Kane County Audubon Minutes

January 13, 2010

Peck Farm-Geneva

President Bob Andrini welcomed members and guests at this well attended meeting where there was standing room only.

Sightings: Carolina wrens, Varied thrush, Snow buntings, European goldfinch, Lapland longspurs, Summer tanager, Horned lark.

Software Educational Moment: Cathy Andrini demonstrated Thayer Birding software. This CD, which covers North America birds, makes birding identification easy and allows the user to set up quiz criteria that meets user needs. It is available on line.

New Business:
1. The February monthly meeting will be held at the St. Charles library.

2. Lake County Audubon is looking for volunteers to help put up towers for herons at Almond Marsh. If interested, see Tim Balassie.

3. The Whooping crane center in Wisconsin was broken into and vandalized. Members are asked to think about making a donation to help in recovery.

4. Julie Long reminded members that KCA is collecting commemorative stamps. These can be brought to monthly meetings or sent directly to Vern Kleen. They will be sold at auction. The monies collected are used to buy habitat. To date $40,000 has been raised.

5. Terry Murray reported on the Christmas Bird Count. Two times as many birds were counted this year than last. Highlighted species: Snow goose, Black duck, Wilson snipe, Great Blue heron, Palm warbler, Red-headed duck, Indigo bunting, Ruby-crowned kinglet.

6. Financial report by Treasurer Jane McMillan:
November 2009 balance: $3,218.00. Income $1,841.38 with $1,119 from IAS dues, $517 from raffles. Costs: $286.85 to mail newsletters, $100 donation to Gull Frolic, $100 donation to IAS building fund, $150 for speakers fees, $198 to Operation Migration (Whooping cranes) $53.01 for the 4th of July picnic held at Nelson Lake.

7. Cheryl Hayes reports that KCA continues to collect used printer cartridges. $46.60 has been raised through this effort.

Education:
Guest speaker Jack Shouba shared his pictures and tales of the unusual and fascinating "Animals of the Galapagos Islands."

Upcoming Events and Trips:
Jan. 16th: Roadside Birding – Jerry Hope
Jan. 23rd Starved Rock Eagle Weekend- Tim Balassie
Feb. 2nd Nelson Lake- Terry Murray
Feb. 20th Monthly Meeting at St. Charles library. Topic: History and future of Prairie Green.

Treats: Sue Wagoner and Nancy Schnaitman

Raffle: Last Great Places calendar, Wiley the Owl book, 2 field guides, wall plaque, Audubon hat, Arctic Wings, framed bird print, instructional CD of bird songs.

Adjournment

Nancy Schnaitman: secretary