December 2011 Winging It

Many ABA members have now received their December issue of Winging It. (To view this issue online, see the last paragraph for details.)

Ashli Gorbet wrote our feature article, a site guide for Belize's Cayo district. If you want to bird this area on your own but were afraid you didn't have enough information, you no longer have an excuse--White-collared Manakins, Solitary Eagles, and Keel-billed Toucans await!

Right: Keel-billed Toucan by Michael Retter.

Some of you may recall that Belize is one of the nations listed by Sheridan Coffey in the last issue of Winging It as having LGBT-unfriendly laws on the books. But even if you're LGBT-supportive, should you really boycott it? In this issue, Morgan Tingley tells us his thoughts on that issue in his editorial, "Birding with a Conscience: Another Perspective". Accompanying Morgan's piece is a letter from Sally Conyne which was sparked by Sheridan's initial editorial; you'll also find a note from yours truly inviting you to join further discussion here on the ABA blog. I look forward to a frank and respectful exchange!

Above: Morgan (right) and his husband, Phil, rock the Aït Benhaddou kasbah in Morocco.

This issue is chock full of ABA News, as well. ABA President Jeffrey A. Gordon issues the annual donation appeal; board member Mike Bowen shares with us 2011's ABA Award Winners, and he also issues a plea for nominations for next year's awards;  Eyrie manager Jennie Duberstein introduces five new youth editors for the blog; Bill Maynard writes about how Birders' Exchange has the potential to benefit budding birders in Latin America; and Charles Duncan and Laura Blustein tell us why they support the ABA with thir financial gifts.

The regular columns you've come to expect in Winging It are also here. Bill Schmocker shares his ideas for holiday gifts ideas for the birder(s) in your life, Eric Salzman reviews books hot off the presses, and Amy Davis, of course, has produced yet another expertly-written "Sightings" column.

Finally, ABA Director of Membership and Communications, David Hartley, unveils the new ABA Online Membership Directory! This new resource allows you to view many years worth of back issues of Winging It. First you need to sign up by visiting http://www2.aba.org/directory. Once your online username and password have been confirmed (this may take up to 24 hours), simply click http://www2.aba.org/wingingit to start perusing--the December issue is there as well!