August 6: BioBlitz at Earth Heart Farms On August 6th, Black Swamp Bird Observatory will be conducting a BioBlitz of the incredible habitat of Earth Heart Farms in Oak Harbor, Ohio and we would love for you to join us! A BioBlitz is an event aimed at finding and identifying as many species in a designated area over a short period of time. Using the knowledge and tools of local experts alongside people of all ages in the community, teams will survey birds, butterflies, dragonflies, lichens, fungi, and more! Farmed and homesteaded beginning in the 1880's, this 80-acre property has been kept in the same family for five generations. Since the fourth generation, the property has been undergoing transformations to return it to its original habitat. With much success, the property continues to grow as a beneficial place for wildlife and a wonderful place to enjoy nature and wildlife of northwest Ohio. Black Swamp Bird Observatory has been thankful to use this property for research and education programs for more than 20 years. We’ve had the great fortune of watching the transformation of the area from agriculture to habitat that supports an incredible range of biodiversity.
We will have many local experts joining us, but we cannot make this event a success without the help of volunteers that are willing to join us in the field and help with surveying. Please RSVP to beccamathews@bsbo.org if you can attend by July 19th!
August 27: Birding at Green Lawn Cemetery 9:00 a.m. Downtown Columbus, OH This field trip is lead by the Central Chapter advisors, but all OYBC student members are invited to attend. Please e-mail dsillick118@gmail.com if your student plants to attend and to receive more information.
FULL August 27: Purple Martins at Nimsila Reservoir, Green, OH 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nimsila Reservoir Green, OH Marvel at the sight of thousands of Purple Martins as they settle in to roost in the reeds at Nimsila Reservoir, as they prepare for migration back to South America. Every year from August through mid-September tens of thousands of Purple Martins flock to Nimisila Reservoir in Green, Ohio and to experience the sights and sounds of this amazing spectacle is breathtaking! We will tour the reservoir on a pontoon boat operated by the Portage Lakes Purple Martin Association.
September 9: Chagrin River Bird Quest All Day Host Chapter: Northeast What is Bird Quest? It’s an annual, 24-hour, team birding challenge in support of the Chagrin River Important Bird Area. Get your team together and Check in on Friday, Sept 9, from 4pm to 6pm, at the West Woods Nature Center to pick up your checklist, maps and FREE T-SHIRTS. Then head out birding for 1 hour or all 24, north to the Lake Erie shoreline or south to the Audubon sanctuaries in Aurora. Then join the Celebration at the West Woods Nature Center for food, fun and awards. Prizes for the most birds overall, the most warblers, the most creative team name, and more! There’s also door prizes and raffles for spectacular nature-themed artwork!
September 10 : Blendon Woods Metropark 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Host Chapter: Central
September 25: Hawk Migration at Lake Erie Metropark in Michigan 12:00 p.m-TBD 32481 W Jefferson Ave, Brownstown Charter Twp, MI 48173 Host Chapter: Northeast The Detroit River runs from Lake St. Clair in the north to Lake Erie in the south, forming part of the border between Michigan in the United States and Ontario in Canada. During the autumn months, the lower Detroit River becomes a corridor for the passage of migratory birds, and has gained international recognition for the annual volume of birds of prey. Hundreds of thousands of migrating hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures are concentrated at this location where it is possible to systematically count them each year. More transportation details will follow. This field trip is hosted by the NE OYBC Chapter so please RSVP to Liz if you can attend at: : prwarbler@gmail.com. Check it out at the link: http://detroitriverhawkwatch.org/
October
October 1st: Greenlawn Cemetary Field Trip 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. 1000 Greenlawn Ave, Columbus, OH 43223 Host Chapter: Central For more information and to sign-up e-mail Central Chapter Advisor Darlene dsillick118@gmail.com
October 15th: Sandy Ridge Reservation Field Trip 9:00- a.m. -11:00 a.m. 6195 Otten Rd, North Ridgeville, OH 44039 Host Chapter: Northeast Please RSVP to Liz if you can attend at: prwarbler@gmail.com.
November
November 5: Annual Ohio Young Birders Statewide Conference Statewide Event hosted by Black Swamp Bird Observatory and the Ohio Young Birders Club For more information as it becomes available check the event page: ohioyoungbirders.org/2022-oybc-conference.html
December
December 3: BSBO Lake Erie Pelagic Join Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) on an annual Pelagic trip! Each BSBO trip will have 10 spots reserved for OYBC members. For more information bsbo.org/lake-erie-pelagics.html To reserve your spot e-mail jasminecupp@bsbo.org. December 18: BSBO Lake Erie Pelagic Join Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) on an annual Pelagic trip! Each BSBO trip will have 10 spots reserved for OYBC members. For more information bsbo.org/lake-erie-pelagics.html To reserve your spot e-mail jasminecupp@bsbo.org.
January
January 1: BSBO Lake Erie Pelagic Join Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) on an annual Pelagic trip! Each BSBO trip will have 10 spots reserved for OYBC members. For more information bsbo.org/lake-erie-pelagics.html To reserve your spot e-mail jasminecupp@bsbo.org.
January 3: Monthly Southwest Chapter Meeting 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Bill Yeck, Smith House 2230 E. Centerville Station Rd. Registration deadline: Wednesday, December 28 Club activities are based on participant feedback, so you direct the focus of the study. January 29: BSBO Statewide Killdeer Plains Field Trip: Wintering Hawks and Owls For more information: bsbo.org/killdeer-plains-wintering-hawks--owls-trip.html Those interested in attending should RSVP to staff@bsbo.org.
Club activities are based on participant feedback, so you direct the focus of the study.
February
February 17: Monthly Southwest Chapter Meeting 4:30-6:00 p.m. Grant Park, Normandy Entrance 501 Normandy Ridge Rd. Club activities are based on participant feedback, so students direct the focus of the study.
February 18: Great Backyard Bird Count-Central Chapter Count 8:30-10:30 a.m. Highbanks Nature Center 9466 Columbus Pike Lewis Center, OH 43035 e-mail dsillick118@gmail.com to register to attend!
March
March 7: Monthly Southwest Chapter Meeting 4:30-6:00 p.m. Grant Park, McEwen Entrance 6588 McEwen Rd. Club activities are based on participant feedback, so students direct the focus of the study.
April
April 4: Monthly Southwest Chapter Meeting 4:30-6:00 p.m. Forest Walk Park 1193 Deer Run Rd. Club activities are based on participant feedback, so students direct the focus of the study.
BSBO's Birds at Home Virtual Learning series is FREE for all OYBC members! For a full listing of keynotes and workshop visit https://www.bsbo.org/birds-at-home.html