HANDLAN CHAPTER, BROOKS BIRD CLUB - NEWSLETTER FOR FEBRUARY, 2001 NEXT MEETING - Monday, February 12th, 7:OOPM, First Presbyterian Church Activities Building Room 204. Russ Young will make another attempt to present a selection of species described in "A Field Guide to Little Known and Seldom Seen Birds of North America" by Ben, Cathryn'and John Sill. At last month's meeting, a failure to communicate resulted in not having an opaque projector available to deliver this program...On a positive note, as compensation, rental of the projector and screen will be at no charge. Also, Martha and Dori Shearer will share their experiences banding hummingbirds in Arizona. Refreshments will be provided by Marilyn Morton. The Executive Committee will meet at 6:30PM and all are welcome. OUTING - Saturday, February 24th to Beech Fork Lake and Greenbottom Wildlife Management Area. If time permits, also on to McClintic WMA later in the after- noon. This outing was very productive last year. Meet at the Bob Evans, Winfield exit of 1-64 at 7:30AM. Call Russ at 925-5668. OBSERVATIONS - It seems the most notable items all involve big numbers! On the Christmas count the Mortons and the Phelps saw a flock of mixed blackbirds estimated at one million individuals. Some study group participants arrived early to watch approximately 200,000 Robins come into their roost in central Kanawha City. Jim Waggy reports that this event has been occuring nightly since mid-December. Donny Good also observed a huge flyover of Robins near Pinch. A Turkey Vulture roost, also in Kanawha City on upper Kanawha Avenue, has dwindled somewhat since first reported by Chuck Wright, but still numbers about thirty or forty birds. Nine people gathered for the January 27th out- ing to watch Crows come to roost at the bottom of Oakwood Road. Everyone agreed that the previous estimate of four thousand individuals was signifi- cantly low. Finally, Cedar Waxwings have been seen regularly in the area, with one flock on December 19th. numbering at least four hundred. COONSKIN .-- On January 30th a proposal for an upgrade to the taxiway at Yeager Airport was placed on public display at the Armory. This is a separate issue from the runway extension project. The fill earth required, would come from an area within the park where significant sightings of birds have been made in recent years. The more natural portion of the park is undoubtedly in jeopardy of being severely impacted or even eventually destroyed. More details will be discussed at the meeting. BACKYARD BIRD COUNT - On February 16th-19th the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society will conduct this survey sponsored by wild Birds Unlimited. Call Randy Urian @ 757-6414 for details and also visit the website @ http://birdsource.cornell.edu/gbbc. STUDY GROUP - On January 22nd seventeen (!) were in attendance for an engaging chat given by John Smith. Four people sat on the floor. Again, a recording of the evening's discussion turned out well and will be available for loan at the meeting. GREENSPACES - An organization is being fledged whose mission is to form a coali- tion of other groups for the purpose of preserving existing greenspaces in the Charleston area, and also to create new ones. The primary figures in this movement are Norm Steenstra and Kasey Russell. It only seems natural that our club should have some representation in this yet-to-be-named as- sembly. For more-information call Russ at 925-5668. WEEKEND ADVENTURE June,15th-l7th will be a time of aggressive birding planned by John Smith in the "Big Country" area - Elkins, the Eastern panhandle, and many other points of interest. A similar plan for last year was can- celled due to an eleventh hour conflict. A highlight will be a Saturday afternoon Potomac Eagle rail excursion to see nesting Bald Eagles. A com- plete itinerary has already been developed and will be discussed in detail at the meeting. Or call John @ 442-5446. PARENT CLUB - February 23rd-25th will be the weekend for the Mid-winter meeting held at Bethany College in the Northern Panhandle. Programs, field trips, business meetings and good food are all parts of the plan. Contact Jay Buckelew @ 304-829-4392 for details. WEBSITES -- parent club: http://brooksbirdclub.org/ Our chapter: http://www.brookdsbirdclub.org/handlan CLUB OFFICERS -- The Executive Committee is: Russ Young, President..........................................contact at Pat Holdbrook, Vice President 5533 Washington Ave. S.E. Harriet Deel, Secretary Charleston, West Virginia Bev Wright, Treasurer 25304 phone: 925-5668 Phoebe Ruckle, at large Ruth Kirk, at large Ginger Triplett, at large