ON WINGS OF GOLD
Michael Patton is an avian biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Michael monitors, researches, and implements management for the species that are of greatest conservation need in the state. His talk will be on the Golden-winged Warbler. Golden-winged Warblers are an imperiled neotropical migrant that are rapidly declining in their Appalachian range. In an effort to better understand the migratory survival and site fidelity of Kentucky’s population of Golden-winged Warblers, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources deployed nanotags on Golden-winged Warblers in southeastern Kentucky during the breeding season of 2022. During his presentation, he’ll discuss this ongoing research project, as well as the biology of this species, the threats that Golden-winged Warblers face, and other ongoing research and conservation efforts for the species in Kentucky.
IT IS TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Yes, it is that time of year again, when the Beckham Bird Club and every other organization to which you belong (and quite a few to which you don’t) send out reminders to renew your membership.
Not that you need any prompting, but here are the Top Five Reasons to Renew for 2023:
Cutting back on mailings saves the BBC the cost of printing and postage; it also reduces our carbon footprint (ever so slightly, to be sure, but every bit helps).
In that same vein, we are also encouraging members who still receive a mailed newsletter to switch to the electronic version. You can make the change when you renew.
So please renew as soon as possible, either directly through the website using PayPal or credit card or, if you want to pay by check, by downloading, printing and sending in the membership form, which is also on the website.
Here’s a handy guide to the renewal process:
http://www.beckhambirdclub.org/uploads/4/6/2/1/46215227/2022_membership_form__2_.pdf
The BBC board encourages you to renew early and hopes that you will encourage non-member birders or bird lovers of your acquaintance to join.
Not that you need any prompting, but here are the Top Five Reasons to Renew for 2023:
- Support BBC programming. Your dues pay for our meeting venues, speaker fees and support BBC activities such as the picnic and annual dinner.
- Stay informed about what the BBC will be doing in 2023. Renewing your membership means you will continue receiving the newsletter and other updates.
- Your dues help BBC remain visible in the community by paying the costs of the BBC website.
- Your dues pay for printing the BBC membership directory and allow us to periodically update our technology (laptop, projector, etc.).
- MOST IMPORTANT REASON: You reap the psychic reward of being a part of and supporting a great organization.
- Members who don’t renew by December will receive a mailed reminder.
- AVOID GETTING CARDED
Cutting back on mailings saves the BBC the cost of printing and postage; it also reduces our carbon footprint (ever so slightly, to be sure, but every bit helps).
In that same vein, we are also encouraging members who still receive a mailed newsletter to switch to the electronic version. You can make the change when you renew.
So please renew as soon as possible, either directly through the website using PayPal or credit card or, if you want to pay by check, by downloading, printing and sending in the membership form, which is also on the website.
Here’s a handy guide to the renewal process:
- Go the membership tab at the top of this page.
- You will see a list of membership categories, with the dues for each and a yellow button that says “Donate.”
- Click on the button. It will take you to PayPal.
- Enter the amount you wish to pay (we encourage you to renew at the highest level you can) and then DESIGNATE YOUR CONTRIBUTION FOR MEMBERSHIP (this is the default choice). THIS IS SO WE KNOW YOU ARE RENEWING, RATHER THAN MAKING A DONATION.
- Select payment either through your PayPal account, if you have one, or by credit card.
- If you select credit card payment, you will be asked for credit card information, including your name and address, (don’t worry, it’s a secure site) and then be asked to create a PayPal account. Doing so will simplify the process next time. (Just remember to write down your password and save it where it can be relocated.)
- IF YOU HAVE NEW CONTACT INFORMATION (ADDRESS, EMAIL, PHONE), YOU CAN ADD A NOTE LETTING US KNOW. PLEASE DO SO.
- YOU ALSO MAY SHARE YOUR ADDRESS WITH BBC BY CHECKING THE BOX THAT SENDS IT TO US TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR GIFT.
- Complete the transaction by following the PayPal prompts. You will get an email confirmation of your payment.
- AND JUST IN CASE, please take the following IMPORTANT STEP: Please email your name, address, email and telephone number to bbcky1935@gmail.com so we can keep our membership roster up to date.
http://www.beckhambirdclub.org/uploads/4/6/2/1/46215227/2022_membership_form__2_.pdf
The BBC board encourages you to renew early and hopes that you will encourage non-member birders or bird lovers of your acquaintance to join.
A MESSAGE FROM THE BBC BOARD
In response to member concerns and after careful consideration, the Beckham Bird Club board has determined that field trips will now be no-smoking and no-vaping events. The current policy of asking participants who smoke and vape to step away from the main group has proven both ineffective and unworkable. Therefore, effective immediately, participants are asked to refrain from smoking or vaping for the duration of the field trip. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
In response to member concerns and after careful consideration, the Beckham Bird Club board has determined that field trips will now be no-smoking and no-vaping events. The current policy of asking participants who smoke and vape to step away from the main group has proven both ineffective and unworkable. Therefore, effective immediately, participants are asked to refrain from smoking or vaping for the duration of the field trip. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
2022 BBC BIRDATHON
The BBC has received and approved ten requests for grants from the proceeds of the 2022 Birdathon. In order to come close to fulfilling these requests, we will need to raise a record amount through the Birdathon this year, after raising about $24,000 in 2021. We still need additional contributions. For details of the requests, please visit the Birdathon page.
The BBC has received and approved ten requests for grants from the proceeds of the 2022 Birdathon. In order to come close to fulfilling these requests, we will need to raise a record amount through the Birdathon this year, after raising about $24,000 in 2021. We still need additional contributions. For details of the requests, please visit the Birdathon page.
Birder's Bucket List for 2022
- Come to a BBC meeting if you have never been to one.
- Join in on a field trip if you have never been to one.
- Bring a friend to a meeting or field trip.
- Join the Kentucky Ornithological Society (KOS).
- Go to one of the KOS weekends in April or September.
- Get out and bird in one of Kentucky's least-birded counties. Kentucky has a substantial portion of the counties with the fewest eBird checklists. You can help fix that.
- Plan a trip to Magee Marsh in Ohio around the first two weeks of May.
- Donate to the BBC Birdathon.
- Join eBird and use it to record your observations. It is so easy.
- Subscribe to the birdKY listserv via KOS.
- Take a child birding.
- Familiarize yourself with the American Birding Association's Code of Birding Ethics (there's a handly link above) and adhere to it when birding.
- Keep your cat indoors and encourage others to as well.
- Buy bird friendly (certified shade-grown) coffee.
- Plant native species in your yard.
- Donate your old/unused binoculars and scopes to nature centers, school groups interested in birding.