Volume 13 Number 3

December 1999

---

---

---

---

Found an injured raptor?
Contact Debbie Delevan of Chesapeake Birds of Prey, Inc.

Phone: (410) 692-9305
Fax: (410) 692-2765
E-mail: raptors@bellatlantic.net

---

CONTENTS

January 7^th Meeting to Feature Researcher from Philippine Eagle Foundation
Welcome New Members
Late Dues
Calendar of Events
In Memoriam
Field Trip Reports
Proclamation Presented to Harford Chapter, MOS
Five Lessons From Geese
Announcing New Barn Owl Project
50^th Anniversary Celebration a Huge Success!!
Rules and Guidelines for The Year 2000 MOS Conference Pin Design Contest
HARFORD CHAPTER - MOS FIELD TRIPS DECEMBER 1999-FEBRUARY 2000
Volunteers Needed
Story Time

Researcher Ralph Mancke from the Philippine Eagle Foundation will be the guest speaker at the January Meeting. Mr. Mancke is a retired chemist from AT&T Bell Laboratories and holds a M.S. in natural resources from Cornell University.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation uses the eagle as a flagship species to draw attention to the plight of the rain forest. The Eagle is the top predator in the rain forest and one of the world's largest, rarest, and most unique eagles. Forest in Mindanao have been reduced to 18% of their former area and are still being cut extensively. Featured topics in the slide/lecture presentation are: eagle's lifestyle, habits, forest biodiversity, endemic species, and endangered species and why the forest are still being cut. Learn about the Foundation's fascinating captive breeding program, and other programs such as, field research, conservation education, and community enterprise development.

The January meeting will be held on Friday, January 7^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Churchville Presbyterian Church. There is no dinner at this meeting, so the reservation form is not included.

Please remember our inclement weather policy: If Harford County Public Schools are closed for the entire day or if they close early, the meeting will be postponed one week. If the schools open one or two hours late, the meeting will be held as scheduled. If the meeting is postponed one week and we again have inclement weather on the rescheduled day, then the event is canceled.

Return to Table of Contents

Return to Table of Contents

If you have not paid your 1999-2000 dues, the first line of your mailing label will read, "NOT RENEWED AS OF DECEMBER 1, 1999." If you do not renew your dues by February 1, 2000, you will be removed from local and MOS mailing lists and this is the last newsletter that you will receive. If you have any questions about your membership, please contact Joyce Gorsuch by e-mail at jegorsuch@eclipsetel.com.

Return to Table of Contents

December 30: Annual Audubon Rock Run Christmas Count. Participants must register with Russ Kovach and a $5.00 fee is required. Call Russ Kovach for further information and registration.

January 7: Harford MOS meeting at Churchville Presbyterian Church at 7:00 p.m. No dinner will be served at this meeting. Topic: Philippine Eagle Research & Conservation Foundation.

Return to Table of Contents

Dr. Mildred Gebhard, a member of our club from 1968--1999, passed away on October 4 at Harford Memorial Hospital. Born in Delaware in 1918, she received her doctorate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in the 1950's. She taught at the University of Pennsylvania in the psychology department and worked at Perry Point VA Medical Center as a psychologist for 35 years.

She served as chairperson of the MOS scholarship program for many years.

Dr. Gebhard enjoyed birdwatching and was also a cat lover. Up until the last few years, she attended meeting regularly. We will miss her.

A donation to the MOS Sanctuary fund was made in her memory.

Return to Table of Contents

Five persons journeyed to Kent County on Sunday, November 14. It was foggy in the morning but bright and sunny the rest of the day with a high of 61 degrees. We saw 76 species. Highlights were White-crowned . sparrows at Chesapeake Farms in the same spot where we saw them last year, a nice flock of Common Goldeneye, Horned Grebes, Hooded Mergansers (with their hoods up), a Merlin harassing a Red-tailed Hawk, several hundred Tundra Swans, and numerous Bufflehead. The duck numbers were not as high as last year when our trip was one week later. Our laughs were provided by a dozen emu and a cat on a hot tin roof.

Jean Fry

I spent two weeks in southern England in November, and while it was not a birding trip, I did see some birds I'd never seen before, including the magpie, jackdaw and European robin, all very common (but new to me). The English don't have a red bird like our cardinal, so their robin, smaller than ours, is their bird of choice for Christmas decorations, including cards, tree ornaments, etc. The European robin, a thrush like ours, sounds a lot like our eastern bluebird.

Plenty of ducks and geese could be found on this balmy, 30'h of October field trip to the Delaware Bay coast. Along with hundreds of Snow Geese at bombay Hook, we had a huge winter-plumaged flock of American Avocets. Also along the water's edge were Dunlin, Short-Billed Dowitcher, Pectoral Sandpiper, Common Snipe, and a Glossy Ibis.

Back on land, Horned Larks, White-throated Sparrows, kinglets, and Dark-eyed Juncos were back in force. Little Creek produced extensive flotillas of American Wigeon, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Ruddy Duck. No Masked Ducks were seen however!

Rick Cheicante

Four club members met at Eden Mill on November 7 and hiked about 2 miles to Kilgore Falls. The birds were not plentiful along the way, but we did get see Hermit Thrush, Purple Finch, Fox Sparrow and Winter Wren. A pair of PiIeated Woodpeckers behind Dave Powell's house gave us intermittent looks. Everyone enjoyed the hike and the visit to the falls.

The weather conditions on Saturday, November 6 -- cool temperatures, a light breeze, and bright, sunny skies -- were ideal for waxing a car, hanging laundry, painting a fence, or attending a college football game. But as five birders learned that morning, it was less than ideal for identifying distant waterfowl. Actually, conditions for the first hour after sunrise were pretty good, and the number of diving ducks on the Gunpowder River was astonishing. An estimated 15,000 waterfowl, mostly Lesser Scaup, spanned nearly the entire field of view on the water. Also seen were Ruddy Duck, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and Gadwall. A couple flocks of migrating Tundra Swans flew high overhead while a half dozen Mute Swans swam along the Gunpowder's eastern shoreline. Unfortunately, no scoters or Oldsquaws could be picked out in the rafts.

Inspecting the Tydings Island mudflat from Havre de Grace, we looked directly toward the sun and were forced to identify many of the birds by profile, size, and behavior. Duckwise, we only added American Wigeon to the trip list. Other discoveries included a trio of Bald Eagles, a Cooper's Hawk, a late Osprey, and perhaps our most uncommon bird of the day, a lone Dunlin.

We finished the trip trying to find the Red-necked Grebe reported recently at Conowingo Lake. We struck out on that one, but found a Horned Grebe, a few Common Loons, and several Bonaparte's Gulls to round out the 42 total species for the morning.

Six birders went to Swan Harbor Farms 121 on a cool, damp, windy morning on November 17, 1999 in search of field birds and waterfowl. A total of thirty-six species was seen on our visit. We were first warmly welcomed to the area by an immature Bald Eagle. It was a glorious sight as it soared above over the Chesapeake Bay. While at the water's edge, we saw numerous flocks of water fowl, including Cormorants, Canada Geese, Tundra Swans, Buffleheads, and Pintails, as well as several other duck species. The highlight of our morning was seeing a Winter Wren, which stayed around so that all six birders could have a good look at it. Our trip to the shore was concluded with seeing flocks of Cedar Waxwings and Robins.

Return to Table of Contents

On October 19, 1999, The Harford County Executive Council awarded a Proclamation to our Harford Chapter. Debbie Delevan, President and Debbie Stewart, Secretary were present to accept the award on behalf of the club.

Susan B. Heselton presented the award and a brief speech by Debbie Delevan, concerning the club's achievements and benefits to the citizens of Harford County was delivered to an audience of approximately 50 people.

The Council also recognized our 50^th Anniversary and on November 5^th at the celebration, Susan Heselton read the Proclamation for all those in attendance. A wonderful tribute to our bird club!

Return to Table of Contents

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift" for the bird following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if the bird flew alone.

Lesson I: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the "lifting power" of the bird immediately in front.

Lesson 2: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go (and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to the others).

When the lead goose gets tired it rotates back into the formation and another flies at the point position.

Lesson 3: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership -- with people, as with geese, we are interdependent on each other.

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson 4: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging -- and not something else.

When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or catch up with the flock.

Lesson 5: If we have as much sense as geese we too will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strongest.

Return to Table of Contents

Barn Owl Project: The Barn Owl Research and Conservation project is gearing up for the spring breeding season. For those of you who missed the short presentation at the November dinner meeting, the Harford MOS is helping sponsor a barn owl research and conservation project within Harford County.

We are going to build nest boxes to be placed in barns and unused silos throughout the county. Barn owls readily use man made nest boxes, allowing their populations to be monitored and studied over a period of years. Various barn owl studies have been conducted throughout the US with great success; hopefully our program will have similar results.

We are going to start with a small scale pilot study in early 2000. We have been collecting wood donations, and Randy Robertson and his merry band of wood workers have agreed to assemble the nest boxes. The next step will be to determine appropriate sites to mount the boxes before the end of February. After that the boxes will be monitored regularly for nesting owls.

Volunteers are needed for all phases of the project. If you know of unused silos or barns in Harford county, or farmers who may be willing to "host" a barn owl nest box, please let us know. Also volunteers to monitor boxes for nesting owls are needed; no need to climb ladders for this if you have binoculars and are willing to look for signs of owls (droppings, pellets, etc.).

Woodworkers, monitors, publicity - whatever you can do, we would love your help!

Please contact Marsha Webb, project chairman, during December if you would like to be involved in this exciting project (email webbdm@starpower.net).

Return to Table of Contents

Note from the President

Over 120 people flocked to celebrate Harford Chapter's 50^th Anniversary. It was a memorable night! Past presidents, honored guests and many new prospective members crowded into the Churchville Presbyterian Church on November 5^th.

Dr. Chan Robbins was delightful as he unfolded the MOS history book and took us back in time when our chapter was just a fledgling. He brought to our attention the achievements of our members back then, when some very significant milestones were met. Also the groundwork for environmental awareness was laid and steps were taken as a group to ensure the objectives of the club.

As I announced the past presidents, honored guests, and members that made an contribution of their time and skills, a sense of pride and respect filled the air. I realized how valuable each member is and what a responsibility we all have to protect our delicate environment. We all shared a common bond that night. I wondered who among us would be noted for outstanding achievements and honored at our 100^th anniversary. What impact did our passion for birds accomplish? Did we set a good example? Were we responsible earth stewards? In conclusion I feel if we were able to touch the heart of another human being to appreciate the beauty of birds or be fascinated by their ability to fly, perhaps we would have accomplished our goal. After all, you protect and preserve that which you find fascinating and beautiful...it is the First Step.

Return to Table of Contents

The MOS Conference Committee announces the Year 2000 MOS Conference Pin Design Contest.

THE RULES:

The design shall include a bird and the phrases "MOS" and "2000."

The bird featured must be appropriate for the conference site, Washington County (i.e., no gannets).

Submissions shall be rendered in full color.

Submissions shall not be framed or matted.

Write on the back of each entry the artist's name, phone number, and chapter affiliation; and identify the species.

Do not put the artist's name anywhere on the front of the entry.

Artists may not use others' work, or copyrighted material.

Artists may submit up to five designs for any one contest.

Entrants must be members of MOS.

By entering the contest the artists agree that if their design wins it becomes the property of MOS, which has the right to use the design to promote the conference, and for other MOS promotional uses.

The deadline for entries is December 31, 1999.

GUIDELINES AND SUGGESTIONS:

Designs should be in the "final version," with the bird clearly depicted. Don't send a rough sketch and expect the pin company to finish the artwork for you.

Simple, uncluttered, bold designs work best. The finished pin will be less than two inches; small details and complicated backgrounds don't reduce well.

The manufacturer has a limited color palette; artists should consider birds with "basic" colors. (Note the color of the "olive" back of the yellowthroat on the 1991 pin.)

Avoid shading or small patches of color. The pins are cloisonné, and each color change is bordered by a brass line. (The background in the original design for 1994 was shaded from dark green to light green; but the pin company could only produce one shade.)

Submissions should be on sturdy, white, unlined paper or Bristol, in any medium, and the image should be at least five inches across (but not larger than 8 X 10 inches).

The shape of the pin doesn't matter; the manufacturer can produce any shape.

Artists need not depict the entire bird (note the 1988 entry).

All references to the artist will be covered before judging.

The contest judges are an impartial jury of birders and artists. No entrant can be a judge.

Judges consider artistic merit, suitability of the species, and the expected attractiveness of the resultant pin.

The jury's decision is final.

The winner may be asked to make minor changes to accommodate the manufacturing process.

All entries will be returned to the artists, except for the winning design, which becomes the property of MOS.

Pictures of past contest winners can be seen at the MOS State Web Page: http://www.mdbirds.org

Contact John Malcolm with any questions.

Return to Table of Contents

Here are the Harford Bird Club field trips for the next few weeks. If you would like further information about a particular field trip, please contact Russ Kovach.

Return to Table of Contents

Please call Debbie Delevan if you are interested in volunteering.

Position: Marketing/Public Relations Person

Harford Chapter MOS is desperately seeking a Marketing/Public Relations person to handle the following duties:

1. Oversee public events such as fundraising projects.

2. Coordinate other volunteers for specific time slots and positions.

3. Write Press Releases to the local papers for upcoming events.

Position: Education Coordinator for local events

Seeking a member with educational background to represent Harford Bird Club to schools, colleges and special service clubs and special event days. Duties:

1. Public speaking & resource person.

2. Delivery of slide/lecture presentations.

3. Coordinator for inquires as speakers

Position: Newsletter Editor

Duties: Coordinate articles, upcoming events and field trips to be complied in Wrenderings.

1. Knowledge of computers and access to e-mail is required.

2. Drop off copy ready to local printer.

3. Coordinator with Carole and Joe Vangrin, who graciously volunteer to assemble and mail our newsletter.

P.S. Thank you Carole and Joe for all your help over the years.

Return to Table of Contents