Field trips
& other events

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Regular leaders:

Allen Larner: birdergonewild_AT_yahoo.com

Josephine King: kingbird10_AT_yahoo.com

Penny Warren onthewingnow17_AT_gmail.com

John Spahr: jspahr_AT_yahoo.com.

Gabriel Mapel: Gabriel Mapel

Andrew Clem: agclem_AT_comcast.net

(Replace "_AT_" with @ symbol.)

Field trips (upcoming & recent)

Because of the coronavirus emergency, field trips are subject to "social distancing" guidelines, with no carpooling unless otherwise indicated. According to the Virginia Dept. of Health, "If you have tested positive for COVID-19, stay home and isolate for at least 5 days from the date your symptoms began. Wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others at home. If you are fever-free and other symptoms have improved after 5 days, you may leave isolation if you can continue to mask for 5 additional days to minimize the risk of infecting others." Basic driving directions accompany the meeting places (which for now are by definition the same as the trip destinations) in the list below.

For additional information on upcoming field trips, such as whether to bring snacks or a bag lunch, and the need to dress appropriately for the weather, please consult the current Newsletter.

"DO IT YOURSELF!" Members may use the form on the Update page to post a forthcoming field trip on on the list above, as long as it has been approved by Allen Larner or Jo King. Newly-added field trips are automatically placed at the end of the list. If any corrections are necessary, please contact the Webmaster at agclem_AT_comcast.net.

Date	Destination	Meeting Place *	Time	Coordinator(s)
Wednesday, March 15th	McCormick's Farm in Raphine, VA	(same as destination)	9:00 AM	Jo King
Saturday, March 18th	Waverly-Wakefield-Piney Grove, VA	Ride & share parking lot in Waynesboro at I-64 & Rt. 340	6:00 AM	Allen Larner
Saturday, April 8	Chimney Hollow trail (Rt. 250 west)	At the Food Lion lower parking lot on N. Coalter St. in Staunton	8:30 AM	Andrew Clem
Saturday, April 28th & Sunday, April 29th	Chincoteague NWR, VA	McDonald's parking lot across from Best Western hotel, Chincoteague, VA (See bulletin for details.)	8:00 AM	Allen Larner
Saturday, May 6th	Cowbane Preserve, Stuarts Draft	The end of Johnson Drive	8:00 AM	Lynne Parks
March 20	Bell’s Lane	Bell’s Lane Bird Kiosk	08:30 AM	Penny Warren

* (if different than the destination)

From the field trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Monday May 6, 2019.

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Annual bird surveys

VSO Annual Bird Foray

Each year the Virginia Society of Ornithology conducts a foray, focusing on a specific area of Virginia during a week-long period, usually in June. The 2013 foray was conducted in neighboring Rockbridge County, and the 2014 foray is being conducted in the Dragon Run area of Middlesex and King & Queen Counties. For more information, see virginiabirds.net.

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Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch

The Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch begins each year around the middle of August and runs through the end of November. Coordinated by Victor Laubach, it is held on the grounds of the Inn at Afton, located on the southern side of Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains, right off I-64 exit 99 (at the intersections with Rt 250, the southern end of the Skyline Drive and the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway) just 5 miles east of Waynesboro and 20 miles west of Charlottesville. The hawk watch provides panoramic views of the gap and both the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont Region to the east. Be sure to bring your binoculars, a lawn chair and sunscreen! We'd love to have you visit and experience the raptor migration (and help us spot the hawks)!

For further information or questions please visit the Web site: www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org!

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Christmas Bird Count

Every year members of the Augusta Bird Club participate in the international Christmas Bird Count, under the auspices of the National Audubon Society. This survey covers precisely defined areas, and special protocols are observed to ensure that data gathered is consistent from year to year. There are two such areas in Augusta County:

Augusta County CBC Coordinator: Allen Larner ( birdergonewild_AT_yahoo.com)

Waynesboro CBC Coordinator: Crista Cabe (ccabe_AT_mbc.edu)

The survey results, along with analytical articles, are published in a special magazine supplement.

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Great Backyard Bird Count

The GBBC is usually held in February, sponsored by the National Audubon Society. The results are posted at www.birdcount.org.

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Big Spring Day

The BSD is usually held in late April, at the peak of spring migration season, when the maximum number of bird species are present in Augusta County. Participants can choose their own areas, coordinating with Allen Larner. ( birdergonewild_AT_yahoo.com)

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Breeding Bird Survey

As with the CBC, special protocols are observed. The survey begins in the pre-dawn hours, searching for owls, and lasts all day. This event is also coordinated by Allen Larner. ( birdergonewild_AT_yahoo.com)

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