This season’s field trip to view wintering Bald Eagles around the Delaware County rivers and reservoirs is scheduled for Saturday, January 13, 2024. The trip explores area rivers and reservoirs where eagles concentrate around open water in the region to feed. Past trips have turned up 20+ birds. Other raptors and waterfowl are usually sighted also. We will stop at a local restaurant for lunch for interested participants.

This year’s trip is once again open to the public, and participants can register using the form below.

The trip is mostly by car, with a small amount of walking on level ground. Conditions may be snowy or icy.

The trip will leave the Dietz St. parking lot across from the YMCA in Oneonta at 8:00 a.m. Participants can also be picked up en-route in Delhi and Walton. Return to Oneonta will be mid to late afternoon. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Carpoolers: Please be prepared to follow COVID protocols while ride sharing based on driver and passenger preferences.

For further information, contact Andy Mason, (607) 267-8491, AndyMason@earthling.net.

Register for the Eagle Trip

Featured Event Image courtesy of Rick Bunting.

Self Guided Trip

Interested in taking your own eagle trip? We have prepared a map and written description of the route usually taken on the trip, with good eagle viewing locations marked. We encourage family groups to use this for their own eagle viewing adventure.

To get the map and description, visit https://doas.us/self-guided-eagle-trip/ .

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Darwin’s Forgotten Theory of Mate Choice

On January 19, 2024, our Zoom program will feature Linda Melchionne discussing Richard O. Prum’s Pulitzer Prize finalist book, The Evolution of Beauty: How Darwin’s Forgotten Theory of Mate Choice Shapes the Animal World – and Us. An evolutionary biologist and ornithologist, Prum dusts off Darwin’s long-neglected theory of mate selection in which the act of choosing a mate for purely aesthetic reasons—for the mere pleasure of it— is an independent engine of evolutionary change.

Mate choice can set the stakes for sexual conflict, in which the sexual autonomy of the female evolves in response to male sexual control. Most crucially, this framework provides important insights into the evolution of human sexuality, particularly the ways in which female preferences have changed male bodies, and even maleness itself, through evolutionary time.

The Evolution of Beauty presents a unique scientific vision for how nature’s splendor contributes to a more complete understanding of evolution and of ourselves.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE ZOOM PROGRAM.

About the Presenter

Linda Melchionne is a farmer’s daughter who first studied horse husbandry at SUNY Cobleskill.  She enrolled at Cal Polytechnic where ornithology and zoology comparative studies created a niche for her work at the San Diego Zoo research laboratory concerning the California Condor. She moved to Utah and studied biochemistry and nutrition with Nobel nominee Dr. Joe Street and worked as a veterinary researcher.  She is a licensed medical scientist and has worked with many different medical professionals including vaccine production and testing.  Now retired, she still enjoys reading research papers and listening to lectures about the latest developments in medicine and the environment.

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What to Watch for, What to Do

Whether you’re taking a lazy paddle on a lake, seeking an elusive warbler in the treetops, even walking down a city street, invasive species are everywhere. Invasive species disrupt native ecosystems, cost our economy billions of dollars each year, and can directly and indirectly cause injury and illness. And it seems like there’s always a new one making news.

In this online program, Jeff O’Handley will examine the problem of invasive species and will share some of his experiences battling yellow floating heart, hemlock woolly adelgid, European frog-bit, and other invasives. Don’t be fooled by these harmless sounding names, they can be hard to find, but they’re even harder to get rid of!

The program will include a broad overview of invasive species, including where they come from, how they get here, and why some introduced species aren’t a problem. We’ll also go into greater detail about several invasive species in our area, including how to identify them, where they’re found, and their impact locally. Finally, Jeff will provide participants with some ways they can help control the spread of invasives, and get involved with control programs in their area.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE ZOOM PROGRAM.

About the Presenter

Jeff O’Handley is the program director for the Otsego County Conservation Association where he is frequently found butt-deep in a swamp or freezing in the forest–and loving it. A lifelong interest in science and nature led Jeff to study Wildlife Management at Cook College, Rutgers University, but he soon found great enjoyment in environmental education. Jeff’s career has taken him from tiny museums and expansive state parks to the heart of New York City. Jeff and his wife, DOAS board member and former co-President, Susan O’Handley moved to Hartwick in 2003 and formed Wildlife Learning Company, which provided environmental education programs throughout the region. Jeff joined OCCA in 2013.

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What they Tell Us about the Ecosystem, Evolution and Animal Communication

On Friday, March 15, 2024, at 7:30pm, our Zoom program will feature Dr. Alex Sweger with a program on Spider Behavior.

Spiders are a diverse group of animals which occupy a central location in the food webs of nearly every terrestrial ecosystem on Earth. In forest, field, and agricultural systems, wolf spiders are a major predator of small insects, as well as food for larger vertebrate animals, and their sensory and communication systems have adapted to the intricacies of these interactions. Not only do they play an important role as both predators and prey, but they also exhibit complex behaviors and mating systems, which raises interesting questions about how both their physical and social environments have shaped their evolution. This talk will provide an overview of spider biology and ecology, with a focus on a series of different projects, all involving undergraduate student researchers. These studies serve as examples of how wolf spiders can be used to answer questions about: 1) how the environment can shape the evolution of animal communication signals, and 2) how synthetic pesticides can have unintended effects on an ecosystem.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE ZOOM PROGRAM.

About the Presenter

Dr. Alex Sweger is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Hartwick College and specializes in behavioral ecology and arachnology. His work investigates issues in sensory ecology and behavior, using primarily wolf spiders as model organisms. His research questions include the evolution of sexual communication, predator-prey interactions, bioacoustics, and ecosystem-level interactions between spiders and their surrounding communities. He joined the Hartwick College faculty in the Fall of 2023, and has worked with students previously at the University of Cincinnati, Susquehanna University, and Union College.

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IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE

Join DOAS Board Director, Chris DeCesare, on Saturday, March 23rd APRIL 6 for a birding field trip to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and the adjacent Wetlands Complex to view migratory waterfowl and shorebirds on their annual journey north to their breeding grounds. The area is comprised of 50,000 acres of wetlands and upland habitat north of Cayuga Lake and is a globally significant Important Bird Area because of the number of waterfowl that stop there during migration season. Past sightings include a variety of ducks, snow geese, swans, bald eagles, herons and sandhill cranes.

Snow Geese, Photo by Rod Sutton

Participants can plan to meet at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters at 10:00am. Those wishing to carpool can meet at the Dietz Street Parking Lot, across from the YMCA in Oneonta at 7:30am.

The trip will begin at the refuge headquarters and then proceed by car to hotspots around the complex. There may be a small amount of walking on level ground; restrooms are available at the refuge headquarters. There is no charge for admission.

This is an all-day trip with an expected return to Oneonta around 5:00pm. Participants should plan on bringing a bag lunch, snacks, water, etc. For more details, contact Chris DeCesare at 607-244-5496 or chris.decesare444@gmail.com.

Join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society for a special live presentation at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 7:00pm. (PLEASE NOTE LOCATION AND TIME CHANGE FROM OUR REGULAR FRIDAY EVENING PROGRAMMING.) Presenting for the evening’s program is a DOAS member favorite – area photographer and naturalist, Rick Bunting. Rick spent time in Florida recently, and came home with photos of natural wonders both common and uncommon, all of which will amaze and at times amuse us. There will be stories as well, delivered in Rick’s unique style. Experience his enthusiasm, respect and ever-present creativity as he shares his photographs of Florida’s avian life. This program is free and open to the public and will begin promptly at 7:00pm – please arrive early. The venue at Foothills Performing Arts Center is 100% ADA Accessible. Please enter at the Market Street (bricked) entrance and use the elevators to the indicated location. Signage will be available.

Doors will open at 6:30; limited refreshments available, program will start promptly at 7pm.

We will present this in-person program on zoom as well. Click HERE to register for the program on Zoom.

About the Presenter

Our featured presenter will be well-known local photographer Rick Bunting. His photos of his “week of Birding in Florida” will delight us all. Since his retirement from SUNY Potsdam and the Crane School of Music, Rick pursues his passion for photography full time. Also an accomplished and well-known musician, Rick photographs wherever he travels.

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In collaboration with Otsego Land Trust

REGISTER to attend at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/hike-to-a-blue-heron-nesting-grove
Space is limited, so please register as soon as you can – 11 spaces remaining on 3/14/24.

On Sunday, April 28th from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, join Otsego Land Trust and Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society for a unique perspective into the world of nesting Blue Herons at a privately conserved property in Van Hornesville. DOAS co-president Andy Mason will lead a walk to observe the Great Blue Heron Rookery. 

About our Guide

Andy Mason is co-president of the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society.  He is past chair of the Audubon Council of NY State, and past president of the NY State Ornithological Assoc.  He has been an active birder for over 30 years, participated in the NY State Breeding Bird Atlas, and has lead bird workshops for the Appalachian Mountain Club. He also serves as president of the Schoharie Land Trust.

Cost: FREE

Please let us know you are coming!
REGISTER to attend at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/hike-to-a-blue-heron-nesting-grove
Space is limited, so please register as soon as you can – 11 spaces remaining on 3/14/24.

For questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with cherise@otsegolandtrust.org.

—-

Otsego Land Trust is a community-based nonprofit that protects fields, forests, waterways, and scenic views in perpetuity.

The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, envisions 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.

REGISTER to attend at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/hike-to-a-blue-heron-nesting-grove
Space is limited, so please register as soon as you can – 11 spaces remaining on 3/14/24.

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Join DOAS Board Director, Charlie Scheim and Member Sandy Bright on Saturday, May 11 at 8:00am for a walk to view returning migrant birds on the Susquehanna Greenway Trail. This is an easy hike on unpaved but level ground which may be slightly muddy. No restrooms are available. There are a few benches along the way.

Participants will meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot by the fields near the school district bus garage, just past the transfer station for a two-hour walk to view returning migrant birds on the Greenway trail, located on Silas Lane, off Rte. 205 in Oneonta. Contact Charlie Scheim at 607-434-4880 or scheimc@hartwick.edu for more information.

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Join long-time birders and DOAS members Suzanne Gaynor and Sarah Root on Wednesday, May 15 from 8:00-10:00am at lower Riddell State Park. This will be a mostly-flat, half-mile walk along field hedgerows, along the Schenevus Creek, and through mature forests. A raised railroad bed makes it possible to see treetop warblers and other special migrant birds more readily than usual. We expect to see and hear a good variety of birds throughout. Meet at 8am in the parking lot just north of I-88’s Exit 17, off Rt 28 North. Wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for one wet spot in the trail. There are a few benches along the trail, and an outhouse at the parking lot. Contact Sarah Root at 607-433-2831 or sarah@radiantalignment.com for more information.

The walk will be on unpaved paths through forest and field, with some slight inclines or declines. The path may be muddy in places. There is a rest room at the parking area and a few benches along the way.

Image Above: Aud_APA-2019_Eastern-Towhee_A1-9473-5_TS_Photo-Jesse-Gordon

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Saturday, May 18 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 on Saturday May 20. 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 Bird Checklist – revised 2020.

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

1. Count only species listed in a recognized field guide.
2. Birds must be conclusively identified by sight or sound. Use common sense: if in doubt about the bird’s identity, don’t count it.
3. An introduced species may be counted. 
4. 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

1. Any number of participants may constitute a team.
2. Nonparticipating companions may accompany the team and may record or may drive vehicles. 

Conduct

Each participant must:

1. remain within direct voice-contact distance of all other participants at all times, except during time-outs.
2. make every reasonable effort to identify personally and to help other team members identify every species counted by the team.
3. count only birds personally and unquestionably identified.
4. review the Big Day Count Rules before the start of the Count.

Outside Information

1. During the Count, teams must make every reasonable effort to avoid receiving bird-finding help from nonparticipants.
2. Any information received prior to the Count may be used during the Count.
3. Ethics– Each participant should strive to maintain proper birding ethics at all times.

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Charlie Scheim and Sandy Bright will lead a bird walk on Saturday, May 25, 2024, 8am at the West Branch Preserve, located in the Town of Hamden, about 10 miles southeast of Delhi. Meet at 8 AM at the preserve entrance and parking area, on NY Rt10, about 0.9 miles west of the intersection with County Route 26. The parking area is adjacent to the Watershed Agricultural Council building at 33195 NY-10. The walk will be on unpaved and at times uneven paths through the fields and forests of the Preserve and will likely last about 1.5 hours. There will be a certain amount of moderate uphill and downhill walking. There are no restrooms at the preserve and no resting benches along the path. For more information, contact Charlie Scheim at 607-434- 4880 or scheimc@hartwick.edu. See website below for more information. https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/eny-west-branch-nature-preserve/?en_txn1=bl.ch_ny.eg.x.g

The walk will be on unpaved and at times uneven paths through the fields and forests of the Preserve and will likely last about 1.5 hours. There will be a certain amount of moderate uphill and downhill walking. There are no restrooms at the preserve and no resting benches along the path.

Image: Scarlet Tanager, Photographer Unknown.

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Join long-time birders and DOAS members Suzanne Gaynor and Sarah Root on Wednesday, May 29 from 8:00-10:00am at Hartwick College’s Pine Lake Environmental campus in Davenport Center. 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. Contact Suzanne Gaynor at 607-435-2939 for more information.

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.

Image: Yellow Warbler on native Willow Tree by Keith Williams, Flickr CC(NC2.0)

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June 10-14, 9am-5pm Daily

Details can be found at https://doas.us/ee2024/.

June 10-14, 9am-5pm Daily

Details can be found at https://doas.us/ee2024/.

June 10-14, 9am-5pm Daily

Details can be found at https://doas.us/ee2024/.

June 10-14, 9am-5pm Daily

Details can be found at https://doas.us/ee2024/.

June 10-14, 9am-5pm Daily

Details can be found at https://doas.us/ee2024/.

Join DOAS Director Charlie Scheim, Bird Sightings author Sandy Bright, and the Environmental Director of the Uplands Center Renee Hardenkamp for a morning bird walk at the Uplands Center in Walton, NY (2641 Dunk Hill Road) on Saturday, June 29 at 8:00am. Our focus will be on observing birds and their breeding behaviors., will accompany us on this walk. The Uplands Center (www.uplandscenter.org) has acres of fields and forests, great habitat for breeding birds. We will meet just outside the main lodge. The walk will begin on a mostly level grassy path through a large field where we will likely find a number of grassland species. We will then follow a path through a wooded area with some gentle uphills and downhills, seeking woodland inhabitants. There are accessible rest rooms at the walk’s beginning and end and some rest spots along the way. The walk will likely last about an hour and a half. This program is free and there is no pre-registration required. You may call Charlie Scheim at 607-434-4880 for more information or for any last minute weather concerns.

Image: Bobolink; photo by Jennifer Hyypio.

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Rain date: August 3

Join DOAS summer interns Cami Robinson-Parisi and Kaylee Haig for a kid-friendly morning bird hike for families with children ages 8+. We will walk around the DOAS Sanctuary trails as we listen and look for signs of bird activity around the property! 

This walk will be beginner-led and beginner-friendly, taking a “slow birding” approach, focusing on what we see the birds in front of us doing and what we can infer from these observations. We will also compile a list of recorded species to submit to eBird and follow up with a brief discussion about citizen science.

Participants should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes for the hike. Be sure to bring water and sun protection. Everyone is encouraged to bring binoculars and field guides if they have them!

Accessibility: Accessible Porta-Potty available. Trail terrain is fairly flat, with a few uphill/medium-difficulty sections.

Register online at doas.us/summer2024/

Program Leaders:

Camille Robinson-Parisi is a rising junior at Mount Holyoke College pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Spanish. This is their first year with DOAS, though they have been a part of many outdoor education summer programs in the past. Cami enjoys spending time outdoors and sharing their knowledge on all things birds!

Kaylee Haig is a graduating senior from SUNY Oneonta who is studying Human Development and Family Studies. This is her first year with DOAS. She has had experience with children of all ages through many different educational programs.

Calling all butterfly fans! On Saturday, July 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society board member Chris DeCesare will lead a field trip to view butterflies in the fields and gardens of Landis Arboretum.

Landis Arboretum is a forty-acre preserve filled with natural areas, woodlands, open fields, wetlands, and more than eight miles of trails in Esperance, NY. At Landis, visitors can explore a variety of labeled trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials, as well sculptures, a meditation garden—and seasonal butterflies!

Port-A-John restrooms are available on site. The Butterfly Walk is expected to take place on a mix of gravelly ground and grassy field areas. Walkers may experience slight inclines and uneven ground. Benches and picnic tables are available for resting along the way.

Pre-registration is required using the form below. The Butterfly Walk program is free, but there is a $5 suggested cash donation for non-members of Landis on the day of the program. Participants are encouraged to bring sunscreen, hats, bug spray, and sturdy shoes. Don’t forget to bring the binoculars, if you have them!

Landis Arboretum is located at 174 Lape Road, Esperance, NY 12066. Participants will meet at 11:00 a.m. in the main parking lot next to the visitor center. Learn more about Landis Arboretum at landisarboretum.org.

The walk leader, Chris DeCesare, is a career environmental educator who worked with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. She has a fondness for insects and enjoys observing and learning more about them as well as sharing her knowledge with others in the outdoor settings.

Photo by Jennifer Murray.

Register for the program here:

(For children entering grades 5 & 6 in the Fall.)
July 22, 23, 24 & 25 – 9:30am-3pm each day

View Full details at the link below:

(For children entering grades 5 & 6 in the Fall.)
July 22, 23, 24 & 25 – 9:30am-3pm each day

View Full details at the link below:

(For children entering grades 5 & 6 in the Fall.)
July 22, 23, 24 & 25 – 9:30am-3pm each day

View Full details at the link below:

(For children entering grades 5 & 6 in the Fall.)
July 22, 23, 24 & 25 – 9:30am-3pm each day

View Full details at the link below:

Rain date: August 3

Join us at the DOAS Sanctuary for a beginner-led and beginner-friendly “slow birding” bird walk along the sanctuary trails geared towards adults and seniors. During our walk we will prioritize mindful observation of all of the species that we see around us, taking time to focus on bird behaviors and the significance of how they belong within an environment.

Register online at doas.us/summer2024/

An accessible Porta-Potty is available on site. Sanctuary trails may have uneven terrain as well as some uphill sections that may not be suitable for individuals with mobility issues.

Participants should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes for the hike. Be sure to bring water and sun protection. Everyone is encouraged to bring binoculars and field guides if they have them, as well as a comfortable camp chair for observation while sitting!

Our Presenters:

Camille Robinson-Parisi is a rising junior at Mount Holyoke College pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Spanish. This is their first year with DOAS, though they have been a part of many outdoor education summer programs in the past. Cami enjoys spending time outdoors and sharing their knowledge on all things birds!

Kaylee Haig is a graduating senior from SUNY Oneonta who is studying Human Development and Family Studies. This is her first year with DOAS. She has had experience with children of all ages through many different educational programs.

Barred Owl – Photo credit: Anthony Goldman/Audubon Photography Awards

Rain date: August 9

Families (with children ages 5 and up) will gather for a nighttime activity to explore the wonders about what really happens while we are asleep. Escape those fears of the dark as we step out to learn about some of our local nocturnal species. 

Please wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes. Be sure to also bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Several benches and an accessible Porta-Potty are available on site.

Register online at doas.us/summer2024/

Our Presenters:

Camille Robinson-Parisi is a rising junior at Mount Holyoke College pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Spanish. This is their first year with DOAS, though they have been a part of many outdoor education summer programs in the past. Cami enjoys spending time outdoors and sharing their knowledge on all things birds!

Kaylee Haig is a graduating senior from SUNY Oneonta who is studying Human Development and Family Studies. This is her first year with DOAS. She has had experience with children of all ages through many different educational programs.

As part of our 56th annual Charter Dinner, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is holding a Charter raffle! Tickets are on sale now through October 18. A “flock” of bird-themed Charter raffle items and door prizes will be presented at the Charter Dinner (click here for more info on the dinner).

Tickets for the Charter raffle (a bucket raffle) will also be available online and at the Open House at the DOAS Sanctuary on October 5. Charter raffle winners do not need to be present at the dinner. Learn more about our Charter raffle here: https://doas.us/2024-dinner-raffle/ .

Please note, our previously scheduled September 11 presentation has been cancelled.

Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) will sponsor a visit to the Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch on Sunday, September 15 at 9:30 a.m. This time period coincides with the peak movement of Broad-winged Hawks, a species that can travel in flocks of up to a hundred birds under the right conditions.

Trip participants can carpool from the Price Chopper parking lot in Emmons for the 15 minute drive to the hawk watch. The lookout is a 10-minute uphill walk through a field from parking. An accessible toilet is available at the site. An extra layer of clothing is suggested, along with binoculars if possible. Participants who want to go directly to the site can find directions to the Audubon Sanctuary at Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch – Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (doas.us). For information on the trip, contact Andy Mason, (607) 267-8491, AndyMason@earthling.net.