Essex County Ornithological Club Calendar
Winter / Spring 2021
Speaker Series/Club Events
Friday, February 5, 7:45 pm
Free webinar: Fantastic Feathers: Form and Function
Plus ECOC meeting, 7:30-7:45 pm
Register in advance on PEM’s website: Virtual Fantastic Feathers program
When we think of birds, we think of feathers. Feathers give birds their color, keep them warm and dry, form the aerodynamic shape of the wing and can even control sound. The remarkable properties of feathers arise from their unusual structure at the microscopic scale. In this live virtual program, Lorna Gibson, avid birder and MIT professor will show us how the microstructure of feathers produces iridescence in hummingbird feathers and water repellency in duck feathers. We’ll also see how the structure of a barn owl’s facial disc feathers and ruff focuses sound towards their ears, allowing them to hunt in total darkness, by sound alone. Co-sponsored by PEM.
An event we’d like to share with all ECOC Members
Announcing the 2021 Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Winter Birding Challenge:
February 13 to 19, 2021
Please join us in this new event for 2021, ‘The Winter Birding Challenge’. Take some friends and head to the refuge during this one week event for a chance to see some fantastic birds and win prizes, including gift certificates to the local Newburyport birding supply store.
How to sign up and participate can be found at:
Friday, March 5, 7:45 pm
Free webinar: Ospreys – The Revival of a Global Raptor
Plus ECOC meeting, 7:30-7:45 pm
Register in advance at: “Registration link coming soon”
The past 50 years have seen an extraordinary resurgence in Osprey numbers globally – from the Chesapeake to Scotland and from Finland to Massachusetts. Alan Poole, associate at Cornell Lab of Ornithology and author of a recent book on the species (Ospreys: the revival of a global raptor, 2019) will share this good-news story via a live virtual program. Enjoy dazzling looks at some of the places where Ospreys are found and hear about a few of the colorful characters who have helped make this species’ revival possible. Part travelogue, part biography, part scientific detective story: this talk will bring us up to date on one of our best-loved birds of prey. (Photo by Craig Gibson.) Co-sponsored by PEM.
Friday, April 2, 7:45 pm
Free webinar: Insects for Birders
Plus ECOC meeting, 7:30-7:45 pm
Register in advance at: “Registration link coming soon”
Pick any scene from the drama of birds: the grace and force of flight, the audacity of courtship, even the fervor of foraging. Find it as well among insects – usually acted out just a few feet away. In this live virtual program, Vermont field biologist and writer Bryan Pfeiffer will use vivid images and practical tips to persuade you to start aiming your binoculars toward butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies, tiger beetles and other glittering insects, which E. O. Wilson calls “the little things that run the world.”
This program is made possible by a gift from The Echo Charitable Foundation. (Photos by Bryan Pfeiffer). Co-sponsored by PEM.
Saturday, May 22, morning (start time around 7am) – Note: event to be confirmed at a later date
Ipswich River Canoe Trip and Bird Survey
Event Coordinator: Dave Brewster (brewbird@verizon.net [preferred contact] | cell: 978-317-0230)
Participate in the 115th Annual 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.
Sunday, May 23, 6:00am
ECOC Outing: Dogtown bird hike
Meeting point: Parking lot for Gloucester’s Reservoir, Gee Avenue, Gloucester*
Event Coordinator: Jared Keyes (jaredskeyes@gmail.com | cell: 978-505-0586)
Join in a bird hike on Cape Ann with club member Jared Keyes of Gloucester. Our target birds will be warblers, cuckoos, and other Neotropical migrants. Our goal will be to cover multiple habitats and micro-hotspots over nearly 4 miles, an area that yielded great finds and satisfying eBird lists in 2019. We’ll work our way into the heart of fabled Dogtown over some very challenging, rocky and occasionally steep terrain.
* Contact Jared for event details and to register for this event.
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 2020-21 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: Mary Stevens ~ 978-473-2573 | mary_stevens@comcast.net
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.
