JANUARY

Lake Erie Shore Winter Gulling
When: Sunday, January 13th
          8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. weather depending
Where: Gordon Park - E. 72nd St.
Sponsoring Partner: Kirtland Bird Club
Trip Leaders: Larry Rosche, Jerry Talkington & John Pogacnik
Target Species: Little, Franklin's, Glaucous, Iceland, California, Thayer's, & Lesser black-backed Gulls

Registration: No registration required.
Cost: FREE

Note: Dress for arctic condition and below zero temperatures. The lakefront can be frigid this time of year. Bring lunch. You will need a car available to you to warm up if you should get chilled or in case we move to another location.

Recommended clothing: Hand warmers, plenty of layers of clothes including long underwear, heavy lined boots with layers of socks, warm head covering. And don't forget your gloves!

Directions: Cleveland Memorial Shoreway East (I-90 East) to Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Meet in the parking lot at East 72nd St.

OYBC Planning Meeting
When: Sunday, January 5, 2008 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Who: OYBC Advisory Panel
Where: Black Swamp Bird Observatory Office & Nature Center, Oak Harbor
 

FEBRUARY

OYBC goes to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
When: February 16th - 18th
(President's Day Weekend)
Where: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
We will travel from the BSBO office early Saturday morning and return late afternoon/early evening on Monday.
Sponsored by: Lake Erie Nature & Science Center & the Ohio
                      Ornithological Society
Trip Leader: Larry Richardson

Target Species:

- Great Gray Owl
- Northern Hawk Owl
- Snowy Owl
- Gray Jay
- Hoary Redpoll
- Sharp-tailed Grouse
- Ruffed Grouse
- Bohemian Waxwing
- Pine Grosbeak
- Boreal Chickadee
- Evening Grosbeak.

Registration: To register for this trip call BSBO at 419 898-4070. Space is limited to 12 participants and the trip fee must be received no later than Friday, February 8, 2008.

Recommended clothing: Dress for arctic condition and below zero temperatures. The UP can be frigid this time of year. Hand warmers, plenty of layers of clothes including long underwear, heavy lined boots with layers of socks, warm head covering. And don't forget your gloves!

Cost: $50.00 for lodging & transportation. Dinner paid by participant. Click here for a registration form.



 

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.
 

MARCH

OYBC Heads to Wayne & Holmes County
When: March 30, 2008 at 8:45 AM
Where: Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area
Leaders: Su Snyder and Bianca Davis
Meeting location: Bob Evans, 550 Robinson Rd., Wooster
Target species: Waterfowl & early spring migrants 

Registration: No registration required.
Cost: FREE

Driving Directions: Take 71 south and at exit 204 make a left on SR 83. At the exit for US 30 take the ramp to SR 3. Exit at Madison Ave and follow the signs for Bob Evans to 550 Robinson Road. We will be leaving the restaurant promptly at 9:00 AM.

Note: Bring your spotting scopes, water & a sack lunch.
Map: Click here for a map of the marsh in PDF format.
 

APRIL

Columbus Area Birding

When: Saturday, April 26th, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Where: Green Lawn Cemetery & other Columbus area locations
Leader: Michael Packer
Sponsoring Partner: the Columbus Audubon

Meeting Location: Green Lawn Cemetery
Note meeting location change!

Registration: Please call BSBO to let us know you are going.
Cost: FREE

Directions: Take I-71 south to Columbus to I-70 to I-71 south. At Exit 105 turn right (west) onto Green Lawn Ave and proceed into the Cemetery to the cemetery office.

Note: Bring your lunch and water.

 

MAY

Magee Marsh Bird Trail

Warbler, Warblers and More Warblers

When: May 24th, 8:30 AM
Where: Crane Creek - Magee Marsh area
Leader: Greg Links
Sponsoring Organization: Toledo Naturalists' Association

Meeting Location: Black Swamp Bird Observatory Nature Center

Target Species: Mourning & Connecticut Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Cost: Free but donations gladly excepted
Registration: Please call 419 898-4070 to let us know you are coming.

Directions:
Directions from the east: Take I-90 west to SR-2 west and turn right at the Crane Creek State Park sign and immediately left into our parking lot.

Directions from the west: From I-280 take exit 7 toward Oregon and turn left on SR-2 (Navarre Road). Turn left at the Crane Creek State Park sign and immediately left into our parking lot.

Directions from the South: Take SR-53 north, turn left on SR-20, turn right on SR-590, turn right on SR-2 and turn left at the Crane Creek State Park sign and immediately left into our parking lot.

Location information: Crane Creek - Magee Marsh Region of Northwest Ohio

Note: Bring a sack lunch.
 

JUNE

Open fen meadow at Cedar Bog A greater density of rare flora
than any other Ohio habitat.

Cedar Bog Nature Preserve, Urbana, Ohio

When: Saturday, June 28th at 9:00 AM
             Friday Night Owling - Meet in the parking lot at 9:00 PM
Where: Cedar Bog is located at 980 Woodburn Road, Urbana, OH 43078.
Sponsoring Partner: the Ohio Ornithological Society
Trip Leader: Jim McCormac

Location Description:
Cedar Bog is one of the most remarkable natural areas in Ohio, and in many people’s estimation it is the best site in the state. There are more rare species here per square foot than probably in other place in Ohio. In fact, you literally can’t get out of sight of a state-listed rare plant in Cedar Bog! Just south of Urbana in Champaign County, it is owned by the Ohio Historical Society.

Some of the rarities can’t be missed, like North America’s largest orchid, the Showy Lady’s-slipper, a threatened species in Ohio. Other rarities here are much more subtle but every bit as interesting. We’ll roam the “bog” and try and find as much of the rare and interesting flora and fauna as possible.

There are plenty of other interesting critters in the bog, and I’m sure that you’ll get to see some today, whether it’s the diminutive Elfin Skimmer dragonfly or the jumbo Giant Swallowtail, Ohio’s largest butterfly. Cedar Bog also supports a sizeable list of breeding birds, including local rarities like Northern Parula and Alder Flycatcher. 2008 would also be the year to find breeding Northern Saw-whet Owls here, as Cedar Bog is very similar to northern habitats where they often nest. IN fact, participants who can make it down the evening before the field trip day can participate in an owling adventure at Cedar Bog. In addition to documenting Barred Owls, Eastern Screech-Owls, and Great Horned Owls, we’ll be looking hard for saw-whets and Long-eared Owls.

This expedition will be led by Jim McCormac along with some other Cedar Bog experts. Jim has spent countless hours studying this wetland, and published a paper on the botany of Cedar Bog.

Flora of Cedar Bog (PDF)

Directions: Cedar Bog is located at 980 Woodburn Road, Urbana, OH 43078. For directions click here.

Reservations required: Call BSBO at 419 898-4070
 

JULY

Early winter photo of the Audubon Wetlands Preserve by Cheryl Harner

We are doing a BIOBLITZ at the Audubon Wetlands Preserve

When: Saturday, July 5th - 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Sponsoring Partners: The Greater Mohican Audubon Society (GMAS) &
Ashland County Park District (ACPD)

Our field experts include:

• Rick Gardner, Heritage Botanist with ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
• Guy Denny, Retired Chief ODNR, DNAP and naturalist
• Larry Rosche, Field Biologist and author, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Members of GMAS and ACPD
• Mohican Native Plant Society

**Meeting Location: Township Road 743, Ashland, Ohio  (Please note the meeting location and the directions in your newsletter have been updated here.)

Driving Directions: Take Interstate 71 to U.S. 250. Turn west, toward Ashland. Pass Denny’s and go to the first township road. Turn right between McDonald’s and Holiday Inn Express. The tent will be at the park access about a quarter mile on the right.

What to Bring: Lunch, water, appropriate attire for a wetland (tall boots, long sleeves, long pants, hat, mosquito repellant optional). Dress for the weather!!

Note: Must be 12 or older.

Reservations required: Registration Form & Medical Release Form
Cost for adults: $5.00 registration fee collected at the site.

Bats, Bugs, Butterflies, & Bullfrogs!

We’re invited for a return visit to the Prairie Rose Farm, a private nature preserve near Marysville, Ohio, for an overnight campout!

Last year’s trip was chosen by many young birders
as their favorite field trip EVER!

When: July 26th - 1:00 PM to July 27th - 1:00 PM
Where: Prairie Rose Farm in Marysville, Ohio
Where: Meeting location is the Kroger at 1095 W. Fifth St.
Marysville OH 43040.
Sponsor: Tim & Donna Daniel

We’ll have an up close and personal encounter with a huge colony of bats, set up black lights and bait to attract moths, go on a nature scavenger hunt, seine in the creek, look for reptiles and amphibians, and learn more about the animals that live on the farm. The farm hosts a staggering diversity of life and you will NOT want to miss this trip!

What to Bring: Tent, sleeping bag, field guides & snacks.
Cost: The fee is $5.00
Reservations required: Call BSBO at 419 898-4070
 

AUGUST

OYBC looking for Shorebirds

Where: Crane Creek - Magee Marsh region of Northwest Ohio
We will be visiting Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area, Mallard Club Marsh Wildlife Area, Maumee Bay State Park and we will end the trip at the Port Clinton beach looking for plovers.

When: August 17th at 8:30 AM
Leader: Jen Brumfield
Sponsor: Local Patch Birding
Target species: Migrating shorebirds

Meeting Locations: Black Swamp Bird Observatory Nature Center, 13551 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449
Notes: Bring a lunch
Reservations required: Call BSBO at 419 898-4070
 

SEPTEMBER

The Ohio Young Birders Club is taking a Slow Ferry Boat to Kelleys Island...
When: September 12th - 14th
Where: Kelleys Island, Ohio, Erie County
Sponsoring Partner: Kelleys Island Audubon Club (KIAC)
Trip Leaders: Delores Cole & Pat Hayes

This field trip will focus on the geology of Kelleys Island. We will have an up-close look at the grooves and all of its fossils while completing our grooves cleanup service project. We will  learn more about the grooves, glaciers and island geology from KIAC President, Pat Hayes and Kelleys Island resident stone sculptor, Charles Herndon.

Service Project: Assisting the Kelleys Island State Park staff with de-weeding the Glacial Grooves State Memorial

Target Species: Orange-crowned and Connecticut Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Merlin, and Long-tailed Jaeger.

Directions: Weekend participants will leave the BSBO Nature center on Friday, September 12th at 5:30 PM. Saturday participants will leave early Saturday morning to take the 8:30 AM Kelleys Island ferry from Marblehead.

Lodging: We will be staying dormitory style on the east side of the island at a lakeshore cottage and exploring the geology, flora, and fauna of the island.

Cost for weekend participant: includes transportation, ferry fee, lodging & meals  - $45.00

Cost for Saturday participant: includes transportation, ferry fee, & meals - $35.00

Trip registration forms:

Weekend Registration Form
Saturday Only Registration Form
Trip Overview
Emergency & Medical Information Form
Permission & Photo Release Form

 

October

Saturday & Sunday, October 4 & 5, 2008
Saturday, 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM - Noon

CHESTNUT RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
5088 Township Road 401, WALNUT CREEK, OHIO

 CONFERENCE AGENDA  

7:00 AM - Registration 

7:30 to Noon - Field Trip to Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area

Observation Deck on SR-95

Field Trip leaders: All presenters will be leading field trips along with other OYBC student members.  Adult field trip leaders include: Jeff Bouton, Jen Brumfield, Robert Hershberger, Kenn & Kim Kaufman, Jim McCormac, Greg Miller, John Sawvel, and Su Snyder.

Transportation from Chestnut Ridge Elementary School
is available

Noon to 1:00 PM -
Amish cooked lunch in the school gymnasium

1:00 to 6:00 PM PRESENTATIONS 

Opening Remarks - Kim Kaufman 

Ben Thornton our Master of Ceremony  

Chasing Beeps: Radio telemetry in rail research,
presented by Auriel Van Der Laar 
 

Winter Birds on the North Coast,
presented by Bret McCarty
 

Birds for Bucks: Ecotourism and the Traveling Birder presented by Jared Merriman 
 

Afternoon Break

 

      Birding Killbuck Marsh: A birder and his bicycle
presented by Jacob Bowman  
 

How Ecotourism is Protecting the Tropics,
presented by Brad Wilkinson &  Ethan Kistler

Kenn Kaufman’s Bird Quiz - start studying now! 

Closing Remarks - Kim Kaufman 

Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Digiscoping Field Trip
 Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area Observation Deck on SR-95
With Leica Optics Digiscoping Expert, Jeff Bouton
Transportation on your own

Click here for a conference flyer
Click here for a Conference Registration Form

November

Museum of Biological Diversity
Ohio State University Campus
13115 Kinnear Road
Columbus, Ohio
November 15, 2008

When: Saturday, November 15th, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Sponsoring Partner: Delaware County Parks
Leader: David Horn

We will tour the OSU Museum of Biological Diversity's bird collection and learn about how specimens are preserved. We will view study skins of extinct species such as the Ivory-billed Woodpeckers, Passenger Pigeons and Carolina Parakeets.

David will conduct a workshop where the participants will be instructed and have an opportunity to prepare a bird study skin. (We will use domestic quail for this exercise.)

This workshop is an important since there is a drastic shortage in people who are skilled and able to do this preservation work. Currently the OSU collection is in desperate need of individuals to prepare a huge backlog of frozen specimens for the collection. It is our hope that this may inspire some of you to get involved in providing this service to facilities like OSU.

Directions: The museum is located on the West Campus of Ohio State University, at 1315 Kinnear Rd., between North Star and Kenny Roads.  Click here for a map & driving instructions.  When approaching from Rt. 315, use the Olentangy River Road/Kinnear Road exit and travel west on Kinnear Rd

Notes: Bring a lunch
Reservations required: Call BSBO at 419 898-4070
 

December

Join a local Christmas Bird Count or BSBO for the Fremont Count

Date TBA

 

For membership & field trip information contact
Black Swamp Bird Observatory
419-898-4070

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