The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by Vice-president Vic Laubach.
Membership: Four new members were announced. Current membership is 202.
Recent Sightings: White-throated Sparrows and Juncos are still here. Waterthrushes and warblers are starting to arrive. Also seen have been a Solitary Sandpiper, Bonaparte’s Gulls, a Eurasian Collared Dove, a Western Tanager, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. One Ruby-throated Hummingbird was seen in Greenville.
Field Trips: (1) McCormick Farm on April 22 with Jo King. (2) Augusta Springs on April 25 with Rich Wood. (3) Springdale Water Garden on May 8 with Tish Folsom. (4) Bells Lane on May 4 with Penny Warren. (5) Blue Ridge Parkway on May 2 with Andrew Clem.
Community Events: The ABC will have booths at Earth Day in Staunton on April 25 and Riverfest in Waynesboro on May 2.
Barn Owl Project: ABC members Antonio Martinez, Rich Wood and others are initiating a nesting box project to increase nesting habitat for Barn Owls. Antonio has made one box that was installed in a local barn in March. Discussion ensued about how to create more boxes and to work with local land owners to install them.
Packs and Tracks: This organization has 2 motorized trail chairs to loan to anyone wanting to go on hikes but has mobility issues. Rich Wood and Antonio Martinez tried one out on trails at Augusta Springs and found it easy to use and applicable to areas not too steep or with difficult obstacles. The club needs to advertise this service and make it available for appropriate hikes.
Birds and Brews: The next B and B will be at Ann C line’s house on April 29 at 5:30 pm. B and B will continue through the summer.
Our May meeting will be a hike and brunch at McCormick Farm on May 16.
Officer Elections: Andrew Clem made a motion and Allen Larner seconded to elect the following members to board positions for 1 year: Vic Laubach for vice-president, Marilyn Nash for secretary, Mona Bearor for treasurer. There were no nominees for president. The motion passed unanimously.
Program: Steven David Johnson gave a remarkable program, “River and Pond Conservation Photography”. Steven is a renowned wildlife photographer with a specialty in underwater photography.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. Submitted by Marilyn Nash, Secretary