Who We Are
If you love birding, birds or bird conservation then the Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS) is for you.
You’ll find a community of people interested in observing and enjoying birds, whether in a back yard or at one the many excellent birding sites in the area. You’ll also find people dedicated to helping conserve birds and the habitats they depend on.
Although DOS has many activities similar to a bird club, we like to think of ourselves as more than an bird club. In addition to field trips and monthly meetings, DOS is engaged on many fronts in bird conservation, citizen science and promoting youth birding.
DOS presents many opportunities to learn and grow, whether through the engaging speakers at our monthly meetings, by attending one of our many field trips with expert leaders, or by participating in one of the society’s many citizen-science projects.
DOS Mission Statement
"The object and purpose of this Society shall be the promotion of the study of birds, the advancement and diffusion of ornithological knowledge, and the conservation of birds and their environment."
Current Bylaws
The current Bylaws of the Delaware Ornithological Society approved at the December 19, 2018 regular monthly meeting are available for download as a pdf by clicking here: Our Bylaws.
Statement of Diversity and Inclusion
The Delaware Ornithological Society is committed to attracting and engaging a diverse membership that encourages people of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, physical abilities, religions, political beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds to embrace birding, nature, and conservation.
By prioritizing inclusivity and celebrating diversity as strength, DOS endeavors to promote a greater understanding of nature and of each other. Appreciating nature is very personal and DOS believes those who love birds will work to protect them and their habitats. Therefore it is imperative to the organization's mission that DOS strives to include every person and every community in our efforts to have a healthy natural world.
Putting these ideals in action must be deliberative -- inclusivity doesn’t happen by itself. DOS commits to taking actions that will translate our words into positive change, including inviting, involving, and welcoming all people without discrimination into our organization.
History of DOS
The Delaware Ornithological Society (then known as the Delmarva Ornithological Society) started at a meeting of 80 charter members on 18 February 1963 at the Wilmington Institute Free Library.
At this meeting by-laws were adopted and officers selected and sworn in. The mission statement adopted at the convention was “The object and purpose of this Society shall be the promotion of the study of birds and the advancement and diffusion of ornithological knowledge”.
More recently, DOS has increasingly emphasized conservation. In the mid-1990s the following was added to the mission statement – “and the conservation of birds and their environment”.
In 2013 DOS celebrated 50 years of birding, bird conservation, and community. The society has grown to over 500 members. To learn more about the history of DOS please see “The First 50 Years of the Delmarva Ornithological Society,” published in the Delmarva Ornithologist in 2013.
In 2018, the society adopted new bylaws and changed its name to Delaware Ornithological Society to better reflect the scope and territory of this organization.
List of DOS Presidents
List of DOS Presidents and their terms
Jack Linehan 1963-1965
Winston J. Wayne 1965-1967
Lloyd L. Falk 1967-1969
Robert W. Thomen 1969-1971
William A. Brokaw 1971-1973
Philip M. Walters 1973-1974
Richard L. West 1974-1975
Maurice L. Ernsberger 1975-1977
Joanne W. Patterson 1977-1979
Dudley Ross 1979-1981
Doris J. Boller 1981-1983
Winston J. Wayne 1983-1985
Charles E. Sample 1985-1987
Howard P. Brokaw 1987-1989
Robert G. Rufe 1989-1991
Meta C. Little 1991-1993
Frank C. Buhl 1993-1995
John Janowski 1995-1997
James White 1997-1999
Jeffrey Gordon 1999-2001
Michael Smith 2001-2003
Robert G. Rufe 2003-2005
Sally O'Byrne 2005-2007
Derek Stoner 2007-2009
Sally O'Byrne 2009-2011
Matt Sarver 2011-2013
Joe Sebastiani 2013-2015
Bill Stewart 2015-2017
Anthony Gonzon 2017-2019
Meghann Matwichuk 2019-2020
Michael Moore 2020-2024
Joe Francis 2024-