Category: Meeting Minutes

At 6:07 pm Vice-President Barbara Saunders opened the meeting.

Vice-President Saunders introduced Fred Baumgarten who presented on “Who’s Buried in Audubon’s Tomb: A Story of Birds, Art and Music, allegro con brio.” Mr. Baumgarten began his presentation with an overview of the life of John James Audubon, his financial ruin and economic redemption in Britain and the fact that he and his wife Lucy were very musical. Mr. Baungarten then provided an overview of the life of Anthony Philip Heinrich,  a composer whose life somewhat paralleled Audubon’s, in that he was an immigrant to America who when faced with hard times, fell back on his avocation and created a mythology about himself in order to make a living. He ended his presentation with a sample of Heinrich’s ten movement symphony about the passenger pigeon. 

At 7:33 pm President Andrew Rubenfeld called the regular meeting of the society to order.  

Recording Secretary Thomas read the minutes of the September 12, 2017 meeting and they were approved as read. 

Secretary Thomas then announced three new candidates for membership: Marie-Claire Cunningham, sponsored by Andrew Rubenfeld and Irene Payne; Ben King, sponsored by Stephen Chang; and Allan Welby, sponsored by Kathleen Matthews. The candidates were approved by unanimous vote of the membership.

President Rubenfeld then reminded members to pay their dues and to see Treasurer Chang if they have their dues ready. He also reminded the audience to exit via Central Park West at the conclusion of the program due to construction on the 77^thStreet entrance.

At 7:39 pm President Rubenfeld introduced Tom Stephenson, who presented on, “Why Do Birds Sing? How Do They Learn Their Songs? And How Can Birders Learn Them Too?” Mr. Stephenson began his presentation by explaining that some birds can only easily be found by their songs and discussed the various reasons why birds sing, which include finding a mate, maintaining territory and avoiding conflict. Mr. Stephenson also pointed out the fact that bird calls differ based on where a bird can be found, for instance a Cape May at the top of a tree sings higher, simpler notes while birds closer to the ground, such as a Tinamou, sing lower notes. He concluded his presentation by telling the audience that often it is hard to memorize songs because most people have bad techniques. He then illustrated a way to make a mental image for song memorization. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm.

Respectfully submitted by
Rochelle Thomas, Recording Secretary

At 6:04 pm Vice-President Barbara Saunders opened the meeting.

Vice-President Saunders introduced Peter LeTourneau, Ph.D., who presented on “The Boldest and Most Beautiful: The Traprock Ridgelands of the Connecticut Valley.” Dr. LeTourneau began his presentation with a history of urban development in the region, and its geological history, as best represented in the widespread basalt traprock. The Traprock Ridgelands are an important rock climbing area, form almost perfect watersheds, and host important microbial communities, as the summit balds are considered to be important habitat by the Nature Conservancy. In addition to hosting some of the oldest trees in the eastern United States, the Traprock Ridgelands also inspired painters such as Thomas Cole, and George Henry Durrie. Dr. LeTourneau closed with information about the proposal to develop the area into a national heritage corridor. 

At 7:32 pm President Andrew Rubenfeld called the regular meeting of the society to order.  

Recording Secretary Thomas read the minutes of the May 9, 2017 meeting and they were approved as read. 

Secretary Thomas then announced three new candidates for membership: Allen Liebb, sponsored by Gabriel Willow; Matt Klein, sponsored by Kathleen Matthews; David L. Spawn, sponsored by Kathleen Matthews. The candidates were approved by unanimous vote of the membership.

President Rubenfeld then announced that members should have recently received the schedule of events but that it is always a good idea to check the society website in the event of a change. He then thanked Vice-President Saunders for the excellent selection of speakers, Co-Chairs Richard ZainEldeen and Anne Lazarus for the field trips, and Council Member Felix and Past President Hamilton for their coordination. He also stated that anyone who has not yet paid dues to please get them to Treasurer Steve Chang as soon as possible. He also stated that the increase in dues will allow the society to renovate the archives and to distribute society publications in the face of rising costs. 

President Rubenfeld announced that longtime birder, Sylvia Cohen passed away a week and a half ago. She was 98. 

Recording Secretary Thomas announced three upcoming beach clean-ups. The first, on September 16^th was a co-sponsorship by the Linnaean Society, NYC Audubon and Wild Bird Fund, coordinated by the American Littoral Society. The following two clean-ups were presented to the society by Council Member Ken Chaya and sponsored by NYC H2O on September 23^rd and 30^th at Plumb Beach and Lemon Creek respectively.  

President Rubenfeld informed the audience that the society is updating the field cards but that current cards are available at a rock bottom price. He also pointed to the numerous books, donated by Sarah Elliott, available for donation on the stage. He said that Sarah would be very happy to know they are going to good homes. 

Lastly, President Rubenfeld announced that several people had responded to the recent survey and expressed an interest in serving as an officer, council member or on a committee. He stated that the first step for many is to become a member and to see an officer both to join the membership and serve in another capacity 

At 7:42 pm President Rubenfeld introduced Noah Strycker, who presented on, “Birding Without Borders: An Epic World Big Year.” Mr. Strycker entertained the audience by informing them that he now writes, “Bird Man” as occupation on immigration forms. He also explained how big years since Roger Tory Peterson’s have changed over the years, with new concepts emerging, such as biggest nude year. Mr. Strycker informed the audience that he tried to make his around the world big year as local as possible, enlisting people with local knowledge and sleeping on their couches. He went through the highlights of the big year that included his first bird, a Cape Petrel, a Golden Backed Mountain Tanager in Peru, the Sri Lanka Frogmouth that when added, allowed him to surpass the previous world record of 4,341, and the last bird of the year, an Oriental Bay Owl that came in as bird number 6.042. He ended by saying that numbers mattered even less in the end as he so greatly valued the people he met along the way. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.

Respectfully submitted by
Rochelle Thomas, Recording Secretary