Upcoming Events

CVAS Monthly Meeting | Shai Mitra Presents: "Citizen Science in the Information Age: Improving the Quality and Usefulness of Crowd-sourced Datasets"

© Patricia LindsayJoin us on Zoom for a lively discussion about birding and a presentation from one of our knowledgeable hosts. A bird identification workshop begins at 7:00pm, and the program begins at 7:30pm. All are welcome to these free events. CVAS is committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our conservation and education programs and to welcoming all who wish to work and learn with us. Any person, regardless of age, race, religion, ability, or gender identity, who is interested in wild life study, protection, and conservation, may be enrolled as a member upon receipt of the first payment of dues. To receive a link to the meeting, please e-mail Gail Norwood.

This month, guest speaker Shai Mitra, Assistant Professor of Biology at the College of Staten Island, will present “Citizen Science in the Information Age: Improving the Quality and Usefulness of Crowd-sourced Datasets.”

Digital technology has revolutionized the ways in which natural history observations are collected and shared. Public participation has been vastly expanded, and remarkable advances have been achieved for historically difficult questions regarding distribution and abundance of wild organisms. At the same time, observers' practices have been changing rapidly for many reasons--both intended and unintended--with a wide range of consequences for data quality and usefulness. This talk focuses on several problems and their solutions, not only in terms of the quality and interpretability of the data themselves, but also from the perspective of the experiences and scientific development of non-professional observers.

Mitra’s research interests include avian ecology, evolution, and conservation. He is editor of The Kingbird, the quarterly publication of the New York State Ornithological Association; co-compiler of bird records for the New York City and Long Island region; Chair of the Rhode Island Avian Records Committee; and co-compiler of the Southern Nassau County and Napatree, Rhode Island, Christmas Bird Counts.

Spring Ornithology with Steve Kress
Would you like to learn more about birds and their lives? Register now for the Cayuga Bird Club’s Spring Ornithology with Steve Kress, held Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 pm, March 30 to May 18, via Zoom. This 8-week course is perfectly timed to help people identify spring migrants and better understand bird behavior. Each weekly meeting features a group of migratory birds that are at the peak of their spring migration, with discussions about bird song, migration, courtship, family life, and conservation. The course concludes with one of Dr. Kress’s favorite topics: how to create a bird-friendly habitat on your own property.  Each presentation is illustrated with stunning photos and bird song recordings.

For more than 40 years, Dr. Kress taught a similar, popular course at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Last year the Cayuga Bird Club began hosting this new course. Dr. Kress is well known for his entertaining and engaging teaching style, and loves sharing his extensive knowledge about bird life. He is the founder of Audubon’s Project Puffin and served for many years as Director of the Audubon Seabird Restoration Program and Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine. He is the author of numerous books, articles, and online courses about birding, gardening for birds, seabirds, and wildlife conservation.

Although the course focuses on birds of Central New York, most of the identification, behavior, and conservation tips will interest bird enthusiasts throughout the country. Discussions and Q & A will include the locations where students live.

The cost is $125 per household, and includes a membership in the Cayuga Bird Club. Classes are recorded for viewing or reviewing at your convenience. This course also makes a perfect gift for your favorite birder, and gift certificates are available on the website. For more information, and to register, visit Cayuga Bird Club

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an international event created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, designed to capture a snapshot of where all the birds are for a single weekend in the late winter. We use the event to highlight the diversity of really amazing birds in the southern Finger Lakes region, and we invite you to explore your feathered neighbors, either in your backyard, your favorite park, or wherever you happen to be (it doesn't need to be a backyard!).

The count runs over four days, so you can count every day from the same location, or go out and explore new areas throughout the four-day count period. For more information about the count, visit Great Backyard Bird Count. If you're interested in meeting up for a bird walk, let us know and we'll see if you can put together a program. Finally, stop by our local Wild Birds Unlimited store for more information about birds and bird counting.