Author Archives: Maren Gimpel

Honorary Membership Awarded to Anthony Hill

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Whereas: The Eastern Bird Banding Association recognizes as honorary members, individuals who have made outstanding contributions to ornithology or to the Association, and

Whereas: He has, not through his professional occupation but rather through an avocational interest made excellence in bird banding a central purpose of his life; and

Whereas: He has, after having first seen a banding demonstration by Sara Morris in 1995, managed to get his hands on everything from Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds, to Snowy and Northern Saw-whet owls, to Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills, to American Kestrels and even passerines; and

Whereas: He has, by modelling exceptional merit and integrity – and occasionally by earnest wheedling and coaxing – inspired others to take up leadership positions in the banding community; and

Whereas: He has, having served as the Eastern Bird Banding Association’s representative to the North American Banding Council since 2010, elevated the principles, standards, and practice of banding in the Americas; and

Now therefore, be it resolved that on this day, the 11th of March, 2022, the Eastern Bird Banding Association formally commend Anthony Hill for his distinguished service to the banding community, and bestow upon him the title of Honorary Member of the Eastern Bird Banding Association, with all the rights and privileges therein.

Honorary Membership Awarded to Danny Bystrak

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Facial expressions don’t lie: After 50 years banding and studying birds, USGS
Biologist Danny Bystrak still loves what he does. Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Whereas: The Eastern Bird Banding Association recognizes as honorary members, individuals who have made outstanding contributions to ornithology or to the Association, and

Whereas: He has – with a wry sense of humor and many nicknames including “Grinch” and “Dude” – faithfully served the banding community from 1968 until his first retirement in 1994, and again from 2006 until his alleged second retirement in 2022; and

Whereas: The date of his second retirement – April 1st – strongly suggests that he will never actually retire; and

Whereas: He has improved the accuracy of the North American banding database by gleefully finding and gently questioning all of our typos, mis-identifications, and otherwise suspect records; and

Whereas: His delight in diversity of any kind, his evident joy in the quirks and interests of others, and his kindness to banders both young and old made him a friend and mentor to many; and

Now therefore, be it resolved that on this day, the 11th of March, 2022, the Eastern Bird Banding Association formally commend Danny Bystrak for his distinguished service to the banding community, and bestow upon him the title of Honorary Member of the Eastern Bird Banding Association, with all the rights and privileges therein.