Program Description:

Last October, I joined an expedition to South Georgia Island, a wildlife paradise located a two- to three-day sail east from the Falkland Islands, and 900 mi north of Antarctica. Travelling to this remote location included three days in Santiago, Chile and three in the Falkland Islands. This presentation will showcase the beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife of these distant places.

Biography for Susan Sherman:

The Covid lockdowns plus a random backyard bird-feeder spurred me to become the obsessed birder and photographer I am today. My first experience seeing common birds up close, and watching their behavior, was truly a revelation. 500+ life birds and counting later, I’m increasingly enthralled. Fortunately, I’ve been retired for several years now from a corporate job, so I have the time to indulge my new-found passion!

Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird. Vultures are often overlooked, underappreciated, and unloved, despite the vital roles they play in healthy ecosystems. Worldwide, vultures are primarily scavengers; they can help stop the spread of disease by quickly and efficiently removing dead animals from the landscape. Unfortunately, due to poisoning, direct persecution, habitat loss, and other threats, vultures are more likely to be threatened or endangered than any other group of raptors. But in the Western Hemisphere, Turkey and Black Vultures counter this trend and are increasing in number. Based on Katie Fallon’s recent book, this fun presentation will explore the life and times of the noble Turkey Vulture, including its feeding, nesting, and roosting habits, migratory behaviors, and common misconceptions. Katie will also discuss what it’s like to be up-close-and-personal with Turkey and Black Vultures through her work with the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia.

Katie Fallon is the author of the nonfiction books Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird (2020, 2017) and Cerulean Blues: A Personal Search for a Vanishing Songbird (2011), as well as two books for children. She is the Executive Director of the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the region’s wild birds through research, education, and rehabilitation. She has also served as President of the Mountaineer Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Katie is a Certified Professional Bird Trainer and has worked with birds since 1998; over the last twenty-five years she has given educational presentations featuring live raptors, vultures, parrots, and corvids. She writes the column WINGBEATS for Bird Watcher’s Digest and has taught writing at West Virginia University, Virginia Tech, and elsewhere. In 2022 Katie tried something new; she ran for a seat in the West Virginia state legislature and lost by just 138 votes! Her first word was “bird.” For more: www.katiefallon.com.