DOAS News

2016 Hawkwatch Totals at Franklin Mountain

Totals for August through December 2016 Turkey Vulture—465 Osprey—52 Bald Eagle—197 Northern Harrier—36 Sharp-shinned Hawk—301 Cooper’s Hawk—52 Northern Goshawk—7 Red-shouldered Hawk—22 Broad-winged Hawk—2060 Red-tailed Hawk—1132

January 27, 2017

2016 DOAS Christmas Bird Count Summary

The data from our 2016 Christmas Bird Count on December 17 (Oneonta Area) are in! A total of 4,558 birds, 47 species were tallied. See

January 18, 2017

Raptor Research Foundation Conference Highlights

Peg DiBenedetto represented DOAS at the 2016 Annual Conference of the Raptor Research Foundation in Cape May, New Jersey this past October. This conference celebrated

December 21, 2016

2017 Environmental Education Grant Information

Each year, Environmental Education Grants are awarded to classroom teachers in the DOAS area (Delaware, Otsego, eastern Chenango, and western Schoharie Counties) through the DOAS EE Grant

December 20, 2016

December 2

December 2, 2016

Rich History of DOAS Bird Research

This winter marks the 117th year of National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Counts. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-standing program of the National

December 1, 2016

November 25

November 25, 2016

November 18

November 18, 2016

Noteworthy Count of Golden Eagles over Oneonta

Fifty-seven migrating Golden Eagles were tallied at the Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch, near Oneonta, on November 11 by counters Steve Hall, Fred Fries and Kyle Dudgeon.

November 14, 2016

November 11

November 11, 2016

November 4 Friday Fact

November 6, 2016

DOAS Provides Support for ‘The Messenger’ at Glimmerglass Film Days

On Saturday, November 12, from 1pm-3pm at the Fenimore Art Museum, Glimmerglass Film Days will be presenting The Messenger, a documentary about the alarming global

November 4, 2016

Fall Montezuma Trip Recap

By Eleanor Moriarty, Trip Leader On Sunday, October 16th, DOAS sponsored a fall birding trip to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, located at the north

October 28, 2016

October 28 Friday Fact

October 28, 2016

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Why Birds Matter...

Birds are important because of the role they play in the natural world as pollinators and seed disbursers, assisting with the balance of nature by eating insects. They also clean up things that would go unattended otherwise. Birds are important TO ME because of the kinship that I feel with another living species, and the joy that they bring to me year around. Encountering spring migrants feels brand new every time! I feel responsibility for their well-being and take care not to disturb their nesting with unnecessary sounds, disturbance or habitat destruction. I respect the incredible work they do to bring about future generations.

Birds have always been an early warning system for our environment–the “canary in the coal mine.” It was the decline in bird species high on the food chain that tipped us off to the dangers of DDT and other chemicals. More recently, high altitude and high latitude birds are demonstrating the first definitive effects of global change. If science had been more advanced in the 1800s, the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon could have served as a warning about habitat destruction. This not just about protecting the birds–although that is a worthy goal–but all of these threats will ultimately reach the human race.

In addition to being indicators for environmental health, birds matter because they allow people all over the world to enjoy and appreciate nature. Caring about birds often leads to caring about their habitats and creates a stewardship ethic to protect our natural resources. Birds connect communities.

Protecting our Environment...Connecting People with Nature...For Birds & Wildlife

Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS)

Established in 1968 – A Chapter of the National Audubon Society since 1970