Minutes NETFO Meeting, Feb 7, 2018, Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, February 7, 2018, Mark Edmond, President presided. Seven members attended including two new members, Michael Matthews and Jennifer Payne

Edmond welcomed everyone and David Brotherton reported on the recent field to see the Short-eared Owls near Martin Creek Lake. Brotherton also discussed upcoming field trips which will be posted and emailed to all members.

Next Brotherton reviewed the top ten bird species for the NETFO area from Ebird for January 2018. Before discussing these birds he asked the members to list what they thought were the top 10 species. After Brotherton presented the species Edmond’s list had the most correct chocies with 7 species. Brotherton then reviewed the bird sightings in the NETFO area for January.    

Next Brotherton presented a program on Woodcocks. He discussed their habitat, call, flight pattern and most likely times to view this species. A very informative program with a field trip planned soon to view the Woodcocks.

Next members discussed their bird sightings for January. There was no other business to be discussed so the meeting was adjourned.
            The next NETFO meeting will be Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary

Minutes NETFO Meeting, January 3, 2018,  Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, January 3, 2018,  Mark Edmond, President, presided. Nine members attended.

Edmond welcomed everyone and then David Brotherton gave a review of our Christmas Bird Counts. Brotherton went over each count discussing the weather conditions, highlights and also commenting on bird species missed or in low numbers this year. He also gave a short review of other CBCs in the area.  NETFO counts with total number of species are:

December 16, 2017 - Longview CBC - 106 Species

December 23, 2017 - Lake ‘O the Pines CBC - 98 Species

Jan 1, 2016 - Murvaul CBC - 92 Species

Next Brotherton announced a field trip on Friday, January 5, to the Martin Creek area to view short-eared owls.   An email with detailed information will be sent to all members. 

The next NETFO meeting will be Wednesday, February 7, 2018. Since there was no other business the meeting was adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary 

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting, December 6, 2017,  Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, December 6, 2017,  Mark Edmond, President, presided. Eight members attended. 

Edmond welcomed everyone to this planning session for the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts.  Then Edmund went over the dates for the Christmas Bird Counts. The dates are:

December 16, 2017 - Longview CBC

December 23, 2017 - Lake ‘O the Pines CBC

December 30, 2017 - Tyler CBC

Jan 1, 2016 - Murvaul CBC

Next Edmond gave out maps of the count areas and the list of assignments from last year.  Each count was discussed and final assignments were completed. There was no other business to be discussed. 

The next NETFO meeting will be January 3, 2018.  At this meeting, David Brotherton will give a review of all the area Christmas Bird Counts.

 Meeting adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary 

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting, November 1, 2017,  Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, November 1, 2017.  Mark Edmond, President, presided. Edmond welcomed everyone.  Eleven members attended. 

There was no business so Edmund introduced David Brotherton.  Brotherton reviewed the recent field trip to Lake Bob Sandlin and then announced the finalized dates for the Christmas Bird Counts. The dates are:

December 16, 2017 - Longview CBC

December 23, 2017 - Lake ‘O the Pines CBC

December 30, 2017 - Tyler CBC

Jan 1, 2016 - Murvaul CBC

Brotherton also announced the next field trip which will be an owl prowl at Lake ‘O the Pines on November 11.

Next Brotherton presented the program on “NEFTO Sparrows”.  He reviewed sparrows seen in previous years during the months of October thru March in the NETFO area. He started with the most common sparrows in the area and ended with the rarest sparrows in our area.  Using pictures of each sparrow Brotherton gave detail identifying marks and the habitats in which these sparrows can most likely be seen.  This was an informative program and Brotherton challenged members to find at least 15 species of these sparrows on our Christmas Bird Counts.

The next NETFO meeting will be December 6, 2017.  This meeting will be a planning meeting for the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts.

  Meeting adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary 

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting, October 4, 2017,  Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, October 4, 2017.  Mark Edmond, President, presided. Edmond welcomed all present.  Nine members attended. 

Business was discussed and David Brotherton suggested that the current slate of officers remain in place for the coming year and that the membership dues be waived for the coming year.  This suggestion was approved unanimously by the members present.

The officers for 2018 are:

Mark Edmund, President

David Brotherton, Vice-President

Wanda Bosmans, Secretary

Gene Peiter, Treasurer

Bob Metzler, Member-at-Large

In other new business, a motion was made by Brotherton and seconded by Candy Troop to donate $100 to the Greggton United Methodist Church for use of their building for the organization’s meetings.  Motion passed.

   Next, Edmund introduced David Brotherton who reviewed the recent Hawk Watch at Daingerfield.  Brotherton then announced the dates for the Christmas Bird Counts. The dates are:          December 16, 2017 - Longview CBC

December 23, 2017 - Lake ‘O the Pines CBC

December 30, 2017 - Tyler CBC

Jan 1, 2016 - Murvaul CBC

Brotherton announced two field trips.  One scheduled for  October 22, 2017, to Lake Bob Sandlin and the second, an owl prowl, scheduled for November 11, 2017, at Lake ‘O the Pines.

Next Brotherton reviewed birds that we should see or had been seen in previous years during the months of October thru February in the NETFO area.   A chart was given to members with rare or unusual sightings noted along with the challenge that members should to get out and look for these birds.  If birds were found members should contact others of their locations and at the next meeting, these will be reviewed with points awarded to members of these sightings.  The member with the most points by February will win a prize.  

The next NETFO meeting will be November 1, 2017.  At this meeting, Brotherton will discuss sparrows.

  Meeting adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary 

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting, February 1, 2017,  Longview, Texas

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, February 1, 2017,  Mark Edmund, President, presided.  Nine members attended.

Edmund welcomed everyone and then called for new or old business.  There was no new or old business. 

David Brotherton then gave a review of birds seen in the NETFO area for January 2017 using data from EBird.   Next Brotherton presented information about his and Luanne Brotherton’s recent trip to Webb County to see the Amazonian Kingfisher plus the other three “regular” kingfishers in this area.  They also did some birdwatching in several other counties in the area adding to their county counts.

It was announced that Mike Dillon will lead a NETFO field trip to the Neches River Wildlife Management area Saturday, February 4.

The next NETFO meeting will be Wednesday, March 1, 2017. 

 Meeting adjourned.

 

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting, March 1, 2017,  Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, March 1, 2017,  Mark Edmund, President, presided.  Ten members attended.

Edmund welcomed everyone and then called for new or old business.  There was no new or old business.  Next Edmund gave a report on the recent NETFO field trip to the Neches River Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, February 4.

David Brotherton then gave a review of birds seen in the NETFO area for February 2017 using data from EBird.   Next Brotherton introduced Bob Metzler, NETFO member, who presented a program for the group on “Colorado Chicken Run”.  This was a TOS sponsored trip  that Metzler made with the Kim Risen’s NatureScape.  Using his personal photos and maps Metzler showed where he traveled and the many Colorado birds he saw and photographed.

The next NETFO meeting will be Wednesday, April 5, 2017. 

 Meeting adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting, January 4, 2017,  Longview, Texas

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, January 4, 2017,  Mark Edmund, President, presided.  Seven members attended.

Edmund welcomed everyone and then called for new or old business.  There was no new or old business.  Next David Brotherton presented a summary of the recent NETFO Christmas Bird Counts.  Brotherton discussed the elements, for example, weather conditions, that affected the counts.  Next, he went over the highlights, the highs and lows of the count.  He also discussed the new species added to the list.  The species count per area are:

Saturday, December 17, 2016 - Longview CBC - 105 Species

Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - Lake O’ the Pines CBC - 111 Species

Monday, January 2, 2017 - Murval CBC - 78 Species

Next Brotherton gave a review of the NETFO area for 2016 using data from EBird and then he discussed the birds that were highlights for the year for him and his wife, Luanne Brotherton.

Mike Dillon announced some dates in January for the NETFO field trip to the Neches River Wildlife Management area.  Plans will be finalized and an email with final details will be sent to all members.

The next NETFO meeting will be Wednesday, February  1, 2017. 

 Meeting adjourned.

 

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting, December 7, 2016, Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, December 7, 2016.  Mark Edmund, President, presided.  Thirteen members attended.

Edmund welcomed everyone and then called for new or old business.  There was no new or old business.  Next a planning session for the Christmas Bird Counts began.

Edmund reminded the members of the dates for the Christmas Bird Counts.  The dates  are:       Saturday, December 17, 2016 - Longview CBC

Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - Lake O’ the Pines CBC

Monday, January 2, 2017 - Murval CBC

Next Edmund handed out tally sheets and maps for the 3 Christmas Bird Counts.  Then areas were assigned.  Edmund then wished everyone “ Good Birding”.

Mike Dillon announced plans for a future NETFO field trip to the Neches River Wildlife Management area.  Plans will be finalized at the January meeting.

The next NETFO meeting will be Wednesday, January 4, 2017.  At this meeting David Brotherton will present a summary of the NETFO Christmas Bird Counts .

 Meeting adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting, November 2, 2016, Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, November 2, 2016.  Mark Edmund, President, presided.  Eight members attended.

Edmund welcomed everyone and then called for new or old business.  There was no new or old business.

Edmund reminded the members of the dates for the Christmas Bird Counts.  The dates  are:

  • Saturday, December 17, 2016 - Longview CBC
  • Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - Lake O’ the Pines CBC
  • Saturday, December 31, 2016 - Tyler CBC
  • Monday, January 2, 2017 - Murval CBC

Next, Edmund introduced David Brotherton.  Brotherton presented a discussion, “October Neat Stuff”. In this informative part, Brotherton discussed the water birds found in the NETFO area over the month of October.  He then presented a quiz with the waterfowl listed and asked members to list them according to their abundance.

Next Brotherton gave a presentation on “November Here Comes the Waterfowl”.  During this presentation, he told members about the birds to expect in November and the approximate dates they should arrive.

The next NETFO meeting will be Wednesday, December 7, 2016.  This meeting will be a planning session for the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts.

Meeting adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting, October 5, 2016, Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday,October 5, 2016. Mark Edmund, President, presided. Eleven members attended.

Edmund welcomed everyone and then called for new or old business. At this time the dates for the Christmas Bird Counts were discussed and finalized. The dates will be:

  • Saturday, December 17, 2016 - Longview CBC
  • Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - Lake O’ the Pines CBC
  • Saturday, December 31, 2016 - Tyler CBC
  • Monday, January 2, 2017 - Murval CBC

Next Gene Peiter, NETFO treasurer, reported that the NETFO account balance was 2589.10.

There was no other business. Next, Edmund introduced David Brotherton.

Brotherton presented a program, “October, The Moving Month”. In this informative program, Brotherton discussed records of migrating birds moving through the NETFO area over the years and what we might see during the month of October. He also talked about unusual sightings over the previous years.

Brotherton announced that he would be leading an owl prowl Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Lake o’ the Pines. Details of the trip will be emailed to all members.

The next NETFO meeting will be November 2, 2016. Brotherton will discuss the “Weird Waterfowl”.

Meeting adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary

 

Minutes NETFO Meeting,September 14, 2016, Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday,September 14, 2016. Mark Edmund, President, presided. Eight members attended.

Edmund welcomed everyone and then called for new or old business. There was no business to be discussed. He then introduced David Brotherton.

Brotherton presented a program on hawk migration. This timely and informative program was enjoyed by all. Brotherton announced that he would be leading a hawk watch at Daingerfield State Park on Saturday, September 24.

A discussion of spotting tips and recent bird sightings followed the program.

The next NETFO meeting will be October 5, 2016. Brotherton will discuss the birds we should be seeing during October. .

Meeting adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary

Minutes NETFO Meeting, May 4, 2016, Longview, Texas

The regularly scheduled meeting of NETFO was held at the Greggton United Methodist Church in Longview Wednesday, May 4, 2016.  Mark Edmund, President, presided.  Fourteen members and one visitor attended. 

Edmund welcomed everyone and then called for new or old business.  There was no business to be discussed.  He then introduced David Brotherton.

Brotherton discussed “special” birds seen in the NETFO area during the April migration.  He then asked the members to share the “special” birds they had seen during the recent migration period.

Next Brotherton introduced  Happy King, NETFO member, who presented the evening’s program on Sri Lanka, “Resplendent Island”.  King recently travel to Sri Lanka on a birding tour.  She shared the details of her adventure using her own pictures and pictures taken by Sam Woods, Tropical Birding Guide.  King’s informative presentation showed us not only the birds of Sri Lanka but also interesting cultural and historical sites.  Also pictures of the wildlife she saw on this exciting trip.

The next NETFO meeting will likely be in September 2016.  Edmund or Brotherton will send details about this meeting at a later date via email, and we'll post this information on our web site and on our Facebook group page.

Meeting adjourned.

Wanda Bosmans, NETFO Secretary