This page last updated 6/19/09

Support Your Home Team! Submit your World Series of Birding pledge online Once again, our own Diving Dabblers, led by Rodney Johnson, came in 4th on May 9, 2009!!!  Their species count was 205. The 2009 World Series of Birding is right around the corner and your home team, the Diving Dabblers, are set to compete once again. Last year we had one of those years where everything seemed to go right and that was evident in our results. We had 153 birds in the north half of the state and finished with a team high of 215 species and a 4th place finish. We even took down the mighty Zeiss team led by über birder Pete Dunne! This year the "Big Day" is on May 9th. We can not imagine doing anything else on this Saturday every year!  Our goal will be to stay in the "200 club," and we have been planning strategies and going over lists for some time now in preparation for the event. Another goal is participation by you to raise funds for good causes close to home by making a pledge for every bird we "tick" off. I look forward to seeing you at the April meeting to give you an update. Good findings all.      — Rodney Johnson This year the Diving Dabblers will be raising money for the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club and the New York State Young Birders Club. You can  donate to one of these organizations by making a pledge for every species  the Diving Dabblers find. For example, if you pledge 10 cents a species and they find 200, then you'll owe $20 after the event, which is May 9th. Alternatively, you can pledge a fixed amount. You can submit your pledge online!

Club Activities

NEW 5/1 At our April 27th meeting, Dr. Shannon LaDeau of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (IES), presented West Nile Virus in North America: Effects on Avian Hosts and the Environment. Dr. LaDeau's interesting study was based on the Breeding Bird Survey.  How exciting, for those members who have participated in the BBS, to see that data used!  Dr. LaDeau was attempting to see if bird populations were affected by West Nile Virus. According to the data, for the few species that are especially susceptible to mortality from WNV, a statistically significant decline occurred just after the time WNV reached the region where those species occurred.

With the exception of a small number of special "members only" events, all of our activities, including walks and monthly meetings, are open to the public free of charge.  Our monthly meetings feature speakers from various organizations who bring us fascinating presentations on wildlife and the environment.  Join us at 7:30pm on the fourth Monday of each month (except in November, when our meeting takes place at the Annual Dinner, and in July and December, when there is no meeting).  Unless indicated otherwise on our calendar page, meetings are held at the Freedom Plains Presbyterian Church parish hall, located on Route 55, about 3/10 mile west of the Taconic State Parkway, across from Arlington High School.  Check our calendar for our schedule of meetings, bird walks, and other events.

Join the Club! Our club, founded in 1958, promotes conservation and research in ornithology and provides opportunities for the study and observation of birds and other wildlife. If you're not a member yet, please consider supporting us by joining up! We welcome birders of all ability and experience levels!

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