2023 Regional Director Birdwalks

2023 Regional Director Birdwalks

Join the OOS Regional Director Birdwalks!

Every year, the Regional Directors of the Ohio Ornithological Society lead a birdwalk in their region.

Mark your calendars and join them for a fun morning of birding. Learn about birds and birding areas in your region OR venture outside of your region and see what great birding areas are available within our beautiful Ohio.

Be sure to check our website, Facebook and your email for continuing information on these walks as they develop.

Migrant Waterfowl, Songbirds and More
with Tyler Ficker, Southwest Regional Director

Where: Spring Valley Wildlife Area, Warren/Greene County
When: Saturday, March 25 at 9 am
Register: Free – tyler.ficker@ohiobirds.org

We’ll meet at 9am in the south parking lot for Spring Valley Wildlife Area (39.563967,-84.018377). The walk will be 2-1/2 to 3 hours depending on how the birding is.

Be sure to wear shoes that are waterproof in case some of the trails are wet. Since there is no clear place to have a group lunch, it will be on your own after the walk.

Spring Valley Wildlife Area

Early Warblers, Rails, Shorebirds
with Troy Herrel, Central Regional Director

Where: Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
When: Sunday, April 23 from 8am – 11am
Register: Free – email troyherrel@icloud.com

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is a metropolitan park in Central Ohio, owned and operated by Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. The park is within the Pleasant and Prairie townships, southwest of Columbus. It is the largest park in the Metro Parks system, with 7,103 acres. 1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, OH 43119

We’ll start off at the picnic area (39.9012566,-83.2104955) for songbirds and make our way to the wetlands for water birds and possibly shorebirds.

Virginia Rail

Breeding Birds and Late Migrants
with Melissa Wales, Southeast Regional Director 

Where: Cucumber Tree Run Trail, Athens
When: Saturday, May 27 from 8am – 11am
Register: Free – melissa.wales@ohiobirds.org

Join Melissa at the beautiful Strouds Run access trail through a woodland ravine just off the main business district (East State Street) in Athens. Look for spectacular breeding birds including Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Wood Thrush, and more! It’s not an accessible trail and requires sturdy footwear, and the ability to traverse uneven and at times, hilly terrain. Directions and parking info to come!

Norther Parula in tree

Summer Grassland Birds: Bobolinks and Henslow’s Sparrows with Leigh Casal, Northeast Regional Director 

Where: Bath Nature Preserve, Summit County
When: Saturday, June 17 from 8am to 11 am
Register: Free – leigh.casal@ohiobirds.org

Join me at Bath Nature Preserve for Summer Grassland Birds. We’ll hope to see Henslow’s Sparrows, Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks and many more. Expect to walk around 2 miles on  mostly flat terrain, with a few hills.

Directions and parking details to come.

Bobolink & Song Sparrow photos by Tom Fishburn

Bobolink in flight
Bobolink in flight

Fall Migrants with Jeremy Dominguez, Northwest Regional Director 

Where: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
When: Saturday, September 16 from 8am – 12pm
Register: Free – jeremy.dominguez@toledozoo.org

We will bird along the boardwalk. It’s a flat, easy walk. Some of the birds we might see are neotropic migrants in fall plumage. Warblers such as Blackpoll and Bay-breasted should be abundant, as well as a nice mix of other species including residents and birds Lake Erie might attract.

  • Meet at the East entrance of the boardwalk, represented by the black and white hiker on the map – please note legend for details. Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Trail Map
  • Bringing water, snacks and lunch is recommended.
  • Portajohns will be available
Magee marsh boardwalk

Fall Birding on easy trails with Barb Lindenmuth, East Central Regional Director

Where: Barnes Preserve, Wayne County
When: TBD 
Register: Free – email bklinden@hotmail.com.

NOTE: This trip was to be a spring trip and unfortunately had to be changed. Please watch the website and your monthly newsletter as more info becomes available

Barnes Preserve is a lovely 76-acre park of mature woods, restored prairie with two small ponds. It has 1.4 miles of paved trails as well as a grassy trail leading to the larger pond. Meet at the covered pavilion next to the parking lot. (3396 Sylvan Road, Wooster). The walk will be easy and the birds plentiful!

To register, please email me at bklinden@hotmail.com.

Watch for more information soon via website, Facebook and email.

Barnes Preserve Sign
Barnes Preserve
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE OOS

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE OOS

DISAPPOINTING BUT EXPECTED NEWS

This is the time of year we would look forward to our 2021 Winter Raptor Extravaganza at the Wilds in January and annual Warblers and Wildflowers weekend at Shawnee State Park in May.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the inability to safely and responsibly gather in person, the Ohio Ornithological Society will not be holding these events this year. Regional Directors’ bird walks are also on hiatus until gathering in person is safe again.

As soon as we are able to plan in-person events, presentations, and field trips, we will inform our members and supporters.

Meanwhile, stay tuned for announcements of virtual events like the upcoming January (date TBA) Zoom webinar presentation featuring northeast Ohio young birders “The Bird Nerds” and Buster Banish, moderated by Tykee James.

We hope you all stay safe until we can bird together in person again.

CANCELLED – 2020 Warblers & Wildflowers Weekend

CANCELLED – 2020 Warblers & Wildflowers Weekend

Dear Warblers & Wildflowers 2020 Registrants and Potential Registrants:

March 17, 2020
It is with great regret that we announce the cancelation of Warblers & Wildflowers for 2020. We will certainly miss seeing everyone at Shawnee State Park, but do not want to risk anyone’s health by continuing to think we could hold a large gathering in early May.

For those people who have already registered, we hope to be processing refunds by the end of this week.

We hope that everyone stays safe and healthy during this international crisis. The warblers will still come through our state and we hope you have a good place to enjoy them near you. And we’ll let you know the dates for next year’s festival as soon as we have finalized them.

OOS President Tim Colborn
OOS Events Committee Co-Chairs, Diana Steele & Melissa Wales
OOS Events Committee members Kathy McDonald & Kelly Ball