On Thursday, April 16, 2015 12:54 PM, John Spahr <jspahr@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Remember the Snowy Owls from the previous winter? Want to know more about why
there were so many in the Eastern US, all the way from New England to Florida,
and dozens here in Virginia? What have we learned from this major irruption?
Come to the annual VSO meeting to hear our keynote speaker Scott Weidensaul
enlighten us with his presentation on Project Snowstorm . Scott is a Pulitzer
prize nominated author and naturalist. His books are astonishingly interesting
and his writing style is positively lyrical. His presentation will certainly be
equally entertaining and enlightening. He alone is worth the reasonable price
of registration. Scott will be speaking May 9, Saturday evening at the banquet.
In addition, our own naturalist-photographer-author Dr. Marshall Faintich will
regale us with his knowledge and photographs of Birds of Wintergreen .
Marshall's presentation will be May 8 at the Friday night reception and
meeting.
If those are not enough lures to entice your attendance, which you can do even
if you are not a VSO member, there will be at least a dozen field trips
covering terrains and habitats in the Blue Ridge as well as either slope. Birds
such as Cerulean, Kentucky and Blackburnian Warblers are only a few of the
warblers expected at several of the Blue Ridge locations -- also several
thrushes, plus Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, and more. Locations in
Nelson County are expected to yield multiple species of sparrow (possibly
including Lincoln's Sparrow), Bobolink, Meadowlark, Blue Grosbeak and other
treasures. More warblers, plus waterbirds and woodpeckers, can be expected in
the Sherando and Big Levels area in Augusta County. In addition there will be a
beginner bird walk, a wildflower walk, and a botany & geology walk. All trips
will be led by qualified local and state-wide trip leaders.
BASICS
What: Virginia Society of Ornithology Annual Meeting (All are welcome.
Membership is encouraged but NOT required.)
Hosted by Augusta Bird Club and Monticello Bird Club.
When: May 8-10 (Fri-Sun), 2015
Where: Wintergreen Mountain Resort, Wintergreen, VA
Why: Birds, Information, Entertainment, Learning, Fellowship
How: http://www.virginiabirds.net/ is the VSO website that describes more about
the meeting and offers a link to register and participate. Lodging at
Wintergreen Resort is available through the resort's Group Reservation
Department (800) 611-6888 .
Hope to see you then and there.
John Spahr
Staunton, VA
