JANUARY

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

Saturday, January 3, 2009

For assignments meet at 7 a.m.
at Karen's Restaurant
921 E. State St.
Fremont, Ohio
419 332-3490

The restaurant opens at 7 a.m.
It's a little difficult to spot from the road.
The restaurant is next to the Double A Motel,
so look for a big green and yellow sign.

Click here for a map to the restaurant.

After count Compilation Pizza Party
at Pickerel Creek Lodge
Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area

Directions to the lodge:
Take SR-6 east
Turn left on CR-256 to the end

BSBO joins forces with the Ohio Young Birders Club and Green Creek Wildlife Society to conduct this long running CBC. We will meet at 7 a.m at Karen's Restaurant, at 921 E. State St., in downtown Fremont, Ohio to assign areas, and afterward we'll meet at the Pickerel Creek Lodge for a Compilation Pizza Party.

Inquiries call 419 898-4070
 

Lake Erie Shore Winter Gulling
Gordon Park - E. 72nd St.

Saturday, January 24, 2009
9 a.m. - Noon weather depending

Trip Leaders: Jerry Talkington & Paula Lozano

Sponsoring Partner: Kirtland Bird Club

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.
 

FEBRUARY

BSBO’s Winter Blues Blowout Party
Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area

Sunday, February 1, 2009
9 a.m.
Sponsor: Black Swamp Bird Observatory
This is an annual BSBO event and the OYBC members are invited in search of owls and shrikes. We will have a potluck lunch at the Killdeer Plains WA Sportsman’s Center and those who wish can continue birding after lunch.

Leaders: Kenn & Kim Kaufman
Target species: Long-eared, Saw-whet, & Short-eared Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, & shrikes.

Note: Potluck lunch included at the Killdeer Plains Sportsman’s Center, bring a dish to share. Birding on your own after lunch.

Transportation: The BSBO birding bus will leave the Observatory at 7 a.m.

Directions: BSBO is located at 13551 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449. Killdeer Plains WA is 8 miles south of Upper Sandusky, Ohio.  

Please call BSBO 419 898-4070 to let us know you are coming

OYBC Joins Canton Audubon Society
at Castalia Pond

Saturday, February 7, 2009
Time: 10:30 a.m. at Castalia Pond or
7:30 a.m. at Wildlife Garden, 4930 Portage, North Canton to carpool.

Sponsor: Canton Audubon Society
Castalia Pond is approximately 10 acres large and is a “blue hole”, a spring that stays open year-around attracting large concentrations of waterfowl after the freeze-up of the Sandusky Bay.

Leaders: Members of the Canton Audubon Society

Target species: Waterfowl

Transportation: On your own

Directions:
Click here for a map and driving directions to the Wildlife Garden, 4930 Portage, North Canton. Meet here at 7:30 a.m to carpool.

Please contact Laura at 330-875-3421 if you plan on carpooling .

Castalia is just 3 miles off SR-2 in Erie County. Traveling on SR-2, from the east, take the SR-101 exit and drive south 3 miles into Castalia. This brings you directly to the north side of the pond and also to one of the two parking areas. From the west, on SR-2, take the SR-269 SOUTH exit (the first one available once across the Sandusky Bay bridge), and head south (a right onto SR-269). In 2 miles, take a right onto SR-6. In less than a mile turn left at the sign for Castalia. This brings you into town and from this stop light, a left turn will take you to the north side of the pond, or continue straight through the light and make the first left (at the bank). This will take you to a parking area on the south side of the pond.
Meet here at 10:30 a.m.

Click here for a map and driving directions to Castalia Pond.

For questions contact Laura at 330-875-3421.

The Great Backyard Bird Count
February 13 - 16, 2009

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 the Shreve Migration Sensation
Shreve Elementary School
598 North Market Street (State Route 226)
Shreve, Ohio 44676

Saturday, March 28, 2009
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sponsor: Greater Mohican Audubon Society
This is an annual event in Shreve Ohio and is scheduled during prime waterfowl migration. We will stop at several birding locations manned by expert GMAS birders.

Meet at: Meet at the Shreve High School at 8 a.m.

Leaders: Members of GMAS

Target species: Migrating waterfowl

Note: There is a registration fee of $10 if you plan attending the afternoon programs.

Transportation: The BSBO birding bus will leave the Observatory at 6 a.m. and returning by 8 p.m.

Reservations: Absolutely required – 419-898-4070.

Directions: The Shreve Migration Sensation location is 20 miles south of Wooster, Ohio on SR-226 at 588 North Market Street at the Shreve Elementary School.
 

Dayton Audubon Society invites OYBC:

Saturday, March 14, 2009
Spring Valley Wildlife Area
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Waterfowl should be returning by now. A Barred Owl is often seen near the lake, Red-shouldered Hawks should be nesting, and woodpeckers of all kinds inhabit the woods.

Leaders: Jim & Cindy Beckman
Sponsoring Organization: Dayton Audubon Society

Meeting Location: Springville Wildlife Area

Target Species: Buffleheads, Grebes, Coots, and a variety of ducks as well as some possible shorebirds.

Inquiries: Cindy or Jim Beckman at 937-862-4505 or oz1221@sbcglobal.net.

Directions: Meet at the lower parking lot at Spring Valley Wildlife Area, located near the Greene/Warren County line. (DeLorme page 65 D7) Take SR-42 south from Spring Valley. Turn east (left) on Roxanna-New Burlington Road. In about one mile, turn right onto Pence-Jones Road and follow it until it dead-ends on Collett (no sign). Turn right and follow the road through some curves and down a hill to the lower parking lot. No restrooms are available at Spring Valley Wildlife Area.
 

APRIL

Warblers, Osprey and an Overnight
at McCoy Nature Center
Columbus, Ohio area

Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 9 a.m. to
Sunday, April 19, 2009 – 3 p.m.

Sponsors: Preservation Parks of Delaware County & Columbus Audubon

Meet at the cemetery office on the right near the entrance.

This trip includes a morning bird walk led by Columbus Audubon members at Green Lawn Cemetery to look for early migrants and an afternoon of watching the courtship ritual of the resident Ospreys at Hogback Preserve.  We will campout Saturday night at the McCoy Nature Center at Hogback Preserve and bird the preserve Sunday morning before departing for home. Dinner and breakfast included. Come prepared with information you have researched about Osprey.

Transportation: The BSBO Birding bus will leave from the Observatory at 6:30 a.m. or travel on your own.

Reservations: Absolutely required – 419 898-4070.
Fee: $15 with transportation on the BSBO bus or $7 without.

Directions to Green Lawn Cemetery: From I-71 take Exit 105 turn right onto Greenlawn Ave. Head West directly into the Cemetery and meet at the office near the entrance.
Notes:  Bring Lunch for Saturday, a sleeping bag, and money for lunch on the way home on Sunday.
 

MAY

Warbler, Warblers and More Warblers

Saturday, May 23, 2009
8:30 a.m. to Noon
Crane Creek - Magee Marsh area
Join us to bird one of the hottest places to bird in Ohio this month.

Leader: Greg Links

Sponsoring Organization: Toledo Naturalists' Association

Meeting Location: Black Swamp Bird Observatory, 13551 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449.

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.
 

 

Dayton Audubon Society invites OYBC:

Saturday, May 9, 2009 International Migratory Bird Day!
Spring Valley Wildlife Area
8:30 a.m. - noon
Come see what all the excitement is about! This could be a great day for seeing many species of warblers and vireos, including the brightly-colored Prothonotary Warbler that nests near the bike path. Baltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, and many many more of nature's brightest will make their presence known as they establish territories, attract mates, or just fill up on insects on their way north.

Leaders: Jim & Cindy Beckman
Sponsoring Organization: Dayton Audubon Society

Meeting Location: Springville Wildlife Area

Target Species: Barn, Tree, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows swooping over the lake as Kingfishers, Herons, and maybe even an Osprey search for their aquatic prey.

Inquiries: Cindy or Jim Beckman at 937-862-4505 or oz1221@sbcglobal.net.

Directions: Meet at the lower parking lot at Spring Valley Wildlife Area, located near the Greene/Warren County line. (DeLorme page 65 D7) Take SR-42 south from Spring Valley. Turn east (left) on Roxanna-New Burlington Road. In about one mile, turn right onto Pence-Jones Road and follow it until it dead-ends on Collett (no sign). Turn right and follow the road through some curves and down a hill to the lower parking lot. No restrooms are available at Spring Valley Wildlife Area.
 

MORE IN MAY!

OOS to Provide Scholarship Rate to Young Birders for the
5th Annual Ohio Ornithological Society's
Annual Conference & Banquet
May 16, 2009

Young birders please join the Ohio Ornithological Society at their 2009 conference and annual banquet, and experience some of the best birding in the Midwest, at some of Ohio’s premier natural areas. This Saturday-only conference will feature three nationally known speakers, and a full evening banquet. Click here for conference information and a registration form.

Featured Speakers
 

Kim Kaufman, sponsored by:
Black Swamp Bird Observatory 

Jim Berry, sponsored by:
Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History

Jim McCormac, sponsored by:
Ohio Ornithological Society

visit www.ohiobirds.org for more information

Queen City Bird Festival
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, 2009, 7 a.m. - noon

The 2nd Annual Queen City Bird Festival will be held at the Nature Center on Acton Lake, Hueston Woods State Park, Butler County, Ohio.

Click here for event information.

Or for more information please contact Jill Russell at 513-244-4783, jrussell@avianinstitute.com or
Debbie Gross, Communications 513-255-5313

 

JUNE

Breeding Bird Atlasing Service Project
in Belmont County
(Moundbuilder Country)
and Campout at Barkcamp State Park

Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, 2009
We will be surveying a block in Southeast Ohio and camping out at Barkcamp. Saturday breakfast lunch and dinner provided.

Leader: John Sawvel

Sponsoring Organization: Black Swamp Bird Observatory & Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas Project

Transportation: The BSBO birding bus will leave from the Observatory at 5 p.m. on Friday night, else transportation on your own.

Directions: Barkcamp State Park is located at 65330 Barkcamp Road in Belmont, OH 43718.

Take I-77 south to I-70 east to SR-149. The park is west of Wheeling, West Virginia.

Notes: Bring your tent and sleeping bag.

Reservations: Absolutely required – 419-898-4070. Fee: $20
 

Dayton Audubon Society invites OYBC:

Saturday, June 13, 2009
Spring Valley Wildlife Area
8 a.m. - noon
As the northern migrants leave the area, we will search for nesting birds. At this time last year, in just 100 yards of habitat along the bike path, there are many nesting birds.

Leaders: Jim & Cindy Beckman
Sponsoring Organization: Dayton Audubon Society

Meeting Location: Springville Wildlife Area

Target Species: Nesting Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Pewee, Prothonotary Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, House Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Orchard Oriole, Northern Flicker, and Downy, Red-headed, Red-bellied, and Pileated woodpeckers. Who knows what we'll find this year!

Inquiries: Cindy or Jim Beckman at 937-862-4505 or oz1221@sbcglobal.net.

Directions: Meet at the lower parking lot at Spring Valley Wildlife Area, located near the Greene/Warren County line. (DeLorme page 65 D7) Take SR-42 south from Spring Valley. Turn east (left) on Roxanna-New Burlington Road. In about one mile, turn right onto Pence-Jones Road and follow it until it dead-ends on Collett (no sign). Turn right and follow the road through some curves and down a hill to the lower parking lot. No restrooms are available at Spring Valley Wildlife Area.
 

JULY

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: Friday, July 24, 2009 - 7 p.m. to Sunday, July 26, 2009 - 1 p.m.
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
Reservations required: Call BSBO at 419 898-4070
 

AUGUST

Field Trip TBA
 

SEPTEMBER

Field Trip TBA
 

October

November

November 14th & 15th, 2009
Details coming soon!
 

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

Click Here to Email Us