Onondaga Audubon

Birdathon! There is still time to sign up for this fun event!
The Onondaga Audubon Society’s Birdathon Big Day
will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 with the compilation picnic the
following day at the Derby Hill Bird Observatory on Sunday the
19th.

This event is a 24-hour birding challenge within NYSOA Kingbird
Region 5 – Onondaga, Oswego, Oneida, Madison, Herkimer and northern
Cayuga Counties. It is also an big fund-raiser for Onondaga Audubon Society. Whether you
have done this before or not, PLEASE PARTICIPATE and help make this
year’s Birdathon another great success.

Participation is flexible. Teams can be any size, and birders at all
levels of experience are welcome. You may spend as much time in the
field or as little as you like – up to 24 hours. Not sure if you
want to join? – - please get in touch with us so that we can provide
more details and answer your questions.

Registering is simple. We need just three things – the name of the
Team Leader, details on where to send the Birdathon information
(street or E-mail address), and a phone number for on the day of the picnic.

Ken & Rose Burdick
Birdathon Coordinators
(315) 685-5571
OAS.BIRDATHON@verizon.net

Volunteers needed for Derby Hill Bird Observatory
Grounds maintenance:
• Removal of downed branches and raking around the HQ Building.
• Selective brush and downed tree removal from hedgerows – chainsaw owner-operators please.
• Early spring trail grooming.

Volunteers needed for Noyes Sanctuary
• Trail monitoring and maintenance

For more information please check our “Volunteers Needed” information on our website: www.
onondagaaudubon.org.
If you can help with any of the listed projects, please contact me for details, dates and times at: derby.hill.count@gmail.com
Ken Karwowski
Operations Manager

KESTREL EDITOR NEEDED
Onondaga Audubon is looking for a volunteer to manage the publication of up to three issues a year of the chapter’s newsletter – The Kestrel.  The editor would work with article authors, edit and proofread content, and prepare each issue for printing. Experience with digital publishing software and print production would be helpful. An appreciation for the written word and a concern for good grammar and spelling are important. Materials and guidance to start will be provided.

Contact OnAudubonCom@gmail.com to learn more.

Bob and Ellie Long Honored
In March, 2012 Bob and Ellie Long received the Norman I. Stotz Award from the Audubon Council of New York State for extraordinary volunteer service on behalf of the Audubon Society and the environment. With over 40 years of active participation in the chapter Bob and Ellie have been recognized for their exemplary leadership and dedication. Bob served four terms as Vice-president and three terms as President of Onondaga Audubon. In addition he served as editor of The Kestrel newsletter for eight years. His leadership was instrumental in establishing the first Walk-a-thon for Save the County in 1972; the establishment of a board of managers for Derby Hill Bird Observatory in 1981; and the organization of a management committee for Noyes Sanctuary in 1994. Ellie served as President of the chapter from 1987 to 1989. As editor of The Kestrel Bob initiated a series of birding hot spot articles and conservation issue editorials that ranged from local waste management challenges to the need for protection of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. Both Bob and Ellie served on the board of directors for years and were always willing to take on any number of tasks running a chapter required. Bob and Ellie continue to provide guidance and inspiration to the chapter. We applaud them for this honor, it is well deserved.