Common Redpoll,
Taken by Steve Litwhiler,
Lorraine, February 2006
Chris Reidy called the executive board meeting to order at 6:50 pm with the following board members in attendance: June Walker, Irene Mazzocchi, Jeff Bolsinger, Dick Brouse, Eve Sweatman and Dave Prosser. Dave Prosser gave a membership report of 120 members. The treasurer's report was that all bills were paid in full including the $114.00 for the website. 250 brochures were printed for a cost of $67.00.
A letter was submitted by Helen Hayes asking for a donation for her work on Gulls however a motion was made not to donate at this time due to our lack of funds from a struggling membership. The motion was seconded.
A nomination was sent to Eve Sweatman for a camper to be sent to Camp Colby. A motion was made to accept the camper and was seconded. At this time the paperwork from the camper has not been sent back to Eve for submission.
The NCBC will work on getting volunteers for Fragile Wilderness in August. Jeff Bolsinger will be leading the International Migratory Bird Day field trip at Ft. Drum in May. If you are interested in attending please contact Jeff, as numbers are limited.
The regular meeting came to order at 7:30 with 14 members present. Not much news reported. Jeff Bolsinger has a pair of binoculars for a young birder if anyone has someone who would be happy to have them contact him.
Chris introduced out presenter Kimberly Corwin, coordinator, from the NYS DEC Breeding Bird Atlas. She presented the results from the last atlas, which many in the club helped to put together.
Jean Jacobs provided refreshments. Thanks Jean!
Respectfully submitted,
Eve Sweatman
March 27, 2008
President Chris Reidy called the executive board meeting to order at 6:30 pm with the following Directors in attendance: Dave Prosser, Dick Brouse, and June Walker. Julie Covey, editor of The Upland Plover, was also in attendance. Late comers were Eve Sweatman, Irene Mazzochi, and Rena Young. Dave Prosser gave a membership report of 107 members including 1 new member, and a treasures report of $410.75 in checking.
Discussions included an annual appeal for members to try to do what they can to make an extra donation to the club and raising awareness by putting on field trips for school age children in hopes to bring about future generations of avid birders and members. Some other ideas were for future silent auctions, and possibly a bird-a-thon. A motion was made by Dick Brouse to agree to the appeal, seconded by June Walker. A copy of the pamphlet for approval was shown by Julie Covey that will be looked over by the officers to determine its use for distribution as soon as possible.
Irene Mazzochi volunteered to put together a contact list to help with a better network for rare sightings.
June Walker made a motion to send $50.00 to the Bald Eagle exhibit at the Zoo at Thompson Park, seconded by Dave Prosser.
The club would like nominations for an officer to take the vacancy left by the departure of Rich Barry. Please have nominations by the next meeting.
The general members meeting came to order at 7:35 pm with 16 members present. Chris Reidy called for nominations for a new board member by our next meeting. Reminders were given that membership money is due at the first of the year. Chris asked for any member to send fall sightings for Region 6 to Jeff Bolsinger as soon as they are able. Chris stated that this may be a big year for winter finches and that there are already good sightings of Evening Grosbeaks, Redpolls and Pine Siskins, also Corky Marlow reported a Pine Grosbeak at her camp in Crogan. Bohemian Waxwings have been seen in the Tupper Lake area, and Rough-legged Hawks in the town of Brownville. Irene reported there are still many birds that are dying from botulism and if anyone is willing to not only report but bag dead birds, be advised that the disease can transfer to humans so use gloves and avoid contact.
Betty Prosser introduced our guest speaker Kathy Plante-Hunt and her son Daniel. Kathy is the founder of the Arsenal Street Cemetery Preservation/Beautification Project 2007-2012. Her vision to restore and beautify this historic cemetery is profound and commendable. She presented this to us via a wonderfully done video, produced by her husband. Kathy is hoping to get the North Country Bird Club members involved by volunteering their time when things get going again this spring. Please contact her at 788-3306 or at kplantehunt@hotmail.com to become a part of this exciting project.
Thanks Kathy for giving back to your community.
Refreshments were provided by Marion Brouse. Thanks Marion!
Respectfully submitted,
Eve Sweatman
November 16, 2007
Chris Reidy called the executive board meeting to order at 7:05 pm with the following Directors in attendance: Eve Sweatman, Dave Prosser, Rena Young, Jeff Bolsinger, and Irene Mazzocchi. Julie Covey, editor of The Upland Plover, was also in attendance. Dave Prosser gave a dire membership report of under 100 members and stated that we are basically about to be spending more than the club will be bringing in. The main theme of the directors meeting was brainstorming ideas that will show the community what a wonderful and fun organization the North Country Bird Club is in hopes of drumming up more members.
The club needs to find a replacement for Rich Barry as Director as he and his wife are moving to Florida. We thank them for the service to the club for the many years of their involvement. Eve Sweatman will be taking on as Chair for the Camp Colby Scholarship. Dave Prosser will be taking over as Program Chair for Jerry LeTendre, and we thank Jerry for his many years of service.
The annual dinner is Monday October 15th at 6PM.
The November Meeting is on the Wednesday November 14th and Chris asked if the Directors could meet earlier than usual at 6:30PM with the general meeting as usual at 7:30.
The regular board meeting came to order with 15 members in attendance. Chris Reidy welcomed all as the new President of the North Country Bird Club with an enthusiastic goal of bringing new members to the club. Our goal will be to spread the word that the NCBC is a great organization to belong to with fun things to do and fun people to do them with. We will be planning on better advertising and fundraising projects along with our terrific field trips and new ideas. Recent bird sightings were discussed, with Chris seeing up to 8 species of warblers at his home along with a Blue-headed vireo and Ruby-crowned kinglet. Judi and Jerry LeTendre saw a Northern Waterthrush in Cape Vincent, and the Red-headed Woodpecker is still being seen in town. Bob Walker mentioned seeing a Pileated woodpecker and common loons at his place in Three Mile Bay.
A few butterflies were mentioned with a few Giant Swallowtails in the area this summer. We would like to see more sightings of butterflies so send them in along with your bird sightings to Julie Covey.
Jeff Bolsinger would like summer sightings sent to him by mid October. Rarities and early and late dates also are needed.
Chris Reidy gave a wonderful program of one of his trips to Alaska in 2002. Some of the flora and fauna he beautifully photographed and described were:
His photos of the mountains and glaciers were breathtaking.
Refreshments were provided by Betty and Dave Prosser. Thanks!
Respectfully submitted,
Eve Sweatman
September 14, 2007
Eve Sweatman called the executive board meeting to order at 7:20 pm with the following members in attendance: Rich Barry, June Walker, Bob Walker, Rena Young, Jerry LeTendre, Dave Prosser, Chris Reidy, Jeff Bolsinger, Irene Mazzocchi and Judi LeTendre. Dave Prosser gave a membership report of 113 paid members and stated he has put the membership on an Excel spreadsheet. Dave Prosser gave a treasurer report, noting a donation made to the Thompson Park Conservancy Aviary. Some bills paid were Presbyterian Church meeting room fee and Plover newsletter preparation to Julie Covey. A donation of $25.00 is being sent to Glen Park Fire Department in memory of Ray Marlowe. Also a donation to the butterfly house at Thompson Park in the amount of $200.00.
The regular board meeting came to order with 24 members in attendance. Discussion followed on the aviary project at Thompson Park Zoo and the fact that the zoo would like suggestions. Corky Marlowe thanked the bird club for all they had done after the death of her husband Ray. She stated $1,500 had been collected for a scholarship in Ray Marlowe's name. Bird sightings followed: 14 great egrets in Canton, many shorebirds at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge on the Towpath Road, a great egret at Perch River Wildlife Management Area, 3 common moorhen at Beaver Meadows.
President Eve Sweatman reminded the club to sign up for the October 16 chicken and biscuit dinner. Irene Mazzocchi gave a brief talk about Perch River and the drawdown at Stone Mills Pool, which produced sightings of egrets, a yellow-crowned night heron and black-crowned night herons. Dick Brouse reported seeing monarch, northern crescent and great spangled fritillary butterflies at El Dorado. Irene Mazzocchi reported Little Galloo Island had 800 dead birds, many of which were Caspian terns. Irene asked that any sightings of dead birds be reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Jerry LeTendre introduced the meeting speaker, Herb Reed. Mr. Reed gave an informative talk on butterflies and the butterfly program at Thompson Park, complete with many beautiful pictures of various butterflies he had observed there.
The meeting ended at 9:03 pm
Refreshments were provided by Corky Marlowe.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith LeTendre,
Secretary
September 15, 2006
Eve Sweatman called the executive board meeting to order at 7:10 pm with the following directors in attendance: Jan Mallory, Rich Barry, June Walker, Bob Walker, Rena Young, Jerry LeTendre, Dave Prosser, Chris Reidy and Judi LeTendre. Absent were Irene Mazzocchi and Jeff Bolsinger. June Walker gave a membership report of 103 paid members. Reminder cards went out to those that have not paid and we are down by 20 members from last year. Chris Reidy said Channel 7 television wants to attend the Red Lake Field trip. June Walker is stepping down as membership chair. Dave Prosser will take over June's job as membership chair. Dick Brouse and Jeff Bolsinger were voted in as directors with the terms of Bob Walker and Jan Mallory expiring. Jerry LeTendre told of a June 10 Lyme Library "Summer on the Lake" Recreation Expo and asked if anyone from NCBC could attend from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm time frame. No one volunteered. The executive meeting ended at 7:35 pm
The regular board meeting came to order with 19 members in attendance. The club recognized new member Chuck Voorhees from Cape Vincent and welcomed him. Chris Reidy told of the Tug Hill Bird-a-thon scheduled for June 2006 and asked that anyone interested in participating call Linda Gibbs.
Chris Reidy reported that he, Dick Brouse and the Town of Rutland Supervisor met at the sanctuary. Some trees were cut and Chris will cut up the wood. Birds observed during this visit were blackburnian warbler, Baltimore oriole, great-crested flycatcher and black and white warbler. There was some discussion on the need for advertising field trips by the club. Currently Flower Memorial, Lyme, Clayton and Jefferson Community College libraries receive the newsletter. Eve Sweatman said her clay-colored sparrows are back on her property. Jerry LeTendre reported a glaucous gull sighting on the St. Lawrence River in Cape Vincent. Also the red-headed woodpeckers are back in Cape Vincent. Some discussion followed on the upcoming Pt. Pelee bird trip some of the bird club members would be attending. The meeting adjourned and a film "Winged Migration" was shown.
Refreshments were provided by Rich and Jean Barry.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith LeTendre,
Secretary
May 31, 2006
Vice President Chris Reidy called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm Dave Prosser gave a treasurer's report and stated a bill was received from Julie Covey for $75.00 for the editing of "The Upland Plover" newsletter. There are some members that have a concern that the cost of editing the newsletter seems high. It was discussed that since we do not have a volunteer to edit the newsletter we will have to continue business as usual.
June Walker gave a membership report of 92 paid members, which is down from last year. June Walker also mentioned that she & Bob shall be resigning from the membership committee in May.
At next months meeting John Rogers will give a program on "Bluebirds and More", it was mentioned that we should try to advertise or get the word out to the public.
Irene Mazzocchi mentioned getting Kevin McGowan to speak at one of our meetings. She said he gave a good presentation on "Crows" at a NYSDEC wildlife meeting.
Chris mentioned that several of the links on the website were not working correctly and Irene said she would mention it to Steve Litwhiler our web page designer and editor.
A discussion took place on whether to only print part of a news story in The Upland Plover and then refer the readers to our web page as in the March/April issue. Although it was understood why this was done there is a concern that not all of our members have access to the internet. The committee decided that it would be best to print the whole story. A request was made to print the entirety of Litwhiler Littletails-Barred Owl in the next newsletter. It was also brought up that to conserve space in the newsletter that perhaps the title section could decreased in size just a little more. Everyone liked having the website address near the top under the title.
The general membership meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm by Chris Reidy with 17 people in attendance. Bird sightings were reported by members. Some of the highlights were Snowy Owls being seen near Three Mile Bay and Red Crossbills appear to be nesting near Canton.
The program for the evening was the video "Pale Male", the story of the first documented nesting attempt of a red-tailed hawk in New York City's Central Park. It is a well written documentary showing the determination of a wildlife species and the interest it created in both birders and non-birders alike.
June & Bob Walker provided refreshments after the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be in April 12, 2006 and the presentation will be "Bluebirds and More" by John Rogers.
Respectfully submitted,
Irene Mazzocchi
Committee Member
March 13, 2006