Essex County Ornithological Club Calendar
Winter / Spring 2020
Speaker Series/Club Events
Friday, February 7, 7:45 pm
Comics for the Birds, Blending Bird Art, Humor, and Conservation
Plus ECOC meeting, 7:30-7:45 pm
Birds are funny creatures, and that humor can help inspire conservation. Rosemary Mosco, author, acclaimed cartoonist, and creator of the science webcomic “Bird and Moon”, will share her bird cartoons, make us laugh at some of birding’s quirks, and talk about how to use the arts to support wildlife. Co-sponsored by PEM.
PEM Connect Building, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem. Free and open to the public.
Monday, February 17 (Presidents’ Day), 8am to noon
Winter Birding Walk in Ipswich (and vicinity)
Walk leader: Jim Berry (978-356-5505 | jim.berry3@verizon.net)
Meeting Place: Former Town Hall parking lot, next to the war memorial in downtown Ipswich on Rts. 1A/133
Target birds are waterfowl, raptors and wintering boreal songbirds. Very limited walking. Carpooling is necessary from the meeting place. Co-sponsored by the Brookline Bird Club.
Friday, March 6, 7:45 pm
Migration of Great Shearwaters on Stellwagen Bank and Beyond
Plus ECOC meeting, 7:30-7:45 pm
Researchers, using tiny transmitters and other research tools, are making fascinating discoveries about great shearwaters, seabirds that spend nearly their entire lives on the open ocean. David Wiley, Research director for Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, shares the latest results from his ongoing research into these elusive seabirds’ migratory movements, life cycle, and relationship with sand lance—their main food source. These long-lived summer visitors, and other seabirds, are helping scientists gauge the current health of our regional marine ecosystem and predict future changes from climate change. Co-sponsored by PEM.
PEM Connect Building, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem. Free and open to the public.
Friday, April 3, 7:45 pm
There’s an App for That?? Computer and Smartphone Birding
Plus ECOC meeting, 7:30-7:45 pm
Millions of applications (apps) are available for both Apple and Android smartphones, but which ones will really make a difference in your birding and naturalizing? And what about websites? Mark Faherty, bird ecologist and Science Coordinator at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, gives us the rundown on the latest and greatest apps for birding, ranging from digital field guides (iBird, Sibley, etc.) to eBird and Merlin and international apps. After starting with an overview of eBird, Cornell’s bird sighting database, Faherty will then demonstrate apps you can use to find birds in your area, help you plan a trip to a foreign destination, and even a great one for expediting learning bird songs. He’ll also touch on the best traffic, weather, tide, and food-finding apps for getting yourself around and fed on your birding trips! Co-sponsored by PEM.
PEM Connect Building, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem. Free and open to the public.
Monday, May 11th, 5-8 pm
ECOC Supper and Birding at Sissy ffolliott’s Lucky Dog Farm (directions below)
5-6 pm – bird Lucky Dog Farm and adjoining ECGB properties | 6-7:30 – brown bag supper in the farmhouse
Enjoy some spring birding and a BYO sandwich or “take out” with other club members at Sissy’s lovely farm. The traditional bird-shaped cakes plus coffee/teas will be served in loving memory of Dotty Brown and Sarah Robbins who graciously hosted the club each May in Gloucester for over 20 years!
Directions to Lucky Dog Farm (91 Old Right Road, Ipswich, MA):
From Rte. 1 driving N: Turn left onto Old Right Rd., across from First Fabricators (note: road is not well marked). Proceed on Old Right Rd. for about 6/10th of a mile until you see a rail fence, a red barn and white house with an old maple tree. Park along the frontage from the rail fence and past the house along the Norway Spruces to the field gate. Some cars can pull in front of the barn, too.
From the Rte. 1 driving S: Turn right onto Old Right Rd. across from First Fabricators. Proceed as above.
Saturday, May 23, morning (start time around 7am)
Ipswich River Canoe Trip and Bird Survey
Event Coordinator: Dave Brewster (brewbird@verizon.net [preferred contact] | cell: 978-317-0230)
Participate in the 114th ECOC birding trip down the Ipswich River! Arguably the oldest uninterrupted bird-count in the world, this event is timed to get the best views of birds before full leaf-out, but late enough in the season to get better weather for paddling. Contact Dave for the exact start time and other details.
Directions to the Peabody Essex Museum
PEM Connect Building is at 135 Essex Street, next door to PEM’s main entrance (at the corner of Essex and Liberty St. in Salem, MA). Morse Auditorium is in PEM’s main building. Note: if severe weather is forecast, call 978-745-1876 to confirm event.
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Please be advised: ECOC calendars are only sent via email, unless a member requests otherwise. The calendar can always be viewed here on our web site. Hard copies will also be available at programs.
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Notes:
- Please support ECOC programs for 2020 by renewing your membership today! Membership/renewal form available here
- ECOC President: Constance Lapite ~ 978-621-8641 | peteorconstance@gmail.com
- ECOC Vice President/Programs Coordinator: Janey Winchell ~ 978-542-1627 | jane_winchell@pem.org
- ECOC Treasurer: Buffy Pennick ~ 508-237-7825 | buffypennick@gmail.com
Essex County Ornithological Club 100th Anniversary Sponsors
Become a member of the Essex County Ornithological Club or renew a current membership.
Stay informed on upcoming ECOC events.
Add your name to our e-mail list.
Club decal featuring
Frank Benson’s art work.
Avail. for $1.00 ea.
