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April 27 Program
Birding on the Internet
Don Schaeffer

"Birding on the Internet" will be the topic of the April 27 meeting. Staff from Volusia County have partnered with West Volusia Audubon Society to set up our own Web Page on the Internet. Cindy Finney, County Website Administrator, and Tyler Wehmeier, County Website Designer, will be at our April meeting to demonstrate the wealth of information that is available on-line, as well as showcase our own Web Page, which can be accessed world-wide for information about birding opportunities here in Volusia County. We in turn can find out interesting information about other birding sites, about birds in general and about specific species through the resources of the worldwide web. It is amazing how easy this all is to do. Come find out April 27.

Don't forget our ANNUAL BANQUET MEETING this coming May 25. Gian Basili, of Florida Audubon Society, will be our speaker. He will talk about BIRDS, BIRDERS AND BIRDING. As usual, installation of our WVAS officers will be conducted. More about the banquet will be in the May Hummer.

Catch the Migration Sensation!
International Migratory Bird Day `99
IMBD `99 highlights the critical importance of wetlands to Neotropical migratory birds and all of the biological diversity in the Western Hemisphere. Wetlands provide nesting, overwintering and stopover habitat during migration for Neotropical migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and songbirds. Even the smallest wetlands can be used as feeding and resting habitat by a wide diversity of migratory birds. We hope you will use IMBD `99 to launch your own personal conservation commitment to help out wherever you can to nurture wetlands and to educate others about their importance to our migratory birds.

Another way to participate is to take part locally in the seventh annual nationwide count--called the "Earth Day" for birders--by joining our chapter count of the birds present in western Volusia County on Saturday, May 8. In this way you can celebrate a time-honored aerial pageant, becoming involved in that most awesome spectacle of spring--bird migration. Sign up at the April 27 meeting for THE event on every birder's calendar..

Catch the Migration Sensation is the theme for International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), the annual hallmark event of Partners in Flight (PIF). PIF is an international coalition whose mission is to reverse the declines of migratory birds. IMBD sponsors this year will pave the way to provide priceless data collected by volunteers throughout the nation. Sponsors include National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Phillips 66, Department of Defense Partners in Flight, US Forest Service (Department of Agriculture), USGS, Sanctuary Coffee, American Birding Association, Swift Optical Company, Mark Feldstein & Associates and Colorado Bird Observatory.

Up, Up... and Away!

Thursday 5/6: Wildlife Rehab with Kathy Paynter and Martha Selck. Meet at North End McDonald's to carpool. 8:30 am departure. Bring a snack. Leader: Louise Stanley.

Saturday 5/8: North American Spring Migration Count. See article at right.

Saturday 5/15: Seminole Ranch with Seminole Audubon Chapter. Meet at South End McDonald's to carpool. Fee $3. Bring lunch. For departure time, ask at April meeting or call Louise Stanley, Leader.

Tuesday 5/25: Annual Banquet. Our year-end gala will be held at Grant Bly House, 842 East New York Avenue, DeLand. More in May Hummer. Also see Don Schaeffer's article below.