WCAS Member Meeting and Speaker Program November 2020
Channel: Western Cuyahoga Audubon
Date: 2020-11-04

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society Member Meeting and Speaker Series, November 3, 2020

​Program: “Emergent Mechanics of the Cup Nest and Its 'Mechanical Synthesis”
Presenter: Dr. Hunter King, Physicist and Polymer Scientist, University of Akron
Date & Time: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Description: From the perspective of polymer research and biomimicry, the cup nest built by some birds is unusual: it’s cohesive without attractive interactions; it is plastic and soft though its elements are elastic and stiff. Birds building this type of nest appear to embody an instinctive understanding of the emergent mechanics of thin, flexible, and frictional grains, one that is currently lacking in the scientific community. How do birds choose elements in order to tune the mechanical performance in aggregate?  How do distinctive mechanical characteristics relate to structural demands of natural nests? Get your science on as we begin to address these questions through experiments with artificial 'nests', and observations of the construction process.

Timestamps (approximate):

Member Meeting: 
[00:00:00] Nancy Howell, Treasurer & Membership, Chair, WCAS, welcomed everyone to the meeting and provided updates about chapter administration, introduced Board members present, and reviewed upcoming programs. Nancy reviewed answers to the pre-program Bird Quiz questions.

[00:06:38] Michelle Brosius, WCAS Board Member & Field Trip Co-Coordinator, provided updates about the October 2020 Second Saturday Bird Walk Report. In addition, Michelle reviewed Virtual Field Trip updates: she encouraged people to attend the October Community Meet Up, Wednesday, November 11, 2020 and talked about upcoming field trips. Michelle also provided updates on the chapter's Social Distancing Birding Guidelines.

[00:11:58] Gloria Ferris, Director-at-Large & Fundraising, Chair, WCAS, encouraged audience members to attend the WCAS Book Club Author Speaker and Discussion programs on Sundays, November 15 and 22 at 7:00 p.m (EST), provided an update on Guardian of Nature Meetings and invited the public to attend Thursdays, November 12 and Nov 19, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. (EST). Gloria introduced the Bird of Month Fundraiser, the October Photography Contest winner, the November Photography Contest, and  and the Nature's Nursery Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Education LIVE Programs Fridays, November 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. (EST) themed, "Everyone Has Something to Give!".

[00:23:15] Nancy Howell reviewed upcoming challenges and the Bird Mask Making Contest, and regarding that the Fall Warbler Challenge Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, wrap up session Saturday, November 14 at 3:00 p.m. (EST). Nancy announced the Bird Mask Contest winners.  Nancy reviewed details of the Fledgling Birding Challenge hosted Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving requiring birders to find the 19 species of birds provided on the Fledgling Bird List AND that participants get to add the 20th species.

[00:30:31] Amanda Sebrosky, Board Member & Founder, NEO Chimney Swift Conservation Society explained tower repairs have been on hold due to an injury she sustained. Elsewhere, Lisa C., east side in the old greenhouse corridor,  sent an MP4 of Chimney swifts in a chimney on her property. She requested information of any grants, etc for repair of the chimney. I’ve asked for information for her plans for the property. NEOCS2 typically does not fund habitat on private land since there is no way to assure new owners would keep the habitat. - No news so far. Amanda reported the Bay Village Building department almost has the tower done! She worked with Jon Liskovec, director, on placement in the park (November some time). To keep people away, Amanda will plant a native plant garden around the tower and Bay Village will provide barriers of some kind. Bay Village will make a sign for the garden, which Amanda will design and pay for.

[00:33:40] Nancy Howell reminded viewers it's not too early to begin thinking and preparing for the 121st Christmas Bird Count, Sunday, December 27, 2020. WCAS will also provide pre and post CBC programming. Nancy concluded with a brief introduction to the December 1, 2020 speaker.

Speaker Program: ​
[00:37:33] The speaker program commences, 'Emergent Mechanics of the Cup Nest and Its 'Mechanical Synthesis' with Dr. Hunter King, University of Akron, November 2020. 

Read Online: https://www.wcaudubon.org/news-blog/member-meeting-and-speaker-program-emergent-mechanics-of-the-cup-nest-and-its-mechanical-synthesis-with-dr-hunter-king-university-of-akron-november-2020-recording

Western Cuyahoga Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society based in Cuyahoga County in Northern Ohio, USA. WCAS seeks to connect and educate the public and conserve natural habitats for the sustainability of all bird species.