Kane County Audubon Minutes

November 11, 2009

Peck Farm-Geneva

Bob Andrini welcomed members and guests.

Sightings: 11 species of ducks at Nelson Lake, Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, White-throated Sparrow, Sandhill Cranes, Red-headed Woodpecker at Jasper Pulaski, White-fronted Geese, Pied-billed Grebes, Ross’s Goose, Purple Finch, Tree Sparrows, Winter Wrens, Whooping Cranes on the Horicon Marsh field trip, Screech Owls, Great-horned Owl, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Carolina Wren, Peregrine Falcon and a Barn Owl in north central Missouri.

New Business:
1. KCA candidates were put before the members in annual election:
President, Bob Andrini; Vice President, Tim Balassie; Treasurer, Jane McMillan; Secretary, Nancy Schnaitman, Sue Wagoner, Publicity.

a. Members introduced by Bob Andrini who then asked for a motion;
b. Motion was seconded;
c. Jon Duerr moved to close officer slate as stated;
d. Motion to elect candidates to KCA board for year 2010 put before the membership for a vote;
e. Motion to elect officer slate as stated was carried.

2. KCA appointed positions introduced.
a. Webmaster- Chris Madsen
b. Field Trips – Jon Duerr
c. Program Chairperson – Chuck Peterson
d. Hospitality – Carroll and Erika Veidel, George Mohn

3. If you are interested in leading a field trip, contact Jon Duerr, 630-584-5891. It is not necessary to know all the birds because there will be other members there to help with identification. You just need to be familiar with the forest preserve.

4. The Christmas Bird Count is slated for Saturday, December 19th. If you are interested in counting contact Terry Murray, 630-896-3219. For 109 years birders across the United States have been counting not only the number of species but the total number of birds of each species. Volunteers count within a determined 15 mile diameter circle. Valuable species data is collected from this count.

5. The Spring Bird count is slated for May 8th. Question was asked why coverage is not more evenly distributed for the Spring Bird Count. Some counties have many volunteer counters, while some have only a few. This count is controlled at the state level.

6. Julie Long has outdoor magazines to give away on the back table.

7. Jeanne Bereza has a bird feeder to give away, contact her on number listed on index card.

8. Bob and Kathy Andrini’s photos and an article can be found on the St. Charles Park District catalog.

Old Business:
1. See Bob Andrini if you want to buy tickets for the special raffle of the Cardinal painting taking place next month.

2. The Horicon Marsh field trip yielded 51 species. A possible trip in the spring is being discussed that will include a pontoon ride on the marsh that will focus on birding.

Education: ‘Why Band Birds’ by Augie Wirkus. Talked about how to band birds, the success of Kestrel nest boxes along the interstates, and their involvement in M.A.P.S. study that has been going on for several years.

Upcoming Events and Trips:
Nov. 14th Bird banding at Colored Sands
Nov. 21 Walk: Les Arends FP: 8 AM – Jon
Dec. 5th Nelson Lake walk
Dec. 9th Monthly meeting; Birds of the South Pole: Bob and Tassie Brautigam
Dec. 19th Christmas Bird Count

Treats: Ella Mae Goshen and Jon and Joy Duerr

Raffle: T-shirt, Ducks field guide folders, Binocular strap, photo of Pileated Woodpecker, Stokes field guide, North American Bird field guide, Audubon book, bird soaps.

Adjournment

Nancy Schnaitman: secretary