Day One Activities

Check out the Daily Updates page a couple of times during your visit. (Like now?) We add new comments throughout the day. And we provide a live look at the eBird list for the weekend summary. You can also check on results from yesterday's contests. Click the button at left or see "More Stuff" above.

Enter your birding comments, brag about your quiz scores, and relate some of your best birding experiences during the meeting. Selected comments will be displayed on the Updates page during the meeting. Click the button at left or see "More Stuff" above.

Submit some your best weekend photos taken between April 17th and 19th, 2020. You can submit up to two photos per email. Selected photos will be posted on the Photos page during the meeting. Click the button at left or see "More Stuff" above.

You can click a link in this list to jump to an activity, or you can scroll down the page to find them.

• Welcome Message
• Go Birding!!!
• Birding With A Camera
• Steve's Bird Quiz - Day One
• The 2019 Bluebird Report
• The Feather Quiz
• Old School Bird Names Puzzler - Day 1
• April Madness - The Elite 8vian

Enjoy Day One!!

A Message from James Wheat, President of the Kentucky Ornithological Society

Welcome to the 2020 Spring KOS Virtual Meeting!

These are times of separation and backyard birding, social distancing and face masks. Since we cannot meet in person, we wanted to share with you some activities and images to brighten your weekend.

Those of you who have attended prior KOS meetings will recognize some of our traditions; we've added some new twists as well.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this virtual weekend of birding-related content. Please enjoy it and share some joy with us!

Cheers,

James Wheat, President

Let's all remember to have fun and do some birding during the meeting over these three days. We hope that these tips can help you experience the meeting as a birding experience.

• Be safe! - Bird at home or at a location where you can practice safe distancing. For a list of do's and don't from our friends at eBird, click here.
• Use eBird - lists created on our meeting days will be summarized for our enjoyment. See below.
• Take photos - If you have a camera, and you get some good shots, you can share some of you best ones with the meeting, right here on this site!
• Share - You can share short birding stories in our comments section.
• Have fun - the most important part of birding!

A cumulative weekend birding list is being assembled from eBird data. The first list will appear here sometime after noon today and be continuously updated through Monday morning.

Good birding to all!

Birding With a Camera

Presentation by Pam Spaulding, KOS Member

Run time: 12:21

We kick off the Spring Meeting with a beautiful presentation. Twenty birders contributed photographs of birds taken in Kentucky during 2019.

Click below to see their work. Enjoy!

Steve's Bird Quiz - Day 1

Presented by Steve Kistler, KOS Member

Run time: Self paced

Viewing tip: After you open the quiz try to select "Fit to Page" for the page view. This will show one page at a time. Note: This is usually done with a button on the right side of the window.

Steve Kistler presents his usual bird quiz, but with a twist for our virtual meeting.

Click the image below to experience it!

The 2019 Bluebird Report - SOS (Save Our Sialia sialas)

Presented by Bob and Judy Peak

Run time: Self paced

Bob and Judy Peak are retired public school teachers who monitor and maintain 230 bluebird nest boxes at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and Lake Barkley State Resort Park. During their 31-year tenure with the volunteer project, over 37,000 baby bluebirds and over 2,000 fledglings for six other cavity-nesting species have fledged from their nest boxes. Bob and Judy also maintain several pollination zones on their Trigg County, KY property for birds, bees, and butterflies, including Monarch Butterfly Waystation No. 14267, which is registered with MonarchWatch as Gena's Butterfly Hill---in memory of Judy's mother.

They share their work with us through this informative report.

A message from Bob: "In case anyone asks how he/she can access the articles I mentioned in the report about dwarf/runt eggs, white bluebird eggs, or winterkills, the pieces are archived online at the website for the North American Bluebird Society. Here is the URL:" click here

Click the image below to read the report.

The Feather Quiz - By Regina Garr

Presented by Bob Peak

Run time: Self paced

Bob Peak provides a Feather Quiz created by Regina Garr. This is a short but challenging quiz.

Click the image below to take the quiz!

Old School Bird Names Puzzler - Day 1

Presented by James Wheat, KOS Member

Run time: Self paced

Bird names have changed over the years as the science of taxonomy and genetics have improved our understanding of the relationships among birds. Some of these changes lump species together, while others split species.

Have you ever heard a bird called something that was confusing to you because it wasn't referred to in today's naming conventions? For example, what bird do you think of when you hear the names Bog-pumper, Dunk-a-doo, Indian Hen, or Stake-driver? These puzzlers test your knowledge of old school bird names.

Click the image below to try the Puzzler for Day 1!

The answers for today's puzzler will be posted tomorrow on the Daily Updates page.

Presented by Janet Kistler, KOS Member

Run time: Self paced. Takes about 15 minutes

Janet Kistler has our madness needs covered! Her April Madness tournament started offically two days ago. Today The Elite 8vian compete!

Click below to make your entries. May the best warbler win!