Roger & Linda Mayhorn, Ed & Michelle Talbot and the rest of the Buchanan County
Bird Club are to thanked and commended for hosting one of the best annual VSO
meetings in recent memory. Breaks Interstate Park alone is worth the trip to
that part of the state. The capably led field trips yielded a total of 145
species including 29 warblers. The complete list is available at on their
website http://www.bcplnet.org/birdclub/VSOPost1.htm but perhaps Roger or Ed ;
could also share this on VABIRD. For me, highlights were the many
Yellow-throated Warblers, singing a slightly different tune than the coastal
plane flavor, and the challenge of trying to see the Swainson's Warblers as
they boldly sang in the stream side thickets. Don Kroodsma's presentation of
birdsong study and evaluation was fascinating. He is an excellent presenter
with much acquired knowledge and a true reverence for birdsong. He taught me
the value of listening longer and beyond the point when the sonster is
identified. Or as Don says, to try to get into the mind and skin of the bird
itself.
All in all an excellent weekend.
John Spahr
Staunton, VA
