The evening began at 6:00 with a potluck hors d’oeuvre social. This took the place of our usual December holiday dinner which was cancelled due to weather. Door prizes were distributed by Linda Matkins to the delight of all. Donations were collected to deliver to The Wildlife Center of Virginia. The meeting was called to order at 6:53pm by Vice-president Vic Laubach.
Membership: Mona Bearor reported we currently have 234 members. Not all have renewed their membership and will be removed from the list in March if they don’t renew. To better understand why people don’t renew Rich Wood is going to prepare a letter seeking information from non-renewers.
Recent local sightings: Sandhill Cranes are at Bell’s Lane and a Peregrine Falcon was seen at Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro. Also seen locally are Short-eared Owls, a Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose and a Tennessee Warbler.
Field Trip: Jo King will lead a walk at McCormick’s Farm on January 21.
We still have a few “Birds of Augusta County”, edited by Allen Larner. See Mona if you want to purchase one.
The Virginia Society of Ornithology has completed the second Virginia Breeding Bird Survey. It is available on their website. The ABC contributed financially and with information to this survey.
Christmas Bird Counts: Data is still being tallied, but the Augusta count estimates seeing/hearing 68-70 species. Information from the Waynesboro count will be forthcoming.
Seed Sale: Profits from the very successful sale are approximately $9,000. This money will provide scholarships for Nature Camp.
Education: On 2/6 Rich Wood will give an Owl Program through the Augusta Parks and Recreation Department. On February 9, Lynne Parks and Marilyn Nash will give a beginner birding program at the Staunton Library.
Program: “When Birds Collide” was presented through zoom by Carla Dove from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Dr. Dove demonstrated how her department identifies birds that have collided with airplanes. Through this work airports are better able to decrease these dangerous collisions for both planes and birds. Methods include altering habitat around airports so birds are not attracted to the area, scheduling flights at times that decrease risk, employing dogs to clear runways, etc. A new book by Chris Sweeney, “The Feather Detective” explores the life of Roxie Laybourne, the pioneer in forensic ornithology and mentor to Dr. Dove.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm. Submitted by: Marilyn Nash, Secretary
January 12, 2026 Minutes, Covenant Presbyterian Church
January 12, 2026