2024 Annual Meeting at the Gorman Nature Center

2024 Annual Meeting at the Gorman Nature Center

by | Oct 17, 2024 | Current News and Events, OOS Events, OOS Updates

OOS Annual Meeting
November 23, 2024
Gorman Nature Center, Richland County

Are you planning on attending this year? You’ll have fun and we need your member input. So we hope you’ll register soon.

Register Here

OOS will again have our annual meeting at the beautiful Gorman Nature Center in Richland County – 2295 Lexington Avenue, Mansfield, OH 44907. Event is free, but you need to register. Register here (via email) and indicate which birdwalk you wish to take – Clearfork Lake or Ohio Bird Sanctuary. (Please include all names in your party.)

We’ll start the day at 9 am with morning birdwalks at Clearfork Reservoir and the Ohio Bird Sanctuary in the area with experienced leaders. When everyone returns to the center around noon, we’ll have a chili cookoff lunch – be sure to vote for your favorite. And after, a short talk from our current Vice President, Jeremy Dominguez. Lastly, and most importantly, our annual elections. Join us and enjoy meeting with old birding friends and possibly meeting new ones.

 

Ohio Bird Sanctuary

The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is a haven for native birds, nature preserve, and living museum. It is dedicated to caring for and rehabilitating Ohio native birds, protecting natural habitat, and creating opportunities for people to engage with nature. Hike the footpaths and boardwalks lacing the woods and marshes along the headwaters of the Clear Fork River. The majority of the Sanctuary’s displays are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers for everyone to enjoy.

Clearfork creek

Clearfork Reservoir

Clearfork Reservoir Park is located seven miles southwest of Mansfield near State Route 97. The reservoir was designed to be the major source of water for the City of Mansfield and was completed in 1949. Situated in the upper Clearfork River Valley, the lake contains 997 surface acres of water and 14 miles of shoreline. Thirty-five square miles of farmland act as a collector of rainwater to keep the supply of water in the reservoir as constant as possible. The lake together with 1,000 acres of surrounding land is available for picnicking, boating, fishing, camping, hiking, hunting, and other forms of recreation.

2024 Regional Director Birdwalks

2024 Regional Director Birdwalks

by | Mar 4, 2024 | Current News and Events, OOS Events, OOS Updates

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.

Regional Directors are working on setting up their walks for 2024. Watch your email in the next couple weeks for an entire list. The first walk is coming up March 16th (rain date March 23).

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

Migrant Waterfowl and More
with Trevor Zook, Northwest Regional Director

Where: Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge (restricted area) – meet at Ottawa NWR
When: Saturday, March 16, 7:30am (rain date: 3/23)
Register: Trip Limited to 14 birders – Register with Trevor

We will meet at Ottawa NWR at 7:30am. The Blue Goose bus will take you to Cedar Point. The trip will be a driving tour, with periods of parking and walking short distances, so the difficulty should be very low with the exception of getting on and off the bus. NOTE: There will be no restroom access until after the tour. We should get back to Ottawa NWR around 11:30am.

The focus of the trip will be waterfowl, as at that point in the year we can see a huge diversity of dabblers and divers both in the wetland and on the lake. Sandhill Cranes are also very prevalent and likely pelicans as well. Multiple eagles nests should be active and visible.

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge (restricted area)
US-Fish-Wildlife Bus - Blue Goose Bus

Moonville Rail Trail, Vinton County
with Melissa Wales, Southeast Regional Director

Where: Moonville Rail Trail, Vinton County
When: Saturday, May 18, 2024 – 8:00 AM
Register: RSVP to seohiobirds@gmail.com by May 8 – Limited to 10 birders

A 2-mile round-trip walk of the section of the Moonville Rail Trail near Lake Hope State Park, just off SR 278 in Zaleski State Forest.
This trail:
  • runs along Raccoon Creek and an expanse of wetland
  • flat and partially graveled with some uneven ground
  • mostly shady, but there are some exposed, sunny spots, so a hat is recommended, along with sturdy, closed-toed walking shoes, water, and bug spray.
Limited to 10 birders. Pull-off parking along 278 is limited so carpooling is recommended.
 
Bonus: After the bird walk, Melissa will lead any interested birders to the famous haunted Moonville Tunnel a few miles away!
Moonville Trail
Moonville Rail Trail

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

Where: Bath Nature Preserve, Summit County
When: Wednesday, June 19 from 8:00 am to 11:00 AM
Register: leigh.casal@ohiobirds.org

Join me at Bath Nature Preserve for Summer Grassland Birds. Last year we saw 44 species, including a Henslow’s Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Gallinule, Acadian Flycatcher and more. Expect to walk around 2 miles on mostly flat terrain, with a few hills.

Directions and parking details to come.

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge (restricted area)

Fall Migration – Waterfowl, Warblers, Eagles and more
with Jeremy Dominguez, Vice President

Where: Walbridge Park, Toledo
When: Saturday, September 21, 2024  – 9:00 AM
Register: jeremy.dominguez@toledozoo.org 

Come to Toledo and catch a glimpse of fall migration with Jeremy Dominguez, Vice President of the OOS. Jeremy will take you birding at Walbridge Park, located along the Maumee River in Toledo Ohio. This is conveniently located minutes from Downtown Toledo and only 40 minutes from Ottawa NWR and Magee Marsh. This can be a good place to see waterfowl, warblers, eagles and more.

Restrooms are available at the park.
Walking is extremely easy and paved – wheelchair accessible.

Moonville Trail
Moonville Rail Trail
2023 OOS Annual Meeting Recap

2023 OOS Annual Meeting Recap

by | Nov 19, 2023 | OOS Events, OOS Updates, Past News and Events | 0 comments

2023 Ohio Ornithological Society Annual Meeting Recap

OOS members, guests and board members enjoyed a day of birding, good food, a look back at 2023 and to the future in 2024. And, enjoyed chili made by board members and voted for their favorite — East Central Regional Director, Barb Lindenmuth was the winner.

Your 2024 Board of Directors

  • Executive Board:
    Sue Evanoff, President; Jeremy Dominguez, Vice President; Kisa Weeman, Executive Secretary; Bruce Miller, Treasurer; Amy Downing, Recording Secretary.
  • Regional Directors:
    Northeast – Leigh Casal; Northwest – Trevor Zook; Central – Troy Herrel; East Central – Barb Lindenmuth; Southeast – Melissa Wales; Southwest – Tyler Ficker; Directors-at-Large – Ethan Kistler and Shane Myers.

A SPECIAL THANKS goes out to Jason Larson for hosting the event at the beautiful property and facility – Gorman Nature Center in Richland County. And, especially to Gary Cowell, Luke Donahue and Jason Larson for leading trips to Clear Fork Reservoir and the Wild Bird Sanctuary trails where, I believe, a good time was had by all.

2024 Regional Director Birdwalks

2023 Regional Director Birdwalks

by | Feb 16, 2023 | OOS Events, OOS Updates, Past News and Events

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
Where We Are Birding – September

Where We Are Birding – September

by | Oct 18, 2021 | OOS Updates, Past News and Events | 0 comments

Each month, our OOS Regional Directors are sharing their favorite birding hotspots in their respective regions – and beyond. These include some well-know destinations, specialty spots for specific species, and their own secret, treasured local patches. Have a favorite birding location? Reach out to your OOS Regional Director and let them know!

Melissa Wales – Southeast Regional Director

Strouds Run State Park – Athens County

The various trail systems at Strouds Run State Park have been good for birding diversity this fall, including breeding and migrant warblers. A recently exciting find by Athens birder Phil Cantino was this Clay-colored Sparrow, spotted along the fencing and scrubby habitat at the northwest end of the Blackhaw Trail. It hung out long enough for some of us to find and enjoy it! The Blackhaw Trail has been black-topped recently, improving accessibility for those with mobility issues. Other park trails circle the lake or head into the ravines and up into the beautiful forested hills surrounding Dow Lake, providing a nice diversity of habitat.

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Jon Cefus – East Central Regional Director

Quail Hollow Park – Stark County
This month, I will be looking for migrants making their way south through Ohio at one of my favorite home county hotspots, Quail Hollow Park in northeastern Stark County.  Quail Hollow offers diverse areas of habitat, but is primarily wooded with a large trail system, including one trail that is accessible for those with mobility challenges.  For more information about Quail Hollow Park, be sure to check out the Birding In Ohio Website for details.
Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Kandace Glanville – Central Regional Director

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park—Cedar Ridge Hawthorn Trail – Franklin County

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park—Cedar Ridge Hawthorn Trail is a great place in central Ohio to look for fall migrants in September. Vireos, Warblers, Thrushes, Tanagers and more can be found here as they rest on their journeys south. You can also check out Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park—Darby Plains Wet Prairie Restoration across the road for migrating shorebirds and other marsh-loving species. Battelle Darby has a fantastic nature center with restrooms, and plenty of paved and accessible trails as well.

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info
Where We Are Birding – October

Where We Are Birding – October

by | Oct 18, 2021 | OOS Updates, Past News and Events | 0 comments

Each month, our OOS Regional Directors are sharing their favorite birding hotspots in their respective regions – and beyond. These include some well-know destinations, specialty spots for specific species, and their own secret, treasured local patches. Have a favorite birding location? Reach out to your OOS Regional Director and let them know!

Melissa Wales – Southeast Regional Director

Poston Preserve / Hockhocking Adena Bikeway – Athens County

The 21-mile-long Hockhocking Adena Bikeway in Athens County offers an array of good birding spots. The stretch just south of Nelsonville at Glen Ebon Road (County Road 4) is a particularly good one with parking on either side of the bike path. Heading north or south will take you into tracts of the Poston Nature Preserve. Fall can offer up migrating thrushes and warblers as well as incoming sparrows and kinglets. Keep your eye on the Hocking River on the east side of the bike path for possible ducks.

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Diana Steele – Northeast Regional Director

Carlisle Reservation – Lorain County

Carlisle Reservation is the largest of Lorain County’s metroparks, comprising nearly 2,000 acres. The Equestrian Center offers a variety of edge and wetland habitats as well as a riparian zone along the Black River. A favorite October walk, the Northern Loop Horse trail, encircles a meadow and weaves into the woods along the river. In fall, this edge habitat is great for sparrows of all kinds, including song, white-throated, white-crowned, and Lincoln’s.

An added benefit of walking the trail in October is the ghouls, goblins, and skeletons set up for the drive-through “Halloween Boo-Thru” on October weekend nights. (Note that the park normally closes at sunset and the Boo-Thru is a ticketed, drive-through-only event.)

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Jon Cefus – East Central Regional Director

Salt Fork State Park and Seneca Lake – Guernsey County
This month, I am birding at 2 locations in Guernsey County.  My first stop will be some morning birding at Salt Fork State Park seeking late migrants as they make their way south for the winter.  From there, I will be headed to Seneca Lake to look for waterfowl and gulls.  The northern portion of Seneca is in Guernsey County with the southern area being in Noble County, so be mindful of those county lines!  For more information about birding these locations and more, see the Birding in Ohio website.  Happy birding!
Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Kandace Glanville – Central Regional Director

Walnut Woods Metro Park – Tall Pines Area – Franklin County

Walnut Woods Metro Park – Tall Pines Area in Franklin county is a great place to look for owls in the fall and winter months. Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-owl, Long-eared Owl, and Northern Saw-whet Owl have all been detected at this metro park in the last year! Tricky to find, and even more difficult to see, it often involves a long night hike and a lot of patience in the dark. Give the owls their much-needed space, have patience, and with some luck, you might be able to hear or see them just after dusk – or if you’re extra lucky, find them roosting in the daylight.

In the daylight hours, it’s a lovely park to go for a stroll on the nicely paved path winding through the “tall pines.” 

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info