New Zealand is a fascinating island nation, characterized by soaring, snowy peaks in the south and bubbling hot springs in the north. It’s home to
Event Details
New Zealand is a fascinating island nation, characterized by soaring, snowy peaks in the south and bubbling hot springs in the north. It’s home to bizarre birds like flightless, nocturnal Kiwis and Kākāpōs (the heaviest parrot on earth), and mischievous alpine parrots called Keas. Fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings will recall the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand where these trilogies were filmed on location, leveraging the country’s diverse landscapes for the movies.
Kathryn and Al Davino made their winter escape to New Zealand in February of 2025, and she returned bubbling over with photos and stories about this captivating place. Share the adventure on May 15 at Elm Park Methodist Church, Oneonta, NY OR on Zoom at 7:30 p.m.
About the Presenter: Kathryn Davino is a retired High School Biology Teacher from Delaware Academy in Delhi. She is an enthusiastic birder, gardener, and watcher of wildlife. She has served on the DOAS Board of Directors since 2016.
We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect...
We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect our natural environment and connect people with nature to benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation, education, research and advocacy.
Saturday, May 16 is this year’s Big Day for DOAS.
The Big Day is a group effort in which birders, working alone, in pairs, or in small
Event Details
Saturday, May 16 is this year’s Big Day for DOAS.
The Big Day is a group effort in which birders, working alone, in pairs, or in small groups, can maintain social distance and adopt infection-avoidance procedures while enjoying the outdoors. We will try to locate as many bird species as we can in a single fun day. Birders can spend any amount of time they choose within that 24 hours, and report on their efforts to the Big Day coordinator, Charlie Scheim.
Everyone is welcome, novice or experienced. If you are interested and have not participated before, please contact Charlie at 607-434-4880 (voice or text) or scheimc@hartwick.edu to get information on joining in the fun.
DOAS BIG DAY BIRD COUNT RULES (Modified from ABA):
A Big Day Count is a single-team effort in which the primary objectives are (1) to identify as many bird species as possible during a single calendar day and (2) to strive to have all team members identify all species recorded.
Counting
Count only species listed in a recognized field guide.
Birds must be conclusively identified by sight or sound. Use common sense: if in doubt about the bird’s identity, don’t count it.
An introduced species may be counted.
Birds counted must be alive, wild, and unrestrained. Domestic species are not to be included. Birds attracted to tape-recorders or feeders may be counted. Injured birds may be counted if wild and unrestrained. Eggs do not count as birds.
Time – All counting must be within a single 24-hour period, on a single calendar day, determined by where the Count begins or ends.
Area– Any geographic area within the region served by DOAS may be covered. A team’s coverage area may overlap that of other teams.
Travel – Travel may be by any means, provided that all participants remain within direct voice-contact distance during all travel (except for separate motorized travel or for “timeouts” for gas, food, rest, etc.).
Participants
Any number of participants may constitute a team.
Nonparticipating companions may accompany the team and may record or may drive vehicles.
Conduct
Each participant must:
remain within direct voice-contact distance of all other participants at all times, except during time-outs.
make every reasonable effort to identify personally and to help other team members identify every species counted by the team.
count only birds personally and unquestionably identified.
review the Big Day Count Rules before the start of the Count.
Outside Information
During the Count, teams must make every reasonable effort to avoid receiving bird-finding help from nonparticipants.
Any information received prior to the Count may be used during the Count.
Ethics– Each participant should strive to maintain proper birding ethics at all times.
Join DOAS on Tuesday, May 19 from 8:00-10:00am at Hartwick College’s Pine Lake Environmental campus in Davenport Center. Suzanne Gaynor and Jane Bachman will lead
Event Details
Join DOAS on Tuesday, May 19 from 8:00-10:00am at Hartwick College’s Pine Lake Environmental campus in Davenport Center. Suzanne Gaynor and Jane Bachman will lead the walk. We can expect warblers, ducks, other songbirds, and possible Bald Eagles who nest nearby.
Meet at 8am in the Pine Lake parking lot at 1894 Charlotte Creek Rd, Oneonta, NY.
This will be a 1 1/2-mile walk past a variety of habitats including Pine Lake, Charlotte Creek, woods, a swamp, and open field. There is one moderate climb and much of the walking is on uneven woodland trails. Sturdy footwear is recommended. A restroom is available at the start and end of the walk.
Contact Suzanne Gaynor at 607-435-2939 for more information. No pre-registration required.
Image: Yellow Warbler on native Willow Tree by Keith Williams, Flickr CC(NC2.0)
DOAS Director Kathryn Davino and long-time birder Suzanne Gaynor will co-lead a bird walk around the Hanford Mills property starting at 8am on Saturday, May
Event Details
DOAS Director Kathryn Davino and long-time birder Suzanne Gaynor will co-lead a bird walk around the Hanford Mills property starting at 8am on Saturday, May 23.
We invite both beginners and experienced birders.
The walk covers fairly level terrain and will last about 90 minutes. The trail traverses a variety of surfaces: grass, gravel, and boardwalk, and does include an occasional step up/down and a few gentle slopes. The total distance traveled is about .5 miles. There are no rest areas along the route, but there are benches near the pond, and picnic tables at the parking lot. Accessible bathrooms are available.
Participants should meet in the event parking lot (south side of Rt. 12, opposite museum buildings) and bring binoculars, insect repellent, water, and curiosity about birds! When we return to the parking lot, we invite folks to join us as we drive a short distance to see a Bald Eagle nest that currently has a pair of adults caring for one or more fledglings.
This is a free program and pre-registration is appreciated as it allows leaders to contact participants if there is an issue with the weather. Call Kathryn Davino (607-746-7396) with questions.
Image: Yellow-rumped warbler; Photo by Landa Palmer, 2019.
Sunday, May 24 at 8:00 a.m. Charlie Scheim and Sandy Bright will lead a bird walk on the Andes Rail Trail in Andes, NY. This walk
Event Details
Sunday, May 24 at 8:00 a.m. Charlie Scheim and Sandy Bright will lead a bird walk on the Andes Rail Trail in Andes, NY. This walk has been scheduled at the request of the Andes Garden Club, but all are welcome to attend.
We will meet at the Andes Rail Trail parking lot at 266 Depot St in Andes. The walk will be roughly a mile to a mile and a half and last 1 1/2 to 2 hours. We will follow the Rail Trail, which is firm dirt, but not paved, along generally level terrain, no steep uphills. (We’ll turn around before the trail starts heading uphill very much.) There is a decent amount of parking at the beginning of the rail trail, but no restrooms.
