Kentucky Ornithological Society
Fall Meeting 2000
October 6 - 8, 2000
Barren River Lake State Resort Park

President Marilee Thompson welcomed everyone to the Friday evening meeting and asked for first time guests to raise their hands. She then turned the program over to the Vice President and program chair, Kathy Caminiti who introduced the speakers. Mark Monroe presented excellent video footage of nesting birds encountered during his summer 2000 work on nesting Henslow's Sparrows. Neil and Ginny Eklund presented videotape of a Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) they encountered unexpectedly on a trip in Vermont. Bill Moore, non-game biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, presented possible ways in which the KOS and KDFWR could partner to make the public more aware of birds. Gary Ritchison presented data, slides and video of Yellow-breasted Chats and Indigo Buntings that were part of two studies partially funded with money from the Burt L. Monroe Avian Research Fund.

Field trips were announced. David Roemer would lead a trip to points of interest around the reservoir and Wayne Mason would lead a trip to Brigadoon State Nature Preserve. The excellent Friday evening program was followed by a social hour hosted by Kathy and Joe Caminiti in their lodge room.

Bird trips began at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7 and, despite the cold weather, there was an excellent turnout.

The Kentucky Ornithological Society Board met at 3:00 p.m. at the lodge to consider business of the society.

The Saturday evening general business meeting began with an introduction of the guest speaker, Paul J. Baicich, nationally recognized speaker on birding, editor of Birding, and coauthor of "A Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds." Paul's talk, "Bird Tasks for the Coming Century" outlined demographic data on who watches birds and the past history of conservation movements triggered by major bird catastrophes. He concluded his talk by challenging birders to find ways to improve public awareness of birds and conservation issues and be proactive rather than reactive. To be effective, he indicated birders needed to work collectively because future challenges to birds and their habitat are international in scope and involve complex issues.

Following the talk, Marilee Thompson presented the proposed bylaw revisions to the Constitution. A motion by Wendell Kingsolver and seconded by Fred Mansmith was made to accept all the revisions. The motion passed. Marilee pointed out that Life Membership dues rose to $200 from $100 with the passage of the bylaw revisions.

Marilee presented the slate of officers for next year to the members in attendance. Those nominated were Marilee Thompson - President, Kathy Caminiti - Vice President, Mark Bennett - Recording Secretary, Brainard Palmer-Ball - Corresponding Secretary, Lee McNeely - Treasurer, Jackie Elmore - Councillor, and Gerald Robe - Councillor. A motion was made to accept the nominated slate of officers as presented. The motion was seconded by Wendell Thompson, voted on, and passed.

Announcements were made regarding calling cards, the Hawk Watch event, the next meeting at Carter Caves, April 27-29, 2001, and that Sunday morning field trips would be organized at 8:00 a.m. in front of the lodge. There were 75 people in attendance at the meeting and 79 species of birds were recorded on field trips.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.


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