The meeting was called to order at 7 :00 pm by Vice-president Vic Laubach.
Board members were introduced.
Linda Matkins gave a report on a turtle breeding project in North Carolina. Exciting news was that the number of turtle nests increased significantly this year.
Membership: Mona Bearor reported we have 25 new members bringing our total to 217 memberships.
Recent sightings: Local sightings included Connecticut, Kentucky, and Hooded Warblers on Rt. 610. Starling murmurations are being seen in the Stuarts Draft area. Additional sightings include a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Nighthawks, and 300-400 Chimney Swifts entering the old Howard Johnson’s chimney on Afton.
Birds and Brews: Ann Cline hosted a good turnout at her home this month. Next month’s B & B will meet at Alpine Goat with the date to be announced.
Website: Mona Bearor found a website designer to help improve several aspects of our website. He was hired on an hourly basis, and the major improvement he made was in making the online process of paying for Memberships and making Donations easier and more flexible. He also helped make many other pages on our website more organized and easier to manage.
Field Trips: Field trips this month have been to McCormick’s Farm, Bells Lane, and Springdale Water Gardens. In October we will have trips to Augusta Springs Wetlands and Braley Pond. Andrew Clem is organizing a cleanup of Bells Lane.
Nature Camp: Sarah Foster reports the 7 campers we sponsored had a wonderful time and the club has received thoughtful thank you notes. Applications for next summer’s camp are due by December 15. Campers need to be rising 6th-12th graders. Application info is on our website.
Conservation: (1) Native plant gardens at Montgomery Hall Park, and the Augusta County and Staunton Libraries are going well. Birding backpacks are available at 5 local libraries. (2) The ABC Barn Owl Project has begun. 18 nest boxes, purchased by the Club, have been erected. This is a wonderful collaboration with local farmers and land owners.
Seed Sale: Information about the seed sale will be on the website soon. Pickup will be on November 14th at Expo again. Marion Bittinger and Terri Robinson have generously agreed to help Crista with logistics this year.
eBird Hotspots: Vic Laubach, Mark Kosiewski, and Allen Larner have updated local hotspots. Everyone is encouraged to merge their locations with hotspots so data can be consolidated.
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch: The HW celebrates its 50th year!! Everyone is encouraged to visit, observe, and help the counters spot raptors. It is managed completely by volunteers and runs from August 15 through November 30. During counting hours, the gate going up to the watch will appear closed but is not locked. Be sure to close it behind you. For counting days/hours check the website at rockfishgaphawkwatch.org.
Virginia Birding Big Day: The Virginia Society of Ornithology is coordinating a fundraiser for their organization. Teams of birders will solicit pledges and then on October 3, see how many bird species they can find. More information can be found on their website.
ABC Board: The board met on August 16th. Although our monthly club meeting minutes are available on our website, the minutes from our Board Meetings are available upon request. (1) A nominating committee will be formed to find new board members for elections next spring. Everyone is encouraged to consider contributing to our club by either serving on a committee or by running for an officer position. (2) By-laws changes: The Board proposed the following changes to our membership categories.
First Vote: Proposed changes to Article III, Section 2 (Membership):
Current:
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 2. The following categories of membership shall be available: Individual, Couple (two members at the same address), Family (three or more members at the same address), and Life (awarded to an individual by the Executive Board for significant and longstanding contributions to the club). Annual dues shall be established by the Executive Board with the approval of a majority vote of the members at any regular meeting of the organization.
New:
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 2. The following categories of membership shall be available: Student (currently enrolled in school), Individual, Couple (two members at the same address), Family (three or more members at the same address), Patron (higher level of support to further fund club initiatives), and Lifetime (one-time purchase or awarded to an individual by the Executive Board for significant and longstanding contributions to the club). Annual dues shall be established by the Executive Board with the approval of a majority vote of the members at any regular meeting of the organization.
Second Vote: Membership dues:
Annual Dues: Student $5, Individual $15, Couple $25, Family $30, Patron $50.
One-time Dues: Lifetime ($300)
Motion: Mark Kosiewski made a motion to accept the changes to our membership categories as listed above. Marion Bittinger seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
Program: “Helping the Ghost Bird – American Barn Owl Nest Box Project.” In an effort to increase declining Barn Owl populations in our area, Rich Wood, Ann Cline, Lynne Parks, Marion Bittinger, and Antonio Martinez formed a team. They explored nest box options, talked with local farmers and land owners, researched ideal habitat, and talked with wildlife professionals. The ABC Board approved the purchase of 18 nest boxes which the team has erected in various locations. There is tremendous interest in this project and more land owners would like to participate. Before more boxes go up, the team has decided to create monitoring protocols for the current boxes. The project will then proceed based on information gathered. This is an exciting project for the Augusta Bird Club.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm. Submitted by Marilyn Nash, Secretary