Dedicated to increasing & protecting the bluebird population of Bella Vista, AR
I) The volunteers meeting was held at 9:15 AM at Mercy Clinic Community room. Thirty Three (33) members were in attendance:
Marilyn Adamson, Jerry Argetsinger, Dave Backer, Joe & Marge Bowen, John Bozarth, Laura Claggett, Alycyn Culbertson, Carlyn & Craig Ferguson, Carmen Greenup, Randy Hamm, Joanne Hubbert, Jim & Gwen Janssen, Jodi Lombardo, Ling Ma, Bonnie Martineck, Patrice Murphy, Kathy Palmer, Jann Pittman, Kitty Polich, Harrison Ramey, Jim Schmidt, Maureen Seymour, Bill & Rose Theiss, Linda Tucker, Deb & Dirk Webber, Brian & Susan Woodruff, Myrlene Zimmerman, and Leon Wehmeyer,
II) Leon Wehmeyer presided over the meeting, with help from Jim & Gwen Janssen (refreshments) and Joe & Marge Bowen (check-in). The meeting covered 2016 Bird counts, Service Awards, and miscellaneous items (V to X)
III) 2016 Bird counts 2016 was another good year for Bluebird fledglings for the Bella Vista Bluebird Society. Here are the numbers.
Eastern Bluebirds 1,601
Tree Swallows 664
Carolina Chickadee 86
House Wren 8
Tufted Titmice 7
The 1,601 Bluebirds are 132 fewer than the number fledged in 2015. The Tree Swallow count was up by 67. Our total Bluebird fledge number is 44,105 since 1980.
We also had call-ins for 119 Bluebirds from the volunteers’ home boxes, and call-ins for 533 Bluebirds from BV neighborhood boxes. The total Bluebirds for our trails, volunteer home boxes, and neighborhood call-ins is 2253, which is 168 more than 2015, so overall it was a good year.
IV) Service Awards
Awards will continue to be given for 2 & 5 years of service and also for each additional 5 years of service, i.e. 2,5,10,15,20,25, etc. This years recipients:
2 Years Buzz Schoenhard, Ray Matkowski, Ling Ma, Jann Pittman, Dave Backer, Carmen Greenup, & Bonnie Martineck. They were given “The Beloved & Charismatic Bluebird”, a book by Dr. Dean Rust with everything you need to know about Bluebirds. Kathy Palmer was given a Ceramic Bluebird.
15 Years Jim Schmidt Natl. Geog. Field Guide Mrs. Schmidt Ceramic Bluebird
Special Kitty Polich Angel figurine with Bluebirds on its’ wings given for 17 years monitoring 11 holes at Scotsdale.
Congratulations & thanks from the BVBBS for your years of service.
V) 2016 Monitor Forms
Monitor forms for 2017 will be developed during the winter and will be available at the next membership meeting. This will be scheduled before March 1, 2017.
VI) A new trail at St. Bernard Catholic Church is in the set-up process. It will begin with 10 boxes behind & around the parking lot in ideal Bluebird habitat. Dave Backer (TB at Highlands) initiated the effort, and will serve as Trail Boss for it. A potential monitor from St. Bernard is in place. The trail will open next spring.
VII) A new website, bvbluebirds.com, is in a preliminary stage. It is being coordinated & set up by Jerry Argetsinger (TB at Loch Lomond & Marina). More info will be sent as the site is developed.
VIII) Jerry Argetsinger is developing computer generated trail maps for the trails. This is also in the beginning stage and Jerry will be in contact with the Trail Bosses & Monitors as necessary to develop the maps. Please give him you cooperation.
IX) We are losing 4 monitors. Dick Corcoran, Kitty Polich, and Jim Schmidt are all moving away from Bella Vista. We appreciate their volunteer service (Dick 4 years. Jim 15 years, & Kitty 17 years) and wish them the best in their new locations. Bob Santos (1 year) has elected not to continue.
Maureen Seymour (Monitor holes 9, 17, 18 at Highlands) has volunteered to add Santos’s trail (14, 15, 16 at Highlands) to hers, so that is already covered. Thanks Maureen.
New monitors are needed to replace Jim (Berksdale 1, 7, &15) and Kittys’ trail (1-9, 10, 18 at Scotsdale) will be broken into 2 or 3 trails. Jodi Lombardo will take over one of them. Her trail at Loch Lomond will be monitored by TB Jerry Argetsinger.
Brian & Susan Woodruff are transferring from Highlands to BVCC (closer to home) filling the opening left by Cororans departure.
All that said, in 2017 we will need Monitors/Trail Bosses for the following:
Scotsdale At least one more monitor, preferably 2.
Highlands Monitor for Holes 6, 7, 8.
Berksdale Monitor for Holes 1,7,15 (these are bunched closely)
Tanyard Creek Trail Boss to replace Jim Janssen
BV Country Club Trail Boss for 9 holes only, to supplement Ray Matkowski, current TB. BVCC has more boxes than any other trail, therefore the need for 2 TBs’. I would also like to find an assistant for Jim Janssen to install boxes bought for installation in neighborhood yards.
If you know of someone that you think would do a good job with any of the above, please let me know. I will contact them.
X) Following the meeting a 45 minute Power Point presentation was given. “Welcome back the Bluebirds” was developed by North American Bluebird Society (NABS). BVBBS condensed it somewhat & added a Bella Vista flavor. It was well received by those in attendance. It will be shown around the city as groups/organizations may desire, and is available to any BVBBS volunteer that would like to present it or have Leon Wehmeyer present it.
SUBMITTED BY
LEON WEHMEYER PRESIDENT BVBBS
Photo courtesy of Debbie Rasberry