NOS 2004-2005 Calendar of Events

Date / Time	Location	Event
Fri Sept. 3 2004 @ 7pm	Mansfield Library Buchanan Auditorium 54 Warrenville Rd. Mansfield CT	Meeting and program. Douglas Hume presents: "Madagascar: A People and Environment in Jeopardy". Madagascar, the third largest island nation in the world, contains such high endemic biodiversity that it regularly is cited as one of the topmost biodiversity conservation concerns in the world by both biologists and conservation organizations. In addition, Madagascar is the third poorest country in the world and its people are dangerously close to acute famine. Over the past three years, NOS member Doug has been doing anthropological fieldwork in Madagascar for his dissertation research in an attempt to understand the relationships between the people and rain forest ecosystems of Madagascar. His presentation will summarize the environmental history of Madagascar, the current and future anthropogenic problems that face Madagascar, a summary of the relationship between humans and the rain forest ecosystems in which they live as well as a multimedia tour of the biodiversity that is threatened with extinction.
Sept thru October when winds from the North/NW create favorable migration conditions. Very early morning thru noon - leaving earlier if the birding is slow.	Bluff Point in Groton CT - a 50 minute drive from Storrs.	"Hot Spot" birding dawn to 10-11am any day that suitable weather conditions appear. On good days large numbers of migrating warblers are often seen at this location after a clear night with northerly winds following periods of stalling weather - southerly winds and/or rainy days. These mornings are typically cool so bring warm clothes, gloves, and a hat. Call Steve Morytko for details (429-9600). This trip is often done on short notice and requires very early rising.
Sat Sept 18, 2004 9am - 2pm	Meet at UConn Lot W 9a - 2pm. Contact Bruce Carver.	Field Trip Hawk Watch at UConn Lot W: A Hawk Watch will be conducted from parking Lot W at the University of Connecticut - weather permitting. Mid-September is a peak of Broad-winged Hawk migration. Under favorable conditions several hundred Broad-wings can be seen as they kettle over Horse Barn Hill and the surrounding area. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the migration with trip "leader" Bruce Carver.
Sept TBA	Contact Sarah Hume for trip details.	Field Trip Pelagic/Whale watch trip and Newbury/Plum Island
Fri Oct. 1, 2004 @ 7pm	Mansfield Library Buchanan Auditorium 54 Warrenville Rd. Mansfield CT	Meeting and program. Michael Reed from Tufts University presents: "Conserving Hawaii's endangered waterbirds" Hawaii has one more endangered species, and more endangered birds, than any other state in the nation. Michael Reed has been studying endangered wetland birds in Hawaii for over a decade and will talk about the threats that they face and the things that are being done to protect them.
Oct TBA	Contact Sarah Hume for trip details.	Field Trip Hawk Mountain, PA
Fri Nov. 5, 2004 @ 7pm	Mansfield Library Buchanan Auditorium 54 Warrenville Rd. Mansfield CT	Meeting and speaker. Patrick Comins presents: Important Bird Areas (IBA's) - local actions for a global network. The talk will focus on IBA's, their global importance and what you can do to help. Patrick is Audubon Connecticut's Director of Bird Conservation.
Nov TBA	Contact Sarah Hume for trip details.	Field Trip Daniel Webster WMA in SEastern MA
Fri Dec. 3, 2004 @ 7pm	Mansfield Library Buchanan Auditorium 54 Warrenville Rd. Mansfield CT	Meeting and program - Owl Prowl. Owls in Connecticut. We will give a short presentation on owls that can be seen in the Storrs area, followed (weather permitting) by an evening field trip to try to find some owls. Potential species include Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, and Eastern Screech-Owl. Northern Saw-whet and Long-eared are conceivable .... but a real long shot. Dress warm!
Sat Dec 18, 2004 - all day	Storrs CBC area territories	Storrs Christmas Count - territories assigned by NOS curator Steve Rogers (860-429-1259).
Sun Jan 2, 2005 - all day	Trailwood CBC area territories	Trailwood Christmas Count - territories assigned by Sam Higgins (860-455-0063).
Fri Jan 7, 2005 @ 7pm	Mansfield Library Buchanan Auditorium 54 Warrenville Rd. Mansfield CT	Meeting cancelled.
Fri Feb 11, 2005 @ 7pm	Mansfield Library Buchanan Auditorium 54 Warrenville Rd. Mansfield CT	Meeting and speaker. Nancy LaFleur will present "Invasive Plants and Invasive Birds in Connecticut". Nancy is a graduate student at UConn, and will talk about her research on the role that birds play in causing the spread of introduced, invasive plants in the state.
Fri Mar 4, 2005 @ 7pm	Mansfield Library Buchanan Auditorium 54 Warrenville Rd. Mansfield CT	Meeting and speaker. Jane Seymour (NOS/UConn/DEP) speaking on "Kestrels are cool"
Fri Apr 1, 2005 @ 7pm	Mansfield Library Buchanan Auditorium 54 Warrenville Rd. Mansfield CT	Meeting and speaker. Andy Rzeznikiewicz (Connecticut Audubon Society) will talk about "Birds and Habitat Management by the very cool Connecticut Audubon Society Center in Pomfret"
Fri May 6, 2005 @ 7pm	Mansfield Library Buchanan Auditorium 54 Warrenville Rd. Mansfield CT	Meeting and speaker. Shannon Kearney-McGee (UConn/DEP) speaking on "West Nile Virus is not cool".
Sat May 21, 2005 24 hour count period	Towns bordering Mansfield.	Annual May Count Count species in towns bordering Mansfield. This is a 50-year-old count sponsored by N.O.S. that is a great way to check on the new arrivals as well as the migrants. It also gives an interesting snapshot of any trends that can occur over such a long period. Plus, and I mean a BIG plus, is that one only has to count species, not individual birds. Once you have seen/heard one T. Titmouse, you don't have to keep track of any others. However, please keep detailed records of all rare species such as California Condor; okay, that's wishful thinking, but other uncommon vultures to our area such as Black Vulture is a distinct possibility.
Sat June 18-19, 2005 separate 24 hour periods	Assigned territories in Storrs circle.	Annual June Breeding Count Territories assigned by Steve Rogers. June Count is actually named the Connecticut Summer Bird Count(or something like that) and is sponsored by the Conn. Ornithological Assoc. It is very similar to a Nat. Audubon Soc. Christmas Count in that you have to count individuals and species throughout the day. I also have to assign territories to make sure birds aren't counted twice, thrice, etc. It is a 2-day count and will be held on Sat.-Sun., June 18-19. More details will be in the next newsletter.