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​HAPPY 86th ANNIVERSARY
BECKHAM BIRD CLUB
JANUARY 11, 1935
 
January 2021 Newsletter – message from the president
Happy 2021, BBC members!!
As we head into a new year that we all hope will be a vast improvement over the one that just ended, it’s time for the ritual of announcing good intentions in the form of annual resolutions. Here are a few that I actually intend to keep (hence, nothing about diet or exercise, or trying to develop a greater appreciation for the adaptability of starlings):
  1. Pay attention to the birds around me every day, regardless of where I am or what I am doing.
  2. Submit a checklist to eBird every day – whether it’s a feeder watch, a field trip, or just a random raptor sighting along the Gene Snyder Freeway on my way to the big box store.
  3. Do more home study in order to get better at birding, especially birding by ear.
  4. Engage with any new birders I encounter in person or online – help them with identification, answer questions, and – especially – encourage them to join the BBC or their local bird club.
  5. Reduce my carbon footprint in whatever ways I can.
  6. Support protections for birds and habitat, and let my elected officials know that I do.
  7. Get a COVID19 vaccination as soon as I can, because that’s what it’s going to take to get back to having normal field trips and meetings.
  8. Finally figure out all the hundreds of settings on my camera.
  9. Stop dithering and decide on a new pair of binoculars.
  10. Bird more.
I look forward to seeing all of you as soon as we are able to resume something akin to normal activities. Until then, be safe, be well, and good birding.
Andrew Melnykovych

It's Past Time for Membership Renewal

Go to the Beckham Bird Club website and click on the membership tab at the top of the homepage. Everyone received a renewal notice by mail in November. If you used Pay Pal don’t forget to send an email to the club with name, address, phone numbers and email so the club can update the membership list. All life members should do the same.

2020 BBC BIRDATHON

Your donations are very important to the different groups BBC have accepted as recipients of our birdathon money.  Even if you did not receive an email or phone call please consider giving a donation – NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL.  Make your check payable to Beckham Bird Club.  If you have not been contacted send your contribution to the post office box address: Beckham Bird Club, P.O. Box 5301, Louisville, KY 40255-0301. Otherwise send it to the person you sponsored.  Help us reach $20,000. Thanks so much!!!   Thanks to all who have all ready sent in a donation.

Several BBC members took part in the Big Global Day on Saturday, May 9. In the past Jefferson County and Fayette County have had a contest do see who would see the most species.  But this year was different the two groups decided to just go out and bird and find as many birds as possible throughout the state. Jefferson County recorded 140 species and 188 species were seen in Kentucky.

Birder's Bucket List for 2020

  1. Come to a BBC meeting if you have never been to one.
  2. Join in on a field trip if you have never been to one.
  3. Make plans to go to the March Dinner Meeting at Big Springs Country Club on Tuesday, March 10.
  4. Join the Kentucky Ornithological Society (KOS).
  5. Go to one of the KOS weekends in April or September.
  6. Plan a trip to Magee Marsh in Ohio around the first two weeks of May.
  7. Donate to the BBC Birdathon.
  8. Submit your bird list to ebird. It is so easy.
  9. Subscribe to birdKY  
  10. Take a child birding.
  11.  Keep your cat indoors and encourage others to as well.
  12. Buy bird friendly (certified shade-grown) coffee.
  13. Plant native species in your yard.
  14. Donate your old/unused binoculars and scopes to nature centers, school groups interested in birding.