[Bristol-Birds] Re: VSO Weekend a Success - Links to photos
- From: "Don Carrier" <donc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Bristol Birds" <bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 8 May 2006 21:50:46 -0400
The BCBC is to be commended for this wonderful weekend convention. No detail
was overlooked. A secret covenant was forged with the local birds and no one
left disappointed. This is the type of fellowship I never really envisioned
when I took my first 'bird' photo last fall. Imagine me, a regular Joe out
with naturalists, ornithologists, botanists, and just simply good people. No
one thought I was green nor tried to coax me into his or her servitude. All
were more than willing to share years of knowledge and those 'secret' bird
hotspots. Richard Kretz readily led a group of strangers to the visual
delight of a Swainson's warbler. This story was repeated over and over as
BCBC members led group after group into every nook and cranny of the park
and points beyond. Roger and Lynda were the most gracious of hosts,
welcoming my wife and I as long lost family, and going so far as to invite
us into their home. My wife Dawn and I not only had a glorious weekend with
the wonderful birds-right on the balcony of our room-but reaffirmed our
belief that selfless people still exist.
Don Carrier
Bristol, Tennessee
www.birdsgonewild.org
-----Original Message-----
From: bristol-birds-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bristol-birds-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Mayhorn
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 3:25 PM
To: Bristol Birds
Subject: [Bristol-Birds] VSO Weekend a Success - Links to photos
Area Birders,
The annual VSO meeeting that took place at the Breaks Interstate Park this
past weekend came off without a hitch, except for a bit of damp weather on
Friday Morning and Sunday. 145 birders registered for the event with 141
actually showing up. The weather and the birds cooperated the last half of
Friday and all day Saturday.
The Early Birding on Friday at our place here on Compton Mt and on the
reclaimed strip site of Enoch's Branch near Grundy brought visitors some
great looks at several bird species. A Cerulean sang near our yard with
vireos, grosbeaks, thrashers, Pine Siskins, towhees, Cedar Waxwings, Yellow
Warblers, Redstarts, Chats, Blackburnian and Chestnut-sided Warblers making
appearances.
Enoch's Branch produced Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers with a
possible Brewster's sighting. The Golden-wings gave great looks, even
allowing scope views for some. The hike there finished with a grand finale,
when a striking Cape May Warbler came down to eye level and put on a
spectacular performance for everyone.
After the Business Session on Friday afternoon, Ed Talbott III presented a
video program of the Birds of the Breaks. I followed with a Power Point
program about the different trails to be birded on Saturday with photos of
some of the birds likely to be found along them.
The reception on Friday evening went well with author and birdsong expert,
Don Kroodsma, mingling and signing copies of his new book, The Singing Life
of Birds.
At 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning Don Kroodsma and I left the park to come
back to our place here on Compton Mt. to give Mr. Kroodsma the opportunity
to record bird songs. While here he found a White-eyed Vireo which facinated
him, because it mimicked a Blue Jay, Towhee, a Wood Thrush and several other
species.
Birders spent the beautiful sunny day of Saturday birding the park trails
and surrounding area. Birds were singing everywhere. The hikes winded their
way through the freshly leaved forests of the park. Ovenbirds and Hooded
Warblers were heard at every turn. Swainson's Warblers were heard and seen
as were Cerulean Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers and Kentucky Warblers. The most
unusual birds found were the Sora Rail and American Bittern that were
observed on Laurel Lake within a minute's hike of the park lodge. Both of
these birds were first records for the immediate area. Several birders got
lifebirds during the outings. One couple got six.
In the afternoon research papers were presented at the Paper Session.
After another reception on Saturday with birders perusing the wares of the
18 vendors and displayers, the group sat down to a banquet of delicious
food. That was followed by a presentation of awards with a very funny story
by VSO president, John Spahr. Thelma Dalmas was presented with the first
Mirriam Moore Award, and was given a beautiful bird statue by past VSO
president, Teta Kain.
Then came an excellent presentation by author, Don Kroodsma. His
enthusiasm for listening to birds was evident as he played birdsongs and
analyzed them using computerized sonagrams. He played some of the White-eyed
Vireo song that he had recorded earlier that morning and showed how to find
the subtle calls of other songbirds couched within its own song.
At 5:30 Sunday morning Mr. Kroodsma, being the nice guy that he is, did an
outdoor workshop on how to listen to birds. He came up with the idea and
volunteered to do the workshop for free. His workshop fortunately ended
before the rain began. In spite of the rain birders found several birds
singing along the trails during the day.
We members of the Buchanan County Bird Club considered it an honor to host
this event. Our efforts were amply rewarded by the positive comments and
great attitudes of those who attended. We had a great time. We hope all of
you who were there enjoyed it as much as we did.
Here is a link to our VSO website updated today by our own Ed Talbott. It
contains links to photos by BCBC members of the events, birds and scenery of
the Breaks Park.
http://www.bcplnet.org/birdclub/VSOPost1.htm
Good Birding,
Roger Mayhorn - BCBC President
Ed Talbott -BCBC Vice President
Lynda Mayhorn BCBC Secretary/Treasurer and title to everything else that
needs doing.
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