Augusta-Aiken Audubon Bi-Monthly Meeting Minutes May13, 2021

Attendees to the 13 May 2021 Augusta Aiken Audubon Chapter meeting gathered via Zoom at 7:00pm.  Chapter president Lois Stacey brought the meeting to order and passed the mic to Doug Walker to introduce the guest speaker.  About 19 people were present.

Program

The program chair, Doug Walker, introduced Matt Johnson to talk about his geo-location based Swainson’s Warbler project to be conducted at Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary.  Matt presented an overview of Swainson’s Warblers, and then described the project and what he hoped to learn.

Business

After the presentation, Lois transitioned to the business portion of the meeting.

• The financial report details received from the treasurer were relayed.
• Alice Walker highlighted for the Conservation programs that some stream monitoring had been done, but not as much as might otherwise be expected due to COVID-19.  The South Edisto monitoring is no longer being done by members since another organization has taken over the effort.
• Callie Oldfield was introduced to the Chapter members.  She is the new research director at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park.  She is interested in forest monitoring, and bird and amphibian population research.  She noted that she would also be interested in hosting an ornithology internship.
• Lois reported that the North Augusta Community Center at 495 Brookside Drive still has the Audubon Chapter on their schedule and they will be opening back up based on the new CDC guidelines.  Additional good news is that they will honor funds not used last year due to pandemic caused cancellations.  Lois is looking into details regarding the last meeting hosted there.
• The Chapter discussed the idea of having the next meeting at the Community Center, and also having it streamed via Zoom.  Shane Sherwood and Lois are working out the details.  Details will be announced as the July meeting approaches.  
• Doug noted that the presentation for the July meeting has not been finalized.  Someone asked if Callie would be interested in talking about Phinizy.  She replied that she would be and could present in-person or streamed as needed.
• It is time for Chapter elections.  They will be held at the July meeting.  Most positions have willing candidates, but there is still the need for an Education Chair and for the next President.
• Merry Brothers is open again, under new management.  The cost for birding is the same as it had been.
• Lois reported that she led a field trip at Phinizy for the Georgia Audubon Chapter’s Spring Fest.  The trip went well and it was a good showing for Phinizy.
• Paul reported that the 1 May migration count had 117 species for Aiken county.
• The NABA butterfly count will be on 10 July.  There will be a group at Phinizy and a group at SIlver Bluff.  Interested people should contact John Demko.

At 8:25pm, the meeting wrapped up and was adjourned.