Meeting and Field Trip Information
What about cancellations?
Meetings at the Robinson Nature Center are cancelled if the Howard County Government has announced government buildings are closed and will not open for the day. For other venues where a Howard County Bird Club (HCBC) event was scheduled, the cancellation will be posted on the front page of the HCBC website in a banner headline and on the website calendar. Field Trips and Workshops may be cancelled at the discretion of the leader and announced in advance when possible. The cancellation will be posted on the front page of the HCBC website in a banner headline and on the website calendar.
View calendar
Previous programs |
Previous field trips |
MEETINGS
In Person
September through May the third Thursday of the month at the Robinson Nature Center. Building opens and social hour begins at 7:00 p.m. Business meeting and program starts at 7:30 p.m.
If you are symptomatic of an illness, we encourage you to attend the program virtually.
Robinson Nature Center
By Zoom
Current Howard County Bird Club members will automatically be notified on the Monday before the third Thursday with details on how to attend. If you have not done so before, here is how to participate in a Zoom meeting.
Non-members can attend by emailing HCBC Programs to get the link for the meeting.
FIELD TRIPS
New! Use your phone to sign in. No more paper forms.
Scan the QR Code with your phone and fill out the form on your phone. (No phone? The trip leader will help you.)
Trips for less experienced birders are so marked, as are ones that are wheelchair accessible. Check with HCBC field trip leader, e-mails, and on the website for trip details and changes. Some trips may have limits on numbers or require registration with the trip leader in advance. Participants are responsible for reaching out to the field trip leader if they have specific questions about the trip, health concerns, or require accommodations to attend the trip. The trip leader will cancel the field trip if weather or other conditions make the trip unsafe or inadvisable. Whenever possible, the cancellation will be posted on the website before the trip starts. Report your arrival and departure to the leader. Do not go ahead of leader while walking or in caravan. Speak quietly or move to the back of the group when talking. Do not play bird song or calls without leader approval. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. No pets! Binoculars are recommended (loaner binoculars may be available). Participants should carefully consider personal health risks before attending.
Information for Field Trip Leaders
Regular Field Trip Leader Instructions
PDF of the QR code Sign-in for regular field trips.pdf
JPG of the QR code for regular field trips.jpg
Sign-in: Download “PDF of the QR code sign in for regular field trips.pdf” and “JPG of the QR code for regular field trips.jpg” onto your cell phone prior to your field trip. You may also print a paper copy of the PDF to share with your participants (good idea for large groups) or simply open the JPG on your cell phone. Using a QR code cell phone reading app, scan the QR code. The QR code will link the participants to a Google form that will capture certain information, i.e, name, email address, whether they are interested in a field trip checklist, and how to share it (email vs. eBird). If anyone has difficulties with signing in, please ask others to help. Anyone may register multiple people. If you are not the recorder of the eBird checklist, please email the webmaster (odenata@msn.com) the name and email address of the recorder. The webmaster will organize the Google Form sign-in information and email it back to you and the eBird recorder so that you may share the checklist with interested parties. Inform everyone that there will be a trip report generated on the website.
After the Trip: Have the eBird recorder share the checklist with the interested participants either via eBird or by email. This who? how? information will be emailed to you and the recorder from the webmaster’s review of the sign-in questions. To obtain a forwardable copy email checklist, go to your eBird Checklist, click on “Checklist Tools,” click on “Email Checklist to Yourself.” Also email the checklist to odenata@msn.com for the trip report. If not mentioned already on the checklist comments, please add the Trip Leader(s) name(s), the checklist recorder’s name or any other details.
Photos: Take pictures of the group and on the trail (or ask someone to do it) for the trip report. Send them to odenata@msn.com
Helpful hints:
Be a Welcoming, Informative Leader. Have participants introduce themselves. Ask, “Is this anyone’s first field trip? Please ask for pointers on things you see and hear that you’d like to know more about.” Share business cards, stickers, lens wipes, etc. These may be found in the loaner binocular backpacks. We have two backpacks with a total of 10 sets that can be provided to trip leaders for issue for their walks. Arrange for pick up and return of the lender binoculars with Tom Seivert if desired.
Large groups. At the leader’s discretion, large numbers of participants may be divided into two or more groups with each guided by another experienced bird walk leader.
Remind participants to make way for others (especially bicyclists and those with baby strollers) on the path
Thank you ever so much for sharing our hobby with others!
Beginner Field Trip Leader Instructions
PDF of the QR code Sign-in for Beginning Birder field trips.pdf
JPG of the QR code for Beginning Birder field trips.jpg
Sign-in: Download “PDF of the QR code sign in for Beginning Birder field trips.pdf” and “JPG of the QR code for Beginning Birder field trips.jpg” onto your cell phone prior to your field trip. You may also print a paper copy of the PDF to share with your participants or simply open the JPG on your cell phone. Using a QR code cell phone reading app, scan the QR code. The QR code will link the participants to a Google form that will capture certain information, i.e, name, email address, whether they are interested in a field trip checklist, and how to share it (email vs. eBird). Additionally, anyone that attends a Beginner Walk, is a member of HCBC, and has not already received a Mentorship Walk is eligible for one. This is a scheduled “private birdwatching lesson” with a volunteer, experienced HCBC member. If anyone has difficulties with signing in, please ask others to help. Anyone may register multiple people. If you are not the recorder of the eBird checklist, please email the webmaster (odenata@msn.com) the name and email address of the recorder. The webmaster will organize the Google Form sign-in information and email it back to you and the eBird recorder so that you may share the checklist with interested parties. Inform everyone that there will be a trip report generated on the website.
After the Trip: Have the eBird recorder share the checklist with the interested participants either via eBird or by email. This who? how? information will be emailed to you and the recorder from the webmaster’s review of the sign-in questions. To obtain a forwardable copy email checklist, go to your eBird Checklist, click on “Checklist Tools,” click on “Email Checklist to Yourself.” Also email the checklist to odenata@msn.com for the trip report. If not mentioned already on the checklist comments, please add the Trip Leader(s) name(s), the checklist recorder’s name or any other details.
Photos: Take pictures of the group and on the trail (or ask someone to do it) for the trip report. Send them to odenata@msn.com
Helpful hints:
Be a Welcoming, Informative Leader. Have participants introduce themselves. Ask, “Is this anyone’s first field trip? Please ask for pointers on things you see and hear that you’d like to know more about.” Instruct how to communicate to others where a bird is in a tree or on other landmarks: i.e. clock method. Overflying birds: “Bird up!”
Share business cards, stickers, lens wipes, etc. These may be found in the loaner binocular backpacks. We have two backpacks with a total of 10 sets that can be provided to trip leaders for issue for their walks. During registration communication, ask participants if they need to borrow a pair of binoculars. Contact Tom Seivert for binoculars if needed.
Thank you ever so much for sharing our hobby with others!