September 21 Meeting: Jim Easton “Nature Photography with a Focus on Birds.”

Join us as Jim Easton, an awesome local nature photographer, covers the aspects of creating a good photograph including light, location, equipment, and several important design elements of composition. His presentation will include stunning images of birds, many of which were taken at local trails, parks, and gardens. Jim will share technical information and practical tips along with some philosophical quotations and musings on the art of photography.

This will be an in-person meeting as well as a Zoom meeting. If you want to join in on Zoom, WBC members will be sent a link. If you are not a member, you may also come to the meeting or join in on Zoom. Send us an email requesting the Zoom link. https://williamsburgbirdclub.org/contact/

May Meeting: Megan Thomas – Richmond Peregrine Falcon Cam – Zoom only

Please note! This meeting is being held the fourth Wednesday of the month, rather than the third. There was a scheduling conflict with the library when we were planning an in-person meeting. We have switched to a Zoom-only meeting because of the rising COVID-19 cases, but kept the date that we have advertised.

Our presenter is Meagan Thomas, Watchable Wildlife Biologist/Certified Wildlife Biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Her presentation, “History of the Richmond Falcon Cam and the Rebound of Virginia’s Peregrine Falcons”, will center on DWR’s Richmond Falcon Cam, including a history of the numerous birds seen on camera throughout the years, as well as a brief look into the natural history, decline, and conservation of Peregrine Falcons across the Commonwealth.

If you are a member of the Williamsburg Bird Club, a link will be sent through the mailing list. If you are not a member but want to attend this Zoom meeting, please contact us and request the Zoom link. We will be more than happy to send you a link.

April Meeting: Student Research

Research Presentations by William and Mary Graduate Students and WBC Grant Recipients

  • Grace Phillips, “The Impact of Deer Overpopulation on Songbird Abundance, Diversity, and Health”
  • Michael Academia, “Ospreys and Fish Shortages: Food Addition Study Increases Nesting Success in Mobjack Bay”
  • Moira Meehan, “Using Science to Save Birds from Collisions: Can Sound Make Bird-safe Windows Even Safer?”
  • Emma Noyelle, “Is Mercury Really a Widespread Problem for Songbirds: the Definitive Review”

March Meeting: Shirley Devan and Prothontary Warblers

Join us March 16 as our own Past President, Shirley Devan, tells us about one of her favorite birds, the Prothonotary Warbler. This colorful presentation will describe the life history of the Prothonotary Warbler, its conservation status, the monitoring and banding programs in James City County as well as other places in the Coastal Plain of Virginia, and the nest site fidelity of these charismatic warblers. Every nest box has a story to tell!

The meeting will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. to allow time for questions and answers before the library closes at 8:00 p.m. The in-person site is the Wil- liamsburg Library Theater at 515 Scotland Street. The meeting will also be accessible via Zoom and recorded for those unable to attend. A Zoom link will be sent by email to all WBC members a few days prior to the meeting. No food and drink (other than water) is allowed in the library theater, and masks are required to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

February Meeting: Bill WIlliams

We hope the February meeting, which will be a joint meeting with the Historic Rivers Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists, will be a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting. If you feel comfortable coming to the Williamsburg Libfrary in person, please come! Otherwise, join us via Zoom. The link will be sent to WBC and HRC members shortly before the meeting.

Our speaker will be long-time member and former WBC President Bill Williams. More details will be added to this when they are firmed up.