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.

RETURN TO DOAS HOME PAGE

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.

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/ .

The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) will host an Open House at the Franklin Mountain Sanctuary and Hawkwatch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 5. 

The event is free and open to the public. The address of the Sanctuary is 52 Grange Hall Spur Road, Oneonta, NY 13820. Directions may be found here.

At 10 a.m., a Franklin Hawk Watch counter will conduct a workshop on how to identify flying raptors. 

At 11:00 a.m., there will be a trail walk through the sanctuary culminating at the Hawkwatch. 

At 12:30 p.m., DOAS will host Deb and John Saltis of Falcon Heart Rescue to see and learn about rescued birds. Falcon Heart Rescue is an organization that rehabilitates and cares for birds in need. Hawks, owls, and an eagle have appeared with them in the past, with ravens and crows most likely to join the event this year. More info about Falcon Heart Rescue can be found on their website: https://falconheartrescue.com/ 

A variety of complimentary snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day as well as raffle items for our annual charter dinner, which will be held on October 18. Bird-friendly coffee will also be available for sale.

Please join DOAS on October 5 for a family-friendly day of fun at the Sanctuary!

Photos above: View at the Sanctuary, photo by Matthew Bechtold, Bechtold Photography (left) and Deborah Saltis, founder of Falcon Heart Rescue with red-tailed hawk (right)

On Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m., Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society will welcome keynote speaker Scott Harris via Zoom, who will present remotely on his book RaptorQuest: Chasing America’s Raptors. Harris spent 17 months chasing 53 Raptors across 34 states.

RaptorQuest is about his adventures, misadventures, successes, and failures. Harris details days thirty-six degrees below zero to ones over one hundred degrees, spotting a bird just in time or dealing with frustrating misses. His book is about the birds—of course—but it’s also about the people he met, the things he learned, and why he’s already working on his next adventure.

This program will be a part of our annual Charter Dinner, but anyone may attend the program free of charge. To attend the program only, please arrive at the Quality Inn in Oneonta at 7:15 p.m. or join on Zoom. To register for the program only via Zoom, please visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/463zapae .

For those interested in attending the Charter Dinner, please visit this page for more information and to purchase tickets: https://doas.us/2024-charter-dinner .

A Charter raffle is also available with a “flock” of bird-themed prizes. Tickets for the Charter raffle are 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/ .

About the Presenter 

Scott Harris and his wife Randi retired to South Carolina in March of 2020—something Scott will tell you was one of the best decisions they have made in their forty-four years of marriage. It was also when he first started birding—a hobby he never imagined himself participating in, but now can’t imagine living without.

They sold their long-time home and business, Mustang Marketing, a marketing/branding company they had owned for thirty-five years. They are blessed that both their children and their grandson are also in South Carolina. 

While in California, Scott had a syndicated newspaper column and two weekly radio shows. He and his son Justin also hosted a Los Angeles Dodgers weekly live radio show. Scott sat on dozens of boards over the years, including Boys & Girls Club, United Way, The Sheriff’s Foundation, Pepperdine University, Moorpark College, and California State University Northridge.

In the month before leaving Ventura County, Scott was honored as Man of the Year, with his company having won Business of the Year two years previously. His interests and hobbies include the largest collection of John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley in the world, playing harmonica in a blues band for five years, and writing (he has written almost fifty books in the past six years—though RaptorQuest is his first entrée into the world of birding).

To order, visit: https://doas.us/2024-bird-seed-sale/

For all who ordered bird seed, it will be available to pick up on Saturday, November 9 from 9–11:00 a.m.

• ORDER DEADLINE: SUNDAY, October 27, by 5 p.m.
• PRODUCT PICKUP: SATURDAY, November 9, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• PICKUP LOCATION: VP Supply Corp., 69 Country Club Road, Oneonta, NY.

Your order directly supports DOAS’s programs! Proceeds will go toward field trips, special events, the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch, youth summer programs, and speaker fees for meetings. Thank you to all who support DOAS through this annual sale!

Photo by GeorgeB2, Cardinal

We’ve all heard amazing facts about bird migration—the long distances that birds travel, the ways that they navigate, and more. But have you ever wondered how we figured all of this out?

While working for the American Ornithological Society, Rebecca Heisman became fascinated with the varied and creative techniques that scientists have used to study bird migration, and this eventually became the basis for her book Flight Paths: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration. 

On Friday, November 15, Heisman will share some surprising stories from the history of bird migration research and discuss why understanding migration is so crucial for bird conservation.

Join us via Zoom for this 40-minute presentation on the history of bird migration research.

To register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/bdzkd5jc .

This program is free and open to the public.

About the Presenter

Rebecca Heisman is an award-winning science writer who lives in Walla Walla, Washington, and has worked with organizations including the Audubon Society, the American Bird Conservancy, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the American Ornithological Society. Flight Paths is her first book.

(Above) Headshot photo credit: Kailee Meyer

This trip has been cancelled due to a COVID19 issue.
We expect to reschedule at a later date.

Join the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society for a visit to Falcon Heart Rescue!

Rehabilitator Deb Saltis of Falcon Heart Rescue in Herkimer, NY has visited the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society regularly to display rescued birds of prey at our Open House. We are now planning on visiting her facility to see more rehabbed animals and learn about the good work they do.

The trip is scheduled for Saturday, November 23 (with Sunday, November 24 as a weather date). We will carpool from the Ford Ave. parking lot across from the YMCA in Oneonta at 9:30 a.m. for the approximately 1 hour trip to Falcon Heart. Since wildlife rehabilitation is supported solely by donations and out-of-pocket, we are suggesting a donation to Falcon Heart.

To register for the trip, contact Andy Mason, (607) 267-8491, AndyMason@earthling.net. For more information on Falcon Heart Rescue, visit https://falconheartrescue.com/.

Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society coordinates THREE regions for the annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count – Oneonta Region in Otsego County, Fort Plain Region in Montgomery County, and Delaware County Region. These counts take place in late December and early January each year.

*As of 2012, there is no longer any fee to participate in Christmas Bird Counts.

OTSEGO COUNTY

2024: Saturday, December 14 – Oneonta Christmas Bird Count (CBC):

We have been participating in the national count for over 50 years!. Everyone, novice or experienced, is welcome to join us on this fun day. Small groups in one or two cars count all the birds they find in their assigned area, within our designated 15-mile radius circle centered around Milford, for whatever hours they choose.

Each group has a leader who will have received appropriate materials beforehand. Alternatively, instead of joining a group, you can count birds at your own feeder off and on throughout the day if you are within our circle. If you are a new counter for either the group counts or the feeder counts, please contact Sandy Bright at brights@hartwick.edu or 607-287-4465. People who have participated before will be contacted.

View Map for the Oneonta Christmas Bird Count

Oneonta Region Data – Compiled – 1969 to 2023
(This is a large data file shared online and may take a minute or so to display at the link.)

Oneonta Region Data – 2022
(Thank you Sandy Bright!)

Other DOAS Christmas Bird Counts

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

2024: Saturday, December 28 – Fort Plain Christmas Bird Count (CBC):
All are welcome to participate regardless of birding experience. For information contact Contact Charlie Scheim at scheimc@hartwick.edu or by phone 607-434-4880.

View Maps for the Fort Plain Christmas Bird Count.

DELAWARE COUNTY

2025: Sunday, January 5 – Delaware County Region Christmas Bird Count (CBC):

The Delaware County CBC (NYDE) was established in 2017 following a test run in 2016.  Our 15 mile circle is centered at Bear Spring Mountain in Walton and extends to Hamden, Downsville and Shinhopple.   The territory is quite remote and includes steep hollows, forests, river valleys, two villages and sections of the Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs. 

All are welcomed to participate by joining a team of counters or reporting from a backyard feeder, if it is within the count circle.  We conduct our count the first weekend in January. Contact Pam Peters if you are interested in participating or learning more: ovenb1rdp@gmail.com or (607) 829-6545.

2023 Count Report

Delaware County Data 2016 to 2023

View Data from past Christmas Bird Counts

Find a Bird Count Near You at the Audubon Map

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-standing program of the National Audubon Society, with over 100 years of citizen science involvement. It is an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the US, Canada and many countries in the Western Hemisphere, go out over a 24 hour period on one calendar day to count birds.

Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society coordinates THREE regions for the annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count – Oneonta Region in Otsego County, Fort Plain Region in Montgomery County, and Delaware County Region. These counts take place in late December and early January each year.

*As of 2012, there is no longer any fee to participate in Christmas Bird Counts

MONTGOMERY COUNTY/Fort Plain Area

2024: Saturday, December 28 – Fort Plain Christmas Bird Count (CBC):
All are welcome to participate regardless of birding experience. For information contact Contact Charlie Scheim at scheimc@hartwick.edu or by phone 607-434-4880.

View Maps for the Fort Plain Christmas Bird Count.

Other DOAS Christmas Bird Counts

OTSEGO COUNTY

2024: Saturday, December 14 – Oneonta Christmas Bird Count (CBC):

We have been participating in the national count for over 50 years!. Everyone, novice or experienced, is welcome to join us on this fun day. Small groups in one or two cars count all the birds they find in their assigned area, within our designated 15-mile radius circle centered around Milford, for whatever hours they choose.

Each group has a leader who will have received appropriate materials beforehand. Alternatively, instead of joining a group, you can count birds at your own feeder off and on throughout the day if you are within our circle. If you are a new counter for either the group counts or the feeder counts, please contact Sandy Bright at brights@hartwick.edu or 607-287-4465. People who have participated before will be contacted.

View Map for the Oneonta Christmas Bird Count

Oneonta Region Data – Compiled – 1969 to 2023
(This is a large data file shared online and may take a minute or so to display at the link.)

Oneonta Region Data – 2022
(Thank you Sandy Bright!)

DELAWARE COUNTY

2025: Sunday, January 5– Delaware County Region Christmas Bird Count (CBC):

The Delaware County CBC (NYDE) was established in 2017 following a test run in 2016.  Our 15 mile circle is centered at Bear Spring Mountain in Walton and extends to Hamden, Downsville and Shinhopple.   The territory is quite remote and includes steep hollows, forests, river valleys, two villages and sections of the Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs. 

All are welcomed to participate by joining a team of counters or reporting from a backyard feeder, if it is within the count circle.  We conduct our count the first weekend in January. Contact Pam Peters if you are interested in participating or learning more: ovenb1rdp@gmail.com or (607) 829-6545.

2023 Count Report

Delaware County Data 2016 to 2023

View Data from past Christmas Bird Counts

Find a Bird Count Near You at the Audubon Map

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-standing program of the National Audubon Society, with over 100 years of citizen science involvement. It is an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the US, Canada and many countries in the Western Hemisphere, go out over a 24 hour period on one calendar day to count birds.

Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society coordinates THREE regions for the annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count – Oneonta Region in Otsego County, Fort Plain Region in Montgomery County, and Delaware County Region. These counts take place in late December and early January each year.

*As of 2012, there is no longer any fee to participate in Christmas Bird Counts.

DELAWARE COUNTY

2025: Sunday, January 5 – Delaware County Region Christmas Bird Count (CBC):

The Delaware County CBC (NYDE) was established in 2017 following a test run in 2016.  Our 15 mile circle is centered at Bear Spring Mountain in Walton and extends to Hamden, Downsville and Shinhopple.   The territory is quite remote and includes steep hollows, forests, river valleys, two villages and sections of the Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs. 

All are welcomed to participate by joining a team of counters or reporting from a backyard feeder, if it is within the count circle.  We conduct our count the first weekend in January. Contact Pam Peters if you are interested in participating or learning more: ovenb1rdp@gmail.com or (607) 829-6545.

2023 Count Report

Delaware County Data 2016 to 2023

Other DOAS Christmas Bird Counts

OTSEGO COUNTY

2024: Saturday, December 14 – Oneonta Christmas Bird Count (CBC):

We have been participating in the national count for over 50 years!. Everyone, novice or experienced, is welcome to join us on this fun day. Small groups in one or two cars count all the birds they find in their assigned area, within our designated 15-mile radius circle centered around Milford, for whatever hours they choose.

Each group has a leader who will have received appropriate materials beforehand. Alternatively, instead of joining a group, you can count birds at your own feeder off and on throughout the day if you are within our circle. If you are a new counter for either the group counts or the feeder counts, please contact Sandy Bright at brights@hartwick.edu or 607-287-4465. People who have participated before will be contacted.

View Map for the Oneonta Christmas Bird Count

Oneonta Region Data – Compiled – 1969 to 2023
(This is a large data file shared online and may take a minute or so to display at the link.)

Oneonta Region Data – 2022
(Thank you Sandy Bright!)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

2024: Saturday, December 28 – Fort Plain Christmas Bird Count (CBC):
All are welcome to participate regardless of birding experience. For information contact Contact Charlie Scheim at scheimc@hartwick.edu or by phone 607-434-4880.

View Maps for the Fort Plain Christmas Bird Count.

View Data from past Christmas Bird Counts

Find a Bird Count Near You at the Audubon Map

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-standing program of the National Audubon Society, with over 100 years of citizen science involvement. It is an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the US, Canada and many countries in the Western Hemisphere, go out over a 24 hour period on one calendar day to count birds.

Join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) on Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom, for a presentation on Birdability’s initiatives to enhance access and inclusivity for birders with disabilities and other health challenges.

Cat Fribley, Executive Director of Birdability.org, and Virginia Rose, founder of Birdability, will delve into the organization’s mission, providing a detailed exploration of its efforts to make birding more accessible and inclusive, and how we all have a role.

This session will introduce the Birdability Map, provide information about barriers and what helps create access for birders with disabilities and other health concerns, and offer practical insights for creating accessible events and spaces. Attendees will gain actionable tips and tools to help create access and inclusion in their communities.

REGISTER HERE

Presenter Bio

Cat Fribley (she/her) serves as the Executive Director of Birdability. With a rich background in nonprofit development, a passion for birding, and a steadfast commitment to disability rights, she brings a unique perspective to this role. Cat’s journey into birding began in college, where it became a source of mental health support and healing following a PTSD diagnosis. Over time, a series of physical injuries and illnesses led her to seek adaptive ways to continue birding as a form of mindfulness and connection with nature, despite limited mobility. Her experiences navigating accessible birding opportunities while traveling to all 50 states have made her especially attuned to the work of Birdability and the importance of the Birdability Map. She now resides in Iowa City, IA, with her wife and two indoor cats, within a beloved community and among a variety of backyard birds.

Virginia Rose (she/her) fell off a horse at the age of 14 which resulted in a spinal cord injury. A wheelchair user ever since, she began birding 17 years ago and discovered her best self in nature. She founded Birdabilty in 2018 and leads accessible Birdability outings for Travis Audubon and at birding festivals each year. As a retired high school English teacher, she is passionate about bringing the same joy, empowerment and community she found in birding and nature to others who have mobility challenges.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online at birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world.

Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, more than 140,000 participants submitted their bird observations online, creating the largest instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations ever recorded.

The 28th annual GBBC will be held Friday, February 14 through Monday, February 17, 2025. Please visit the official website at www.birdcount.org for more information and be sure to check out the latest educational and promotional resources.

“This count is so fun because anyone can take part —we all learn and watch birds together—whether you are an expert, novice, or feeder watcher. I like to invite new birders to join me and share the experience. Get involved, invite your friends, and see how your favorite spot stacks up.” -Gary Langham, Chief Scientist

On the program website participants can explore real-time maps and charts that show what others are reporting during and after the count. Be sure to check out the Explore a Region tool to get an idea of what you can expect to see in your area during the next GBBC.

Register to Participate at www.birdcount.org

For questions and comments, please contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or the National Audubon Society:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Inside the US: (800) 843-2473
Outside the US: (607) 254-2473)
gbbc@cornell.edu

National Audubon Society
citizenscience@audubon.org

The Great Backyard Bird Count is made possible, in part, by generous support from Wild Birds Unlimited.

RETURN TO DOAS HOME PAGE

“Climate change is the single greatest threat to North American birds. Solutions are plentiful, but to protect more than 300 species at risk, we must act now.” —National Audubon Society, September 2024.

Approximately 30% of greenhouse gas emissions come from residential and commercial sectors in the U.S. (The breakdown for the remainder is 30% from industry, 30% from transportation and 10% from agriculture.)

2024 broke records for global temperatures and severe weather events. The 10 warmest years in the historical record have all occurred in the past decade (2014-2023). The financial costs of climate change are already being seen with evidence from record breaking damages from severe weather events over the last year. Repair costs are staggering and insurance claims are being denied.

Our community households and local businesses can work towards minimizing our collective impact.

Join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM on Zoom for a presentation with DOAS Education Chair, Susan O’Handley to look at ways to reduce your household carbon impact and why it is important to take action.

Register at https://mobilize.us/s/AVfczt .

Susan’s program will focus on seven areas where our households, businesses and community operations have carbon impact and will provide an overview of tools and resources to help you establish baseline data and how to track your progress.

Susan will also briefly overview her family’s own journey toward a carbon-neutral household, along with the financial and quality-of-life benefits realized through investing in energy retrofits to their 1902 Victorian Farmhouse in Hartwick.

Presenter Bio

Susan O’Handley has been involved with local Audubon chapters for over 30 years and has served on the Board of Directors for the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society since 2012 (10 years as a Co-President). Susan also works with the Audubon NY/CT Council Board which is composed of 27 Audubon Chapters in NY State and 6 Chapters in CT, and serves on the Advisory Board for Audubon NY/CT Regional Office as the Chapter Representative. She owns and operates a small digital marketing agency in Hartwick, NY.

Learn About Using Native Plants & Supporting Natural Habitats Through Landscaping

Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is proud to organize the Habitat & Ecosystems Land Pro (HELP) Conference & Endorsement Training. The HELP program features new curriculum developed and presented by the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center.

Join us for this special 3-day program for landscaping professionals who work in Upstate NY and the surrounding regions.

The conference will take place at Hartwick College’s Pine Lake Environmental Campus, 1894 Charlotte Creek Road Oneonta, New York 13820 with a Zoom option for two of the three days.

This training is for:

• Landscape professionals
• Landscape architects
• Municipalities or parks agencies
• Upstate NY and the surrounding regions
• Students in a landscape professional program are also welcome to attend.

Why Attend?

Ecological landscaping makes it possible to create rich habitats in a variety of spaces that support birds, insects, and other wildlife. This knowledge also improves our ecosystem services and is highly sustainable. 

✅ Learn strategies to create sustainable habitats through landscaping, as well as how to advertise and leverage these highly-desired services to your clients.

✅ Earn continuing education credits.

✅ Get listed as an Endorsed Eco-scaper on the HELP Program web page, National Audubon Plants for Birds and Native Plants Databases, and the Homegrown National Park website.

Join DOAS Board Director, Chris DeCesare, on Saturday, March 15 (rain date: March 22) 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.

Above: Snow Geese, Photo by Rod Sutton

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

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 5:00 p.m. 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.

About Trip Leader Chris DeCesare:

Like many on the board, I’ve had a lifelong love of nature and being outdoors. This led me to study wildlife biology in college and environmental education in graduate school. It was my ornithology professor who introduced me to the interesting world of birds from nesting bald eagles to the mating ritual of the woodcock and the songs of backyard birds. My favorite memory is sneaking up on woodcocks at dusk in a scrub field with my classmates and throwing ourselves to the ground as a bird twittered to earth from its sky dance.

My work experience includes being a seasonal park ranger at a US Fish and Wildlife Refuge, a seasonal Biological Technician for the US Forest Service and an environmental educator for the NYSDEC. The latter was my career for over 20 years. I currently manage a grant for afterschool program as the Program Director for the Creating Rural Opportunities Partnership (CROP) program.

I have been a part of DOAS as a camp director, a program leader for adults and families, and a Christmas Bird Counter. I’m excited to be on the board to help further the mission. My interests include paddling, hiking, gardening, and spending time with my dog Koa participating in sports such as Scentwork and Dock Diving. Though I love birds, I also have a fondness for insects…Shh!

Register for the Trip

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It is estimated that over 1 billion birds die as a result of window collisions each year in North America with 99% of these occurring at residential and low-rise buildings.  It is considered to be the third highest cause of bird mortality, following habitat loss and predation by domestic cats.

•  Up to 50% of bird-window collisions leave no evidence at all. 
• Many of the birds that fly away are likely to die later of their injuries. 
• Birds most often suffer concussions and internal injuries which can take days to kill them. 
• If a collision kills a parent bird, the young will most likely also die. 
• This is all preventable if people take action at their own homes.

Learn more about this issue at our April 18 Program, 7:30pm on Zoom – Register Here

Delaware Otsego Audubon Society is providing FREE workshops this Spring for homeowners in our communities to make and take home window treatments for up to three windows at their homes to help prevent collisions. Our workshop schedule is below. Pre-registration is required so that we can have ample materials available.

We have limited funds available for free window treatments, so please register early and consider a donation for providing additional materials for this program.

March 22, Sidney, NY – Register Here

11am – 1pm at at Sidney Memorial Public Library, Smart Community Room
Assisted by Binghamton University Audubon Society Campus Chapter

Contact Susan O’Handley at s.ohandley@doas.us or by phone at 607-397-3815 (leave a message) for more information or if you have any questions.

RETURN TO DOAS HOME PAGE

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. We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected.

Other Area Workshops

March 29 Oneonta, NY – Register Here

11am – 1pm at Southside Mall, Oneonta, NY
Assisted by SUNY Oneonta Environmental Science Club

April 12 Cobleskill, NY – Register Here

10am-12pm at SUNY Cobleskill Center for Agricultural and Natural Resources
Assisted by SUNY Cobleskill Wildlife Society

April 26 at Earth Festival, Milford, NY – Register Here

10am-3pm at Milford Central School
Assisted by Hartwick College FORCES (Environmental Sustainability Club)

May 3 Delhi, NY – Register Here

10am-12pm at SUNY Delhi (campus location details pending)
Assisted by SUNY Delhi Sustainability Club

It is estimated that over 1 billion birds die as a result of window collisions each year in North America with 99% of these occurring at residential and low-rise buildings.  It is considered to be the third highest cause of bird mortality, following habitat loss and predation by domestic cats.

•  Up to 50% of bird-window collisions leave no evidence at all. 
• Many of the birds that fly away are likely to die later of their injuries. 
• Birds most often suffer concussions and internal injuries which can take days to kill them. 
• If a collision kills a parent bird, the young will most likely also die. 
• This is all preventable if people take action at their own homes.