Biggest Week in American Birding Visitor's Guide 2015 by Press Publications

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Cerulean Warbler by Frode Jacobsen

SUPPORT the BIGGEST WEEK CARBON OFFSET PROGRAM

CONSERVATION is the HEART of the BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING. Your donation to the 2015 Biggest Week carbon offset will boost reforestation efforts in Latin America, helping provide wintering habitat for birds such as the Cerulean Warbler. Every $10 contributed makes a big difference to American Bird Conservancy, which has worked with local communities to plant more than three million trees and shrubs in important bird habitats across South America. With the support of concerned birders like you, we can plant more treesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;restoring more habitat for the birds we love and helping to mitigate climate change.

DONATE to help create more winter habitat for migrants! In person: Biggest Week registration table Online: support.abcbirds.org/biggest-week

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Visit the home of the “Little Bird Woman” Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, Rome City, Indiana Best-selling author Gene Stratton-Porter earned the nickname “Little Bird Woman” for her uncanny ability to befriend and photograph birds more than 100 years ago. She found a source of inspiration in the birds that frequented her home and shared that inspiration with her readers in books like “A Song of the Cardinal” and “What I’ve Done With Birds”. The Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site is 150 acres of woods, lakeshore and gardens visited by birds of all types. Guided tours of her home are available on the hour Tuesday through Sunday.

Join us on May 16 for a birding eld trip of Northeast Indiana hot spots! Just $10 per person, registration required by calling 260-854-3790.

 1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, IN (two hours west of Toledo)

260-854-3790

Find us on Facebook!

www.genestratton-porter.com

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

Index

Biggest Week Co-Hosts & Partners 5 How to Use the Visitors’ Guide 6 Free Activities 8 Black Swamp Bird Observatory 10 New to the Area or Birding? 11 Songbird Banding & Migration 11 Optics Alley 12 Birding 101 & Binoculars 14-15 R. Bruce Richardson Tour 16 Howard Farms 18 Conservation Initiatives 20 Biggest Week Blog Team 22 Biggest Week Volunteers 24 Tom Bartlett’s Big Sit 26 Timing of Spring Migration 28-29 Magee Marsh Wildlife Area 30 From Billions to None 32 Festival Schedule 33-36 Fun Places to Visit 38-42 Ebird tips for Bird Sightings 46-47 Great Egret Marsh Preserve 48 Bird Day Challenge 50 Ethics on the Boardwalk 52-53 Making Energy ‘Bird Smart’ 54-55 Wildlife Viewing Opps 58-59 Birds & Business Alliance 60 Birders’ Marketplace 61 Gettle Photography Exhibit 64

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American Bird Conservancy 2, 19, 44 Bayshore Supper Club 66 Bayview Bed & Breakfast 31 Bench Farms 61 Birding EcoTours 25 Birds & Beans 31 Blackberry Corners 18 Black Swamp Bird Observatory 11 Bono Tavern 66 Canopy Family 21 Cheepers! Birding Tours 49 Cousino’s Steakhouse 66 Creek Bend Farm 43 Crosswinds Restaurant & Bar 51 Cullen Park & Bay View Park 7 Destination Toledo 17 DG’s Soft Serve 61 Dining Guide 66 El Camino Real 66 Flora & Fauna Field Tours 59 Friends of Magee Marsh 65 Gene Stratton-Porter Historic Site 3 Gladieux Home Center 45 Hayes Presidential Center 25 Imagination Station 62 Kaufman Field Guides 67 Lake County, Florida 57 Lake Erie Lodge 57 Lake Erie Shores & Islands 9 Leica 68 Lighthouse Lodge 14 Luckies Barn & Grill 63 Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders 66 Maumee Bay General Store 16 Maumee Bay Lodge 9, 66 Metroparks of the Toledo Area 27 Oregon Economic Development 49 Oregon Inn 66 Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge 64 Red Fern Inn 62 Red, White & Brew 15 Rockjumper Birding Tours 43 Rosie’s Bar & Grill 51 Rudolph Libbe Inc. 57 Sabrewing 56 Sandusky County Visitors Bureau 43 Sawmill Creek Resort 43 The Andersons 37 The Art Supply Depot 63 Time & Optics Ltd. 13 Toledo Museum of Art 51 Toledo Zoo 25 Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 31 Wildside Nature Tours 23 Youtopia Frozen Yogurt 62

2015

A welcome message from Kimberly Kaufman Executive Director, Black Swamp Bird Observatory

On behalf of Black Swamp Bird Observatory and our co-hosts at Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center, Destination Toledo, and Lake Erie Shores & Islands, I’d like to welcome you to The Biggest Week in American Birding, and to fabulous northwest Ohio, also known as “The Warbler Capital of the World.” We have some great things in store for this year’s Biggest Week, and we hope you have a safe and sensational experience. Speaking of being safe...This area welcomes birders with open arms. You’ll see “Welcome Birders!” messages gracing marquees, banners on light posts through the main thoroughfares, and birding specials of all kinds. The only complaint we ever receive about birders is in regard to driving. And while I know how tempting it can be, please, I implore you, do NOT Kimberly Kaufman stop along the roads to watch birds. It jeopardizes your life and the lives of others. The side roads in the area are narrow and typically flanked by deep drainage ditches. It is not ever okay to stop along the road to look at birds, and the county sheriffs will be patrolling the area and doing their job to ensure the safety of residents and visitors to the area. Conservation: the heart of the Biggest Week…We hope you’ll find this guide useful in planning your birding activities during the Biggest Week. In addition to information about the festival and the region, the magazine also carries several thoughtprovoking conservation messages. We hope this will help all of our readers to understand the impact that our actions have on birds and the natural world, and encourage you do all that you can to support bird conservation. Special thanks…I want to give a major shout-out to our partners at The Press Publications for making this wonderful, award-winning magazine possible. I’d also like to thank Scott Arvin for designing another marvelous cover, Brian Zwiebel for sharing his stunning bird photos, and Kenn Kaufman for his editorial input. And an enormous amount of thanks and praise to all of the amazing volunteers who make The Biggest Week In American Birding possible! Birding northwest Ohio in the fall…Yes indeed, the birds pass through this region in the fall, too! Come back to visit us again and experience northwest Ohio—and the warblers—dressed in fall colors! It’s more than just great birding…If you’re visiting for the first time, you’ll soon discover that, while the birding is indeed world-class, it is the wonderful people who live and work here that make it a truly superb destination. I encourage you to extend your visit—or come back again when the birding isn’t so good that you can’t tear yourself away—and visit some of the other wonderful places this area has to offer. With museums, historic lighthouses, the world-famous Toledo Mud Hens, waterparks, great fishing, and of course, the charm and charisma of the Lake Erie Islands, northwest Ohio is one of the country’s most alluring travel destinations at any time of year. We hope you’ll come back again, soon!

Sincerely, Kimberly Kaufman, Executive Director Black Swamp Bird Observatory

Biggest Week in American Birding Visitors’ Guide Published by the Black Swamp Bird Observatory in conjunction with The Press Newspapers & The Beacon. Kimberly Kaufman, Executive Director, BSBO, www.bsbo.org 419-898-4070, 419-898-1363 (fax), kimkaufman@bsbo.org John Szozda, General Manager, The Press Newspapers John Schaffner, General Manager, The Beacon J. Patrick Eaken, Editor, Visitors’ Guide, 419-836-2221, ext. 20 Editors/Graphics...Tammy Walro, Ken Grosjean, J. Patrick Eaken & Abbey Schell Sales/Graphics...Lesley Willmeth, Alyce Fielding, Leeanne LaForme, Abbey Schell, Julie Selvey, Lynn Gresh, Vicky Kletecka, Tracy Stubblefield, Mark Schaffner & Adam Janes Cover artwork graciously donated by Scott Arvin, Indianapolis, Indiana. Bird images donated by Kaufman Field Guides

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

Black Swamp Bird Observatory offers sincere gratitude to our Biggest Week Co-hosts, Sponsors, Visitors’ Guide Partners, Tour Company Partners, Major Supporters, and of course, our outstanding team of volunteers! Without them, the festival would not be possible.

2015

Tour Company Partners

Festival Hosts:

Visitors’ Guide Publication Partners

Kirtland’s Warbler Level Major Support provided by:

Blackburnian Warbler Level

Cape May Warbler Level

Magnolia Warbler Level

Yellow Warbler Level WherestheCat.com

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

HOW TO USE THE BIGGEST WEEK VISITORS’ GUIDE If you have already registered for the Biggest Week In American Birding, this guide offers you the overall festival schedule (centerfold), travel tips, coupons, many conservation messages, and much more. If you’re new to the area, the ‘Fun Places To Visit’ section is something you should check out. In addition to the fabulous birding in this area, we also have an outstanding variety of activities to partake in while you’re here this spring– and when you’re planning your return visit! Take in a Toledo Mud Hens game, visit the Toledo Museum of Art, the Toledo Zoo, or have your picture taken in front of the Marblehead Lighthouse…the possibilities are endless!

If you have NOT registered for the Biggest Week In American Birding, there’s still time! While there are many free activities during the festival that do not require registration, registration IS required in order to participate in many of the programs, bus and boat trips, workshops, and presentations. Additional benefits of registering include access to free guided birding walks every morning at Magee Marsh from May 8th through May 17th at 8:00 and 10:30 AM; evening socials at Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center; and discounts at dozens of local businesses through our Biggest Week Birder Discount Program. You just show up and flash your Biggest Week name badge to cash in on the savings. Register online now at: www.bwiab.com

Find Biggest Week on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/TheBiggestWeekInAmericanBirding

Follow Biggest Week on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/BiggestWeek

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

Come bird with us!

2015

Cullen Park and Bay View Park

In Point Place, Toledo, Ohio 43611 - www.cullenpark.org

Two birding trails to enjoy along Maumee Bay Cullen Park - A rugged mile-long causeway. Birders will ﬁnd shorebirds on both sides of the trail, as well as warblers and other perching birds in the trees along the path. Located at 4500 N. Summit, Toledo, OH 43611 Bay View Park (Pinkley Path) - A wooded path loop just south of Cullen Park. There you will ﬁnd an active eagle’s nest and views of Maumee Bay. Located at 4120 N. Summit, Toledo, OH 43611 • Prime birding spots during migrations • 4 miles of trails • Active eagle and oriole nests • Visit the Westernmost Point of Lake Erie • Enjoy all that nature has to offer • Discover the wonders of Point Place • Walk, Talk, Kayak, and Relax • Plenty of parking, local dining and lodging

EVENTS

Free Guided Walking Tours Sat. 5/9 10:00am to 11:30am Cullen Park

Thurs. 5/14 6:00pm to 7:30pm Bay View Park Free Workshop

Free Kayak Tours Cullen Park to Grassy Island

Hosted by NorthWest Ohio River Runners Sun. 5/10 11:30am - 1:30pm Sat. 5/16 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Wed. 5/13 11:30am - 1:30pm Gary Bendig from Kohne Camera and Photo at Lighthouse Landing 4441 N. Summit St. Toledo, OH 43611

Call Dave at 419-726-9628 to reserve a spot - limited (Waiver of liability will be required)

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES!!!

www.nworr.org

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

BIGGEST WEEK ACTIVITIES THAT ARE FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE! OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

WILDLIFE DRIVE 14000 W. St. Rt. 2 / Oak Harbor, OH 43449 Drive through areas of the refuge normally off limits!

Dates: May 1 - 17 and May 23 - 25 Time: Sunrise to Sunset *Entrance gate closes 1 hour prior to sunset

SONGBIRD BANDING AND MIGRATION PROGRAMS

Date: Every Saturday in May Time: 10:00 AM Location: Black Swamp Bird Observatory 13551 West State Route 2 / Oak Harbor, OH 43449

These programs offer detailed information on BSBO's migration studies, provide up close looks at beautiful spring warblers, thrushes, vireos, and other migrants, and share more about the critical stopover habitat that the Lake Erie Marsh Region represents.

In these fun and easy workshops, our leaders will share everything you need to know to get started birdwatching. These workshops are FREE and open to the public! No registration required. A limited number of binoculars and field guides will be available to borrow for this workshop. Date: Sunday, May 10 Time: 10:00 AM - Noon Location: Pearson Metropark Visitors' Center 761 Lallendorf Rd. / Oregon, OH 43616 Meet in Parking Lot #4 Date: Friday, May 15 Time: 10:00 AM - NOON Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge 14000 West State Route 2 / Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 *Meet behind the big green visitors' center Date: Saturday, May 16 Time: 10:00 AM - NOON Location: Pearson Metropark Visitors' Center 761 Lallendorf Rd. / Oregon, OH 43616 Meet in Parking Lot #4

BIGGEST WEEK BIRD TATTOO CONTEST

WORLD BIRDING PRESENTATIONS

Daily from May 8 - 17 Time: 11 a.m. Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) 14000 West State Route 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS

Thursday, May 14, 6:00 p.m. Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center Free and open to the public! There WILL be prizes and they WILL be awesome! So prepare to display your bird tattoo (publicly shareable, please!) and to impress our judges for your chance at fabulous prizes!

Date: Sunday, May 17 Time: 10:00 AM - NOON Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge 14000 West State Route 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 *Meet behind the big green visitors' center

Our tour company partners lead trips to some of the most astonishing destinations on the planet. In these presentations, our partSponsored by Eagle Optics ners will take you around the world and into the lives of some of the most beautiful, bizarre, and fascinating birds in the world.

YOUNG BIRDERS FIELD TRIP (AGES 12 - 18)

Date: Saturday, May 9 Time: 9 a.m. to Noon Location: Meet in the parking lot at east end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Boardwalk Area 13229 West State Route 2 / Oak Harbor, Ohio Call 419-898-4070 if you have any questions * Parents welcome! The Magee Marsh Wildlife Area is famous for the sensational birding during spring migration! Join young birders from all over the country and meet some really cool field trip leaders, too!

MOTHER’S DAY FAMILY BIRD WALK

Date: Sunday, May 10 Time: 10:00 AM - Noon Location: Pearson Metropark Visitors' Center 761 Lallendorf Rd. / Oregon, OH 43616 Meet in Parking Lot #4 * Sponsored by Birds and Blooms Magazine! A great way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year! Gather up the family and join us!

For more information about the activities listed on this page, visit www.bwiab.com, call Black Swamp Bird Observatory at 419-898-4070, or email staff@bsbo.org

JUST GO BIRDING! If you live in the area, we want to remind you that (although we hope you WILL) you don’t have to register for the festival to come out and enjoy birding! Most of the best birding areas are free and open to the public. And, with so many knowledgeable birders around always willing to share advice and birding tips, you’re sure to see wonderful birds and have a great time! Visit Black Swamp Bird Observatory for all the latest birding information. 13551 W. St. Rt. 2 Oak Harbor, OH 43449 (Just inside the entrance to Magee Marsh.)

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING 2015

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

Bird

2015

is the

Word!

Your Nest is Waiting with the Bird Watchers’ Black Swamp Special!

Rates starting Ratesat$$99.99

99 weekdays/$125. weekends Exclusive rates valid

8999*

Exclusive rates starting atvalid until May 16, 2015

until May 23, 2013.

Maumee Bay Lodge is located just 15 minutes west of Crane Creek, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Magee Marsh and Metzger’s Marsh. The Water’s Edge Restaurant at Maumee Bay Lodge opens daily at 5:15 a.m. during the festival. during the festival. Box Lunches available for $9.99. $10.99 Call 419.836.1466 419.836.1466 Ext. to place your order. Call 2 to place your order For availability and more information visit:

maumeebaystateparklodge.com/blackswamp or call: 800.282.7275 To take advantage of our special rate use the promo code: BLACKSWAMP

Rate is valid Sun-Thu a standard double room, subject to availability, to special change, special rates also available in other room types Rate is in valid for a standard double room,offer offer isissubject to availability, subjectsubject to change, rates also available in other room types, and on weekends, combinable with otheroffers discount offers and other restrictions apply. not not combinable with other discount and other restrictions apply.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

BSBO Staff, Volunteers, and Friends Celebrate Birds and Birding.

Black Swamp Bird Observatory

The group behind ‘The Big Week’ Black Swamp Bird Observatory is much more than the organization behind the Biggest Week In American Birding. “Bird conservation is the core of our mission.” says BSBO executive director Kimberly Kaufman. “In everything we do—research, education and outreach, and The Biggest Week—the overarching goal is building support for bird conservation.” BSBO’s research team has been conducting studies of migratory birds in this region for more than 20 years. BSBO operates one of the country’s largest songbird banding operations, banding more than 550,000 birds in its history. The data collected by BSBO’s research team helps private land owners and government agencies manage habitat for birds. The data gathered is also helpful to birders, as it has helped to pinpoint the timing of arrival of many of the most sought-after species of birds. BSBO is determined to help connect young people with the marvels of migratory birds and the importance of conserving their habitat. Their programs for schools are offered free of charge.

These programs bring thousands of students out to the marshes for hands-on, standards-based learning. Students help collect data by banding wild songbirds before releasing them back into the wild. These programs are a partnership with Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Students visit all three locations during each visit. BSBO is also the founder of the Ohio Young Birders Club, a statewide club for young nature enthusiasts aged 1218 that takes students on monthly field trips across the state. In recent years, BSBO has made strides to connect the Lakeshore communities with the valuable asset that birds and bird habitat represent for this region. Ecotourism, or more specifically “bird-tourism,” has become a major part of BSBO’s conservation efforts. BSBO’s goal for organizing the Biggest Week In American Birding is

to generate support for habitat conservation. While birders are here, BSBO gathers economic impact and travel data. These figures help build support for conserving the habitat these birds depend on for their survival—and that the region has come to depend on as a source of revenue. During April and May, 2014, more than 75,000 birders visited the area from 45 states and 22 countries. And while they were here, they spent in excess of 37 million dollars in local businesses. And the best part? All this occurs during what had been considered the shoulder season— one of the slowest times for tourism! Businesses are opening nearly a full month earlier, extending their hours, and hiring more staff. Birds and birding business have become an important source of revenue for this region. Businesses are opening earlier in the spring season, expanding their hours, and hiring more people. Working together with visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce, and their business alliance partners, BSBO has built a tourism season where there hadn’t been much happening before. This makes bird conservation relevant to an ever-increasing audience and allows the BSBO team to speak to more and more people about the value of habitat conservation.

BSBO is a nonprofit supported by members and donations. For more information on supporting their work, please see page 11 of this guide, or visit them online at: www.bsbobird.org BSBO is located at the entrance to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. They maintain year ‘round hours in their gift shop and window on wildlife where visitors can observe birds visiting the feeders.

Young Birders Club promotes service, career opportunites The Ohio Young Birders Club (OYBC), created in 2006 by Black Swamp Bird Observatory, is now expanding to include chapters throughout Ohio. The OYBC is for young people age 12-18 that have an interest in birds and nature. Members go on monthly outings, conduct service projects, and

host an annual conference where the students give all of the presentations. In 2012, BSBO’s success with the OYBC led to a partnership with Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO). Along with our partners at CLO, we created the Young Birders Network (YBN). The YBN aims to provide resources for young

birders to connect and learn, while giving their adult advocates resources to encourage and support. Though the network is primarily geared for ages 12-18, younger birders and college students alike may also find relevant resources. Visit the OYBC website at www.ohioyoungbirders.org.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

New to the Area or to Birding? Visit Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) for FREE birding maps of the best places to go birding in this area.

Magnolia Warbler (Kenn Kaufman)

2015

BLACK SWAMP BIRD OBSERVATORY PROUDLY PRESENTS...

SONGBIRD BANDING & MIGRATION PROGRAMS

Date: Every Saturday in May Where: Black Swamp Bird Observatory 13551 West State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 Time: 10 a.m. Fee: FREE and open to the public

Each map includes information on when to visit and what to expect when you go. BSBO is located at the entrance to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area 13551 West State Route 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 Open every day in May!

These programs offer detailed information on BSBO’s migration studies, provide up close looks at beautiful spring warblers, thrushes, vireos, and other migrants, and share more about the critical stopover habitat that the Lake Erie Marsh Region represents. Basic bird identification will be included, so bring your favorite field guide! The Observatory is proud to offer these educational programs FREE to the public; however, donations are always welcome and help support all the Observatory’s research and education efforts! Join us for this unique birding opportunity!

BLACK SWAMP BIRD OBSERVATORY www.bsbobird.org

Northwest Ohio’s Premier Bird Conservation Organization

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY and help support all the great things the Observatory does for birds and birders!

$15 STUDENT • $25 SENIOR $35 INDIVIDUAL • $40 FAMILY $100 SUPPORTING • $250 FRIENDS $500 SUSTAINING To join or donate call 419-898-4070, visit www.bsbobird.org, or stop by and visit us at Black Swamp Bird Observatory 13551 W. State Route 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

(Just inside the entrance to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area)

Visit us on...

facebook.com/bsbobird

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

May 8-17 May 8P.M. - 17 9 A.M.-5 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

Look for our booth in the Optics Alley, in the tent at the BSBO on May 8-13. Event Location: 13551 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

2015

Free Expert Binocular c leaning on site!

LOOKING FOR A GREAT DEAL? BINOCULARS, SPOTTING SCOPES, TRIPODS, & ACCESSORIES.

6954 CR 77 Millersburg, OH 44654 P: 330.674.0210 F: 330.674.0920

Show this Ad at our booth and get a Free Micro Fiber lens cloth, May 8-13, 2015. Only 1 per Ad, limited supplies.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Birding 101: Do you want to be a birder? By Melissa Mayntz Birding is a popular and rewarding hobby, suitable for all ages and activity levels, but if you’re just getting started, it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, it is neither difficult nor expensive to get started birding, whether you want to watch birds in your backyard, visit local refuges or travel the world to see as many birds as you can. Learn Your Locals No matter when you start birding, it is best to start with the locals – not only the most familiar local birds and backyard species, but also local refuges that have different habitats for birding, local clubs or organizations that can offer tips and field trips and local retailers who offer bird-friendly merchandise such as feeders, baths, optics and more. Connecting with other local birders can get you off to a tremendous start, as birders are often friendly and eager to share their tips with new birders. Get the Gear You need very little equipment to start birding, but good binoculars and a field guide are essential. While there are many options for each one, look to spend as much as your budget will allow on binoculars for the best views of birds, and drop by a bookstore to preview different field guides to select one you are comfortable with. Other gear you might want to add to the list – though not nearly as critical – is a field bag for toting your equipment, a notebook or journal for recording your sightings and a camera to capture the beauty of the birds you see. Dress for Success You don’t need elite attire to be a birder, but comfortable clothing with numerous pockets can be useful. The best birding clothing will be camouflage-colored or otherwise neutral so it

Birders catch a sighting at The Biggest Week in American Birding. (Photo by Kim Kaufman/ doesn’t startle birds, and fabrics should not make loud swishing noises. A widebrimmed hat makes a great sunshade and helps break up your outline to stay disguised from birds, and good hiking shoes or boots with sturdy tread will keep you on the go while birding. Stay Safe When you’re ready to go birding, safety is essential – but not just for you. While you should take all necessary precautions in the field – keeping cell phone batteries charged, staying alert to other wildlife, watching your footing, etc. – it is equally important to safeguard the birds. Never approach birds too closely, which could cause stress and distract them from the business

UNIQUE, COMFORTABLE, SPACIOUS GROUP LODGING -- 6 TO 20+ PEOPLE EASY COMMUTE TO ALL BIRDING DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING MAGEE MARSH. MINUTES TO BIRDING LOCATIONS & ATTRACTIONS ON THE MARBLEHEAD PENINSULA. Lighthouse Lodge

6604 E. BAYSHORE RD. MARBLEHEAD, OH 43440

of survival. Pick up litter that could be toxic or hazardous, particularly discarded plastic bags, deflated balloons and fishing line tangles, and make no effort to capture, touch or pet birds, particularly baby birds, which are well cared for by their parents, even if you don’t see them. Take Flight There are roughly 10,000 bird species in the world, and there are nearly as many, if not more, ways to enjoy being a birder. Whether you want to attract birds to your backyard or spread your wings and go birding around the globe, it’s easy to get started, but be warned – it’s even easier to get addicted, and you’ll never want to stop flying!

Meet Melissa Mayntz Melissa Mayntz is a Utah-based birder and freelance writer who is always looking for the next bird to add to her life list. Her birding has taken her around the world, including Mexico, Hawaii, Central America and the Caribbean, and she’s always eager to visit a new birding destination. Her favorite destination, however, is her urban backyard, which she is developing into a certified wildlife habitat and where every bird is welcome. She shares her passion for birds as the About.com Birding / Wild Birds Expert (birding.about.com), on her Backyard Birds Utah blog (backyardbirdsutah.blogspot.com), and she has written for a variety of bird-friendly magazines, including Bird Watcher’s Digest and National Wildlife Magazine. For more information, visit MelissaMayntz.com.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Binoculars for beginning birders By Melissa Mayntz Binoculars are a birder’s most crucial tool but can also be one of the most confusing things to buy, with a wide variety of brands, sizes, features and prices available. Sorting out the basics of binoculars, however, can help you choose the best binns for your birding needs and budget. Magnification Binoculars are measured with a pair of numbers – 7x40, 8x42, 10x50 and so on. The first number refers to the magnification – how much larger they make an object seem. Binoculars with a magnification of 8, for example, make a bird seem 8 times larger than when seen with the naked eye. But beware of extra large magnifications, as bigger images also magnify shaky hands or tiny motions, which can make watching birds more challenging. Lens Width The second number (40, 42, 50) is a measurement of the binoculars’ objective lens – the wide end of the barrel. A larger lens admits more light into the binoculars, creating a brighter image

with clearer detail, crisper focus and better color. This is especially important for birding at dusk and dawn when birds are most active, or for birding in shaded areas, such as forests. Wider lenses are heavier, however, so if weight is an issue, smaller lenses may be best. Lens Coatings High quality lenses are coated to improve color, focus and detail. Additional types of coatings can help lenses resist fog, water and dirt, all valuable features for frequently used optics. A quick way to check for coatings is to tilt binoculars in the light, watching for a pink, green or purple sheen across the surface of the lens. Field of View The binoculars’ field of view is a measurement of how much area can be seen from a particular distance without moving the binoculars. A large field of view is a better birding option, because it will show more space where fast-moving birds may be active. Larger fields also make it easier to find birds when lifting the optics to your eyes, whereas a small field of view is more restrictive.

Feel How binoculars feel is important when you may be birding for hours, holding the optics for long periods at different angles. Heavy binoculars could tire out your hands, wrists and arms, or the barrel width may be unwieldy for delicate fingers. When testing how binoculars feel, work the focus wheel in both directions to see how well it works, and test the eye relief – birders who wear glasses may need rubber cups that fold down or twisting eyepieces to bring the lens closer to their glasses for the best views. Cost Binoculars are available for any budget, from $20 to $2,000 or higher. The general rule of thumb for birders is to purchase the most expensive binoculars that fit comfortably within your budget; great optics are available in the $200-400 range, but if your budget is higher or lower, choose the best optics you can afford. If the cost seems high, remember this: many birders faithfully use the same binoculars for years, so the cost is an investment in years of happy, enjoyable birding.

Locally Owned and Operated Since 2003 Closed Mondays~Tues. -Fri. 6:30 to 4 Sat. 8 to 4 ~ Sun. 8 to 2

368 Rice Street, Elmore, OH on corner at traffic light

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

R. Bruce performance to kick off festival By Alex Sobel Press Contributing Writer sports@presspublications.com While R. Bruce may be both a birder and a comedic singer and musician, for him, the two areas of interest aren’t necessarily so different. “They would seem to be very different, looking at birds and singing silly songs… but there is something in common, and that is sharing. Almost all the birders I know love to share their knowledge and information. The musical community is a bit like the birding community… a lot of creative, wonderful, crazy people who like to share,” Bruce said. His performance at the Biggest Week in Birding is a part of what he humorously refers to as the R. Bruce Richardson Reunion Tour (Banding Code RBRT). While he performs solo and doesn’t have a band to reunite with, this is his first time touring and performing in several years. So in a way, it is indeed a solo reunion tour. “My wife and I spend much of our time in Australia. That is where I got into Birding and ended up spending much of my time in the bush in Oz, observing and often photographing birds,” he said. “I am quite passionate about it.” “Yes, I reckon I spent my early years wanting to be Bob Dylan and I am spending my later years wanting to be David Attenborough,” he said. Bruce’s passion for birding was not only focused on the birds themselves, but also the people who shared his passion. “(My interest in birding came from) birds first and birders second. Once I met real, mad, birders I knew, these are my people and I want to hangout with them. They are and I do.” But now he’s back, touring and performing. He even has some surprises for fans who have followed his music in the past. “Yes, there are a few new songs. I am, as always, writing the lyrics, and

Daily Specials

The R. Bruce Richardson Reunion Tour is kicking off the 2015 Biggest Week in American Birding festival. (Photo by Curt Rawn)

R. Bruce Richardson. (Photo by Curt Rawn) the melody is often borrowed from a public domain tune or an old Bob Dylan song or something. It is a process that I have perfected over decades of writing,” he said. It isn’t enough to just write the songs, record them, then release them. For Bruce, something special and magical comes from performing his songs

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in front of a live audience that’s giving him as much as he’s giving them. “RBRT is all about the funny songs and the lyrics. It’s not like a band or something with great vocals and harmonies. It’s just one guitar and a voice and although that voice has a bit more rust on it, it still all comes together pretty well. The stage-magic is the energy that comes from the audiences. Their enthusiasm feeds the performance. I am not up there alone.” He hasn’t left birding behind, however, and still holds that birding and music can share the same space. “When I am onstage, I am sharing a part of myself in a very real way and as I said, birding is all about sharing. The two can go together. Although I rarely ever sing while birding.” His performance at the Biggest Week in Birding will perhaps be the best melding of the birding and music sides of his brain. But what brought him to the festival, specifically? “Specifically? A rather beat-up 2009 Prius,” he said. “But seriously, I came for the birds and I stayed for the people. It is a beautifully run festival and a chance to see, meet and hangout with the most wonderful people in the birding world. And there is pie.”

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BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

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AQUARIUM OPENS March 27, 2015

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Artists’ drawing of what the Howard Farms coastal wetland restoration will look like when completed. (Courtesy of Metroparks)

Birders to get lake access at Howard Farms By J. Patrick Eaken Press Staff Writer In a couple years, the tens of thousands of birders who arrive for the Biggest Week in American Birding will have access to the Lake Erie shoreline through a new park that is currently under construction. Metroparks of the Toledo Area will be opening its 1,000 acre Howard Farms, located on property west of Metzger Marsh in Jerusalem Township, east of Oregon. Howard Farms will be unlike any other Metropark in that it will be the first located near Lake Erie’s coast. It will be the Metroparks’ largest park in its system, next to Oak Openings. Ducks Unlimited, the consultants designing the park’s wetland, is a national organization whose mission is to create and preserve habitat for North American waterfowl. “It’s just a rare opportunity to engineer in coastal wetlands, which is a habitat that is really disappearing at an alarming rate,” Metroparks public rela-

tions director Scott Carpenter said. Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Smith Group JJR was contracted for the engineering and design of the human interface of Howard Farms. That includes trails, parking, restroom facilities, and other human interface. A Metroparks resolution calls for the two firms to “create habitat enhancements that also create opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, small craft boating, hunting, interpretive messaging and research.” Phase I construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2015 and completed by fall 2017. The new park will create a nearly eight-mile continuous stretch of public lands that includes Metzger Marsh, Ottawa Wildlife Refuge, Crane Creek State Park and Magee Marsh. Throw in Maumee Bay State Park and Cedar Point Wildlife Refuge to the west and 11,687 acres of unique wetlands are or will be preserved for waterfowl habitat and birders’ enjoyment. “We’re going to have over six miles of hiking trails, but we’re also going to have six miles of permanent deep water

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navigable channel,” Carpenter said. “What that is, is like a six-mile blue trail, we call it, so you’ll be able to canoe and kayak six miles on that property. We’re looking forward to this. We’re not directly on the lake, but we’re connected by Ward’s Canal. The trails are the main reason people come to Metroparks, so that is exciting to have six miles of walking trails and that will be our first blue trail, or water trail.” Tim Schetter, Ph.D., director of natural resources for the Metroparks of the Toledo Area, said at an open house that he anticipates that Cedar Creek, which is currently pumped dry on the property to allow for farming, to be restored and meander two and half miles through the park before connecting with Ward’s Canal and empty into Lake Erie. A lot of the vegetation common to wetlands will spring up naturally, once water is reintroduced. Habitat will also be created for turtles, snakes and other marsh denizens. The land, which was previously a working farm, was purchased with two partners in 2008 for $6 million.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

SEE IT. SAVE IT.

American Bird Conservancy invites you to visit the Conservation Birding web site â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the gateway to great birding and bird photography in the Neotropics. Conservation Birding is a window on more than 50 bird reserves throughout Latin America established by ABC and its partners, providing details on travel and booking options for lodges and tours. The reserves protect close to one million acres, providing habitat for nearly half the total number of bird species found in the Americas, including both endemic species and Neotropical migratory songbirds that nest in North America. The reserves have been set up to host visiting birders, and just by visiting, you provide income that helps pay for the stewardship of these special places.

www.conservationbirding.org Marvelous Spatuletail, Huembo, Peru, by Dubi Shapiro

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Conservation is the heart of The Biggest Week In American Birding For Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO), the effort we put forth on the festival is worth it because the event raises awareness and appreciation for birds and habitat conservation in a major way. Below, we offer some simple, fun, beautiful, and even tasty ways to help give something back to the birds that bring such joy to our lives. Buy a stamp, drink some bird-friendly coffee, take a kid (or any beginner) birding, and help us help the birds. 1 ) PURCHASE CONSERVATION STAMPS

All of these conservation stamps are available for purchase at Black Swamp Bird Observatory , Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Gift Shops. Your stamp purchase contributes to the purchase and protection of habitat, and the development of educational programs for students and teachers.

FEDERAL DUCK STAMP

OHIO WILDLIFE LEGACY STAMP

JUNIOR DUCK STAMP

2) DONATE THE GUIA PROGRAM For a donation of just $12, you can support this important international conservation program! Visit www.bsbo.org/donate-the-guia to learn how you can donate copies of the Guia to be used in bird conservation programs in the U.S. and Mexico.

5) LEAVE A BIRDER’S CALLING CARD Pick up some cards at event site locations and leave them when you visit area businesses. We want them to know that you are here because of the great birds (and bird habitat!) in the region.

6) DON'T RELEASE BALLOONS & SKY LANTERNS

3) KEEP CATS INDOORS Domestic cats are recognized as a serious threat to global biodiversity. Cats have contributed to the extinction of 33 species across the world and continue to adversely impact a wide variety of species, including those that are threatened or endangered. The ecological dangers are so critical that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) now lists domestic cats as one of the world’s worst nonnative invasive species. In the U.S., free-roaming domestic cats kill an estimated 1.4-3.7 billion birds and 6.9-20.7 billion mammals. Visit www.abcbirds.org for more information.

4) TAKE A BEGINNER BIRDING The future of bird conservation depends on keeping the next generation tuned in to nature. With each passing day, advancements in technology in our ever-changing world are pulling kids further and further from nature. Take a few minutes to take your kids out for a walk. Volunteer to lead nature hikes for kids at a nature center, for your local Audubon Chapter, for your family and friends.

Learn more about local conservation efforts by visiting Black Swamp Bird Observatory’s website at www.bsbo.org

All released balloons, including those falsely marketed as “biodegradable latex”, return to Earth as ugly litter. They kill countless animals & cause dangerous power outages. Balloons are also a waste of Helium, a finite resource. Balloons can travel thousands of miles & pollute the most remote & pristine places. Learn more about this issue by visiting www.balloonsblow.org

7) PICK UP DISCARDED FISHING LINE Every year, thousands of birds become entangled in abandoned fishing line and die from drowning, starvation, dehydration or strangulation; sometimes these animals struggle for days before they die. Because fishing line is such a potent hazard to birds, it is imperative that it be properly cleaned up and safely disposed of. Whether or not you fish, you can always help by picking up discarded fishing line when you see it!

8) DRINK BIRD-FRIENDLY COFFEE Drinking certified shade-grown coffee is an easy way to support bird habitat conservation. This brand can be purchased at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory Gift Shop. Your host at the “Biggest Week” is happy to recommend Birds & Beans for all of your shade-grown coffee needs.

2015 Biggest Week in American Birding

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Meet the Biggest Week 2015 Blog Team Kim Smith – An Ohio native who now lives in southeastern Michigan, Kim can’t figure out how she lived almost 40 years before discovering the amazing world of birds. Kim is the editor of “The Nuthatch,” the Kim Smith newsletter of the Oakland Audubon Society. She blogs at NatureIsMyTherapy.com. Birds & Blooms Blog Team Stacy Tornio & Kirsten Sweet, editor and associate editor for Birds and Blooms magazine, look forward to returning to Biggest Week in 2014. Two years ago, they put together Stacy Tornio & Kirsten Sweet an “I Like Birds” video at the festival, and they have something up their sleeves for this year. Follow their Biggest Week coverage on the Birds & Blooms blog (www.birdsandblooms.com/blog.) Jennifer Callaway – “Veery” – Jennifer Outcalt (Birdfreak’s sister), is an avid birder and blogger with a teenage son who is also into birding in a major way. Jennifer Callaway Jennifer helps Birdfreak (birdfreak.com) write posts and brainstorm new ideas about conservation. Dawn Simmons Fine, and her husband, Jeff, are full-time RVers who travel the country on one birding adventure after another. Follow along on their perpetual road trip at Dawn’s Bloggy Blog Dawn Fine (http://dawnandjeffsblog. blogspot.com/). Cheryl Harner is interested in all forms of flora and fauna, and is fascinated by the connections between botany and wildlife. She is an avid gardener and lifelong wildflower and butterfly enthusiast. Cheryl Harner A staunch proponent for conservation, Cheryl promotes environmental education and the use of native plants in the home landscape. Follow her at “Weedpicker’s Journal” at www.cherylharner.blogspot.com.

Jerry Jourdan, a Michigander who has been birding for more than 30 years, has a passion for bird photography. Like most avid birders unable to afford “the big glass,” he Jerry Jourdan discovered the art of “digiscoping” or photographing birds through a spotting scope with a point-and-shoot camera. An active blogger, he keeps an online field journal of his adventures and photos at blogs at jerryjourdan.blogspot. com/ and a second blog dedicated to digiscoping at http://jerryjourdan2. blogspot.com/. Greg Miller has been birding for almost 50 years. In 1988, he and two other birders did a “Big Year” and broke the 700 mark. Their individual stories are documented Greg Miller in Mark Obmascik’s book, “The Big Year, 2004.” Filming was completed in the summer of 2010 for a comedic movie, “The Big Year,” released in 2011 and starring Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson. Greg blogs at gregmillerbirding.com. Drew Weber is an ornithologist from Pennsylvania, who now lives in New York state. Drew hosts the Nemesis Bird Blog (www. nemesisbird.com) where the writings of several other young birders can be found. Drew Weber Melissa Penta’s passion for birds began looking through the camera lens in 2008. Realizing she needed to get to know her subjects better in order to improve her photography, she began studying field Melissa Penta guides to learn about local birds around her. Follow her work on www.digibirder. com/blog and www.digibirder.com. Kelly Riccetti is a lifelong artist and student of nature, with a specific interest in ornithology. In 2009, she launched the popular bird and nature blog, “Red and the Peanut,” (redthepeanut. Kelly Riccetti blogspot.com) where she shares her nature research, photos and paintings, along with product and book reviews.

Rob Ripma, a lifelong resident of Indiana, has birded extensively in the Midwest for more than 10 years. Rob works for Wild Birds Unlimited and manages a birding blog and website, www.nuttybirder. com. Rob Ripma Linda Rockwell feels fortunate to have grown up near Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Roswell, N.M, and to have parents who loved birds. She blogs and shares her bird photos on her Linda Rockwell blog at http://photofeathers.wordpress.com/ and her other photos may be found at http://photoflurries.wordpress.com/. A proponent of social media for birders, find her on Twitter as LRockwellatty. Robert Setzer, aka “Dr. Bob” and his wife Judy have been birding since 2009 after Bob escaped the corporate “cubicle world.” Bob earned a Ph.D. in Robert Setzer marine biology (seaweeds), and traveled and taught on the West Coast for a dozen years before launching a new career in software engineering. Follow Bob and Judy’s travels at drbobsbirdblog.blogspot.com. Chris West, a lifelong birder, can’t remember not having a pair of binoculars in his hands. His passion has taken him to every corner of the U.S. and Canada, as well as to the American tropics. He particularly enjoys photo-documenting vaChris West grants whenever and wherever they show up. He blogs at http://swallowtailedkite.blogspot. com/. Jon Mularczyk, A resident of the Pocono Mountain Region of Pennsylvania, Jon has been birding since he was in high school. He considers himself to be an “opportunistic John Mularczyk photographer” and takes photos of birds seen during his hikes, rather than wait in one place for “that” photograph. He shares his photos and birding adventures on his blog at www. BroadWingedPhotography.com.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

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WORLDWIDE WILDLIFE ADVENTURES!

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Visit our booth at the Biggest Week’s event headquarters in Maumee Bay to enter the raffle. Then go find our guides attending the event and earn additional entries for each selfie you take with a Wildside guide, then post to Wildside’s Facebook Page!* SOME OF THE WILDSIDE GUIDES YOU’LL MEET...

KEVIN LOUGHLIN OWNER/LEADER • Photo Instructor • Alaska • Central America • South America • Antarctica • Rocky Mountains • Galapagos

ADRIAN BINNS SENIOR LEADER • Birding/Safaris • North America • Europe • Kenya • Tanzania • Morocco • India

EDISON BUENAÑO BIRDING LEADER • Ecuador • Colombia • Peru • Bolivia • Cuba • More to come!

GABRIEL LUGO BIRDING LEADER • Puerto Rico • Dominican Rep • Jamaica • Cuba • Texas • More to come!

GREG MILLER BIRDING LEADER • Story Teller • Big Year Tours • Ohio • Texas • Arizona • More to come!

ROBERT STRAUB BIRDING LEADER • Mexico

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BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

THE BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING VOLUNTEERS

Without the support of hundreds of volunteers assisting with myriad tasks, the festival would not be possible. This year, we offer special thanks to two new members of the Biggest Week Planning Team, Kim Smith and Tiffanie Hayes. KIM SMITH Kim Smith is trying to make up for the first few decades of life before she discovered the amazing world of birds. She still remembers the sense of awe she felt in 2011 when she saw her first warblers at Magee Marsh and her eyes were opened to nature as never before. The Biggest Week taught her about bird conservation and how the things that matter to birds also matter to humans. Spending every May at Magee Marsh has become the highlight of her year, and she enjoys the educational workshops just as much as seeing the birds. An Ohio native now living in southKim Smith eastern Michigan, Kim is on the board of Oakland Audubon Society, where she is also the newsletter editor. She blogs at www.NatureIsMyTherapy.com, where she shares her bird photography and writes about how a connection with nature makes her life richer. She has a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in marketing from Ohio State University and a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. When not birding, Kim works as a freelance indexer and proofreader.

TIFFANIE HAYES Tiffanie Hayes has spent the past five years introducing her family, her friends, and her coworkers to the world of birds and bird conservation. As a wife, mother, birder, and full-time twenty year associate with Walmart Stores, Inc., Tiffanie has developed a deep respect for our feathered friends and the environmental obstacles they face every day. Whether it is a stray helium balloon, spent fishing line, or a discarded plastic shopping bag, Tiffanie does all she can to get those around her to appreciate and respect the natural world we all must Tiffanie Hayes share. As an active volunteer with Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Tiffanie enjoys all things related to The Biggest Week in American Birding! â&#x20AC;&#x153;The birds are amazing, but the friendships I have made over the past few years during this festival are the memories I hold most dear,â&#x20AC;? Tiffanie says. Through the eyes of her daughter, Delaney, and a chance sighting of a lone White-winged Crossbill in their yard, a spark was ignited in her family that will never be extinguished...as long as there are birds to share with others. John, Tiffanie, and Delaney reside just a few miles south of the acclaimed Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and they are very proud to call this spectacular stopover habitat their home.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

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Andean cock-of-the-rock Blue-bellied roller Kagu Lesser bird-of-paradise Rhinoceros hornbill

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BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

TOM BARTLETT’S BIG SIT FOR BLACK SWAMP NATURE EDUCATION! It’s a fundraiser that has become a 20 year tradition! At 5:00 AM on May 9, 2015, Mr. Tom Bartlett will take a seat at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. Tom will stay in that spot for the next 12 hours and tally every bird he sees and hears from a 15 foot circle. He has been doing this annual BIG SIT for more than 20 years. Why, you ask? Because Tom cares about the future of birds and bird conservation! Tom conducts the BIG SIT and collects donations and pledges to help raise funds to support Black Swamp Bird Observatory’s education programs. Show Your Support for Tom and for nature education Tom makes his own pledge of $1.00 per species, and he challenges YOU to do the same, or more! The BIG SIT has raised more than $50,000 throughout its history, and this year we need your help to break our single year record. Last year, the count raised more than $11,000 and with your generous support we can beat that total! And 100% of the proceeds will help educate young people about the joy of birds and the importance of being good stewards of natural resources! Contributions Are Tax-Deductible BSBO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donations are tax-deductible. Please fill out the form on this flyer and return it by May 1, 2015. Everyone who contributes will receive a thank you letter from Tom, and a list of all the bird species tallied during the BIG SIT. What We Will Do With Your Contribution All proceeds from the BIG SIT benefit BSBO’s youth education programs. Because of your past BIG SIT contributions, these programs are able to reach thousands of students each year. Our strong focus on youth education is highlighted by our Wetland Investigation Network (WIN) program, which offers students grades K-12 a day-long exploration of the entire marsh ecosystem. Our highly acclaimed Ohio Young Birders Club, for ages 12-18, encourages, educates, and empowers our future conservation leaders, and is serving as a model program for many other state-wide youth birding clubs.

Make your contribution by calling 419-898-4070, visit us online at www.bsbo.org, or tear off, fill out, and mail in the form, below to BSBO  13551 West State Route 2  Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 Thank you for supporting Tom, BSBO, and nature education!

 DONATION AMOUNT: __________________ OR CHECK BIG SIT PLEDGE PER BIRD:

$3.00

$2.00

$1.00

$ .75

$ .50

NAME: ADDRESS: CITY:

STATE:

ZIP:

PHONE: CREDIT CARD NO: SEC CODE:

EXP. DATE: SIGNATURE:

$ .25

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Bird Metroparks Metroparks are popular with birds – and birders – especially this time of year. The Lake Erie coastal zone. The Maumee River corridor. The incredibly rare Oak Openings Region. Nine Metroparks preserve some of the region’s most important natural areas. Oak Openings is home to more rare and endangered plants and animals than anywhere else in Ohio. Pearson (North) and the river parks are excellent places to view water-loving birds.Windows on Wildlife in six parks are warm, dry places to view birds at feeding stations. Spend your life in the Metroparks.

MetroparksToledo.com Birding highlights at Twitter.com/mptbirding

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

TIMING OF SPRING MIGRATION IN NORTHWEST OHIO The Lake Erie shoreline in northwest Ohio is famed as one of the best birding areas in North America, especially during spring migration. Although May is the peak season for visiting birders, spring migration is actually under way from mid-February to mid-June. Here’s an overview of what to expect at each point in the season. Late February: Waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) are beginning to move, along with early returning birds like American Woodcock and blackbirds. Flocks of American Crows are moving along the lakeshore. March 1 - 15: Waterfowl migration is fully under way. Raptor migration begins, with passage of Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle, and Turkey Vulture on southerly winds. Snow Buntings are moving around and an influx of Eastern Meadowlarks, Song Sparrows, and others is evident. March 16 - 31: Peak waterfowl migration, with huge numbers of ducks, geese, and swans on Lake Erie and in area marshes and ponds. Raptor migration still picking up. Pectoral Sandpiper and other early shorebirds begin to appear in flooded fields. Hardy birds like Tree Swallow and Eastern Phoebe are returning. Large numbers of Rusty Blackbirds, Fox Sparrows, and Golden-crowned Kinglets are present by the end of the month near the lakeshore. April 1 - 15: Waterfowl migration is still heavy, gradually declining through April. Raptor migration continues, with the last passage of Red-shouldered and Rough-legged Hawks. Early shorebird migrants are evident, including yellowlegs and American Golden-Plover. Big numbers of flickers, Hermit Thrushes, Winter Wrens, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and other early migrants are here, and by the middle of the month, a sprinkling of other warblers turns up. Fox Sparrows are still numerous, and many other migrant sparrows are arriving. April 16 - 30: First arrivals for many species, including Neotropical migrants like warblers, vireos, and orioles. Early warblers like Black-and-white, Palm, Nashville, and Black-throated Green are numerous by month’s end. In migrant traps along the lakeshore, this is the best time to find Pine and Orange-crowned Warblers, and a time when “southern” warblers like Worm-eating, Hooded, and Yellow-throated may appear. Typical migrants in this period include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and sparrows such as Swamp and White-throated. Herons, egrets, and rails have their main arrival here. Raptor migration features Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned Hawks and Osprey. Shorebird variety and numbers continue to increase. May 1 - 10: Sometime in this period, weather conditions will produce the first really massive arrivals of Neotropical migrants. In the migrant traps along the lakeshore, warbler counts may jump from about a dozen species to nearly 30 species literally overnight, and other Neotropical migrants will abruptly pick up in numbers and variety also. After this big wave, numbers of individual migrants will drop off between successive waves of arrivals, but diversity will remain high through most of May. Early migrants like Rusty Blackbird and Fox Sparrow are mostly gone before May 10th. Migration of raptors and waterfowl is winding down, but shorebirds are still building toward their peak.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

May 11 - 20: Numbers of migrants will vary day to day depending on weather, but diversity is very high during this period. Among the warblers, earlier migrants like Palm and Yellow-rumped are declining, but later ones like Magnolia, Blackpoll, and Bay-breasted have arrived in numbers. Cuckoos, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Indigo Bunting, and Bobolink are all typical mid-May migrants. Hermit Thrush is past its peak but the other thrushes are abundant, and flycatchers are arriving. Diversity and numbers of shorebirds are excellent in available habitat.

2015

May 21 - 31: Some days continue to produce very high numbers of migrants, although they are harder to see with the trees fully leafed out. Summer residents are singing but there is less song now from migrants, since females (which generally don’t sing) tend to migrate later than males. This is the peak migration time for the elusive Connecticut Warbler, and good for numbers of other late migrants like Mourning, Wilson’s, and Canada Warblers and American Redstart. Yellow-bellied, Alder, and Olive-sided Flycatchers all peak in late May, Red-eyed Vireo can be abundant, and thrush migration continues to be excellent. Many shorebird species are now at their peak numbers. Early June: Farther south in Ohio the songbird migration is mostly over, but in the migrant traps along the lakeshore, stragglers of many species can be found through the first week of June. Some birds, such as Swainson’s Thrush and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, are still present in numbers. Shorebird migration is still in full swing, with Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, and other species still expected, and White-rumped Sandpiper probably at its peak. This overview of the timing of migration was written for Black Swamp Bird Observatory by Kenn Kaufman. To read more of Kenn's thoughts on bird migration in the Crane Creek / Magee Marsh area, visit Kenn's BSBO Birding Blog at: http://cranecreekbirding.blogspot.com

A group of birders at the Biggest Week in American Birding festival. (Photo by Chuck Owens)

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Magee Marsh USA Today’s top destination After four weeks of voting, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area won top honors in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest. Thank you to everyone who voted for Magee Marsh, to the wonderful bird experts who added Magee to the list (three of the four have been keynote speakers at the Biggest Week—and are coming back this year!), and to USA TODAY 10Best for hosting such fun and informative contests like this one. USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest asked people to select from a long list of birdwatching areas and select their favorite. After four weeks of voting, northwest Ohio’s own Magee Marsh Wildlife Area dominated. Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) launched a major social media campaign to remind people to vote every day. “Birders love Magee,” said Kimberly Kaufman, BSBO’s Executive Director. “We didn’t have to tell them who to vote for, all we had to do was keep reminding them to vote every day.” “Three of the four birding experts who generated the list of birding areas for the contest have been keynote speakers at the Biggest Week. So, we weren’t the least bit surprised to see it

Magee Marsh Wildlife Refuge’s appeal to birders is undeniable. (Photo by Robin Arnold) on the list. And based on the feedback from thousands of birders who have attended the festival, we felt confident that Magee had a good shot at winning.” Kaufman continued. “But it was pretty cool to see Magee dominate this contest from day one.”

! n o eW

There’s no cash prize for the award, but the recognition is a powerful reminder of how valuable wildlife habitat is to this region. In May, 2014, the Toledo Zoo took first place in a similar contest hosted by USA Today’s 10Best.

Sawmill’s Birding Stay Our 1.5 mile trail in a Forested Riparian Corridor

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Visit us and top Birding in America

The Press, and The Black Swamp Bird Observatory, won First Place in the 2015 Hooper Awards Special Editions Category for the Biggest Week in American Birding 2014 Visitors’ Guide! Find out how you can be a part of next year’s edition. Call 419-836-2221

Sawmill’s 235 acres joins Sheldon Marsh’s Nature Preserve 465 acres along the Lake Erie shore. Visit sister birding spot Old Woman Creek National Estuarine. 3 estuaries, forest, marshes and barrier reef for great birding.

Easy to travel on Ohio interstate Rt. 2, the same roadway east going or coming from Black Swamp Bird Observatory.

400 Sawmill Creek Dr., Huron/Sandusky, OH 44839 800-729-6455 • sawmillcreek.com

Black Swamp 3 2/19/13 2:20 PM Page 1 BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

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Bayview B & B is an historic home situated on 20 acres and located adjacent to Maumee Bay State Park. On the shores of Lake Erie. Come and enjoy a blend of fine furnishings, antiques and whimsical treasures. Stroll the park like grounds, visit our unique perennial gardens or watch the clouds go by in the reflection of the pond. Pamper yourself in one of our six private rooms featuring fine linens, televisions and private baths.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

From Billions to None The Passenger Pigeo n’s Flight to Extinction

Date: Friday, May 15 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Ce nter Cost: $10 per person **Proceeds benefit Blac k Swamp Bird Observatory songbird research ***We’ll serve complimentary popcorn and soft drinks during the m ovie

From Billions to None: The Passenger Pigeon’s Flight to Extinction reveals the compelling story of the unlikely extinction of the passenger pigeon. For centuries, the sleek long-distance flyer was the most abundant bird in North America and perhaps the world. Then, in a matter of decades, it was hunted to extinction. On September 1, 1914, Martha, the last passenger pigeon in captivity, died in the Cincinnati Zoo, marking the end of the species. This award-winning film follows naturalist and author Joel Greenberg, A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon’s Flight to Extinction. Highlights include breathtaking CGI animation of massive flocks, as well as astonishing aerials captured by remote control quadcopters equipped with GoPro cameras.The film was directed and co-produced by David Mrazek.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING 2015 SCHEDULE REGISTRATION IS OPEN MAY 7 - 16, 8AM TO 7PM, AT MAUMEE BAY LODGE & CONFERENCE CENTER

ACTIVITY FRIDAY, MAY 8

VAN #1: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #2: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #3: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #4: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP VAN #6: BIG DAY GUIDED TRIP VAN #7: BIG DAY GUIDED TRIP VAN #8: SOUTH BAY PRIVATE LANDS GUIDED TRIP VAN #9: CATAWBA/MARBLEHEAD BIRDING HOTSPOTS GUIDED TRIP VAN #10: CATAWBA/MARBLEHEAD BIRDING HOTSPOTS GUIDED TRIP IMPROVING YOUR BIRD AND NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN ZWIEBEL BIRDING WITH KENN & KIMBERLY KAUFMAN AND BIRDS AND BLOOMS STAFF MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK OPTICS ALLEY MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP TRAVEL TALK: NORTHERN MINNESOTA BY ERIK BRUHNKE, NATURALLY AVIAN WORKSHOP: OWLS OF THE NORTH WOODS BY ERIK BRUHNKE PROGRAM: GARDENING FOR BIRDS - BIRDS AND BLOOMS MAGAZINE BIRDER'S MARKETPLACE KEYNOTE: AUDUBON CLIMATE MODELING PROJECT BY GARY LANGHAM EVENT: CONCERT - R BRUCE RICHARDSON

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$55 $55 $55 $55 $30 $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $75 $50 FREE FREE FREE $30 FREE $10 $10 FREE $12 $12

MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAGEE MARSH EAST END MAGEE MARSH WEST END BLACK SWAMP MAGEE MARSH WEST END

6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:30 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM

2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 10:00 AM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 12:00 PM 11:00 AM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM 12:30 PM 3:00 PM 12:00 PM 1:30 PM 3:00 PM 8:00 PM 5:00 PM 9:00 PM

MAUMEE BAY LODGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE

EVENING SOCIAL - FREE REFRESHMENTS - FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. MUST SHOW BIGGEST WEEK NAME BADGE TO PARTICIPATE SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING

SATURDAY, MAY 9 (INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY)

TOM BARTLETT'S BIG SIT VAN #1: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #2: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #3: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #4: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #5: PT. MOUILLEE STATE GAME AREA GUIDED TRIP VAN #6: PT. MOUILLEE STATE GAME AREA GUIDED TRIP INTRO TO NATURE AND BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN LOUGHLIN MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK OPTICS ALLEY OHIO YOUNG BIRDER WALK: BIRDING THE FAMOUS MAGEE MARSH SONGBIRD BANDING AND MIGRATION PROGRAM MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK PROGRAM: A YOUNG BIRDER'S BIG YEAR BY GABRIEL MAPEL PROGRAM: HISTORY AND PROJECTS OF THE AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY BIRDER'S MARKETPLACE KEYNOTE: BIRDS AND THE UNDISCOVERED WORLD BY KENN KAUFMAN

$10 $10 FREE $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $75 FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE $10 FREE FREE $12

BLACK SWAMP MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAGEE MARSH WEST END BLACK SWAMP MAGEE MARSH EAST END BLACK SWAMP MAGEE MARSH WEST END OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE

8:15 PM 8:15 PM

9:15 PM 9:15 PM

5:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:30 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM

5:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 12:00 PM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM 12:00 PM 11:30 AM 12:30 PM 1:30 PM 3:00 PM 8:00 PM 5:00 PM

EVENING SOCIAL - FREE REFRESHMENTS - FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. MUST SHOW BIGGEST WEEK NAME BADGE TO PARTICIPATE SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING

SUNDAY, MAY 10

$10 $10 $55 $55 $55 $55 $30 $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $75 $15 FREE FREE FREE $30 FREE FREE $10 $10

BLACK SWAMP MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE EAST HARBOR STATE PARK MAGEE MARSH WEST END PEARSON METROPARK PEARSON METROPARK MAUMEE BAY LODGE BLACK SWAMP MAGEE MARSH WEST END OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE

8:15 PM 8:15 PM

9:15 PM 9:15 PM

6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:30 PM 2:00 PM

2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 10:00 AM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 12:00 PM 11:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 12:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 12:30 PM 1:30 PM 3:00 PM

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING 2015 SCHEDULE ACTIVITY SUNDAY, MAY 10 (Cont'd) BIRDER'S MARKETPLACE

KEYNOTE: THE COLOR OF BIRDS: IN CELEBRATION OF A PASSION BY KEVIN LOUGHLIN

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FREE

MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE

3:00 PM

8:00 PM

$12

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

EVENING SOCIAL - FREE REFRESHMENTS - FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. MUST SHOW BIGGEST WEEK NAME BADGE TO PARTICIPATE SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING

MONDAY, MAY 11

VAN #1: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #2: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #3: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #4: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP VAN #6: BIG DAY GUIDED TRIP VAN #7: BIG DAY GUIDED TRIP VAN #8: SOUTH BAY PRIVATE LANDS GUIDED TRIP VAN # 9: BIRDING PRIVATE LANDS OF THE LITTLE PORTAGE AREA GUIDED TRIP VAN #10: PICKEREL CREEK WILDLIFE AREA/SANDUSKY BAY GUIDED TRIP BIRDING BY CANOE IPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION BY IAN ADAMS BIRDING BY IMPRESSION WITH KEVIN KARLSON & DALE ROSSELET PEARSON METROPARK GUIDED WALK MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK OPTICS ALLEY POINT & SHOOT WARBLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN INGRAHAM, ZEISS MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP TRAVEL TALK: THE NATURAL SPLENDOR OF PANAMA BY CANOPY FAMILY WORKSHOP: SPRING WARBLER IDENTIFICATION BY STEPHENSON & WHITTLE

PROGRAM: WHOLE LANDSCAPE BIRDING BY RICK WRIGHT BIRDER'S MARKETPLACE KEYNOTE: BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES BY LAURA ERICKSON BOOK SIGNING/SOCIAL LAURA ERICKSON

$10 $10 $55 $55 $55 $55 $30 $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $45 $45 $50 $15 FREE FREE $25 FREE $30 FREE $10 $10 FREE $12 FREE

BLACK SWAMP MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE SANDUSKY PARK OFFICE MAUMEE BAY LODGE PEARSON METROPARK PEARSON METROPARK MAGEE MARSH WEST END BLACK SWAMP MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAUMEE BAY LODGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE

8:15 PM 8:15 PM

9:15 PM 9:15 PM

6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:30 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 10:00 AM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM 10:30 AM 12:30 PM 3:00 PM 12:00 PM 1:30 PM 3:00 PM 8:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM

EVENING SOCIAL - FREE REFRESHMENTS - FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. MUST SHOW BIGGEST WEEK NAME BADGE TO PARTICIPATE SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING

TUESDAY, MAY 12

BIRDING WITH TOM STEPHENSON AND SCOTT WHITTLE SHELDON MARSH GUIDED WALK MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK OPTICS ALLEY MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP TRAVEL TALK: BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES & DRAGONFLIES OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO BY WILDSIDE NAT

WORKSHOP: SHOREBIRD IDENTIFICATION BY O'BRIEN & ZEMAITIS PROGRAM: BIRDS TO WORDS: NATURE WRITING BY DREW LANHAM BIRDER'S MARKETPLACE KEYNOTE: BIRDING BY IMPRESSION BY KARLSON & ROSSELET BOOK SIGNINGS/SOCIAL KEVIN KARLSON & DALE ROSSELET

$10 $10 $55 $55 $55 $55 $30 $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $75 FREE $35 $50 $15 FREE FREE FREE $30 FREE $10 $10 FREE $12 FREE

BLACK SWAMP MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAGEE MARSH EAST END PEARSON METROPARK MAGEE MARSH EAST END SHELDON MARSH MAGEE MARSH WEST END BLACK SWAMP MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAUMEE BAY LODGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE

8:15 PM 8:15 PM

9:15 PM 9:15 PM

6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:30 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 10:00 AM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 12:00 PM 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM 12:30 PM 3:00 PM 12:00 PM 1:30 PM 3:00 PM 8:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM

EVENING SOCIAL - FREE REFRESHMENTS - FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. MUST SHOW BIGGEST WEEK NAME BADGE TO PARTICIPATE SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING

$10 $10

MAUMEE BAY LODGE

8:15 PM 8:15 PM

9:15 PM 9:15 PM

VAN #1: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #2: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #3: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP

$55 $55 $55

MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE

6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM

2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

BLACK SWAMP

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING 2015 SCHEDULE ACTIVITY WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 (Cont'd)

VAN #4: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP VAN # 6: BIRDING PRIVATE LANDS OF THE LITTLE PORTAGE AREA GUIDED TRIP VAN # 7: BIRDING PRIVATE LANDS OF THE LITTLE PORTAGE AREA GUIDED TRIP

VAN #8: SOUTH BAY PRIVATE LANDS GUIDED TRIP VAN #9: CATAWBA/MARBLEHEAD BIRDING HOTSPOTS GUIDED TRIP VAN #10: CATAWBA/MARBLEHEAD BIRDING HOTSPOTS GUIDED TRIP BIRDING BY CANOE COMPOSING IMAGES OF THE NATURAL WORLD BY STEVE GETTLE BIRDING BY IMPRESSION WITH KEVIN KARLSON & DALE ROSSELET EAST HARBOR GUIDED WALK MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP OPTICS ALLEY MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK TRAVEL TALK: HOW YOUR MONEY SAVES BIRDS BY BRANT WORKSHOP: HOW TO LEARN BIRD SONGS BY STEPHENSON & WHITTLE PROGRAM: CHAMPIONS OF THE FLYWAY BY JONATHAN MEYRAV BIRDER'S MARKETPLACE KEYNOTE: THE BIRD OF MY LIFE: THE LAST ESKIMO CURLEW BY VICTOR EMANUEL

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$55 $30 $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $45 $75 $50 $15 FREE $30 FREE FREE FREE $10 $10 FREE $12

MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE SANDUSKY PARK OFFICE

6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 11:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:30 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM

3:00 PM 10:00 AM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 10:00 AM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 12:30 PM 12:00 PM 1:30 PM 3:00 PM 8:00 PM 5:00 PM

MAUMEE BAY LODGE PEARSON METROPARK EAST HARBOR STATE PARK MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAUMEE BAY LODGE BLACK SWAMP MAGEE MARSH WEST END OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE

EVENING SOCIAL - FREE REFRESHMENTS - FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. MUST SHOW BIGGEST WEEK NAME BADGE TO PARTICIPATE SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING

THURSDAY, MAY 14

VAN #1: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #2: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #3: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #4: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP VAN #6: PT. MOUILLEE STATE GAME AREA GUIDED TRIP VAN #7: PT. MOUILLEE STATE GAME AREA GUIDED TRIP VAN #8: NORTHWEST BAY PRIVATE LANDS GUIDED TRIP VAN #9: PICKEREL CREEK WILDLIFE AREA/SANDUSKY BAY GUIDED TRIP VAN #10: PICKEREL CREEK WILDLIFE AREA/SANDUSKY BAY GUIDED TRIP INTRO TO NATURE AND BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN LOUGHLIN KELLEYS ISLAND GUIDED BIRDING TRIP BIRDING WITH AUTHORS TOM STEPHENSON AND SCOTT WHITTLE PEARSON METROPARK GUIDED WALK MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK POINT & SHOOT WARBLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN INGRAHAM, ZEISS BIRD BANDING AND HABITAT HIKE OPTICS ALLEY MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP TRAVEL TALK: THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, BY BARRY LYON, VENT WORKSHOP: LIFE TAKES FLIGHT BY DAVE MAGPIONG PROGRAM: BIRDING BY IMPRESSION BY KEVIN KARLSON BIRDER'S MARKETPLACE KEYNOTE: THE FUEL OF THE CONSERVATIONAL FIRE BY MATTHIAS BENKO BIRD TATTOO CONTEST

$10 $10 $55 $55 $55 $55 $30 $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $75 $60 $50 $15 FREE $25 $15 FREE FREE $30 FREE $10 $10 FREE $12 FREE

BLACK SWAMP MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MARBLEHEAD DOCK MAGEE MARSH EAST END PEARSON METROPARK MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAGEE MARSH WEST END KITTY TODD PRESERVE BLACK SWAMP MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAUMEE BAY LODGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE

8:15 PM 8:15 PM

9:15 PM 9:15 PM

6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 7:45 PM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:30 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM

2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 10:00 AM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 12:00 PM 3:00 PM 11:00 AM 11:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 PM 5:00 PM 12:30 PM 3:00 PM 12:00 PM 1:30 PM 3:00 PM 8:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM

EVENING SOCIAL - FREE REFRESHMENTS - FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. MUST SHOW BIGGEST WEEK NAME BADGE TO PARTICIPATE JOIN US FOR A SNIPE HUNT SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING

$10 $10 $10

IRWIN PRAIRIE PRESERVE BLACK SWAMP

VAN #1: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #2: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP VAN #3: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #4: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP VAN #6: BIG DAY GUIDED TRIP VAN #7: BIG DAY GUIDED TRIP VAN #8: PRIVATE MARSH GUIDED TRIP VAN #9: BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS GUIDED TRIP VAN #10: BIRDING THE METROPARKS OF TOLEDO GUIDED TRIP BIRDING BY CANOE BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS BY TIM DANIEL

$55 $55 $55 $55 $30 $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $45 $75

MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE SANDUSKY PARK OFFICE

FRIDAY, MAY 15

MAUMEE BAY LODGE

7:30 PM 8:15 PM 8:15 PM

9:30 PM 9:15 PM 9:15 PM

6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 6:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM

2:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 10:00 AM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 2:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2014 2015

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING 2015 SCHEDULE ACTIVITY FRIDAY, MAY 15 (Cont'd)

MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK SHELDON MARSH GUIDED WALK OPTICS ALLEY WORKSHOP: GETTING STARTED IN BIRDING MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP TRAVEL TALK: SOUTH AFRICA, AFRICA'S PREMIER BIRDING DESTINATION BY ETHAN KIST

WORKSHOP: BIRD SONG EAR TRAINING TECHNIQUES BY LISA RAINSONG PROGRAM: WHAT WE'VE LEARNED/DON'T KNOW ABOUT BIRDS BY CHUCK HAGNER BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, & BOTANICAL TREASURES OF OAK OPENINGS

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FREE $15 FREE FREE FREE $30 FREE $10 $10 $10 FREE $12 FREE $10

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SHELDON MARSH BLACK SWAMP OTTAWA REFUGE MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAUMEE BAY LODGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE CAMPBELL PRESERVE

BIRDER'S MARKETPLACE MAUMEE BAY LODGE KEYNOTE: APPRECIATING NATURE OF THE MIDWEST BY KAUFMAN & SAYRE MAUMEE BAY LODGE BOOK SIGNINGS/SOCIAL BY KENN KAUFMAN & JEFF SAYRE MAUMEE BAY LODGE EVENT: MOVIE - FROM BILLIONS TO NONE JOEL GREENBERG MAUMEE BAY LODGE EVENING SOCIAL - FREE REFRESHMENTS - FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. MUST SHOW BIGGEST WEEK NAME BADGE TO PARTICIPATE SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING

SATURDAY, MAY 16

$10 $10

BSBO BLACK SWAMP

MAUMEE BAY LODGE

VAN #1: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP $55 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 2:00 PM VAN #2: OAK OPENINGS PRESERVE GUIDED TRIP $55 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 2:00 PM VAN #3: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP $55 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 3:00 PM VAN #4: THE WILDS OF ERIE COUNTY GUIDED TRIP $55 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 3:00 PM VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP $30 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 10:00 AM VAN #6: PT. MOUILLEE STATE GAME AREA GUIDED TRIP $55 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 3:00 PM VAN #7: PT. MOUILLEE STATE GAME AREA GUIDED TRIP $55 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 3:00 PM VAN # 8: BIRDING PRIVATE LANDS OF THE LITTLE PORTAGE AREA GUIDED TRIP $55 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 2:00 PM VAN #9: CATAWBA/MARBLEHEAD BIRDING HOTSPOTS GUIDED TRIP $55 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 2:00 PM VAN #10: CATAWBA/MARBLEHEAD BIRDING HOTSPOTS GUIDED TRIP $55 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 6:00 AM 2:00 PM TECHNIQUES FOR BETTER BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS TAYLOR $75 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 7:00 AM 12:00 PM EAST HARBOR GUIDED WALK $15 EAST HARBOR STATE PARK 8:00 AM 11:00 AM MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK FREE 8:00 AM 10:00 AM PEARSON METROPARK THE POETRY OF NATURE BY NICOLE ROBINSON $15 9:00 AM 10:30 AM BLACK SWAMP OPTICS ALLEY FREE 9:00 AM 5:00 PM PEARSON METROPARK WORKSHOP: GETTING STARTED IN BIRDING FREE 10:00 AM 12:00 PM MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK FREE 10:30 AM 12:30 PM VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP $30 MAUMEE BAY LODGE 11:00 AM 3:00 PM OTTAWA REFUGE TRAVEL TALK: HEART OF BRAZIL BY CARLOS SANCHEZ, BIRDING ECOTOURS FREE 11:00 AM 12:00 PM OTTAWA REFUGE WORKSHOP: RAPTOR IDENTIFICATION BY ERIK BRUHNKE $10 12:30 PM 1:30 PM OTTAWA REFUGE PROGRAM: KIRTLAND'S WARBLER BY BILL RAPAI $10 2:00 PM 3:00 PM BIRDER'S MARKETPLACE FREE MAUMEE BAY LODGE 3:00 PM 8:00 PM MAUMEE BAY LODGE KEYNOTE: BRINGING BIRDING HOME BY DON & LILLIAN STOKES $12 4:00 PM 5:00 PM BOOK SIGNINGS/SOCIAL BY DON & LILLIAN STOKES FREE MAUMEE BAY LODGE 5:00 PM 7:00 PM EVENING SOCIAL - FREE REFRESHMENTS - FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. MUST SHOW BIGGEST WEEK NAME BADGE TO PARTICIPATE SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING SKYDANCING: WOODCOCKS ON THE WING

SUNDAY, MAY 17

WATERFOWL PHOTOGRAPHY: TECHNIQUES TO GET YOU STARTED BY DAVID STIMAC

SIT AND BIRD WITH US / LET THE BIRDS COME TO YOU AT MAGEE MARSH BIRDING WITH THE DON AND LILLIAN STOKES PEARSON METROPARK GUIDED WALK MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK OPTICS ALLEY WORKSHOP: GETTING STARTED IN BIRDING MAGEE MARSH GUIDED WALK VAN #5: LEADER'S CHOICE GUIDED TRIP TRAVEL TALK: BIRDING ECUADOR BY CHEEPERS! BIRDING ON A BUDGET WORKSHOP: SPRING WARBLER IDENTIFICATION BY KENN KAUFMAN PROGRAM: WIND ENERGY AND BIRDS: ARE THEY COMPATIBLE BY MICHAEL HUTCHINS

$10 $10 $55 $55 $55 $55 $30 $55 $55 $55 $55 $55 $45 $75 FREE $50 $15 FREE FREE FREE FREE $30 FREE $10 $10

BLACK SWAMP MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAUMEE BAY LODGE SANDUSKY PARK OFFICE MAUMEE BAY LODGE MAGEE MARSH EAST END MAGEE MARSH EAST END PEARSON METROPARK MAGEE MARSH WEST END BLACK SWAMP OTTAWA REFUGE MAGEE MARSH WEST END MAUMEE BAY LODGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE OTTAWA REFUGE

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BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

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While you’re in the area COME EXPLORE

THE AREA’S MOST EXCITING STORE LIKE NO OTHER!

There just aren’t many stores like The Andersons, where you can buy the world’s finest wines and cheese and the best namebrand workboots, all under one roof. A place that offers everyday to gourmet foods along with kitchens, baths and floors. We’re also a complete garden center that stocks premium quality pet foods, not to mention a wide array of tools, hardware and home goods. Our distinctive mix of products makes us A Store Like No Other!

5 Off

a purchase of $25 or more Please present coupon to cashier prior to purchase. Limit 1 coupon per household, per coupon event period. Good at all Andersons Stores. Not valid at the Mower Center or House of Meats. Excludes Tempur-Pedic®, Wusthof cutlery, Calphalon® cookware products, generators, Toro® products, HoneyBaked Ham® products, House of Meats products, Weber® grills & accessories, alcoholic beverages, gift cards, services, postage stamps and prior purchases. No special orders. No facsimiles or photocopies. No cash value/refund. May not be combined with other coupons or discounts. The Andersons reserves the right to limit quantities to individuals, dealers and competitors. Coupon good April 13 - May 30, 2015.

MAUMEE: 530 Illinois Ave. (at Ford Street) TOLEDO: 4701 Talmadge Rd. (at Monroe Street) www.AndersonsStore.com

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Fun Places to Visit

Toledo Museum of Art’s Community Bike Ride (Courtesy of Toledo Museum of Art)

Toledo Museum of Art

Visitors are invited to experience one of the finest and most diverse collections of artwork in the country at the Toledo Museum of Art. Discover treasures ranging from ancient Egyptian pieces to contemporary art, including glass, sculpture, European and American painting, African and Asian art, graphic arts and decorative arts. Other highlights include the Sculpture Garden outside and the architecturally renowned Glass Pavilion, located across Monroe Street. To celebrate the Biggest Week in Birding, on May 9, the museum will host the Color Wheels Community Bike Ride, which will explore the ecosystem of Toledo and its bird habitats. Participants will learn about native trees and local and migrating bird species in Manhattan Marsh and the Old West End, then circle back to the Museum to search for more birds in the Museum’s paintings and sculpture. The event will run from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Meet on the Monroe Street terrace. 2445 Monroe St., Toledo 419-255-8000 or 800-644-6862, www.toledomuseum.org

Toledo Zoo

The Toledo Zoo is recognized as one of the world’s most complete zoos, and one of the region’s top family destinations. It boasts over 6,000 mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and invertebrates representing over 750 (Courtesy of species, and innovative exhibits also Toledo Zoo) get you up close to many of your favorites. Each year, nearly one million people visit the zoo to experience the wonders of the natural world, stroll the scenic grounds and explore the historic WPA-era buildings. Zoo high-

lights include the Arctic Encounter, the Africa! exhibit, Nature’s Neighborhood children’s area, the Tembo Trail and the newly renovated Aquarium, which offers a unique opportunity to explore the mysteries of the deep. Stop by the Zoo and enjoy rare birds from around the world in the award-winning Aviary which features some of the most sought-after bird species including Andean Cock-of-therock, Blue-bellied Roller, Kagu Laughing Kookaburra, Rhinoceros Hornbill and Cassowary. 2 Hippo Way, Toledo 419-385-4040, www.toledozoo.org

Imagination Station

Imagination Station – Toledo’s hands-on science museum – promises to immerse visitors of every age in a multi-sensory experience that’s as fun as it is educational. Defy gravity as you ride the High Wire Cycle 20 feet above the atrium; or visit the Learning Worlds designed to focus on a specific science genre – Energy Factory, Mind Zone, Water Works, Little Kidspace, and more. A number of special exhibits and events are planned throughout the year including “Guitar – The Instrument That Rocked The World,” an exhibit that explores the science and history behind the instrument that revolutionized music. One Discovery Way, Toledo 419-244-2674, www.imaginationstationtoledo.org

Toledo Botanical Garden

Toledo Botanical Garden – which once consisted of 20 acres donated by George P. Crosby to the City of Toledo – now encompasses more than 60 acres of tranquility which serve as a living museum for plants. The Garden is currently a public/private partnership between Metroparks and the nonprofit Toledo Botanical Garden Board, Inc. in collaboration with the City of Toledo. Special events include the Spring Plant Sale (May 8-10), Crosby Festival of the Arts (June 26-28), summertime jazz concerts, and Heralding the Holidays (Dec. 4-6), a seasonal celebration showcasing the numerous resident artistic guilds. 5403 Elmer Dr. Toledo 419-536-5566, www.toledogarden.org

Tony Packo’s Cafe

er celebrities and U .S. Presidents. Packo’s was also frequently mentioned by Toledo’s Jamie Farr on the TV series M*A*S*H*. In addition to the flagship eatery, Packo’s has a location across from Fifth Third Field, home of the Toledo Mud Hens. 1902 Front St., Toledo 800-366-4218, www.tonypackos.com

The Butterfly House See

hundreds

of live butterflies from North America, Central America and Asia in a beautiful indoor garden setting. Open May 1 through Sept. 30 and weekends in October. 11455 Obee Rd., Whitehouse 419-877-2733, www.butterfly-house. com

Sundance Kid Drive-In

The drive-in, located across from Pearson Park in Oregon, features two first-run films on two screens April through October. The 50’s-style drivein offers all the nostalgia with the best in state-of-the-art Digital Camera projection and FM stereo sound. Enjoy popcorn, nachos, burgers and more from the concession stand. In addition, the Butch Cassidy Canteen, an outside concession wagon, serves up carnival favorites. 4500 Navarre, Oregon 419-691-9668, www.greateasterntheatres.com

Tony Packo’s Café

Tony Packo’s is world-famous not only for its Hungarian-style hot dogs, but also for the hot dog buns, which have been signed by movie stars, oth-

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Fun Places to Visit Continued from page 38

The National Museum of the Great Lakes

National Museum of the Great Lakes

Located at the base of the Veterans Glass City Skyway Bridge, the 18,500 square foot National Museum of the Great Lakes features artifacts, interactive exhibits and displays that highlight the cultural history and research of the Great Lakes. Experience “The Great Lakes: A Powerful Force” theatre experience and a simulated submersible dive of the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck; Locate the Queen of the Lakes in Lake Ontario; stoke a steam boiler and much more. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays. 1701 Front St., Toledo www.inlandseas.org

Brandville School

Built in 1882, the Historic Brandville School has been refurbished and now houses the OregonJerusalem Historical Society. Local history memorabilia and military artifacts from every major conflict in which the United States has been involved dating back to 1812 to the present are featured. In 1994, Brandville School was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays (excluding holidays) March –December. Call to arrange tours for groups of four or more. No charge; donations accepted. 1133 Grasser St., Oregon 419-693-7052, www.ojhs.org

Harbor View Museum

The Harbor View Historical Society and Museum is one of the newest museums Oregon, and is still under construction. Located in the former Harbor View Missionary Baptist Church, the complex offers a glimpse of the War of 1812, the Battle of Lake Erie with the conclusion of the War in 1815. The exhibit includes two cannons that are replicas of the firepower used at the

Battle of Lake Erie and are from the 2003 Movie, “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” starring Russell Crowe. The Museum is open at no cost to the public Wednesdays 5-9 p.m. and Saturdays 1-5 p.m. Donations appreciated. 2083 Autokee Street, Oregon 419-691-1517, HVHS.inc@gmail.com

Elmore Depot

The Elmore Historical Society purchased 1860s Elmore Depot in 1981, along with 2.5 acres of land. The society undertook an extensive renovation, and the building now houses memorabilia from Elmore’s past. In 1983, society members dismantled, relocated and rebuilt the 1940s Heckman log house, adding an elaborate flagstone fireplace and porch, and furnishing it with artifacts from its era. Ory (Depot) Park, Elmore 419-260-1282, www.elmorehs.tripod.com

Woodville Historical

Woodville Historical Museum, operated by the Woodville Historical Society, features materials and artifacts documenting the rich history of the small village located on the banks of the Portage River about 20 miles east of Toledo. Open March through December, Wednesdays and Fridays 2 – 4 p.m. Additional hours: June through August, Wednesdays 6 – 8 p.m. and by appointment. 107 E. Main St., Woodville 419-849-2349

North Coast Vets Museum

The Northcoast Veterans Museum opened in 2004 as a tribute to those who have served in the uniformed service of the United States, especially those who have lost their lives in combat or training. The dramatic and colorful military displays include weapons, uniforms, pictures, memorabilia, military accessories, tents and first aid from the Civil War to present. Williams Park, 411 North Main St., Gibsonburg 419-332-5912

Hayes Presidential Center

Original White House gates lead the way to the nation’s first presidential center and museum, – a tribute to 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes. Through Jan. 4, 2016, the center will feature “Dressed for Life: First

The Hayes Museum’s First Ladies’ & Red Dress Collection”

Ladies’ & Red Dress Collection” featuring more than a half-dozen red dresses worn by First Ladies including Lucy Hayes, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalyn Carter and Laura Bush, along with celebrity dresses from New York City’s annual “Red Dress Collection.” Corner of Hayes & Buckland Avenues, Fremont 800-998-PRES (7737). www.rbhayes.org

Schedel Arboretum

The Schedel Arboretum was home to Joseph and Marie Schedel for more than 50 years before opening to the public in 1991. Visitors can enjoy gardens featuring nearly 20,000 annuals, roses, perennials, irises and peonies, including a Japanese garden complete with Torii, waterfall, pools, lanterns, bridges and a pagoda. Group tours of the grounds and mansion are available by appointment. Regular hours May-October, Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. Closed Mondays. 19255 W. Portage River South Rd., Elmore 419-862-3182, www.schedel-gardens.org

Green spaces

Metroparks of the Toledo Area Metroparks of the Toledo Area preserves many of Lucas County’s most unique natural areas, from the Oak Openings to the Lake Erie coastal zone. • Pearson Metropark, located at 761 Lallendorf Rd., Oregon, is one of the last remaining stands of the Great Black Swamp, a notorious forest that once blanketed much of Northwest Ohio. The thick woods and location close to Lake Erie make Pearson a favorite stopover for a wide variety of migrating birds. Open 7 a.m. until dark every day; extended hours for winter Continued on page 40

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recreation. Located in Pearson North, the Johlin Cabin offers a glimpse into homesteading in the 1860s in the Great Black Swamp. Metroparks of the Toledo Area 419-407-9700, www.metroparkstoledo.com • Maumee Bay State Park at Cedar Point and North Curtice roads along the Oregon-Jerusalem Township border offers a two-mile elevated boardwalk plus an observation tower amidst swamplands, marsh, scenic meadows and woods that are teeming with wildlife and birds. The park features lakeshore and inland beaches, a marina and an Arthur Hills-designed golf course and more. The Maumee Bay State Park Lodge and Conference Center offer lodge room and cottage accommodations designed with comfort and convenience in mind. 419-836-1466, www.maumeebaystateparklodge.org • The Wood County Park District oversees several park facilities in the county, including Cedar Creeks Preserve, a 42-acre tract located east of Walbridge where Woodville Road (SR 51) crosses Walbridge Road. The park is an excellent example of the former Black Swamp that once covered a large portion of Northwest Ohio and includes hiking trails, a footbridge, picnic tables, restrooms and an information kiosk. 419-353-1897, woodcountyparkdistrict.org • The Sandusky County Park District operates 10 facilities, including the 93-acre Wolf Creek Park, 160-acre Blue Huron Reserve, the Mull Covered Bridge, the 310-acre Creek Ben Farm and others. White Star Park, located south of Gibsonburg on SR 300, has a quarry up to 40 feet deep that is used by scuba divers throughout the region as well as for non-power boating and fishing; a beach and a campground located across from the park’s main entrance. 419-334-4495, 1-888-200-5577, www.lovemyparks.com • East Harbor State Park, 1169 N. Buck Rd off SR 269 in Marblehead, on the shores of Lake Erie. The park has unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation, including boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking and camping. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the abundance of waterfowl, shorebirds and other species of wildlife found in the park’s scenic wetlands. 419-734-4424, 1-866-664-6727, www.eastharborstatepark.org

The Marblehead Lighthouse.

• Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, 110 Lighthouse Dr., Marblehead One of Lake Erie’s best known and most-photographed landmarks, the lighthouse is one of Ohio’s newest state parks. The grounds surrounding the lighthouse offer excellent views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island and South Bass Island. Tours are offered on summer weekdays after Memorial Day until the Friday before Labor Day and on the second Saturday of the month June through October. A museum, located in the Keeper’s House and operated by the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society, is open whenever the tower is open. 419-734-4424 ext. 2, dnr.state.oh.us/ parks

Religious sites

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Genoa, features a grotto constructed of “tufa,” fossilized vegetation found in the “blue hole” at Castilia, Ohio, and a ground-level statue of a praying Saint Bernadette Souberious looking admiringly at Our Lady. The grounds also include a small altar, an adjoining bell tower of tufa, arches and outdoor Stations of the Cross in hand-carved Italian bronze. 204 S. Main St., Genoa, 419-855-8501 Our Lady of Toledo Shrine Our Lady of Toledo Shrine is a place of prayer, quiet reflection and healing. All faiths are welcome. The garden and well are open during daylight hours. 655 S. Coy Rd., Oregon 419-697-7742 Holy Rosary Cathedral Holy Rosary Cathedral, the primary church of Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo, is Spanish Plateresque in design – the only one of its kind in North America. Thousands have been

inspired by the graceful beauty of its piers and arches, by the richly decorated nave ceiling with scenes from the Old Testament, the half-domed apse embellished by frescoes in the Keim process, and by one of its most striking gems, the Rose Window, which sparkles and radiates in the changing light of the eastern sun. 2535 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo 419-244-9575, rosarycathedral.org Sorrowful Mother Shrine The Sorrowful Mother Shrine features 120 acres of wooded splendor, plus 40 points of interest including grottos, Sorrowful Mother Chapel, Pieta Outdoor Chapel, plus the Stations of the Cross. Founded in 1850, the original shrine is the oldest place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary in the Midwest. Cafeteria and gift shop available. 4106 SR 269, Bellevue 419-483-3435, www.sorrowfulmothershrine.org

African Safari Park

Come for a day of fun, education and entertainment at African Safari, home of more than 400 of the world’s most beautiful and exotic animals. For one price, enjoy both drive-thru and walk-thru safaris, plus camel rides, entertaining and educational animal shows, pig races and more. A gift shop, picnic facilities, a snack bar and café and grill are also available. Open through Dec. 6 (subject to change). Open daily rain or shine. 267 S. Lightner Rd., Port Clinton 800-521-2660, www.africansafariwildlifepark.com

Cedar Point

Lauded as “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” Cedar Point boasts 17 coasters, including Millennium Force, voted the number-one steel coaster on the planet. New for 2015 is Rougarou, a floorless-design coaster promising to deliver new thrills as it takes riders

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on an epic journey at speeds reaching 60 mph, with their feet dangling just inches above the track and the murky waters below. All told, the park’s 150 rides and attractions, including three kids’ areas and lively entertainment and musical shows, make it a destination for thrillseekers and families alike. Convenient accommodations are available just steps away from the park, including the newly-renovated Hotel Breakers. Other options include waterfront cottages, an all-suites hotel and an indoor waterpark. Open daily May 9 through Labor Day and weekends Sept. 13 through Nov. 1. 1 Cedar Pont Dr. (off US 6), Sandusky 419-627-2350, www.cedarpoint.com

Castaway Bay

Guests at Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay will feel like they have just landed on an island paradise. The indoor waterpark resort features wet and wild fun for the whole family, including a wave pool, water coaster, slides, kiddie water play areas and children’s activities. The resort also offers a state-ofthe-art arcade, restaurants and retail shops. In-season, overnight guests enjoy early entry and ticket discounts for Cedar Point. 2001 Cleveland Rd. (US 6), Sandusky 419-627-2500, www.castawaybay.com

Soak City

Located adjacent to Cedar Point, the 18-acre waterpark features a wave pool, raft rides, tube slides, inner tube rivers, and more. Choo-Choo Lagoon and Tadpole Town offer big fun for little ones. For adults, there’s Bubbles Swim-Up Bar a special area with a hot tub. Soak City guests can also enjoy the sandy Cedar Point Beach on Lake Erie. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. 1 Cedar Point Dr., (off US 6) Sandusky 419-627-2350, www.cedarpoint.com

Challenge Park

Challenge Park activity complex, located between Cedar Point and Soak City, offers the RipCord Skycoaster, two high-speed go-kart tracks, miniature golf and Skyscraper, a thrilling ride that spins riders in a circular motion 16 stories above the ground at speeds of 55 mph. Admission to Cedar Point or Soak City not required. Each attraction has

a separate fee. Open daily May 9-Sept. 7 and weekends through Nov. 1. 1 Cedar Point Dr., (off US 6), Sandusky 419-627-2350, www.cedarpoint.com

Ghostly Manor

A multi-attraction, family entertainment center, featured on The Travel Channel’s “Best Places I’ve Ever Been,” and Forbes’ “Top 10 Haunted Attractions” lists, Ghostly Manor features Ohio’s fastest virtual roller coaster, interactive 3-D black light miniature golf, a skating rink and bounce houses and an indoor play area (for under age 12). In December, visit the Winter Wonderland walk-thru. Open year-round. Call for hours. 3319 Milan Rd. (US 250), Sandusky 419-626-4467, ghostlymanor.com

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge is an all-suites, full-service, family destination indoor waterpark resort with family-friendly amenities that include rides and slides for kids of all ages, a spacious outdoor pool, arcade MagiQuest Live-action adventure, a performing Great Clock Tower, Scoops Kid Spa and more. 4600 Milan Rd. (US 250), Sandusky 800-641-WOLF (9653) www.greatwolf.com/sandusky

Sawmill Creek Resort

Located minutes from Cedar Point and Lake Erie Islands, Sawmill Creek features 235 lakeside acres, Tom Fazio championship golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, four restaurants and bars, nature preserve trails and more. 400 Sawmill Creek Dr., Huron/ Sandusky 419-433-3800, sawmillcreek.com

Kalahari Resort

Kalahari Resort offers year-round fun in its indoor waterpark, plus outdoor water and adventure parks. The indoor park features a 12,000 square-foot wave pool, the Swahili Swirl bowl raft ride, zip coaster uphill water rollercoaster waterslide, and Lazy River and more. 7000 Kalahari Dr. (off US 250),

2015

Sandusky 877-KALAHARI(525.2427), www. KalahariResorts.com/oh

Monsoon Lagoon

Monsoon Lagoon waterpark and family entertainment complex features aquatic adventures including waterslides, a lazy river, and Adventure Island Tree House with 17 levels. Miniature golf, bumper boats, grand prix cars and a gaming arcade round out a day of family fun. Open May 23-Sept. 7. Routes 2 & 269 (1530 S. Danbury Rd), Port Clinton 419-732-6671, monsoonlagoonwaterpark.com

Seneca Caverns

Visitors to Seneca Caverns – “The Caviest Cave” – can walk natural stone steps and pathways through “the earth crack” and past the Ole Mist’ry River. Shop Hollowrock Gifts for minerals, nature books and other gifts. Open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day; Saturdays and Sundays in May and September through mid-October or by appointment. 15248 E. Twp. Rd. 178 (off SR 269 S), Bellevue 419-483-6711, senecacavernsohio.com

Lakeside Chautauqua

For more than 140 years, Lakeside, the Chautauqua on Lake Erie, has welcomed families to the Lake Erie shore to participate in the summer Chautauqua experience dedicated to nurturing mind, body, and spirit. The historic Lakeside community offers spiritual, educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities during the summer programming season. Quaint shopping and unique dining complete the experience. Lakeside is a year-round destination that provides rest and renewal experiences for groups of all ages and sizes. 236 Walnut Ave., Lakeside 866-952-5374, www.lakesideohio.com

Marblehead

Keeper’s House The oldest surviving home in Ottawa County offers visitors the chance to experience the history of lighthouse keepers. The 1822 home was the residence of the first three keepers of the oldest continually operated lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Great Wolf Lodge.

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Fun Places to Visit

Biking at Put-in-Bay m) (Courtesy of shoresandislands.co Continued from page 41

9999 E. Bayshore Road, Marblehead 419-798-9339, www.thekeepershouse.org Johnson’s Island Confederate Officers Prison Cemetery The historic cemetery is the final resting place of more than 200 of the 9,000 Confederate soldiers once imprisoned here. Open year-round, daily dawn-dusk. Gaydos Drive, Marblehead www.johnsonsisland.org Ferguson Gallery & Studio Visitors to the gallery of internationally recognized glass artist Cary Ferguson can enjoy glass-blowing and cutting demonstrations. Four showrooms are filled with jewelry, accessories, nautical decor, antiques and works of local artists. ADA accessible. Open Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment. 5890 E. Harbor Rd., Marblehead 419-734-0600, fergusongallery.com.

Put-in-Bay

Visitors have been flocking to the village of Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island for nearly 150 years. Hundreds of thousands travel here annually to enjoy family-friendly activities, outdoor recreation and a large variety of special events. Many start their visit with a narrated tram tour. Others choose to explore on their own, renting a golf cart, scooter or bike.

Heineman’s Winery

Families will find plenty to keep the kids entertained including a butterfly house, miniature golf, gem mining, cave tours, arcades, a carousel and go-kart racing. History enthusiasts won’t want to miss Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. 419-285-2832, visitputinbay.com Perry’s Victory & Peace Memorial Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial commemorates Oliver Hazard Perry’s victory over the British during the War of 1812, and the lasting peace between the U.S., England and Canada since that time. The memorial, a Doric column, rises the 352 feet over Lake Erie. Schedule varies, call or see website for details. 93 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay 419-285-2184, nps.gov/pevi Heineman’s Winery Founded in 1888 by Gustav Heineman, an immigrant from BadenBaden, Germany, Heineman’s Winery offers tours, a tasting room and wine garden with light snacks. Tours include a visit to Crystal Cave, the world’s largest recorded geode, located directly below the winery. Hours vary. 978 Catawba Ave., Put-in-Bay 419-285-2811, www.heinemanswinery.com Lake Erie Islands Hist. Museum Displays include more than 65 ship models; the South Bass Island Lighthouse Fresnel lens; and artifacts from the Battle of Lake Erie, island life and the Ford Tri-Motor and great hotel eras. There is a theatre, research library and bookstore. Hours (subject to change) Mid-May, June and September daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; July and August 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and October weekends 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 25 Town Hall Place, Put-in-Bay 419-285-2804, leihs.org

Kelleys Island

The largest American freshwater island on Lake Erie, Kelleys Island is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Most commonly explored by foot, bike, golf cart and/or kayak, the island has 600 acres of Ohio State Park land, 17 miles of coastline, nature and hiking trails, a fossil-filled quarry, wetlands, and wildflowers. Located in the western basin of Lake Erie, the island’s scenery can be discovered by foot, bike, golf cart, or kayak. Abundant waterfowl can be seen, making this a popular spot for birding enthusiasts, and each year in September, thousands of monarch butterflies. 419-746-2360, www.kelleysislandchamber.com

Miller Boat Line. (Courtesy of The Bea con)

Glacial Grooves

The world’s largest accessible glacial grooves, embedded with fossils that are 300-400 million years old, are located on the north side of Kelleys Island, and can be viewed from a walkway and stairs. Open year-round during daylight hours. Division Street, Kelleys Island ohiohistory.org

Kelleys Island Ferry Boat

The only daily passenger and automobile transportation to Kelleys Island from Marblehead. During peak season, the ferry departs every half hour and offer late-night service on weekends. 510 W. Main St. (SR 163), Marblehead 419-798-9763, www.kelleysislandferry.com

Jet Express

The Jet Express offers high-speed passenger ferries to downtown Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay from Port Clinton and Sandusky. Boats offer comfortable, stylish passenger cabins and open-air sundecks. Late-night service, group discounts and family-friendly children’s rates available. Service available May through October. 3 N. Monroe St., Port Clinton 800-245-1538, www.jet-express.com

Miller Ferries

Four passenger/ vehicle ferries operate from Catawba (end of Rt. 53 North) to the islands of Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island) and Middle Bass. 5174 E. Water St. (SR 53 North), Port Clinton 800-500-2421, www.millerferry.com

The Jet Express

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

Sawmill’s Birding Stay Our 1.5 mile trail in a Forested Riparian Corridor

• • • •

Lake Erie Beaches Great Lodge Rooms 3 Restaurants and Bars Wine Tour

Visit us and top Birding in America

Easy to travel on Ohio interstate Rt. 2, the same roadway east going or coming from Black Swamp Bird Observatory.

400 Sawmill Creek Dr., Huron/Sandusky, OH 44839

800-729-6455 • sawmillcreek.com

2015

Photo by Vishnevskiy Vasily, Shutterstock

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

KEEP CATS INDOORS Better for cats. Better for birds. Better for people.

The Challenge: Scientists estimate that every year in the United States, free-roaming domestic cats kill from 1.4 to 3.7 billion birds and 6.9 to 20.7 billion mammals. (For perspective, consider that 1.4 billion is equivalent to the entire human population of China.) Life for outdoor cats is risky and on average results in considerably shorter lives. Outdoor cats can be hit by cars; attacked by dogs, coyotes, or other wildlife; contract fatal diseases, such as rabies and feline distemper; and be lost, stolen, or poisoned. Feral and other free-roaming cats also pose a health risk to humans from the spread of diseases such as rabies and toxoplasmosis. Cats, the top carrier of rabies among domestic animals, pose a disproportionately larger risk of exposure to people than wildlife. Toxoplasmosis, which can infect any warm-blooded species, is deposited into the environment through cat feces and can lead to conditions such as memory loss, blindness, and death.

Studies show that outdoor cat colonies, sustained through the practice of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trap, Neuter, Release,â&#x20AC;? are also bad for birds and do not reduce feral cat populations. They are also inhumane for the cats, which lead short, harsh lives. Birds Impacted: Common songbirds, such as the Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, and House Wren, are victims of cat predation, as well as long-distance migrants such as the Indigo Bunting and Yellow Warbler. Rare and endangered species, such as the Piping Plover, Florida Scrub-Jay, and California Least Tern are also affected, along with birds that nest or feed on the ground, such as the California Quail. The Solution: Please, keep cats indoors. There are a number of ways to help cats adjust to an indoor lifestyle, and American Bird Conservancy provides a wealth of resources that can help. Many veterinarians and animal welfare organizations support keeping cats indoors for their own safety, as well as to prevent them from killing wildlife.

For more information: www.abcbirds.org/cats

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

FREE

Heath 9.25 oz.

Suet Cake

with purchase of Nature’s Window Bird Seed Expires May 18, 2015

Stop in and check out our Selection of Wild Bird Feed and Feeders •5lb Thistle Seed •20lb Standard Wild Bird Seed •40lb Standard Wild Bird Seed •10lb Black Oil Sunower Seed •50lb Black Oil Sunower Seed •15lb Cardinal Mix Bird Seed •20lb No Waste Bird Seed •10lb In-Shell Peanut Bird seed prices expire 5/18/15

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5120 Navarre Ave. • Oregon • 419-693-0601

Monday-Friday 8 am - 6 pm, Saturday 8 am - 5 pm, Sunday 10 am - 4 pm Visit our website at: www.gladieuxhomecenter.com

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

dŝƉƐ ĨŽƌ ƌĞƉŽƌƚŝŶŐ ďŝƌĚ ƐŝŐŚƚŝŶŐƐ Ăƚ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂ ƚŽ Ğ ŝƌĚ

DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂ ĂƚƚƌĂĐƚƐ ďŝƌĚĞƌƐ ĨƌŽŵ Ăůů ŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ͘ dŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ Ă ŶƵŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ,Žƚ ^ƉŽƚƐ ƐĞƚ ƵƉ ŝŶ Ğ ŝƌĚ ƚŽ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ ǇŽƵƌ ďŝƌĚ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚƐ ǁŚĞŶ ǇŽƵ ǀŝƐŝƚ͘ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ ŝƐ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚŽƐĞ ůŽĐĂƚŝŽŶƐ ŝŶ KŚŝŽ ǁŚĞƌĞ Ă ĐŽƵŶƚǇ ůŝŶĞ ƌƵŶƐ ƌŝŐŚƚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞ ŵŝĚĚůĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂƌĞĂ͊ dŚƵƐ͕ ƚŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ŶŽ ͞ŐĞŶĞƌĂů͟ ŚŽƚ ƐƉŽƚ ĨŽƌ Ăůů ŽĨ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ͘ dŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ Ğ ŝƌĚ ,Žƚ ^ƉŽƚƐ ĨŽƌ ĞĂĐŚ ĐŽƵŶƚǇ͘ dŚĞ ƐŽƵƚŚ ƉŽƌƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂ ;ŶĞĂƌ ZŽƵƚĞ ϮͿ ŝƐ ŝŶ KƚƚĂǁĂ ŽƵŶƚǇ͘ dŚĞ ŶŽƌƚŚ ƉŽƌƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ǁŝůĚůŝĨĞ ĂƌĞĂ ;ŶĞĂƌ >ĂŬĞ ƌŝĞͿ ŝƐ ŝŶ >ƵĐĂƐ ŽƵŶƚǇ͘

DŽƐƚ ďŝƌĚĞƌƐ ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ŐĞƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŽĂƌĚǁĂůŬ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚƐ Ăƚ DĂŐĞĞ ĂƌĞ ƌĞƉŽƌƚĞĚ ŚĞƌĞ͗ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂͲͲ ŽĂƌĚǁĂůŬ zŽƵ ŵĂǇ ƵƐĞ ƚŚŝƐ ,Žƚ ^ƉŽƚ ƚŽ ƌĞƉŽƌƚ ďŝƌĚƐ ǇŽƵ ƐĞĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŽĂƌĚǁĂůŬ ŝƚƐĞůĨ Žƌ ĂůŽŶŐ ƚŚĞ ǁŽŽĚ ĞĚŐĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ƐŽƵƚŚ ƐŝĚĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ ůŽƚ ĂĚũĂĐĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŽĂƌĚǁĂůŬ͘

Ɛ ǇŽƵ ĞŶƚĞƌ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ ĨƌŽŵ ZŽƵƚĞ Ϯ ƚŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů ,Žƚ ^ƉŽƚƐ ĂůŽŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƌŽƵƚĞ͗ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂͲͲ ůĂĐŬ ^ǁĂŵƉ ŝƌĚ KďƐĞƌǀĂƚŽƌǇ Θ dƌĂŝůƐ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ĂƌĞĂ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ƚŚĞ ůĂĐŬ ^ǁĂŵƉ ŝƌĚ KďƐĞƌǀĂƚŽƌǇ ŽĨĨŝĐĞ ĂŶĚ ǀŝƐŝƚŽƌ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ĨĞĞĚĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƚƌĂŝůƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƚ ǁŝƚŚ KƚƚĂǁĂ EĂƚŝŽŶĂů tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ZĞĨƵŐĞ͘ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂͲͲDŝŐƌĂƚŽƌǇ ŝƌĚ ĞŶƚĞƌ Θ ,ĂǁŬ dŽǁĞƌ dŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ĨĞĞĚĞƌƐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ŝƌĚ ĞŶƚĞƌ ĂŶĚ ƚƌĂŝůƐ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌƐŚ͘

DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂͲͲ ĂƵƐĞǁĂǇ ;KƚƚĂǁĂ Ž͘Ϳ dŚĞ ĐŽƵŶƚǇ ůŝŶĞ ĐƌŽƐƐĞƐ ƚŚĞ ĂƵƐĞǁĂǇ ŶĞĂƌ ƚŚĞ ƐĞĐŽŶĚ ƉƵůů ŽĨĨ ƐŽƵƚŚ ŽĨ >ĂŬĞ ƌŝĞ͘ DŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂƵƐĞǁĂǇ ŝƐ ŝŶ KƚƚĂǁĂ ŽƵŶƚǇ͘ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂͲͲ ĂƵƐĞǁĂǇ ;>ƵĐĂƐ Ž͘Ϳ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ Ă ƐŚŽƌƚ ƐĞĐƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂƵƐĞǁĂǇ ŶĞĂƌĞƐƚ >ĂŬĞ ƌŝĞ͘ dŚĞ ďŝƌĚƐ͕ ŽĨ ĐŽƵƌƐĞ͕ ĚŽ ŶŽƚ ĐĂƌĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ĐŽƵŶƚǇ ůŝŶĞ ĂŶĚ ĨƌĞĞůǇ ĐƌŽƐƐ ŝƚ͘ ^ŽŵĞ Ğ ŝƌĚĞƌƐ ĐĂƌĞĨƵůůǇ ŬĞĞƉ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƉĞƌƐŽŶĂů ůŝƐƚƐ ďǇ ĐŽƵŶƚǇ͘

dŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ƚŚƌĞĞ ,Žƚ ^ƉŽƚƐ ĂƐƐŽĐŝĂƚĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ďĞĂĐŚ͗ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂͲͲ ĞĂĐŚ ĂƐƚ dŚĞ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ ĂƌĞĂ ĨŽƌ ƚŚŝƐ ďĞĂĐŚ ŝƐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĞŶĚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂƵƐĞǁĂǇ ǁŚĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƌŽĂĚ ƚƵƌŶƐ ůĞĨƚ ƚŽǁĂƌĚ ƚŚĞ ŽĂƌĚǁĂůŬ͘ DĂŐĞĞ DĂƌƐŚ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ƌĞĂͲͲ ĞĂĐŚ tĞƐƚ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ďĞĂĐŚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĨŽƌŵĞƌ ƌĂŶĞ ƌĞĞŬ ^ƚĂƚĞ WĂƌŬ͘ KƚƚĂǁĂ EtZͲͲ ƌĂŶĞ ƌĞĞŬ ƐƚƵĂƌǇ dƌĂŝů dŚŝƐ ƉĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉ ƚƌĂŝů ǁĂƐ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϮ ĂŶĚ ŽĨĨĞƌƐ ĂĚĚŝƚŝŽŶĂů ǁĂƌďůĞƌ ŚĂďŝƚĂƚ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĞǆĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƌĂŶĞ ƌĞĞŬ ƐƚƵĂƌǇ͘ DŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƚƌĂŝů ŝƐ ŝŶ KƚƚĂǁĂ EĂƚŝŽŶĂů tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ZĞĨƵŐĞ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ŚĞůƉ ŵĂŬĞ ƚŚĞ ĚĂƚĂ ŝŶ Ğ ŝƌĚ ŵŽƐƚ ŚĞůƉĨƵů ŝĨ ǇŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĂǀŽŝĚ ƚŚƌĞĞ ƚǇƉĞƐ ŽĨ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚƐ͗ x EŽ ƚƌŝƉ ůŝƐƚƐ͘ Ğ ŝƌĚ ƉƌŽƚŽĐŽůƐ ĂƌĞ ŶŽƚ ƐĞƚ ƵƉ ƚŽ ĂĐĐĞƉƚ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚƐ ƚŚĂƚ ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚ Ă ͞ĚĂǇ͟ Žƌ ͞ƚƌŝƉ͟ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚ ŽĨ Ăůů ƚŚĞ ďŝƌĚƐ ǇŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ƐĞĞŶ ŽŶ Ă ŐŝǀĞŶ ĚĂǇ͘ zŽƵƌ ƐŝŐŚƚŝŶŐƐ ĨƌŽŵ ĂŶ ĞŶƚŝƌĞ ĚĂǇ ŽĨ ďŝƌĚŝŶŐ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ ďƌŽŬĞŶ ƵƉ ŝŶƚŽ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚƐ ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂƚŝŽŶƐ ǇŽƵ ǀŝƐŝƚĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ŽŶůǇ ĞǆĐĞƉƚŝŽŶ ŝƐ ǁŚĞŶ ǇŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ƐƉĞŶƚ ƚŚĞ ĞŶƚŝƌĞ ƚŝŵĞ Ăƚ Ă ƐŝŶŐůĞ ĚŝƐĐƌĞƚĞ ůŽĐĂƚŝŽŶ ; ŝŐ ^ŝƚ͕ ǁĂůŬ ĂůŽŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŽĂƌĚǁĂůŬ Ăůů ĚĂǇͿ͘ x EŽ ĐŽƵŶƚǇ ǁŝĚĞ Žƌ ŵƵůƚŝͲĐŽƵŶƚǇ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚƐ͘ Ğ ŝƌĚ ƌĞǀŝĞǁĞƌƐ ǁŝůů ŶŽƚ ďĞ ĂďůĞ ƚŽ ǀĂůŝĚĂƚĞ ƐƵĐŚ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚƐ ĂƐ ƉĂƌƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ ĚĂƚĂďĂƐĞ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŝƐ ďƵŝůƚ ĨƌŽŵ ĚĂƚĂ ƐƵďŵŝƚƚĞĚ ƚŽ Ğ ŝƌĚ͘ x EŽ ŵƵůƚŝͲƉĂƌƚǇ ůŝƐƚŝŶŐƐ͘ /Ĩ ǇŽƵ ƐƉůŝƚ ƵƉ͕ ĂŶĚ ďŝƌĚ ƐĞƉĂƌĂƚĞůǇ ;ĞĨĨŽƌƚ ŝƐ ŶŽ ůŽŶŐĞƌ ĐŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƚĞĚͿ͕ ƚŚĂƚ ŝƐ Ă ƐĞƉĂƌĂƚĞ ĞĨĨŽƌƚ ĂŶĚ ƐŽ ĚŽ ŶŽƚ ĂĚĚ ƐŝŐŚƚŝŶŐƐ ŝŶƚŽ ŽŶĞ ĐŽŶŐůŽŵĞƌĂƚĞ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚ͘ /Ĩ ǇŽƵ ďŝƌĚ ůŽŽƐĞůǇ ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ŝŶ ŽŶĞ ĐŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƚĞĚ ĞĨĨŽƌƚ ƚŚĂƚ ŝƚ Ɛƚŝůů ŽŶĞ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚ͘ ,ĂǀĞ ŽŶĞ Ğ ŝƌĚĞƌ ƐƵďŵŝƚ ƚŚĞ ůŝƐƚ ĨŽƌ Ă ŐƌŽƵƉ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŶ ƐŚĂƌĞ ŝƚ ǁŝƚŚ ǇŽƵ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŐƌŽƵƉ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ƚŚĞŶ ĂĚũƵƐƚ ǇŽƵƌ ĐŽƉǇ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĐŚĞĐŬůŝƐƚ ůŝƐƚ ƚŽ ƌĞĨůĞĐƚ ǁŚĂƚ ǇŽƵ ǇŽƵƌƐĞůĨ ŽďƐĞƌǀĞĚ͘

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Tips for reporting bird sightings at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge to eBird Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge spans two counties. The northern part of the refuge is in Lucas County and the southern part is in Ottawa County. Lucas County Ottawa NWR (Lucas Co.) Ottawa NWR--Auto Tour (Lucas Co.) Ottawa NWR--Crane Creek Estuary Trail Ottawa NWR--Crane Creek Estuary (Lucas Co.) Ottawa NWR--Veler Rd. (OH-2 @ Veler Rd.)

Ottawa County Ottawa NWR (Ottawa Co.) Ottawa NWR--Visitor Center and Boardwalk Ottawa NWR--Entrance Pool Ottawa NWR--Show Pool Ottawa NWR--Walking Trail Pools Ottawa NWR--Walking Trail Woodland Ottawa NWR--Auto Tour (Ottawa Co.) Ottawa NWR--Crane Creek Estuary (Ottawa Co.) Ottawa NWR--Adam Grimm Prairie (OH-2 @ Krause Rd.) Ottawa NWR--Boss Unit (OH-2 @ Benton-Carroll Rd.) Ottawa NWR--Stange Rd. @ Krause Rd. and Observation Tower Ottawa-Lucas Co. Rd. (Ottawa Co.) Ottawa NWR--Kontz Unit (OH-2 @ Bodi Rd.) Magee Marsh Wildlife Area--Black Swamp Bird Observatory & Trails

Reporting Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Auto Tour Bird Checklists on eBird If you wish to report your bird sightings to eBird from the Auto Tour at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, there are two eBird Hot Spots to receive your reports: Ottawa NWR—Auto Tour (Ottawa Co.) Ottawa NWR—Auto Tour (Lucas Co.) The south portion of the Auto Tour is in Ottawa County, the north portion is in Lucas Co. You are on the county line when the Auto Tour turns right (east) on Ottawa-Lucas Rd. Please keep two checklists of birds you see, one for each portion of the Auto Tour. The section in Ottawa County is about 2.4 miles; the section in Lucas County is 3 miles. eBird limits a “traveling” count to five miles or less and sorts your bird sightings by county, thus two “hot spots” to report your sightings. Sometimes the route of the Auto Tour varies, so you might want to set your odometer to record the actual miles you cover for each section. eBird web site: http://ebird.org/ Ohio eBird Hot Spot web site: http://ohioebirdhotspots.wikispaces.com

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Preserve puts emphasis on conservation In 2014, the year The Nature Conservancy’s Great Egret Marsh Preserve opened to the public, Tara Baranowski marked International Migratory Bird Day with a visit to the new preserve. It was near the peak of the spring migration and winged marvels were abundant, but the highlight of that day involved a pair of large raptors engaged in a courtship ritual that experienced birders may find familiar – but never routine. “I watched a pair of bald eagles lock talons midflight and then tumble, still locked, until they disappeared below the tree line east of the preserve,” recalls Baranowski, the Conservancy’s Lake Erie Coast and Islands Project Manager. “Bald eagles are a regular sighting at Great Egret Marsh, but I never get tired of this ritual, which is nothing short of spectacular.” Participants in The Biggest Week in American Birding have the opportunity to visit this new preserve for the first time in 2015. Great Egret Marsh, more than 150 acres of marsh and surrounding upland on the Marblehead Peninsula, was acquired with help from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, Ohio’s voter-approved conservation bond program. It is being restored, in part, through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other grants. Great Egret Marsh Preserve is one example of the habitat The Nature Conservancy, through the collaborative work of its Ohio and Michigan chapters, has helped to protect along the western Lake Erie basin: stretching from Great Egret Marsh west through the savannas of the Oak Openings region to the Erie Marsh Preserve in southeast Michigan (a privately owned piece of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge). In addition to Great Egret Marsh, the Conservancy’s Kitty Todd Preserve west of Toledo is a site recommended to birders visiting the area for the “Biggest Week”. As most birders know, the western Lake Erie basin – strategically located at the intersection of the Mississippi and North Atlantic Flyways – is an important corridor for migrating birds. Songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, hawks, owls, and other species that travel through this region are dependent on “stopover sites” that include a variety of habitats close to the shoreline. These sites provide migrating birds with critical rest-and-refuel opportunities during the high-stress periods of spring and fall migration, and afford birders with the opportunity to capture the wonder of migration with their binoculars and cameras. The conservancy has spent years identifying the attributes of these stop-

Sunset on the Great Egret Marsh Preserve.

over sites and mapping them – research that points to the need to protect places like Great Egret Marsh. “These areas benefit both wildlife and visitors,” explains Amy Brennan, the Conservancy’s Lake Erie Conservation Director. “We continue to focus conservation efforts on places that yield the highest potential return on investment for the health of the birds and the opportunities for people to view them.” Marshes for migration Like many conserved areas along Lake Erie’s coast, Great Egret Marsh is an oasis amid vacation homes and marinas, in this case the popular tourist area of Catawba Island. The preserve’s marshes – both natural and diked – are part of the West Harbor Basin, a long, narrow pool of Lake Erie backwater that geologists believe was once the channel of the Portage River. As the last wave of glaciation receded and Lake Erie’s water level rose, the river naturally rerouted itself to empty into the lake at Port Clinton instead of nearby East Harbor State Park. As a critical natural connector between East Harbor and the West Harbor Basin, the new preserve is the most visible example, in Ohio, of the Conservancy’s goal to protect and restore an additional 10,000 acres of coastal habitat along Lake Erie.

The preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk for bird-watching, fishing, hiking, kayaking and canoeing. An easy, 1.2 mile loop trail guides visitors through the marsh and surrounding upland. The old river channel at Great Egret Marsh remains a haven for shore birds and waders, including its namesake great egrets, which can be found in great numbers spring through fall. Biggest Week visitors can expect to see a variety of warblers in the groves of trees on property, killdeer and spotted sandpiper on the trails and shores, great blue herons and great egrets in the marsh as well as waterfowl including trumpeter swans. And, of course, bald eagles are regular visitors to the preserve. Some migrants, especially waterfowl, have moved on by mid-May. Bird watchers who return next year in March or April will enjoy sightings of both hooded and common mergansers, bufflehead, and both greater and lesser scaup among the regular divers that pass through. Few ecosystems support the biodiversity of life that freshwater marshes do, Baranowski explains. “Water, insects, aquatic vegetation, and fish are crucial resources for many guilds of birds including waders, shorebirds, diving and dabbling waterfowl, secretive marsh birds, swallows, terns and gulls,” she explains. Warblers and other neotropical migrants also take advantage of the abundance of insect life within coastal marshes during migration. But it was the annual visits from migratory waterfowl, Baranowski says, that helped protect this small amount (continued on page 48B)

Great Egret Marsh

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(continued on page 48A)

of habitat from being destroyed in the 1800s. “But for the actions of waterfowl hunters more than a century ago, there wouldn’t be many marshes left along Lake Erie’s coast,” Baranowski says. Hunt clubs conserved thousands of acres of wetland, while the rest were drained for farmland or vanished under shoreline development. Clubs like the 150-year-old Winous Point Shooting Club on Ohio’s Sandusky Bay and the Erie Shooting and Fishing Club at Michigan’s Erie Marsh Preserve continue to work with the Conservancy and other public and private partners to conserve and restore coastal marshes. Public and private partnerships encouraged by the Conservancy also have been essential to projects that have preserved more than 2,500 acres of wetland in the Western Lake Erie Basin over the past few years, including hundreds of acres restored at the heart of the ‘Biggest Week” activities – the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Not just passing through The Biggest Week in American Birding is scheduled for early-to midMay to capitalize on the peak of the spring migration season, but not all the birds that benefit from the habitat in the Western Lake Erie Basin are ‘just passing through’. In the Oak Openings Region, west of Toledo, birders can see the same variety of migrating warblers that can be found at Magee Marsh. The warblers that come to this habitat to nest, however, are more apparently abundant and easier to see. These include bluewinged warbler, common yellowthroat, and yellow-breasted chat. The Oak Openings Region is a 130-square-mile complex of oak savanna and wet prairie that developed on sand and clay deposited by glacial Lake Warren, the ancient predecessor of present day Lake Erie. The combination of porous sandy soils of the former beach ridges and an impervious clay layer beneath those soils creates a variety of habitats, including low-lying wetlands and windblown sand dunes populated by prairie, oak savanna, and forest. At Kitty Todd Preserve, The Nature Conservancy’s 1,000-acre preserve in the heart of the Oak Openings, many birders come to see the summer residents – many of which already have arrived by mid-May – including the lark sparrow, summer tanager, scarlet tanager, orchard oriole, red-headed woodpecker, and yellow-throated vireo. “One of my favorite things about hiking at Kitty Todd in mid-May is that you never know what migrants you may come across, but you can al-

Welcome to the Great Egret Marsh Preserve. most certainly know that the birds of the oak savanna will be there to greet you,” says Angie Cole, a volunteer for The Nature Conservancy who regularly leads hikes at Kitty Todd. “Last year during a morning hike in mid-May, we had a scarlet tanager, summer tanager, and red-headed woodpecker fly into the same tree!” Home to the globally endangered black oak savanna community, Kitty Todd has one of the highest concentrations of rare species of any nature preserve in the state. The preserve is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the first weekend of the month from May through October. During open weekends, guided hikes are offered on Saturdays at 2:00. Creating a shared vision The relationship between migratory birds and the habitat of the Western Lake Erie Basin is mutually beneficial in many ways. The birds that travel through this region are dependent on food and shelter offered by the stopover sites, and in turn, the birds represent an important component of the food chain by eating millions of insects and fruits and dispersing seeds along their route. Humans benefit, too, from this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon. The seasonal diversity and abundance of migrating birds in the basin attract birders from around the world, who collectively benefit the region’s economy by spending an estimated $37 mil-

lion on food, gas, lodging, and other expenses related to their visit to the Lake Erie coast. In this landscape, the Conservancy is working with nearly 200 conservation partners in Ohio, Michigan and Ontario who have helped define the regional conservation agenda in western Lake Erie and identify the reasons people value this region. The Conservancy’s Western Lake Erie Coastal Conservation Vision Project recognizes migratory birds as an important target for conserving Lake Erie biodiversity and the tourism industry that depends on these species. We are actively engaging stakeholders to create a shared regional vision that integrates ecological and social values to provide solutions for people and nature. “The Vision Project has identified and mapped our regional conversation and socioeconomic goals together for the first time in one place,” explains Katie Kahl, the Conservancy’s Vision Project Manager, “to show not only where important stopover habitat should be protected, but how these same places also contribute to improving our fisheries, water quality and other recreation opportunities for people who live in and visit the region.” For more information about The Nature Conservancy’s work to protect migratory birds in the Western Lake Erie Basin, visit nature.org/wlebmigrants and for more information about the Conservancy’s Western Lake Erie Coastal Vision, visit nature.ly/ WLEcoastalvision.

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Why drinking bird-friendly coffee matters is on the bag! By buying certified coffee you can become part of a truly sustainable chain from seedling to cup. Be part of the solution to a better life for all and enjoy the best coffee you’ve ever tasted.

Most of the coffee sold in America today is literally killing the songbirds we love – and destroying a sustainable method of farming that supports rural communities in Latin America and keeps farm workers and their children away from toxic chemicals. Care about bird conservation? Then don’t drink or buy coffee without this logo on the bag. Tanagers, thrushes, orioles, warblers, oven-birds and many other songbirds nesting in North America find sanctuary in the rustic canopy, tropical forest-like environments of family coffee farms that carry the The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) Birds Friendly® certification. Sun grown coffee – genetically modified and heavily dependent on chemical fertilization, pesticides and herbicides – adds to the destruction of critical bird habitat in Latin America – it literally kills birds we love and is harmful to farm workers and their families. ‘Birds & Beans the good coffee’™ is part of the solution. We want to help add thousands of hectares of shade grown, organic coffee habitat to the family farms already producing a truly sustainable and environmentally responsible crop. SMBC has developed strict scientific certification standards for coffee farming which is organic, shade grown, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The SMBC certification is the best assurance coffee drinkers can have that the coffee they are drinking is helping preserve habitat needed by migrant birds. Many of our most loved birds depend on environments such

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Home-grown coffee-plant. (Photo courtesy of Kenn and Kim Kaufman) as those provided by ‘Rustic Canopy’ coffee farming for sustaining their populations – perhaps even for their survival. The development of GM coffee that can be grown in full sun with heavy chemicals, the growth of ‘factory’ agriculture in the coffee lands and the destruction of tropical forest make it increasingly difficult for many species to maintain viable population levels. Organic, shade grown coffee farms – family farms – are the best protection we can provide. However, the SMBC ‘Bird Friendly’® certification has not yet become the consumer ‘gold standard’ for sustainable coffee. Birds & Beans® coffee fills the void and promotes the certification. The only way you can be certain that the coffee in your cup is Bird Friendly® is if the Smithsonian’s seal

About the Birds & Beans® Company The Birds & Beans® story began in Toronto in 1998 when Madeleine and David Pritchard opened their Café and Roastery – serving only ‘Bird Friendly’® coffee. Ten years later Scott Weidensaul (Pulitzer prize finalist author and naturalist, ‘Living on the Wind’, ‘Of a Feather’) and Bill Wilson took up the cause to shift coffee drinking behavior of bird lovers in New England, New York and eventually across the US. Birds & Beans ‘Bird Friendly’® independent certification means that Birds & Beans® coffee is 100 percentorganic and shade-grown, ensuring the conservation of migratory bird habitat in Latin America. The Birds & Beans partnership has grown to include three ‘ Voices for the Birds’ — authors, naturalists, educators and conservationists. Kenn Kaufman (‘Kingbird Highway’, Kaufman Field Guide series) and Bridget Stutchbury (‘Silence of Songbirds’, Professor and Director of The Stutchbury Lab at York University, Toronto) have joined Scott Weidensaul in getting the word out about The Good Coffee. Kenn, Bridget and Scott toured New England, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey from 2009 through 2011 for ‘The Birds & Beans Talks’™, a series of free lectures about the birds we know and love and how our lives and theirs are inexorably connected. The talks are continuing. Three family owned artisan roaster partners form the Birds & Beans collective. They are experts in delivering environmentally sound great tasting coffee. They select, roast and package the best tasting ‘Bird Friendly’® coffee in the world.

Read about the heroes living in the homes next to you. In these 50 short stories, Press columnist John Szozda tells the stories of common people who have met uncommon challenges with vision, courage, passion and determination. For your copy of John Szozda’s book, send $15 to The Press, Box 169-J Millbury, OH 43447 or call 419-836-2221.

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BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

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Group of birders at the Biggest Week in American Birding. (Photo by David Lewis)

Let the 3-hour Bird Day Challenge begin... One of the most exciting events taking place during The Biggest Week in Birding is the Birds and & Blooms Magazine Bird Day Challenge. The challenge takes the elements of birdwatching, but puts a competitive twist on it. “The Bird Day Challenge is a 3-hour birding challenge held on International Migratory Bird Day and Bird Ohio. We have two teams that try to see as many bird species as possible in a 3-hour period,” said Birds and Blooms Editor Stacy Tornio. Tornio will lead one of the two teams in the competition. Challenges like this aren’t uncommon in the birding world, but what makes this one especially interesting is the small amount of time allotted. The time restraint poses a series of challenges for the competitors. “Since the time is so limited, you really have to strategize how and where you spend your time. A few minutes wasted can be the difference between winning and losing,” said Tornio. Tornio’s team will be competing against another group lead by Birds and Blooms Senior Editor Kirsten Sweet. Both teams are currently taking donations and a victory in the challenge will go even further towards helping out some very deserving groups. “We are birding to raise money for two worthwhile organizations, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Black Swamp Bird Observatory. The (winning team) gets $750 for their charity and the runner-up gets $250,” said Tornio. Black Swamp Bird Observatory’s Executive Director, Kimberly Kaufman is thrilled to have this support. “The

opportunity to work with America’s #1 birding and gardening magazine is a huge opportunity for our organization,” said Kaufman. Their support has made an enormous difference for the festival, and it should send a very positive message to the people of the region about what a great asset birds and birding are for northwest Ohio!” Aside from the support for worthwhile organizations, Tornio hopes that the challenge will encourage people who have never given birding a chance to consider devoting time to the activity, no matter how much. “We want people to get excited about birds. You don’t have to be a hardcore birder, going out for 24 hours at a time, to enjoy birds. You can just take half an hour, or a few hours, out of your day,” she said. And according to Tornio, this is the perfect area to get started in birdwatching. “Northwest Ohio is THE place to do this. This is a migration hotspot, and May is the height of migration season. There are all these beautiful birds, and so many birders in the area to help

teach you the ropes. You owe it to yourself to notice this magnificent phenomenon happening around you.” There are a number of great birding events in this country, but The Biggest Week in American Birding is one of the most notable, attracting people from all over the world. The event captured the attention of Birds and Blooms, a magazine with over a million readers. “We discovered Black Swamp Bird Observatory (and) Biggest Week a few years ago, and we immediately knew it was a fantastic partnership,” said Tornio. “We are honored to sponsor The Biggest Week and support this event as much as possible. We look forward to this all year. The hospitality is fantastic, and northwest Ohio should be proud of what BSBO and this event brings to this region.” To donate to Black Swamp Bird Observatory in support of #TeamStacy, visit www.crowdrise.com/birddaychallenge. Learn more the Bird Day Challenge teams at birdsandblooms.com/ birddaychallenge, and follow along on Bird Day (May 9) via Twitter using the hashtag #birdnerd.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

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BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

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BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

How to make wind energy ‘bird smart’ An interview with Michael Hutchins, Director, Bird Smart Wind Energy Campaign, American Bird Conservancy — How many birds and bats are being killed annually by wind turbines? Michael Hutchins: The wind energy industry has done a remarkable job of selling itself as “green.” However, the dirty secret is that wind turbines kill hundreds of thousands of ecologically-important native birds and bats annually, and this has been confirmed by several peer-reviewed studies. Sean Smallwood reviewed bird and bat fatalities from 31 different wind facilities in the U.S. in 2012. After correcting for observer error and predator removal of carcasses, he estimated that 573,000 birds and 888,000 bats were being killed annually by U.S. wind energy facilities at 2012 build-out levels. There are vastly more turbines now, and that number is expected to swell exponentially as the country moves towards its goal of having 20 percent of its electrical energy supplied by wind by 2030. Scott Loss and his colleagues looked exclusively at the impact of monopole turbines on birds. Based on the 68 Michael Hutchins studies they reviewed, the authors estimated that wind turbines kill some 239,000 birds annually. However, they also predicted that by 2030 or earlier, wind turbines could be killing 1.4 million birds annually. Additionally, the authors found that bird collision mortality is correlated with increasing hub height. Across a range of turbine heights, the study predicts a staggering tenfold increase in bird mortality. This same article states that wind turbine height in the U.S. has risen 50% in the past decade, which suggests that the threat is increasing not decreasing. Wallace Erickson and his colleagues estimated that 238,000 birds were being killed in the U.S. annually by wind turbines, including 134,000-230,000 small passerines. However, this study did not include some of the worst-killing wind facilities, nor did it extrapolate its findings to future build-out. When this is done, the estimate still reaches 1-2.5 million birds taken annually. Is it true that—when compared to other sources of mortality—wind

energy’s, current impact on birds is smaller than other causes of death, such as feral cats, pesticides, and building collisions? If so, why should we be worried about it? Michael Hutchins: While it is true that other factors, kill far more birds than wind energy (an estimated 4 billion plus annually), is this a cogent argument for poorly-sited and -managed wind energy development? In fact, it may be just the opposite. The impacts of all of these factors are cumulative, thus making it important that all are addressed to every extent possible. Even populations of common bird species are in rapid decline and the killing of threatened and endangered species leaves even less room for error. With endangered species, like Whooping Cranes or Kirtland’s Warblers, the loss of even a few individuals can represent a significant blow to the population. Won’t more wind turbines also mean the need for more power lines and towers? What implications will this have for our native birds? Michael Hutchins: The bird kill estimates cited above do not include deaths or reproductive failure due to a loss of habitat, disturbance, or to collisions/electrocutions at the transmission towers and lines associated with wind facilities--a figure that was approaching 7 million birds annually in 2012. Hundreds of miles of new transmission lines and towers are currently under construction or planned to carry wind- and solar-generated electrical energy into the grid. (4) ABC has been pressing for more accountability by wind energy companies for some time. Is the wind industry sufficiently regulated to protect our native wildlife? If not, what is wrong with the current system? Michael Hutchins: It is ABC’s opinion that the rapid growth of renewable energy, especially wind energy, has gotten way out ahead of the evolving science and regulatory framework. The current permitting guidelines for wind energy development are voluntary, rather than mandatory. Developers are not required to obtain a permit to kill federally-protected birds (or bats). They are instead encouraged to work cooperatively with state and federal wildlife agencies to study the possible impacts associated with specific sites before beginning construc-

tion. They are also encouraged to obtain incidental take permits if the risk to protected birds is thought to be sufficiently high. The trigger for such actions is currently ill-defined and many don’t even bother to go through the process. Another aspect of the current federal guidelines is that the FWS relies solely on wind energy developers to inform them if protected wildlife is being killed, even though the admission might prove detrimental to their bottom line. ABC considers industry selfreporting to be a major conflict of interest. The current system also suffers from a glaring lack of transparency. Data on bird and bat fatalities at existing facilities is often hidden. One windenergy company-Pacifico-recently sued the FWS to block the release of information on bird mortality to the public, which brings up the question: What are they hiding? Can the impacts of wind energy development on wildlife be effectively mitigated? Michael Hutchins: The wind industry, and its trade organization, the American Wind Energy Association, frequently assert that they know how to mitigate bird and bat deaths. Types of mitigation include the use of radar or observers to detect the presence of large flocks of birds and then shutting down the turbines either temporarily or seasonally (e.g. during peak migration); using lighting that does not attract birds or bats at night; management of habitat under the turbines (e.g., no vegetation or water that might attract birds or bats); reduction of prey species (i.e., to reduce attractiveness to raptors); and the retrofitting of associated transmission lines and towers (to reduce the probability of collisions or electrocution). Unfortunately, few of these methods have been systematically tested for their efficacy. The Department of Energy recently stated that, “…technologies to minimize impacts at operational facilities for most species are either in early stages of development or simply do not exist.” It is therefore important that research on the efficacy of various mitigation methods is tested as soon as possible because the claims of the wind industry are largely unsupported by science. ABC is a proponent of BirdSmart Wind Energy. What exactly do you mean by that? Michael Hutchins: Bird-Smart wind energy, as ABC defines it, has several important components. First, (continued on page 55)

Bird Smart (continued from page 54) there are some places that wind should be developed and some where it should be avoided at all costs due to the unacceptable risks posed to our nation’s federally-protected birds and bats. State and federal wildlife and natural resource agencies are charged with protecting our native wildlife under existing laws, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). When it comes to wind energy, siting is critical. ABC believes that wind energy development should be totally avoided in highly sensitive areas for birds, such as in or near major migratory routes, critical breeding areas, and other sensitive habitats, such as wetlands, where the risks are particularly high. This is especially true when the species in question are threatened, endangered or otherwise protected by law. ABC recognizes that some birds may be killed by any wind energy facility, regardless of location, risks can be reduced substantially through proper planning, siting, and mitigation. One key to Bird –Smart wind energy then is a fully independent and transparent pre-construction assessment of the risks posed to birds, bats and other wildlife and their habitats. In order to assist with Bird-Smart siting decisions, ABC developed a Wind Risk Assessment Map (http://www. abcbirds.org/extra/index_wind.html). Using Google Earth as a platform, this map shows the locations of important bird conservation areas that should be avoided by wind developers. Areas marked in red are crucial migratory routes and breeding habitat, wildlife refuges and parks, and important bird areas (IBAs), which should be avoided at all costs. Though not a substitute for detailed site-by-site risk assessment, it is hoped that wind developers and state and federal regulatory agencies begin using this map and other available information as tools to aid in siting decisions. Unfortunately, this is currently not the case. A recent study conducted by Mississippi State University and funded by ABC highlighted the problems with siting. Overlaying the ABC Wind Map with the U.S. Geological Survey (http://eerscmap.usgs.gov/windfarm/ and Federal Aviation Administration (http://blog.aopa.org/vfr/?p=1252) maps, of both existing and proposed turbines, respectively, this study showed that there are tens of thousands of turbines already existing in highly sensitive areas for birds and tens of thousands more planned. For example, there are currently 24,000 existing

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Birds and turbines — a deadly mix. (Photo courtesy American Bird Conservancy) or planned turbines in the federallydesignated Whooping Crane Migratory Corridor, along with hundreds of miles of additional transmission towers and lines. The second critical component of Bird-Smart wind energy is mitigation. Even before a wind energy facility is constructed, plans should be made to do everything possible to reduce its impact on birds (and bats). The third and last component of Bird Smart wind energy development is compensation. If public trust resources, such as federally-protected birds (and bats), are taken incidentally even after appropriate siting and mitigation, then wind energy companies should pay for this right. This could take the form of support of conservation-related research, procurement of appropriate habitat away from the site; or other legitimate conservation-related activities. The U.S. has not begun developing offshore wind along the coasts or on the Great Lakes yet. What threats do you see for birds when that begins to happen? Michael Hutchins: If the wind industry and its supporters have their way, we will soon see vast numbers of turbines off our ecologically sensitive coasts and throughout the Great Lakes. If improperly sited, these developments could have significant impacts on our nation’s water birds and on the vast numbers neotropical migrants moving north to breed in the boreal forests of Canada. On Lake Huron, the FWS has recommended that wind developers stay at least 3 miles away from the shoreline, given that radar studies have shown vast numbers of birds moving through the area in the Spring and Fall. Nonetheless some wind developers have

violated this recommendation or are planning to do so, again demonstrating the need to better regulate the industry. ABC recently petitioned the USFWS to establish a permitting system under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act? Why is this important? Michael Hutchins: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) presumably provides protection for migratory birds, but its enforcement is spotty at best, and there is currently no incidental take permit available. ABC recently petitioned the FWS to establish a permitting process under the MBTA, which would—for the first time—place specific limits on the number of migratory birds taken by wind energy facilities. It is hoped that improved FWS authority under the MBTA will improve enforcement. ABC is suing the USFWS over its 30-year eagle take rule. Can you explain why the organization thought this was necessary? If eagles are no longer endangered why is this an issue? Michael Hutchins: ABC recently sued the FWS over the revised 30-year Eagle take Rule, as the rule was issued without going through a National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process, which would typically involve a detailed study of the rule’s implications for federally-protected species and a public comment period. Neither did they consult with the tribes before implementing this rule. Instead, the FWS argued that the change was merely “administrative” in nature and claimed a categorical exclusion from NEPA, which ABC considers a dangerous precedent to be setting for major decisions affecting our nation’s wildlife. The case is currently pending.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

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BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Ohio’s Wildlife Viewing Opportunities, So What’s in a Name? Wildlife conservation in Ohio is a huge undertaking and has been successful because of the diverse group of partners all working to protect and manage critical wildlife habitats. But what implications does this have for those who just want to catch a glimpse of those rare and elusive birds? Plenty, because these organizations are independent, missions and management strategies can differ. Rules for visitors to follow also vary from one agency to the next. To add to the confusion, many of these organizations share boundaries, so distinguishing between them can be difficult. Here is a quick primer on the organizations that manage wildlife viewing areas in northwest Ohio. USFWS - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal agency that oversees wildlife conservation on behalf of the American people, including the regulation, protection and management of federally endangered species and migratory birds. The USFWS also administers the Federal Duck Stamp program, one of the most successful conservation programs in history. The agency manages more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) throughout the country totaling nearly 150 million acres of land and water. Ottawa NWR located in Oak Harbor, Ohio, manages nearly 10,000 acres and has 15-miles of hiking trails, a 7.5 mile Wildlife Drive, and an 11,000 square foot Visitor Center. The refuge offers numerous environmental education and interpretative guided programs, including bus trips for birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts to Cedar Point NWR and other refuge attractions. West Sister Island NWR is closed to the public to protect nesting heron and egret colonies. Contact the refuge at 419-898-0014 or visit the website for additional information http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ottawa/ ODNR- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is the state organization that oversees the 11 agencies that manage Ohio’s natural resources, including forests, wildlife, natural areas and state parks. The 11 agencies under the ODNR are referred to as Divisions, such as ODNR Division of Parks or ODNR Division of Wildlife. For more information about any of the ODNR agencies or their properties, visit: ohiodnr.gov Division of Wildlife- The ODNR Division of Wildlife is the state agency that oversees wildlife conservation in Ohio. The Division manages or cooperates in managing more than 750,000 acres of wildlife lands throughout the state, plus more than 2,250,000 acres of water. Local wildlife areas include Magee Marsh, Metzger Marsh, Toussaint, Pickerel Creek, Mallard Club Marsh and Old Woman Creek. The Division of Wildlife receives no taxpayer dollars. Instead, the agency is funded primarily by hunters and anglers through the purchase of licenses, permits and federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment. Because of this dedicated funding, only wildlife conservation activities are allowed on wildlife areas and they have very few amenities compared to other viewing areas. Financial support is also received through the Ohio Wildlife Diversity Fund including: donations, specialty license plates, tax check-offs and the Wildlife Legacy Stamp. At Magee Marsh, areas posted “Controlled Access” are off limits without proper permits. Other wildlife areas are posted with “Wildlife Area, Public Hunting and Fishing” signs and are open to the public for wildlife viewing; however, trails are limited or non-existent. No camping, swimming or soliciting is permitted on any wildlife area, and dogs are only allowed at designated dog training areas during the spring. Division of Parks- The ODNR Division of Parks is the state agency that oversees the management of Ohio’s state parks. The goal of the Division of Parks is to provide fun, safe, clean and friendly places where visitors can gather and enjoy Ohio’s outdoors. The Division of Parks manages 74 state parks in 59 counties with more than 174,000 acres of land and water resources. Facilities may include resort lodges, golf courses, campsites, cottages, nature centers, swimming beaches and pools, boat ramps and docks, picnic areas and trails. The Maumee Bay State Park and Resort offers 1,336 acres of recreational facilities and unique natural environment created by the convergence of the land and Lake Erie. The park balances recreational facilities with the natural world to gives visitors a diverse experience in a coastal environment. Catawba State Park is a small 10-acre park on the west side of Catawba Island offering access to Lake Erie, a picnic area and small swim beach. East Harbor State Park offers areas for boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking and camping.

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Division of Forestry- The ODNR Division of Forestry is the state agency that oversees Ohio’s forest lands. The agency’s goal is to promote and manage for the sustainable use and protection of Ohio’s private and public forests. Ohio has 21 state forests containing nearly 200,000 acres spanning 21 counties. State Forests have both forest management and wildlife habitat management programs. Generally more primitive than state parks, Ohio’s forests invite outdoor enthusiasts from bird watchers to all-terrain vehicle riders. The Maumee State Forest has 2 miles of marked hiking trails and 66 miles of unmarked fire lanes available for hiking as well as 8 miles of bridle trails and 7 miles of trails designated for APV riding. Camping and building of fires is prohibited. The area is open to visitors between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Division of Natural Areas- The ODNR Division of Natural Areas is the state agency that protects natural areas with ecological or geological significance. Many of these areas include remnants of Ohio's natural heritage. Some areas are very fragile and a permit is required for access. State nature preserves are not parks. Instead, they are sanctuaries for rare plants and animals. For this reason, only minimum impact activities such as bird watching, hiking, nature study and photography are allowed, but not picnicking, camping or fires. Preserves are open daily from dawn to dusk. Visitors are restricted to designated trails. Nature preserves in northwest Ohio include: Sheldon Marsh, North Pond, Augusta Anne Olsen and Irwin Prairie. Metro Parks- County metroparks are area parks that are managed by the local county government. Because of the local control, the management of the individual parks varies greatly. Some metro parks focus purely on recreational use while other parks include wildlife conservation. Amenities and visitor rules vary from park to park and county to county. Examples of local metroparks include: Pearson, Sidecut, Oak Openings, Secor, Edison Woods, East Sandusky Bay and Blue Heron Reserve. Contact the county’s park district for more information about individual parks.

NGO- Non-government organizations are private groups focused on conservation efforts. These can be local, state or even national organizations. Rarely do these organizations manage properties; rather, they provide essential funding, research, expertise and volunteers to government agencies. Because of their structure, NGOs are play a crucial role in conservation efforts which would otherwise be impossible. As you can see, wildlife conservation in Ohio has many faces and goes by many names; however, one thing is certain: this diversity of support is the reason wildlife conservation in Ohio has been a success. These different groups can be confusing; however, by focusing on logos and keying in on words like wildlife area, refuge, forest, natural area or park and county, state or national, visitors will have a better understanding of what organization manages the property, the management strategy and the rules.

• Pop up shop May 8th-17th

for bird & nature lovers

• Arts, Crafts & Photography • Events & Workshops DK Eats & Treats on site hours: tues.-fri. 10-8 sat. & sun. 10-4

4441 summit st. toledo, oh 43611

(across from cullen park)

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Attention Birders: When you’re in the area, look for businesses with this logo in their window...

THIS BUSINESS SUPPORTS BIRD CONSERVATION AS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE

Black Swamp

BIRDS & BUSINESS Alliance www.bsbobird.org

These businesses support habitat conservation with a membership in the Black Swamp Birds and Business Alliance. For a full list of Birds and Business Alliance members, and to learn how your business can be part of our Alliance, visit www.bsbo.org and www.bwiab.com Lodging America’s Best Value Inn Bollin’s Beds & Birds Five Bells Inn Holiday Inn Express Island House Hotel Lighthouse Lodge Magee East Marina Marshall Inn Maumee Bay Lodge & Conf. Center Millsite Lodge Mckenna’s Inn Our Guest Inn & Suites Our Sunset Place Bed & Breakfast Redfern Inn And Rocky Point Winery Rock Ledge Inn Cottages Sawmill Creek Resort Sunnyside Tower Bed & Breakfast Twitchell Cottage Victorian Inn B & B Campgrounds Magee East Marina Camp Sabroske Area Dining & Carryout Barnside Creamery Bassett’s Market Blackberry Corner Tavern Common Grounds Cafe Crazy Lady Saloon Crosswinds Restaurant & Bar

DG’s Ice Cream (Food, Too!) Eagle’s Nest Sweet Retreat Jack’s Superette Kokomo Bay / Mango Mama’s Kozy Corners Magee East Marina General Store Maumee Bay General Store Maumee Bay Lodge & Conf. Center McCarthy’s Restaurant & Pub Mill Street Brew Oregon Inn On Bayshore Travelers Bar & Grill Area Shopping Bassett’s Market Bench Farms Birds And Beans Coffee Great Lakes Popcorn Co Green’s Pharmacy Imagine Metal Arts Jack’s Superette Magee East Marina General Store Maumee Bay General Store Cullen Park The Andersons Wild Birds Unlimited Birding Travel Bollin’s Beds & Birds Canopy Towers Family Cheepers! Birding On A Budget Greg Miller Birding

Birding Travel Partnership For Inter. Birding Sabrewing Nature Tours Wildside Nature Tours Sport Optics Celestron Eagle Optics Leica Sport Optics Swarovski Optiks Sport Optics Time & Optics Ltd. Vanguard Optics Zeiss Optics Area Attractions Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Toledo Museum Of Art Toledo Zoo Area Arboretums & Nature Centers James H. Mcbride Arboretum UT Lake Erie Center Schedel Arboretum And Gardens Stranahan Arboretum Area Museums Marblehead Area Danbury Township Historical Sites Toledo Area Toledo Botanical Gardens

Toledo Museum Of Art Other NW Ohio Museums Edison’s Birthplace Fort Meigs State Memorial Wood County Hist. Ctr. & Museum Hancock History Museum S.S. Willis B. Boyer Museum Ship Historical Const. Equip. Museum Marblehead Lighthouse State Park Hayes Presidential Center The Great Lakes Historical Society Services Benchmark Prints Brian Zwiebel Photography Dot Net Technologies East End Laundromat J Conklin Consulting Jordan Specialty Advert. Croghan Colonial Bank North Coast Copiers Oak Harbor Dental Care Ohio Telecom WPCR & WPIB Radio Nonprofit Organizations Cornell Laboratory Of Ornithology Publications Birds & Blooms Magazine Birdwatching Magazine Kaufman Field Guides

BIRDER’S MARKETPLACE The Birder’s Marketplace,

in the lobby of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center, will feature a wonderful variety of bird & nature related items including crafts, artwork, jewelry, birding wear & gear, optics, & birding travel information.

Every afternoon & evening during the festival from 3-8 p.m. (some booths will be open longer hours) the Birder’s Marketplace will be open for business!

2015

• Plants Attractive to Birds

Bench Farms St. Rt. 2 FARM MARKET & GREENHOUSE Owners: David & Cindy Bench

Open Daily April - October Where gardening friends gather 9151 Jerusalem Rd. (St. Rt. 2) Curtice, Ohio 43412 (2 miles east of N. Curtice Rd.)

419-836-9443 www.benchfarms.com

~Located in the barn~ Open Thursday-Sunday A country-primitive, gift shoppe

Welcome Birders

•Primitives • Homemade Candles • Unusual Plants

VISIT THE BIGGEST WEEK

•Heirloom Vegetables •Unique Homemades•Rare Herbs

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

For All Your Sweet-Tooth Needs! • Shakes • Ice Cream Sodas • Sundaes • Slushies • Cheese Cake on a Stick • Malts

Quick Meals Too • Hamburgers • Hot Dogs • Chili Dogs

Tell Us You’re a “Birder”

& Receive 10% OFF Your Entire Order! Just a few miles from Maumee Bay State Park

DG’S

DG’s Soft Serve & Fast Foods 10609 Jerusalem Rd. Curtice, OH 43412 419-836-7254

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Build-your-own self serve • select your cup size • choose from 10 ﬂavors • choose from up to 40 toppings, including: fresh fruit, nuts, cookies, candy toppings and more!

Buy 1 FROZEN Yogurt

Get 1 HALF OFF! Discounted yogurt will be of equal or lesser value. With Visitor’s Guide Coupon. Not valid with other discounts.

3165 Navarre Ave. Oregon, OH 43616 419.724.8989 Open 7 Days: 12pm - 10pm

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

WELCOME BIRDERS! Featuring: Burgers Steaks and Ribs Chicken Wings/Bombs Salads and Sandwiches

May 8th - 17th

Say that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a birder and receive 10% OFF your entire order! *Offer excludes alcohol

Only 2.6 miles from Maumee Bay State Park

3310 Navarre Avenue - Oregon 419-725-4747 Open 7 Days A Week - 11am-Midnight or Later

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Photographer’s bird exhibit spans 30 years Steve Gettle’s 30 year career as a photographer has taken him to far flung destinations as he travels the planet in search of wildlife. The result: a collection of more than a quarter-million images. Gettle’s day could be spent in a sweltering 125-degree photo blind documenting bluebird behavior, or bundled up in northern Minnesota at 40 degrees below zero photographing common redpolls. This spring, he’ll be in the Warbler Capital as a presenter during the Biggest Week in American Birding, and an exhibit of his bird photography will be on display at Secor Metropark. The Metroparks National Center for Nature Photography is sponsoring the exhibit, “Avian Images,” which captures the beauty, behavior, and grace of bird life from around the globe. Gettle’s expertise and passion for bird photography is particularly evident in this exhibit, whether it is a shot of two grebe’s courtship dance across a lake in South Dakota, or a delicate hummingbird frozen in mid-flight deep in the cloud forests of Ecuador. The exhibition, created especially for this showing, features more than 100 large format, fine art photographic prints made by the artist. The images eloquently reveal not only the beauty but also the complex behavior of his avian subjects. Both educational and stunning, his work is certain to inspire and amaze. The exhibit is open April through June. Secor Metropark is on Central Avenue, six miles west of Reynolds Road. The newly renovated National Center for Nature Photography is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and during special programs. Admission is free. Steve Gettle will also conduct educational workshops and give public presentations several times during the exhibit. See MetroparksToledo.com for details. (— Scott Carpenter/Metroparks public relations director)

Wildlife photographer Steve Gettle battling the elements.

JOHN GALLAGHER MEMORIAL BIRDING TRAIL 13551 West State Route 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 Trail is open year ‘round from sunrise to sunset

American Kestral by Steve Gettle.

Just north of Ohio State Route 2, at the entrance to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, the headquarters for Black Swamp Bird Observatory is immediately to your left. Behind the BSBO Visitors’ Center is the Gallagher Memorial Trail. The trail is an easy walking trail about one-third mile long leading through woodland edge, second growth woods, and meadow, all of which are often good for migrants. The Gallagher Trail also provides the area’s best opportunity to experience the bizarre and dazzling display of the American Woodcock.

ALSO OFFERING

BEING SERVED AT THE

OTTAWA NATIONAL

WILDLIFE REFUGE only minutes away from where you are birding.

MAY 2&3 AND MAY 9&10

HOTDOGS • BRATS • COLD DRINKS COME • RELAX • SHARE YOUR SIGHTINGS

STARTING

11AM-4PM PORT CLINTON

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Welcome Birders!

From: THE FRIENDS OF MAGEE MARSH

CHECK OUT OUR GIFT SHOP AT THE BIRD CENTER!

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Sunset at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, which won top honors in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest. Magee Marsh was chosen America’s best destination for birders upon the completion of four weeks of voting. (BSBO)

Voted BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT -13th Year in a Row-

Buy Any Lunch or Dinner Entree and Get Second of Equal or Lesser Value for

HALF OFF

2072 Woodville Rd. Oregon, OH 419.693.6695 Sun.-Thurs. 11-9 Fri. & Sat. 11-10

Not valid with any other offer.

Dining Guide

Hours Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday & Saturday 11 11a.m.-11 a.m. - 10p.m. p.m. Sundays Closed

Pizza, Grinders, Salads and more!

697-1799

(419) 2325 Woodville Road Oregon, OH 43616 Dine In or Carryout

Watch Eagles, Ducks & Geese From our own peninsula!

Sonny Berry’s famous

BAYSHORE Supper Club

Good Food? Just Ask Anyone! 1842 Woodville Rd., 419-693-0862

The Closest Restaurant to Maumee Bay State Park

Farm Raised American Catfish

Featuring Our Famous Lake Erie Perch & Whole Pickerel Dinners Also Serving Steaks, Shrimp Dinners, Breakfast, Noon Lunches, Complete Bar Service

5307 Bayshore Rd. 419-698-8106

Open: 8 am-10 pm Mon. - Sat.

• Prime Rib • Steaks • Lake Erie Perch • Seafood • Salads 6067 Bayshore Road 419-697-1000

The Water's Edge Restaurant at

BreakfasU t LVODI t %JOOer Open at 5:15 a.m. May 38-17 - 12

419.836.1466 ext. 24 Welcome Birders! • Happy Hour 11am-1pm, 4pm-6pm, $1 can beer • Sat. & Sun. Breakfast 8am-11:30am

Birders Box Lunches Sandwich, Salad, Chips, $8.25 And Dessert

Bono Tavern 842 Main St., Bono 419-836-8786

BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

2015

Hide and seek? Advantage Leica. Leica Ultravid HD-PLUS binoculars. NEW!

New Leica Ultravid HD-PLUS binoculars provide a satisfying advantage when seeking out hidden gems. All-new HD/HT objective lens glass and prism formulations are matched with new proprietary coatings to deliver brighter, crystal clear images, early dawn to late dusk. The benchmark performance weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve engineered into every set means even a rare Masked Duck canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hide. ___ ___ ___ ___ Learn more at leica-sportoptics.com Join the conversation on Facebook at /LeicaBirding

up to 5% increase in light transmission highest contrast pulls birds from cover perfectly balanced color available in 7x42, 8x42, and 10x42 models

Get the advantage. Visit Leica in Optics Alley at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory throughout the Biggest Week.