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Next meeting: June 29th Picnic!
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Northern Parula by Mike Moore.
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Letter from the President
 This month I wanted to share some news from two of DOS’s biggest and most popular projects.
We just completed another successful Bird-a-thon and I hope you join me at the DOS Picnic on 29 June where we will share the results. In the past, the Bird-a-thon has focused on helping the federally endangered eastern (rufa) Red Knot and protecting Mispillion Harbor where thousands of Red Knots used to gather. The last few years the numbers of Red Knots at Mispillion Harbor have dropped precipitously causing concern for the survival of Red Knots. However, this appears to be the result of the adaptability of Red Knots. The results of scientific surveys of Delaware Bay this year indicate that the overall population of Red Knots is stable and has not changed significantly since surveys were started in 2011. This year most of the Red Knots staged on the New Jersey side of Delaware Bay. So, while we missed the spectacle at Mispillion Harbor, the Red Knot population appears to be healthy which is a cause for celebration.
Another popular DOS coordinated project is Falcon Watch. For more than a decade the resident Peregrine Falcon pair named Trinity and Red Girl raised their broods in front of the cameras on the Brandywine Building in Wilmington. Thousands of people from around the world follow the Wilmington falcons on YouTube. This year a new pair, named Bridget and Whitman took over the nest box. As of this writing, the eggs should be ready to hatch. However, one nestling died in the hatching attempt, one egg is likely inviable, and we are waiting on the other two. While we can be disappointed if this new pair fails to produce young this year, we should remember to rejoice for the Peregrine Falcon population as one of the great conservation success stories. When I saw my first Peregrine in the late 1960’s it was an extraordinary rarity and I was thrilled to actually see such a mythical bird. Now there are concerns that there may be too many Peregrines, but my opinion is that we are returning to a more primordial state where predators are common.
I hope to see you at the picnic! If not, have a great summer and I look forward to another great year for DOS.
-Michael Moore, DOS President
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Annual June Picnic &
Bird-a-thon Awards:
June 29th @ 4:00pm - 7:00pm EST
We are happy to announce that the Annual Delaware Ornithological Society picnic with Bird-A-Thon results and awards announcements, will be on June 29th from 4-7pm at the Roberts Farm, 315 Taylors Bridge Rd, Townsend, DE 19734. We are, once again, very grateful to our friends at Delaware Wildlands for opening up their space for us!
There will be a brief bird walk offered at the Roberts Farm before the picnic; anyone interested in that walk should arrive at 3pm.
Burgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs will be provided. We encourage everyone attending to sign-up to bring a salad, side-dish, or dessert to bring along and share. We will also need a few people willing to arrive early and to stay a few minutes late to help set-up and clean-up. To sign-up to help or to bring a dish, contact Mike Hudson at [email protected].
Reminder: all Bird-A-Thon funds and checklists must be submitted by June 17th to be counted; if you haven’t finished collecting your materials yet, you still have time to get them in!
We look forward to seeing you at the picnic!
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Officer Election Results
We are excited to announce the results of the May Meeting election. All candidates were elected for their proposed positions. Thank you to everyone who came out to vote in person!
President: Mike Moore
Vice President: Scott Northey
Secretary: Shannon Modla
Treasurer: Angie Barbato
Councilor: Matt Halley
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Killen’s Pond State Park with Chris Bennett
June 17 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
Prothonotary Warbler by Mike Moore.
Come out to experience breeding bird specialties of southern Delaware! We will walk the 2.6 mile pondside trail in search of summer nesting birds including Prothonotary, Yellow-throated and Kentucky Warblers, Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and other breeding birds of Delaware’s coastal plain forests. Website details here.
Contact Carolyn at [email protected] if you have any questions about this trip.
Meet at the sports complex parking area, State Park fees in effect.
45th Annual Beginner’s Shorebird Field Trip
July 29 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
Shorebirds for Beginners at Bombay Hook!
Join DOS for our Beginner’s Shorebird Field Trip on Saturday, July 29th, at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna, Delaware. This will be a Half Day trip – tailored for beginners, and is the 45th consecutive outing for this popular field trip. “Par” is 15 species of shorebirds, usually a challenging goal, because arrival dates, water levels and weather conditions all change year to year.
Emphasis is on basics of shorebird identification for beginners, although there are always several experienced birders to assist. Pace is slow – everyone should see each shorebird species satisfactorily. While this is not a photography workshop, our slow pace allows for photographic experimentation and networking. There will be some “prizes” awarded for categories not yet determined!
Drinks and snacks advised, as well as sunscreen, bug spray and a hat. An optional, informal tally luncheon is usually held following the trip at a local eatery.
We meet in the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center parking lot in Smyrna, DE at 8 a.m. and wrap up by noon.
Refuge fees are in effect – $4 per car, or free entry with a 2023-2024 season duck stamp (or other special passes). This would be a fine opportunity to recycle your lightly used, expired prior season duck stamp(s) – Donate it/them to support the DOS Bird-a-Thon!
Trip leader is Bob Rufe – [email protected] – please email Bob to let him know you’re planning to participate, or if you have any questions. A few “loaner” binoculars will be available, please contact leader to request if needed.
More information on Bombay Hook NWR is available here.
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Red Knot Youth Birders
Sunday, June 11th, 8:00 to 10:00
Bellevue State Park
This trip will focus on the breeding birds in northern Delaware, including warblers, vireos, finches, catbirds, and orioles. We will also look for acrobatic aerial insectivores like chimney swifts and purple martins. Loaner binoculars will be available. State park fees will be in effect.
Meet at the parking lot by the park office
800 Carr Road, Wilmington DE 19809
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Sign up at [email protected] to receive field trip schedules and other updates for the fall.
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Alapocas Woods Field Trip Report
Northern Waterthrush by Sarah Zaritsky.
Read the full report here.
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Mother's Day Walk Trip Report
Great Blue Heron by Carolyn Holland.
Read the full report here.
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Blackbird State Forest Trip Report
Photo by John Dunn.
Read the full report here.
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Norman G. Wilder Trip Report
White-eyed Vireo by Carolyn Holland.
Read the full report here.
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River of Raptors Trip
DNS & ProNatura Veracruz
Swainson's Hawks above Veracruz by John Mercer.
Sally O'Byrne is leading a trip to Veracruz, Mexico to see the River of Raptors next September. It is a Delaware Nature Society trip working with ProNatura Veracruz.
This trip will not only feature the largest migration in the Western Hemisphere, there will also be birding in a variety of habitats around Veracruz as well as historic and cultural sites.
Here is the link to the brochure and detailed itinerary.
Sally can answer anyone’s questions about the details here.
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The Birder's Handbook
Before there was “All About Birds” from Cornell, I (like many others) learned the basics of birdlife from “The Birder’s Handbook” by Paul Ehrlich et al. The included essays were short, beautifully written, and perfect for the nightstand. While book-culling years ago, I donated my copy. I’ve regretted it since, but to reacquire it means (per my spouse) something else has to go.
So, it pleased me greatly when I learned that the best essays (with minor updates) from the book are now available on the Stanford University web.
Anyway, here it is for bookmarking and sharing. Enjoy!
Best, Joe Francis
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Access Pass Reminder
Don't forget: Conservation Access Passes are required to visit state wildlife areas such as Augustine (including Ashton Tract), Assawoman, Cedar Swamp, and Woodland Beach.
The cost to renew your annual pass is $32.50 for Delaware vehicles and $65.00 for out-of-state vehicles. Click here to get your pass!
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Wilmington Falcon Watch
Peregrine Falcon by David Lewis.
Eggs are due to hatch! Check out our falcon cams here.
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- Your backyard bird feeding specialist -
"Feed the Families of Birds That Call Your Yard Home."
Wild Birds Unlimited-Hockessin
Open Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.
Lancaster Pike & Yorklyn Road
Hockessin, DE
(302)-239-9071
www.wbu.com/hockessin
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Graphic by Shannon Modla features Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
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Nyoom! What's this bird?
Check your answer here. Photo by Carolyn Holland.
We'd love more quiz photos! Send yours to [email protected]
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DOS Backyard Birding Challenge
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Andrew Dunn continues his lead, gaining 12 species in the last month. Migration is slowing down, but there are always new birds to see!
Compete by submitting eBird checklists from your own yard.
Learn more here.
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*Rankings as of June 8, 2023.
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Cliff Swallows by Shannon Modla. Mike Moore and Company birding in White Clay by Andy Ednie.
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Want to see your photos in the Flyer? Send them to [email protected]!
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DOS Flyer Archive
Click here to read digital copies of past Flyers.
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