United Field Ornithologists of Roswell

Minutes of May 25, 2013 www.ufoofroswell.com

Meeting Called to Order at: 10:30 a.m. (J Kenneth Smith Sanctuary, Picnic Point, Roswell, NM)

Handouts Provided to Attendees:

1. Monthly Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2013. 2. Banking account reconciliation

3. Current Membership list.

Roll Call:

Jeff Cohen, Steve Smith, Emmalee Knadle, Melanie Deason, Mike Richardson, Dale Wilkins, Robert

Willis, Patrick Collins, Nancy and Bill Siders, Bill Flynt and Sandra Wiekel.

Introduction of Guests: (Names spoken for benefit of Minutes Taker)

Guests, as spouses, arrived for potluck as meeting was adjourning.

Approval of Agenda: No Agenda was presented. President Jeff Cohen spoke of concerns noted in the Recent Field Trip

Report (Point 4 of Old Business)

Old Business as Committee Reports:

1. Reading of Previous Meeting’s Minutes by Secretary:

Minutes of last meeting were handed out, including a set to the Secretary, Melanie Deason.

2. Membership Report: Emmalee Knadle mentioned that UFO Roswell had three new members; Steve West (Carlsbad, NM), Sandra Wiekel and Carlene Cliver (Sunspot, NM)

3. Treasurer’s Report Steve Smith, Treasurer mentioned that UFO-R has $1,137.44 in the checking account. In the interest of saving time, specifics were not given today, although members are free to inquire with him

directly. The club still has four Tee Shirts (1-3X and 3-2X) and about 10 posters left over.

4. Recent Field Trip Report: This morning’s field trip in J. Kenneth Smith Bird Sanctuary bird list: Green Heron, Turkey

Vulture, Mississippi Kite, Swainson’s Hawk, Killdeer, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, White-Wing Dove, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Western Wood-Pewee, Western Kingbird, Barn

Swallow, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, MacGillivary’s Warbler, Red-

winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Cassin’s Finch.

President Jeff Cohen discussed at length the North American Bird Count that occurred May

11, 2013—two weeks ago. He participated in the Roswell area and recorded data at three sites, yet

was personally disappointed that other members who had agreed to join him did not show up and didn’t communicate/call/email him (that they were not going to join him as previously committed).

Discussion followed: As a club we needed to establish proper protocol for future Field Trips so club

members would know what is expected when committing to participate in a field trip and what the proper advance protocol will be when a committed participant, for whatever reason, cannot

participate. We all know that things come up and sometimes commitments must be broken, but it is

unacceptable to just ‘not show up’.

Jeff Cohen spoke of another birding group’s struggles and declining participation; he doesn’t

want us to fall into that same trap. Jeff is an active birder and prefers more than the social aspect to

draw people out. He mentioned several accomplishments of the group during our brief 1½ years as a

club. These include excellent publicity out in the community, over twenty-five members, plus a web site that is excellent, yet our calendar awaits posting. We have a half-year of possibilities before us, so

Jeff asked for reflection and discussion to occur, including our purpose as a birding group. He also

asked whether or not the List of Birds was wanted for the UFO-R Notebook. Decision pending, since

there was insufficient time for discussion (due to potluck start at 11:30 a.m.).

Melanie Deason, UFO-R Secretary, commented on today’s discussion. It appears there are

three categories that our group tends to focus on, with respect to interests, with some cross-over

to other events:

(a) Social (e.g., twice yearly potlucks, like today, as an adjunct to a birding-outing);

(b) Monthly birding-outings in the morning (followed by our monthly meetings); and (c) Special Events (e.g., additional outing both local and out of town, such as the local bird counts,

Rosy finch day-event at the Sandia Mountains, Bosque del Apache day-trip, recent three-day Bird

Festival—which was a huge accomplishment for this new group).

It appears that this last category, Special Events, has the weakest link for communication and

might need some ‘hand-holding’ to get participation up.

Although many in the group like email messaging, Melanie reminded us that we all have different

ways we prefer to receive information. She requests the group look into expanding ways to

communicate—outside of just emails—so we can be more accommodating.

Bottom line: The calendar needs to get on the website, with suggestion that a Group List email go to

members “to go look” whenever the calendar is updated and include the ‘clickable’ link to the

calendar. That way we are not looking for something that does not yet exist.

Melanie suggested the possibility of a BRIEF cell phone text (done as a Group List, which can be sent

from even older cell phones), and thus only requires ONE attempt at sending an outgoing message to several people. This might help with attendance, as it would allow REMINDERS such as: Please

RSVP your participation in such & such event; the announcement of a UFO-R birding activity

coming up or meeting of the club, etc.

Discussion briefly touched on ways to increase communication and follow-through with the groups’

commitments. No specific ‘cures’ were agreed upon; however the club members present want to

improve communication. Since this was beyond the scope of the day’s meeting, due to time constraints—as it was the Annual Spring Picnic and spouses were arriving—the meeting was

adjourned.

Jeff posted the recent List of Birds from the North American Bird Count to the UFO-R Notebook.

The trip to the Chiracahuahuas in Arizona is cancelled because it requires three days (two traveling).

New Business: 1. Upcoming Field Trip—Details & Discussion:

None discussed due to potluck event; emails will update Calendar events.

2. Upcoming Special Event—Details & Discussion: None discussed at this time.

3. UFO-R Calendar—Updates & Reminders: Pending calendar updates to the website; however

requires coordination among the officers in lieu of a club meeting.

Reminders Needing Immediate Attention:

(a) Calendar to be posted on website soon, as Jeff agreed at April meeting to provide a typed copy to

Webmaster. However, the months of June through August have no birding events yet scheduled, except the August meeting, so technically there is nothing to post until September. Revise it ASAP!

(b) Any new UFO-R emails, please have the information in the email, and clickable link to UFO-R

website, for a second chance of accessing information. (c) No business meetings for months of June and July.

(d) Resume meetings on Saturday, August 24th, since the membership will be planning for:

* SEPT 7/8 BITTER LAKE DRAGONFLY FEST , SEPT 15 MANZANO HAWK

WATCH/BANDING, SEPT 28 (SAT) SEPT 28 CLUB MEETING, OCT 19 (SAT) BOSQUE CRANE

FESTIVAL & PHOTOGRAPHY TRIP,

* NOVEMBER 8TH

OR 9TH

THE HOSTING OF A NOVEMBER COCKTAIL EVENT FOR

ANNUAL NEW MEXICO AUDUBON GROUP THAT IS HAVING THEIR WINTER BOARD MEETING

IN ROSWELL.

*Dec 7 (Sat) Club meeting, Dec 11 Christmas Bird count

The above is subject to change. If changed prior notices will be sent out.

Next Meeting: ( Saturday, August 24th

, 2013)

Next two months of meetings are cancelled – June and July. Resume on August 24th.

Birding field trips will continue and will be posted when the summer Calendar is revised.

Meeting Adjourned: 11:30 p.m. for the Spring potluck. Bill Flynt was presented a framed poster of

his photo of the Vermilion flycatcher. Framing done by Steve Rhoades of The Frame Shop.

Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ _____________________________

UFO-Roswell President (date) UFO-Roswell Secretary (date)

UFO of Roswell

Monthly Meeting Minutes

1804 E. College, Roswell, NM

April 27, 2013; 10:30 AM

www.UFOofRoswell.com

Present: Jeff Cohen, President; Mike Richardson, Vice President; Steve Smith

Treasurer; Emmalee Knadle, Robert Willis, Dale Wilkins, Russ Scott

President Jeff Cohen:

Review of the 1st Annual UFO of Roswell Birding Festival:

The general consensus was that the Festival was successful:

Possibly Sunday was too long after the long day of Saturday.

Melanie would retain income from posters until she recovered her

cost to have 25 posters made and one poster framed for an award.

Approximately $85.00. Eleven posters are sold.

It was suggested that next year we should have a list of “should

haves” for those that are new to birding such as: Sunblock, hat,

water, snacks, and personal bird book.

The club should start the process to establish a 501 c3 status for tax

purposes.

Advertising was good, Roswell Daily Record, Vision, and Ruidoso

“Zone Flyer”.

We should thank our sponsors, using the web site: Roswell Seed

and Grain, Kenneth and Alice Smith Family Foundation.

Dale requested more pictures of members that attended the

Festival for the web site. Email to: Sundog@att.net

It was agreed that we should publish the club calendar on the website.

Karyn Stockdale of NM Audubon and her board hold their winter meeting

in Roswell during November 2013. Steve Smith and our club will host

them at Steve’s house for a cocktail party.

Those present expressed their and the club’s appreciation to :

Mike Richardson and his committee for all of the hard work for planning

the Festival; and Mike’s wife Susan for the great meals she provided for

the festival; and to Dale Wilkins for the website work he did on the

posting the festival.

Steve Smith Treasurer report:

1. Income: $2,015

Expense: $1,530

Net to club: $485 Plus future sale of remaining 15 tee shirts and 8

posters. Additional income possibility, $290.

2. Sponsorship of speaker by the Smith Foundation was $1,350.

Anyone wanting to see the specific breakdown of income and expenses, contact

Steve.

Emmalee Knadle: Reported that we have acquired 3 new members as a result of

the festival.

Jeff Cohen: Discussed the club calendar of events and coming field trips. He

agreed to supply a typed list to Dale for posting on the web site.

It was agreed that our next meeting will be May 25th to be held at picnic point in

the J. Kenneth bird sanctuary, preceding the meeting with a 8:00 AM field trip in

the sanctuary, meeting at 10:30 AM, and at noon a pot luck luncheon at Picnic

Point. Steve Smith agreed to send out a email to the club, and a map of the bird

sanctuary showing the location of Picnic Point

Meeting adjourned ~ noon.

Minutes UFO of Roswell

Enchanted Farm’s 1804 E. Country Club

December 1, 2012 www.ufoofroswell.com

Agenda presented by Steve Smith, see attached. Present: Steve Smith, Mike Richardson, Patrick Collins, Emmalee Knadle, Susan Clem, Dee and King Redd, Johnny Bliznak, and Melanie Deason. Start at 10:30 am, at Mike Richardson’s property, the Retreat at Enchanted Farms, in Roswell. Old Business:

1. Field Trip to Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge last month was a success with several attending; brief overview with consensus of an enjoyable outing

2. E-mail Newsletter handed out (11/5/2012) for reading at your leisure; also

emailed. It is also on our website UFOofRoswell.com.

3. Christmas Bird Count 12-15, 2012 – See Attachment/2 pages. Teams are being selected with several sections already filled. Emails are going back/forth for positions in those groups. A few sections are still needing participants. East Grand Plains is preferred area for King and Dee Redd. Steve has a vehicle that can take 8, with Section 6 preferred. Meet at 7 am at Denny’s for breakfast, leaving at 8 am to count the section 8, of a group of 5 already confirmed as counters. Each group will contact the bird count coordinator, Francisco Anaya, to confirm their respective section. The count activity is described as follows: drive the area, park at appropriate area, and members list/count types of birds seen at each parked spot. Emmalee and Melanie will go with the Redds – with breakfast at their house, 379 East Grand Plains Road and School Road.

4. Rosy Finch – January 19, 2013 – Back road/east side to Sandia Mtns is one

route. Walk ¼ mile to the Crest House Restaurant (now closed), so the deck can be used as a feeding area for the 3 species of finches – Black, Grey Crowned, and Brown Capped. Now there is a banding project happening in the parking lot below the former Crest House. Jeff will inquire if this is still happening and help us coordinate going out for this banding/viewing adventure. Google: Rosy Finch Scandia’s and there is lots of information.

5. ABA Bird Rally – See Handout - Albq Feb 16-20, 2013 – 8 slots available out

of 40 for this bird rally – see attached. Field trips, speakers and observing of birds in their natural habitat. It is an enjoyable event, with birds to be seen at Embudito

Minutes UFO of Roswell

Enchanted Farm’s 1804 E. Country Club

December 1, 2012 www.ufoofroswell.com

Canyon, Sandia Crest, Bosque del Apache NWR, etc for viewing of many birds not often seen. Website is www.aba.org and cost is $675 for the 3 ½ day event.

Minutes of October 27, 2013: Corrections, as Emilee was not at the potluck annual meeting/party, whereas Dee and King Red and Melanie Deason were in attendance. Meeting minutes were approved/seconded with noted corrections, including a date of January 26, 2013 is correct, NOT 29th which was a verbal bobo. Treasurer’s Report $287.77 – Steve Smith:

1. Bird seed is still for sale $5 each – 6 sunflower and 2 thistles available. 2. Three checks were written last month for meat tray for annual potluck, picnic

supplies, and refund of overpayment of a membership. Deposit of bird seed sales. Balance $287.77.

3. Everything is paid up with the website until next year. New Member Report – Emalee Knadle:

1. None at this point, and inviting Johnny to join us. 2. Group meets the last Saturday of the month, with exception of

November/December or other holiday calendar corrections, meeting at 10:30 am for meeting, with birding event prior beginning at 8 am in cooler months. Earlier start in warmer months.

3. See attached Membership list of paid members. New Business Item:

1. Secretary – Melanie Deason has volunteered to be our scribe. 2. Officers to be nominated for next year’s President and Vice-President, with Steve

remaining as Treasurer. Jeff may stepdown as President since he lives now in Ruidoso and getting married this month. Steve will ask him to stay, and club to officially rename these two officer positions as “Co-Chair”. Emmalee stays on as Membership person. Programs Chairperson is needed, Website Chairperson (formerly Dale Wilkens; Steve not wanting the job, so this task to be helped by Susan Clem and another person to volunteer) with Laura Seekatz as paid website person.

3. Bird Festival Future has changed with Mike Richardson’s coordinating efforts now reconsidered, as the Birding Festival becomes a business unto itself. April 18 planning was to be for 4 days, and have field trips unto Saturday and Sunday. However, daunting part is advertising, arranging meals/transportation/insurance

Minutes UFO of Roswell

Enchanted Farm’s 1804 E. Country Club

December 1, 2012 www.ufoofroswell.com

/speakers. Mike now has two extra businesses on his plate; with his wife’s B&B well under way. He cannot keep his commitment, but will be part of it. The group now is to decide if we want to go forward, and how that might look:

• It has been premised that the Lesser Prairie Chicken would be the draw, however need a guest speaker that is Keynote position. Emmalee Knadle’s son is with the US Fish & Wildlife Foundation, as a conservation funding organization that works with BLM and the lecks.

• Mike (husband of local Realtor) knows of many other lecks in the Roswell area. 45 miles east of Roswell, at Waldrip Rest Area is a spot for the Lesser Prairie Chicken, so the group could offer this as a resource for local viewing, and those folks continue with the Milnesand Group (their own sign-up).

• We could do 2-3 different days of field trips at different locations: Carlsbad Caverns and the banding; Rattlesnake Springs birding in the morning; and Lesser Prairie Chicken as very early morning viewing at the local lechs.

• The Roswell Lodger’s Tax could be a funding source for advertising. But overall, we need a year plus of planning for a professional event.

• Thus, extensive discussion on how we can go with a personable local membership event in April 18-2-, 2013 with folks participating as a trial-run on the spots for enjoyment. Maybe reconsider by dropping the 18th Thursday, and use the 19th/20th as Fri/Sat as key days. 19th as Carlsbad and 20th as lechs, followed by afternoon BBQ at Retreat at Enchanted Farms, with a presentation by Dr. Johnny Bliznak on Hummingbirds.

• If SIX active people are willing to work on this, then this can be a DO-able event. The sense is that we can be ‘informal’ and make it happen.

4. New T-shirts effort with embroidered logo on the shirt, is still being researched. Donna Willis is working on this.

5. Future Program by Dr. Hohnny Bliznak on Humming Birds should be enjoyable. NEXT MEETING: January 26, 2013 at Enchanted Farms which is Mike Richardson’s residence, or 412 North Kentucky which is Steve’s office. Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Have a Happy Holiday everyone!

Minutes UFO of Roswell 

Bitter Lakes “Joe Skeen Visitors Center” October 27, 2012 

WWW.UFOofRoswell.com 

Present: Jeff Cohen, Steve Smith,King and Dee Redd,  Dwan and Robert Willis, David and Alana Codding, Cliff Powell, Russ Scott, Patrick Collins, Melanie Deason, Jim Montgomery  

President   Jeff call the meeting to order.  We had a great Field trip around the Bitter Lakes from 8 AM to 10:30AM. Led by Jim Montgomery. 

Web site.  It was suggested that we try to link our website to the Chamber of Commerce and that whenever a email is sent to the club that we always include the club web site address:   

Ufoofroswell.com . 

Steve reported that we have $247.77 in the bank as of September 26, 2012.  The only expenditures / income for the month was a $250.00 payment for the cost of setting up the web site, $20.00 sale of bird seed, Cash and Carry $32.18 for picnic items and a meat tray at Farmers Market for $47.18. At the meeting we had payment of 2013 dues by the Coddings and Russ Scott.  

Discussion Dwan Wilkis of Future Tee shirts being embroidered with our UFO of Roswell logo. Ken Yaw ask that we order two tee shirts for him.  He is hopeful that others might want to order a tee shirts so the cost can be kept down. 

Discussion of doing a Bird book Library or at the very least do a listing of what members have in the way of bird books. 

Next three field trip’s were agreed to:  Bosque Del Apache 11‐17‐2012,  Christmas Bird count 12‐15‐2012 and Rosy finch field trip to Sandia Peak 1‐19‐2013 

Following the meeting we had a fun potluck.  It was organized by Melanie Deason.   There were many delicious side dishes.  Everybody had a good time eating and visiting  together.   In fact it was so much fun we thought we’d do a potluck again in the spring. 

 

Next meeting date set for December 1, 2012 

UFO of Roswell 1804 E. College Roswell, NM 

Mike and Susan’s Richardson’s Home Monthly Meeting, 3PM,  June 30, 2012 

 Present: Steve Smith, Patrick Collins, Susan Clem, Meredith Cole, King Redd, Dee Redd, Jeff Cohen, Kate Hengstenberg, Jim Montgomery, Melanie Deason, Mike Richardson, Dale Wilkins 

 President  Jeff  Cohen  Discussed the spotting of a White Ibis that was spotted at the Bitter Lakes.  Bitter lakes asked for help in leading birding groups during the Dragon Fly festival.  Jeff Cohen, Jim Montgomery, Steve Smith and Mike Richardson Volunteered to help lead the birding tours.   Jeff reviewed the bird seed sales that were done at the Home and Garden Show.  Discussion  continued on how we could sell the remaining inventory.  

 Melanie Deason suggested that we set up a table at the court house during the Saturday morning farmers market and offer to sell product to the club members.  Melanie and Steve agreed to meet at the court house at 8 AM  and set up a table for bird seed sales for the coming Saturday.    

Steve Smith conducted a general explanation of how the “Audubon Birds” APP for the I Phone worked.  Approximate cost $29.95.  Mike Richardson   discussed “ I Bird Pro” APP and how it worked.  Cost is approximately $19.95.   Susan Clem   previewed the “Bird plus” APP . Approximately  cost  $3‐5.   Kate Hengstenberg    discussed the Sibley’s APP.    (this app is free) There Was other discussion of APPs that other members were using.  It was very educational.   

Mike Richardson called for the first Birding Festival planning meeting to be held  at 1804 E. College the following July 10 on Tuesday .   

Dee Redd   offered to lead a field trip the Dexter Rookery  leaving from the K Mart parking lot or East Grand Plains School ( to be determined) at 7:30 am the following week on Saturday or Sunday.  

Dale Wilkins reported that  he had been in the process of moving to Roswell after  closing out his job in Albuquerque.  As a result  he had been unable to start work on the web site.  Steve suggested that we hire Laura Seekatz of Blackbird Designs 575‐420‐7747 because she had been able to quickly and professionally complete a web design for the J. Kenneth Smith Bird Sanctuary.  Dale agreed this was a good idea and that we should proceed. 

It was agreed to discontinue the monthly meetings thru July and August and resume the monthly meeting on September 29, 2012. President Jeff Adjourned the meeting. 

 

5-26-2012

UFO of Roswell Club Meeting Minutes:

Present: Steve Smith, Jeff Cohen, Patrick Collins, Susan Clem, Laney Wilkins

(Quoth the Raven),Dale Wilkins, Jim Montgomery, Nancy and Bill Siders, Robert

Hazel, Melanie Deason and Emmalee Knadle

President Jeff Cohen, discussed Facebook, Birding equipment (Field Guides,

binoculars, scopes, smart phone apps, etc.) ideas for future meetings discussions

( we may need a meeting organizer committee)

Garden and Home show, we did a preview of items to be sold at the home

show, 3 kinds of bird seed, Mixed Wild BS, Black Sunflower BS, and

Niger/Thistle BS. Five ($5.00) and Ten ($10.00) pound bags. Roswell Seed and

Grain is going to donate the seed so it will be a great fundraiser, UFO of Roswell

Tee Shirts.

Laney Wilkins brought Quoth the Chihuahuan Raven for show and tell. What a

remarkable bird. It’s very smart. It talks and has a great personality. Laney told

many interesting facts about the Raven. For those of you who missed last

month’s meeting, Laney brought a Great Horned Owl.

Dale Wilkins has put together a 100 plus bird video presentation for the Home

and Garden Show. You’ll be impressed when you see it. I think we could use

his wonderful work when we are invited to speak for groups.

Mike and Susan Richardson have picked a date for our 2013 Bird Festival-- 3rd

week of April, Thursday thru Sunday, April 18 –April 21, 2013. More details to

come as destinations field trips are firmed up. Discussion included the Lesser

Prairie chicken lecs near Waldrip Park east of Roswell, Rattlesnake Springs,

South of Carlsbad, and Bitter Lake NWR.

Emmalee Knadle announced two new members: Bill and Nancy Siders

Steve Smith reviewed Checking account balance thru 5-24-2012 was $294.44.

There was a couple of outstanding checks so this balance will be reduced by

about $94.00. Steve also discussed the volunteer schedule for manning the

booth at the Home and Garden Show, Saturday and Sunday June 9th and 10th. All

slots are filled except Saturday 4-6PM and Sunday 11-1:30 PM. Only one more

member is needed for each slot.

Melanie Deason recommended that we consider a way for a blast email to be

sent to our membership whenever changes or additions to the club calendar are

made. We had a lot of discussion on this item. The thought was that the more

we communicate our activities, the better turnout we’ll have.

I’m sure there was more discussion than what the above represents so you can

email me for missed items ssmith3362@aol.com

Next meeting was set for Saturday, July 30, 2012.

UFO of Roswell 

Meeting Minutes 

Saturday April 28,2012 

Present:  Steve Smith, Bob Hazel, Susan Clem, Jim Montgomery , Jeff Cohen, Dale & Laney Wilkins, Mike Richardson, Dawn  and Robert Willis, Russ Scott, Emmalee Knadle. 

Laney Wilkins brought a guest from the Roswell zoo.  It was a Great Horned Owl that had fell from it’s nest last year and has now become part of the zoo’s educational program.  It was a absolutely beautiful mature bird.  Lots of personality.  I have forgotten  it’s name is FRODO.  Laney did a great job of letting our members hold and touch the owl.  She gave us a excellent presentation about owls in general   

It was agreed to by majority vote  to institute a membership fee as follows:  Families  $15.00, Adult $10.00, and Student $5.00.  The fee’s would be used to start up a web site (UFO of Roswell.com) and to pay for any other club expenses. 

Steve Smith went over banking concerns.  A banking account is now set up at Pioneer Bank under the name of United Field Ornithologists of Roswell.   

We presented possible idea for a club business card.  Many suggestions were made and it was decided to offer members a choice of having the logo of the Lesser Parried Chicken or the cartoon character of the Roadrunner.   It was determined that the roadrunner would be the primary logo for all of the stationary and any other items that may come up.  We agreed to pay $25.00 to the artist that did the logo and since it was Jeff Cohens daughter Susan Jeff offered to donate an additional $25.00 so we sent Susan a check for $50.00 and requested a release for our use of the logo.  

Rita Starceski   is working on our web site.  We are sending her the logo’s for use in the web site.   

President Jeff Cohen reviewed the planned field trips.  We have a busy schedule.   Jeff also formalized the committee list.  He added a committee for which Mike Richardson  (FESTIVALS) is the Chair person. 

We discussed the offer to participate in the Home and Garden show that will be held at the Civic Center June 9th and 10th.  They offered us a free table.  It ‘s a fit with our birding club and gives a chance to get our name out.  Dale Wilkins offered to help put together a slide program of birds. 

Next meeting is set for May 26, 2012