New York State
Ornithological Association

For the birders and birds of the Empire State

For a Stoner Award winner's perspective, check out Brian Glidden's NYSOA Annual Meeting report

NYSOA 2006 Annual Meeting
Hosted By Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
by Tim Baird
photos by John Confer, John S. Davis, and Carena Pooth

Birders migrated to central New York the last weekend in September to conduct the business of NYSOA and enjoy the hospitality provided by The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society.

NYSOA’s 2006 Annual meeting was held at the Morris Conference Center on the campus of SUNY Oneonta in Oneonta, NY during September 29 through October 1. Participants had the opportunity to experience the birds of the Oneonta area, learn about current research on New York birds, and interact with people who have an interest in birds and birding.

Russ Charif, Raven Lite© evangelist
chatting with Dorothy Crumb

Following a wine and cheese reception on Friday night, our attention focused on a presentation of Jeff Nadler’s beautiful photographs accompanied by music of the birds of the Adirondacks. This inspiring start was followed by two workshops: “Using Raven Lite© Software to ‘See’ Bird Sounds” presented by Don Kroodsma and Russ Charif and “Raptor Identification” by Tom Salo.

Many attendees got an early start to Saturday with field trips to areas near Oneonta. Though a thick fog hampered observation somewhat, reports of good birding returned. Delegates representing 25 NYSOA clubs met for the business session to finish the morning.

The delegates elected officers, directors, and members for the Nominating and Auditing Committees for 2007. The NYSOA

slate presented by the Nominating Committee was elected. Officers for 2007 will remain unchanged, Carena Pooth was elected to another term as a director, and Jane Graves and Kathryn Schneider were elected as new directors to serve two year terms.

The 2007 Nominating Committee consists of Bill Lee, chair, Tim Baird and Gail Kirch. The Auditing Committee remains in the capable hands of Irving Cantor, Peter Capainolo, and Manny Levine. Changes to NYSOA’s bylaws were accepted by vote of the delegates.
 

Other business conducted at the delegate’s meeting included committee reports, a report by John Ozard about the DEC’s projects relating to birds, and a discussion concerning NYSOA’s position on wind energy towers. John Confer will chair a committee to look into this issue. 

Lunch was a quick trip to Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch for a box lunch and a spectacular view of Oneonta and central New York State.

The paper sessions included informative presentations on migration of geese from Greenland, habitat modification for Golden-winged Warblers, strategies for appropriate location of wind power towers, energy accumulation by birds visiting urban parks, and Whip-poor-will population monitoring. Following a long tradition, Max Wheat ended the paper session with an inspired and inspiring poetry reading..


Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch
Steve Hall (with scope) tracking a raptor for the group

Keynote Speaker Don Kroodsma
signing Binnie Chase's copy
of his book

A Saturday evening cocktail reception and book signing was followed by our banquet. The banquet climaxed a memorable weekend. NYSOA awards were presented and included certificates of appreciation to The Empire State Building management for reducing lighting during peak migrations, caretaker Dick Ziccola and owner Robert Schumann for hosting NYSOA board meetings at Nuthatch Hollow in Vestal, NY, and three families who hosted birders viewing the Northern Hawk Owl in Wyoming County. The John Elliott Award for outstanding Kingbird article was presented to Patricia Lindsay (you can read the article on this website), and Kevin Griffith was given special recognition for his contributions as the regional editor of The Kingbird for Region 2.

There were three Lillian Stoner Award winners this year, students Jackson Mesick, nominated by the Audubon Society of the Capital District, Matt Podolsky, nominated by the Cayuga Bird Club, and Brian Glidden, nominated by High Peaks Audubon.

Donald Kroodsma, author of The Singing Life of Birds, was the speaker for the evening. He delivered an informative presentation offering a unique insight into bird song. Dr. Kroodsma’s talk reflected his enthusiasm for birds as vocal animals. His vocal recordings and sonograms opened many of us to a new perspective for the enjoyment and understanding of birds. .

NYSOA thanks Andy Mason, his Annual Meeting Committee, and all members of Delaware-Otsego Audubon for their efforts in making this meeting a special event.

Published in New York Birders, October 2006


Andy Mason did double duty this year:
He served as president of both the hosting and the hosted organizations

More photos taken during the NYSOA 2006 Annual Meeting - Click on thumbnails to enlarge.


Russ Charif shows off
Raven Lite software
capabilities
photo by Carena Pooth
A frosty, foggy start
for the Milford State Park
field trip
photo by John S. Davis
Delegates' field trip to the
Oneonta Susquehanna
Greenway Trail
photo by Carena Pooth
Fall colors along
the Greenway Trail
photo by Carena Pooth

Climbing up to the
Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch
photo by John S. Davis
Bob McKinney hiked up too
photo by John Confer
Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch
l unchtime field trip
photo by John S. Davis
Poster Session
Atlas 2000 poster
photo by Carena Pooth
Two authors chat - Barbara Butler & Don Kroodsma
Two authors chat -
Barbara Butler & Don Kroodsma
photo by Carena Pooth
Tom Salo makes his
dinner selections
photo by Carena Pooth
Don Kroodsma's
opening slide
Song Sparrow sonogram
generated by Raven software

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