March 10, 2025 Minutes, Covenant Presbyterian Church

The meeting was called to order by President Rich Wood at 7:00pm.
Program: The meeting began promtly at 7:00 pm with a virtual presentation from Dr. Benjamin Van Doren – “How AI and Acoustics are Transforming our Understanding of Bird Migration (including recordings from Rockfish Gap).” Dr. Van Doren gave his program by zoom from his office in Illinois. The program was co-sponsored by the Virginia Society of Ornithology and made available to all, both live and through their website
Dr. Van Doren shared that 20% of the world’s approximately 11,000 bird species migrate, including 70% of “our” US birds. Nocturnal migration is the most common with an estimated 4 billion birds migrating at night. Dr. Van Doren has been studying migration using tools such as thermal imagery, weather radar, and microphones placed strategically throughout the Appalachians. For 3 months he had a microphone on top of Afton Mountain. The research includes studying the significant ways light pollution affects migration and possible solutions. The BirdCast Migration Dashboard is a fascinating tool available to everyone that estimates the number of birds migrating each night at major migration periods during the year.
Board Nominations: All ABC board positions are for 1-year terms and will be voted on at the April monthly meeting. For the 2025-2026 year the following were nominated: President – No nomination, Vic-President – Vic Laubach, Secretary – Marilyn Nash, Treasurer – Mona Bearor.
By-Laws: The ABC By-Laws have been reviewed and revised. These revisions are on our website and all members are encouraged to review them. The revisions will be voted on at the April monthly meeting.
Hospitality: Birds and Brews/Wings and Wine is being revived so members will have an opportunity to socialize more. The March event is on March 19, 5:30pm at Stable
Craft Brewing, 375 Madrid Rd, Waynesboro.
Recent Sightings: Phoebes, Woodcocks, Wood Ducks, Sandhill Cranes. The Sangers Lane heron rookery is getting active.
Upcoming Field Trips: McCormick’s Mill on 3/12, Nash property on 3/22, and Natural Chimneys on 4/19.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm. – Marilyn Nash, Secretary