2025 Winter Raptor Extravaganza at The Wilds!

2025 Winter Raptor Extravaganza at The Wilds!

by | Dec 13, 2024 | Current News and Events, OOS Events, OOS Updates | 0 comments

2025 Winter Raptor Extravaganza at The Wilds: January 18, 2025

We’re looking forward to birding with members again at The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio, in 2025! Don’t miss a fun day of birding, seeing old friends and learning about the Eastern Hellbender!  

The OOS will return to The Wilds on January 18, 2025, for our annual trip to find wintering raptors and wintering waterfowl! This event is a big THANK YOU to all of the OOS members that help support our great organization. Because of you, we were able to sponsor many conservation programs/projects to organizations in Ohio for the protection of our birds and their habitat.

And the Youth Education Committee is always working on providing Ohio’s youth with opportunities through scholarships, educational opportunities, etc. in order to further their interest/passion to help Ohio’s bird conservation for them and future generations.

Register Here

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE! REGISTRATION IS LIMITED!

This is a members-only event** so sign up today to become eligible to join us! Signing up as a member (or renewing your membership) is easy – just click on the link below to join the OOS today!

Become an OOS Member or Renew Here

Once you’re a member, register for the 2025 OOS Winter Raptor Extravaganza by sending an email to Jason Larson at bairdstrogon@yahoo.com and join us for a fun day of birding! It’s free to members (although with rising costs we kindly request a small donation of $10 to help defray our costs). Read more below!

**If you know someone who is not a member and they would like to attend the event, simply have them sign-up for an OOS membership! Members may also invite non-members to attend the event, but an OOS member must make the reservation.

OOS Birders enjoying The Wilds in winter

The Wilds is a large reclaimed surface mine grassland area that has abundant wintering raptors and grassland nesting birds. While most of the region is rolling grassland, there are also areas of ponds, lakes, wetlands, spoils forest and remnant hardwood forests. Wide-open vistas make this a great raptor-watching spot. Special species that we may find are: Golden and Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk (light & dark morphs), Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Northern Shrike and Eastern Meadowlark. Open water areas can also attract a large variety of waterfowl. In the past we have seen such rarities as Long-tailed Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose and Green-winged Teal. If we are very fortunate, we might get to see something like the Prairie Falcon that spent the winter in 2003-2004. 

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.

2023 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
Where We Are Birding – August

Where We Are Birding – August

by | Aug 16, 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!

Amy Downing – Northwest Regional Director

Findlay Reservoir – Hancock County
I can’t help but annually mention my favorite find in my hometown at the Findlay Reservoir in Hancock County. This is a large, man-made stopover for many birds, particularly a large variety of shorebirds on their spring and fall migrations.  I’ve had occasional views of Whimbrel and Black-necked Stilts along with regular sightings of Baird’s Sandpipers, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, and Ruddy Turnstones, but my favorite annual  find is easily the Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Aside from the long walk to the middle dike at first or last light of day this is the best viewing and photography opportunity of this species in the state. There is accessible parking at the top of both boat ramps and all paths are groomed blacktop or stone paths accessible to most wheeled needs. 
My favorite Buffy’s are coming soon, and  Hancock County’s dry field conditions are ripe for them to navigate to the Findlay Reservoir!
Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Melissa Wales – Southeast Regional Director

West State St. Park – Athens County

As shorebird migration ramps up, those of us in heavily forested Athens County/SE Ohio sometimes struggle to find good habitat based on rainfall. Recently, birders here were surprised to find a small, post-storm, flooded puddle near the Ohio University putting green in the W. State St. park with up to six Least Sandpipers at one point poking around in the mud, along with some Killdeer. A good reminder that migrating birds find habitat wherever they can, and to keep our eyes on puddles and flooded fields for shorebirds right now!

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Diana Steele – Northeast Regional Director

Lakeview Park – Cuyahoga County

August and September are great months to wander through Lakeview Park in Lorain as part of a Lake Erie hotspot tour. While no one day guarantees a particular mix of species, you never know what might turn up there.

On the beach, you might encounter a variety of shorebirds, including Sanderling, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, sandpipers or plovers. The trees above the beach shelter smaller migratory birds like warblers and vireos, while in and over the lake you can spot ducks, mergansers, and a wide variety of gulls and terns. Peregrine falcons make regular forays into the gull population.

If the birds are scarce you can enjoy the late-blooming roses or dip your toes in the warm late-summer water.

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Jon Cefus – East Central Regional Director

Wilderness Road – Wayne County
This month, I am searching for shorebirds at one of the best spots in East Central Ohio, Wilderness Road in Wayne County.  Wilderness Road is a small road running east to west along mostly private property south of Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area.  In the past, water was drawn down in order to mine peat, but that operation ceased a few years ago, so searching for shorebirds is a bit more difficult, however there are still many birds that show up each year and as water levels go down naturally there is ample opportunity to observe shorebirds in their southern migration of thousands of miles.  A scope is typically essential to bird this area.  For more details on how to check various spots along Wilderness Road, see the Birding in Ohio webpage.
Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Tyler Ficker – Southwest Regional Director

Mercer Wildlife Area – Mercer County 

Mercer Wildlife Area in Mercer County is an excellent location for migrating shorebirds and wading birds in August! Most of the shorebird species that pass through Ohio show up in this area at some point throughout the season. You never know what might drop in there!

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info