three farmers hosting the great gray owl this year. Jerry LeTendre suggested giving them a Sibley's bird book. Jerry also announced that Dick Brouse had constructed a wood duck box and it was given to Mike Bell on the Gosier Road to thank him for all his cooperation in allowing birders to view the great gray owl on his property. June Walker asked if members renew their membership in September, should she accept $7 rather than $10 and it was decided she should accept the $7. Julie Covey will continue to type up the plover newsletter through Eve Sweatman and Gerry Smith will be glad to continue editing the sightings. Gerry Smith said he would also stay on as conservation contact if the board wanted him to. Gerry Smith also stated that NCBC members should become active on the 4-wheelers/state land issue. The ATV community is strong and feeling they should have access to state land. NCBC members should comment/write some letters and get involved, letting local representatives know how we feel. Gerry stated there will be damage to wildlife in critical nesting habitats, damage to streams. It occurs regularly right now on Tug Hill and there are many adverse impacts. The executive board meeting came to a close at 7:32 p.m.
The regular board meeting was called to order by Gerry Smith at 7:35 p.m. with 23 members in attendance. First order of business was slate of nominees - Eve Sweatman as president and Chris Reidy Vice President, with Dave Prosser continuing on as treasurer and Judi LeTendre as secretary. Dick Brouse made a motion to pass the slate of officers and it was seconded by Jerry LeTendre. The motion was carried. It was decided that letters of appreciation and Sibley Bird Books would be presented to the three farmers out by the great gray owl. The dues increase from $7 to $10 for 2006 was discussed. Discussion followed on the great gray owl still being present on the Gosier Road as of May 11, 2005, and a suggestion for an owl crossing sign was discussed. Gerry Smith announced that it has been a bad year at Derby Hill with low numbers of hawks being observed due to north winds and only 22,000 birds having gone by. Gerry also told of a Harris' sparrow being seen at Derby Hill. Dick Brouse told of a blue-gray gnatcatcher in his yard. Gerry Smith said it has been confirmed that a second great gray owl and been injured on Feb. 25 and was released March 1; and a third great gray owl near Carthage has been reported. Jan Mallory announced that bird club member Gordon Hoag was home after having surgery on his knee and is doing well. Dick Brouse talked about the Blake Sanctuary trees being down again, stating that the Maple Trail is fine and warblers are moving through there. Bob Long gave an update on the Atlas project, stating that Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties are looking good and several birders have signed on to help finish up the atlas. Bob also told of a parula he had observed on his property in the Town of Morristown and a pair of trumpeter swans nesting on Chippewa Creek.
Jerry LeTendre gave a talk on his experience with the great gray owl on Gosier Road this past winter/spring. He gave a sequence of events and mentioned he had gotten the owl as a life bird for over 500 people, with well over 1,500 people coming to view the bird. As of the date of this meeting, the great gray owl is still being seen and had not gone north yet. Jerry also received a certificate of appreciation from the New York State Ornithological Association for his cooperation, hospitality and able assistance to visiting birders viewing the owl dated March 18, 2005.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Refreshments followed provided by Marion Brouse and Betty Prosser. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi LeTendre
May 17, 2005
The executive board meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Program Committee Chairman, Jerry LeTendre. Membership Chairwoman June Walker took a count of board directors and officers to make sure there was a quorum to hold the meeting. Directors and officers in attendance were Irene Mazzocchi, Rena Young, June Walker, Millie Germaine, Jerry LeTendre and Judi LeTendre. Absent were President Gerry Smith, Treasurer David Prosser and Vice President Jeff Bolsinger. Jerry presented nominations for the upcoming term of officers of the bird club as follows: President - Eve Sweatman, Vice-President - Chris Reidy, Treasurer - David Prosser and Secretary - Judi LeTendre. Also recommended was filling the vacant director position created by Catherine Martin's death with member Millie Germaine. Upcoming field trips for the month of May were announced as follows: May 14, Limerick Cedars, May 21st, Red Lake and May 28, Huntington Trail. Jerry also announced that he had cleaned out the bluebird boxes that the club maintains on Route 12E between Chaumont and Cape Vincent. The butterfly/dragonfly/damselfly column naming contest has ended with the title of "Leps and Odes" being chosen. Some discussion followed on the Great Gray Owl still being present in Cape Vincent and Jerry showed the group a certificate of appreciation he had received from the New York State Ornithological Association, Inc. recognizing his efforts to protect the owl and helping birders to see the owl. Jerry announced that Nick Donnelly is willing to give a future talk to the North Country Bird Club on dragonflies.
The regular board meeting was called to order by Jerry LeTendre at 7:35 p.m. with 19 members in attendance. Discussion followed on the Great Gray Owl and Jerry announced he had assisted 363 people to get the bird for a "lifer". He also mentioned that over 1,000 people had viewed the owl. The new slate of nominees for officers of the club was announced and will be voted in at the May meeting. The field trips for May 2005 were read aloud. Bird sightings were taken from the floor. Dick Brouse announced that Nick Leone had spotted a Eurasian Wigeon at Wellesley Island at Eel Bay. Eve Sweatman said she had a raven fly over her house. Jerry LeTendre said he had at least 200 snow geese fly over Gosier Road along with Canadian Geese in the thousands. Member Mary Beth Hoag asked that Jerry LeTendre's efforts on the Gosier Road for over a month helping people see the owl be recognized by the club. Applause followed.
Jerry LeTendre introduced Robert Walker's talk on bird watching in the Dry Tortugas, Florida. Bob gave an informative talk complete with slides of the various species of birds he and his wife June had observed on their 6 trips to this beautiful birding destination. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Refreshments followed provided by Marion Brouse. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi LeTendre
April 14, 2005
The "early" executive board meeting was called to order by President Gerry Smith at 6:35 p.m. Officers and directors in attendance were: Gerry Smith, Rena Young, David Prosser, Judi LeTendre, Jerry LeTendre, Irene Mazzocchi, Jan Mallory, June Walker and Jeff Bolsinger. This early meeting was to discuss the NCBC financial difficulties. Treasurer, Dave Prosser said the club would be operating in red if the current practices continued such as newsletter expenses, web site costs, etc. Dave broke down the various club assets and stated there would have to be some changes made. Jeff Bolsinger asked when the last time was that bird club dues were raised. It was decided that dues should be raised to $10 for member, $15 for a sponsor and $20 for a patron effective January 1, 2006.
Discussion on the newsletter followed. Gerry Smith stated Julie Covey does the compilation of the newsletter and he then edits. Gerry also stated he would be glad to continue to review sightings after his term as president expired. Dave Prosser announced that the charge by Stone Presbyterian Church for bird club meetings was being raised to $125 per year. Jerry LeTendre suggested raising dues to $10 as proposed, and then take a look at figures at March 2006 meeting to see if it helped. June Walker suggested keeping Plover newsletter to three (2 sided) pages to keep costs down for typing of it by Julie Covey. Irene Mazzocchi suggested putting some bird club money in a CD where there is no penalty for early withdrawal. It was decided that this should be done. There was also discussion about holding to deadlines on newsletter. Gerry Smith announced he would contact Julie Covey with names and e-mail addresses of people that want to receive the newsletter by e-mail. June Walker suggested that the newsletter should not be put on the web site right away, saying that people would be less likely to pay for their membership if they can just go to internet and read it, rather than see it in their mailed newsletter. It was decided there should be a two month wait to put each newsletter on the bird club web site. Irene Mazzocchi stated she would advise Steve Litwhiler, as he maintains the web site. Fund raising discussion followed and was tabled until April 2005 meeting. It was decided that insurance for the bird club would be taken out of a certain account. Jerry LeTendre made a motion that there would be a donation made in memory of Catherine Martin to the Stone Presbyterian Church. June Walker seconded it, and the motion was passed. The executive board meeting ended at 7:30 p.m.
The general membership meeting was called to order by President Gerry Smith at 7:32 p.m. with 23 members in attendance. Gerry announced: 1) the club is losing money and it was decided to raise club membership fee to $10 from $7; 2) that people should e-mail Julie Covey information/input for the newsletter in a timely fashion and meet deadline dates; and 3) that the great gray owl was still on the Gosier Road in Cape Vincent and passed around a photograph. Gerry stated the great gray owl should head back north in March sometime between the 10th and end of the month. There was a huge invasion into Ottawa this winter of great gray owls. They fly low and slow and a large number of them are killed by vehicles.
Dick Brouse told of an October 1949 Watertown Daily Times article he had found during remodeling project at a friend's house that regarded duck banding at Perch River. Gerry Smith told of a range expansion of ravens into the North Country. He said bald eagles are doing very well also. He mentioned that 100 hawks had already gone through Derby Hill on a recent weekend.
New bird club members Gordon Hoag and Bill and Nan Dixon were introduced and welcomed to the club. Dave Heidenreich announced that March 19, at St. Lawrence University John Rogers was giving a program on bluebirds. Dick Brouse announced that he had 15 male cardinals and 8 females at his feeder. Jerry LeTendre told of how raccoons kill tree swallows on the nest and Gerry Smith said homeowners should put up predator guards to help the swallows.
Gerry Smith asked that members get a letter off to Senators Schumer and Clinton and Congressman McHugh opposing proposed changes in conservation donation tax legislation reducing benefits for donation of land. Gerry said that unfortunately there is a group of politicians running congress that are anti-environment. He hopes the letters will help support continued tax benefits for donation of land.
Jerry LeTendre played the movie, "Watching Warblers", by Michael Male and Judith Feith to remind members as a refresher for the upcoming migration season. The meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m. Judi LeTendre provided refreshments. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13, 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi LeTendre
March 14, 2005