Bimonthly Membership Meeting
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
7:30 PM -- 9:30 PM
Virtual Zoom Platform from Pittsburgh, PA
Sixty-six computers were logged on to 3RBC's December 2021 meeting, with several of those shared by more than one person. In total, at least 80 individuals viewed the club's eighth virtual Zoom meeting, which featured the club's ever-popular "Slide Slam."
3RBC President Sheree Daugherty called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. She and other club officers made the following announcements and reports.
• Sheree began by noting that the club is still in "pandemic mode" and will con-tinue to meet via Zoom until is safe to gather together in person. She hoped the situation will improve soon, but, for safety's sake, virtual meetings will continue for the foreseeable future. She thanked everyone for their loyalty and perseverance. She shared that she worried that interest in the club might wane; in fact, the opposite has happened and more people than ever are joining and participating. Many thanks!
• President Daugherty thanked Dave Brooke for his invaluable contributions to the club. She reminded everyone that Dave has been serving as 3RBC's program coordinator for the past three years and has done an outstanding job recruiting many very fine speakers. In addition to speakers, one of his best accomplishments has been the organization and streamlining of the club's annual Slide Slam. Sheree recalled that in past years this event has always been a somewhat stressful event for the organizers, and foul-ups were common. Dave has configured a Zoom-based system which has worked flawlessly and has greatly improved everyone's ability to enjoy this popular club event. What's more, Dave has generously agreed to take charge of this event every year! Many thanks and kudos, Dave!
• Sheree announced that the club's new program coordinator will be birder and founding member, Carol McCullough. Many 3RBC members have birded with her and know her well. She thanked Carol for taking on the job and extended a warm welcome. Everyone looks forward to working with you next year and beyond!
• Sheree then raised an environmental issue about which all 3RBC members should be aware: Spotted Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula). This invasive insect is a planthopper, indigenous to parts of China, India, and Vietnam and has spread to the US, where high populations are seen infesting common forest trees, such as maple, birch, and walnut. In Pennsylvania alone Lanternflies have been found on more than 20 newly recorded host species of woody plants including grape vines. These pests are closely associated with the exotic invasive tree Ailanthus altissima, known as Chinese Sumac or Tree of Heaven. Because of the cold weather, the Lanternflies are dead; but their egg masses are waiting for warm weather to hatch. Sheree advised members to learn more about this pest here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_lanternfly and to especially learn to identify the egg masses, here: https://www.phila.gov/2020-10-13-stop-the-spotted-lanternfly-identify-and-destroy-their-eggs/. She advised us that when we see these eggs, destroy them before they get a chance to hatch in the spring. The size of the mass can vary, but it is typically about an inch long by 3/4 inch wide and looks like light grayish splotches of mud or mortar/cement. She reiterated that this is a very harmful insect and should be destroyed on sight.
• Peregrine Editor Paul Hess highlighted the content of the upcoming January-February issue of The Peregrine.
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He announced that the topic of Sheree's next President's Message is 'Bare Naked Birding!' No, it's not what you think it means! Paul also noted that Sheree's last message in the November/December issue received an unprecedented number of enthusiastic comments: he advised everyone to revisit that issue if they haven't read it yet.
Tom Moeller's Observations column will feature a famous birding area in northern Minnesota that not too many have visited: Sax-Zim Bog, located about an hour north of Duluth. Tom tells us about birds there, including Great Grey Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, and Bohemian Waxwing among others. To see these birds, one ordinarily must travel to northern Ontario, so make sure and check out Tom's column.
Editor Hess also noted that the upcoming issue will contain a tribute to the extraordinary life of birder and nature lover, Bill Judd, who died in the fall. Paul thanked Tom and Janet Kuehl, who helped put the memorial together.
The fall bird compilation will feature several rarities and some excellent photographs by several of the club's outstanding photographers
Finally, Paul noted that the Notes About Our Birders column continues to present many interesting notes and experiences from many 3RBC birders. He asked everyone to "keep 'em coming!" Everything birdy is welcome, from backyard experiences to notes about trips from afar.
• Next, Tom Moeller gave his treasurer's report. He reported that the club has garnered nine new membership in last two months, including one student/youth membership. Memberships now total 322, which translates to more than 400 individuals who enjoy birding. As always, we are very grateful for the continued support and generosity of our members.
• Webmaster Tom Moeller remarked that for those interested in participating in the area's 122nd annual Christmas Bird Count, the club's main website page contains a comprehensive list including exact dates, areas covered and leaders' contact information. This year's counts run from December 18th through January 2nd, with the majority occurring on New Year's Day. He reminded everyone that they can also participate by watching their yard feeders and reporting to the appropriate area leader. The CBC is one of the finest examples of citizen science in action, so please consider participating.
• Outings Coordinator Steve Thomas announced that two outings are scheduled for the winter.
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Saturday, February 22, 2022 -- Frick Park Dead of Winter Outing
Sunday, March 27, 2022 -- Pymatuning Area
Participants must follow CDC guidelines, including practice social distancing; do not share equipment; vaccines are recommended; wear a mask when appropri-ate. Each outing leader has set additional restrictions and requirements: most require pre-registration and numbers of participants are limited to about 15. Finally, each leader may discontinue the outing at any time if conditions war-rant such an action. Please see the full outing listing on the website for all restrictions and requirements that may apply! As always, check the club's Facebook page for possible last minute changes or cancellations.
• 3RBC Vice President Mike Fialkovich relayed recent bird sightings, reporting the following sightings: American Wigeon at Imperial; American Black Ducks in Findlay Township; Green-winged Teal at Lincoln Cemetery in Monroeville and Janoski's Farm; Ring-necked Ducks at Imperial; Bufflehead at Lincoln Cemetery and Duck Hollow; 53 Common Mergansers at Duck Hollow; Black-billed Cuckoo at Beechwood Farms; Yellow-billed Cuckoos in various locations; a late Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Coraopolis; American Coot at Duck Hollow; 26 Killdeer in Forward Township; late Solitary Sandpipers at various locations; Spotted Sandpiper at Dashields Dam; Wilson's Snipe in Collier Township; late American Woodcocks on Herr's Island and O'Hara Township; 44 Double-crested Cormorants at Duck Hollow; Red-breasted Nuthatches in North Park; a late Grey Catbird at North Park; around 2,000 Red-winged Blackbirds in Findlay Township with a number of Brown-headed Cowbirds in the flock; Eastern Meadowlarks near Imperial; Mourning Warblers at Beechwood Farms and Harrison Hills; a late Magnolia Warbler at North Park; Cackling Geese at Dashields Dam; a number of Tundra Swans at Sharpsburg, West Deer, and North Park; Northern Shoveler at Deer Lake Park; Northern Pintail at Janoski's Farm and Findlay Township; Ruddy Ducks at Imperial, Findlay Township, Monroeville, and Duck Hollow; Osprey at Oakmont; Merlin at Wexford; Great Egret at North Park; Black Vultures in Brighton Heights and Bridgeville; Northern Bobwhite in Crafton; Marsh Wren at North Park; a late Northern Waterthrush at Harrison Hills; Orange-crowned Warbler at Boyce-Mayview Park and South Park; Connecticut Warbler at the Churchill Valley Greenway; Chipping Sparrow at Frick Park and Beechwood Farms.
• President Daugherty noted that the club's next meeting will take place on February 2, 2022, at 7:00 pm and will feature Bridget Butler, aka "The Bird Diva." She has been working in conservation and environmental education for more than 20 years and is an advocate of what she calls 'slow birding.' Her work has been featured on numerous podcasts including the American Birding Podcast, Ray Brown's Talkin' Birds Podcast, and the South Africa podcast The Birding Life.
Dave Brooke next conducted the club's annual "Slide Slam," which featured the following nine presenters:
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Kraig Cawley: Birds seen in Arizona and a pelagic trip to North Carolina
Daniel Weeks: Birds seen in Squirrel Hill and around the city and Cape May
Charity Kheshgi: Frick Park birds
Mike Fialkovich: Presque Isle and western Pennsylvania birds
Malcolm Kurtz: Birds of western Pennsylvania, Yellow Creek, and Yellowstone National Park
Roger Higbee: Birds of southeastern Arizona, Magee Marsh, Oak Openings, and Brigantine, New Jersey
Ron Burkert: Birds of the San Francisco Bay area
Ryan Tomazin: A video tour of the west including Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons National Parks, plus locations in North Dakota
Dave Brooke: Western Birds from Washington state and the Bosque del Apache in New Mexico.
Sheree thanked everyone for their excellent photos and videos, wished everyone well, cautioned us to stay safe, and adjourned the meeting.
— prepared by Frank Moone on 12-11-2021
