Richmond Audubon Society Meetup

Come out to bird one of Richmond’s best spring migration spots.
Meet fabled birder Priscilla Erickson in the parking lot around 6:00 am or earlier. Park on the street if the gate is locked. We’ll start birding early in the lot and gradually move to the railroad bridge and then the river woodlands.
Contact Priscilla at priscilla.erickson@gmail.com with questions.
RAS trips are open to all, RAS membership is encouraged but not required, and unless the trip says otherwise, you don't need to sign up. Please feel free to stay for as long as you want. Attendees do not need to stay the entire time listed.
** The field trip schedule is subject to change. Trips may be added, canceled, or modified. Please check our RAS calendar online at richmondaudubon.org for the most recent trip information.

Meet Matt Brooks for a late-morning field trip sponsored by the Capital Region Land Conservancy. The focus of this trip is beginning birding. The habitat includes grassy meadows, mature woods, and a marsh overlook.
Meet in the parking lot of Entrance #2 at 9:00 am. 9200 Deep Bottom Rd in eastern Henrico/Richmond. Please note the address in Google Maps will take you to Entrance #3.
Please see the site map at: https://capitalregionland.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/05/VLL_Map_wClosure_May31_2023.pdfContact Matt at mattebrooks@protonmail.com or 206-734-6919 with questions.
RAS trips are open to all, RAS membership is encouraged but not required, and unless the trip says otherwise, you don't need to sign up. Please feel free to stay for as long as you want. Attendees do not need to stay the entire time listed.
** The field trip schedule is subject to change. Trips may be added, canceled, or modified. Please check our RAS calendar online at richmondaudubon.org for the most recent trip information.

Meet caring birder Diane Jadlowski at the picnic tables at 9:00 am. This is a 1/3-mile boardwalk with very easy walking. Picnic tables and benches are available for resting. Parking is available on the street (please don't block driveways). The boardwalk is ADA accessible, so everyone can enjoy this nature experience. Trips are 2 hours long. 12341 Ridgefield Parkway, Henrico, VA 23233 (https://henrico.us/rec/places/tuckahoe-creek-park/).
Contact Diane at djadski@gmail.com or 702-308-1953 for more information.
RAS trips are open to all, RAS membership is encouraged but not required, and unless the trip says otherwise, you don't need to sign up. Please feel free to stay for as long as you want. Attendees do not need to stay the entire time listed.
** The field trip schedule is subject to change. Trips may be added, canceled, or modified. Please check our RAS calendar online at richmondaudubon.org for the most recent trip information.

RAS Member Meeting

Location:
First Unitarian Universalist Church
1000 Blanton Ave, Richmond, VA 23221

Description:
Doors open at 6:00 pm for a social gathering and light refreshments.
Meet other RVA birders!
Our speaker will begin at 7:00 pm.

Topic:

New Zealand's Vanishing Avifauna: Genetic Insights

Birds dominate virtually every niche on Earth. This was no less true in New Zealand, where birds rose to control the ecosystem in the absence of native terrestrial mammals. But the lack of exposure to mammals proved to be a detriment when humans arrived. A naïve avifauna was no match for hungry humans and the mammals they brought with them. As bird populations shrank, surviving remnant populations experienced severe genetic bottlenecks, which continue to hamper conservation efforts to this day. But modern science is helping to alleviate some of these genetic problems as populations are restored.

Presenter:

Dr. Bryan Rhodes

Dr. Bryan Rhodes is a native of southside Virginia. His rural upbringing fostered his passion for biology, while his neighbors growing up sparked his interest in bird watching. College revealed the possibility of studying animals academically, steering him toward a career in biology. Though initially drawn to fish, he pursued ornithology in both his undergrad and graduate studies. His PhD was conducted in New Zealand where he worked in a conservation genetics lab. He is currently a Professor of Biology at Reynolds Community College here in Richmond.

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RAS Member Meetings are held:
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Third Thursday of the month
(nb: No Member Meetings in Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec)
Meeting times are:
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Doors open at 6:00 pm for a social gathering and light refreshments.
Meet other RVA birders!
Our speaker will begin at 7:00 pm.
Meeting locations are:
First Unitarian Universalist Church
1000 Blanton Ave
Richmond, VA 23221
* NB: Date, time and location are subject to change.
Please check the RAS Calendar for the most up-to-date information.
No attendance fee.
Please consider joining us at our Member Meetings for great bird-related speakers and topics.
And, no, you do NOT need to be a RAS Member to attend!

Mario P Grasso II
Richmond Audubon Society (RAS) Board,
Publicity and Cyberspace Chair