Warblers & Wildflowers at Shawnee State Park

April 28-30, 2023

Warblers & Wildflowers is just around the corner. Your committee is working diligently to make this an event to remember and we can’t wait to see everyone!

Please note that registration deadline was April 21 at 5:00 PM and registration fees will be non-refundable after March 31 (extenuating circumstances may be considered.)

Join the OOS Shawnee State Park Lodge in Scioto County, OH for a celebration of Warblers and Wildflowers! The last weekend in April gives you a chance to meet the first big wave of spring migration, enjoy excellent presentations and experience the fellowship of fun and avid birders! Rooms and cabins available at Shawnee Lodge until full, and at Holiday Inn Express in nearby Portsmouth, OH. Details on the registration page.

Shawnee State Forest, and surrounding areas in Scioto and Adams Counties, is well known among Ohio birders as the place to get a head start on spring. Our tropical migrants arrive here well before they make their way to Ohio’s northern reaches. Some, such as Worm-eating Warbler, Blue Grosbeak and Summer Tanager, seldom make it to Lake Erie, as their breeding range is limited to the southern part of the state. One in particular, Chuck-wills-widow, is confined to a small area in southern Adams County. So, if you want to compile a large Ohio list, you will need to visit here.

Friday night will begin with registration in the lodge lobby beginning at 3 pm. A happy hour cash bar with a presentation by Shawnee State Park Naturalist Jenny Richards highlighting the wonderful biodiversity of the State Park and Forest. After a delicious buffet dinner, Keynote Speaker, Allen Chartier, Project Director for the Great Lakes HummerNet will present on Hummingbirds of the Great Lakes after which there will be an evening outing to listen for Chuck-will’s widows.

Saturday we’re up early for morning field trips, lunch in the field, then back to the lodge. Afternoon will be on your own. Later, after a buffet dinner, Jeremy Dominguez, Birding Outreach Coordinator and Ornithologist at The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium will present the Rewards and Challenges of Doing a Lower 48 “Big Year”. Once again, there will be an evening outing to listen for Chuck-will’s widows. Both nights you will have an opportunity to visit the cabins where Mothing stations will be set up for those interested.

Sunday morning birders will be on their own with the possible option to bird with guides remaining for the morning. We will share a map of Shawnee Forest for you to explore on your own.

Just as spring comes earlier for the birds in the Shawnee region, the same is true for wildflowers. The south-facing slopes along the shore of the Ohio River warm up first, kicking off the northward march of spring. The timing of wildflower blooming is tied to the weather much more than the timing of avian migrant arrival, so it is hard to predict what you can find in late April. But the diversity of habitats in this area guarantees that there is sure to be a correspondingly wide diversity of blooms.

PLANNED FIELD TRIPS

5. Birding 101
6. Thru the Lens: Photographic Birds
7. Birds & Wildflowers of Adams County – Edge of Appalachia
8. Birds & Botany of Adams County – Lynx Prairie

SAVE THE DATE! 

OOS Seeks Nominees and Volunteers for Open Positions

The OOS will hold our Annual Members Meeting at the Toledo Zoo on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
Birding at Howard Prior to the meeting!

RSVP is needed for attendance – register here today:

Please join us for our annual Members Meeting this year at the wonderful Toledo Zoo. The meeting will take place beginning at noon in the Zoo’s Great Hall. The meeting will include a short presentation from Zoo staff regarding the recognition of the importance of bird conservation and birding by the Zoo. In addiition, the Zoo will kindly allow OOS members access to the Zoo following the meeting (including their Christmas Lights event that afternoon/evening).

The day will start with birding – this year at the wonderful Howard Marsh MetroPark! Bird tours there will be led by OOS Board Members. After the half-hour drive to the Zoo, we’ll begin the meeting with a welcome and the presentation from Zoo Staff. We’ll follow that with a summary of the past year’s activity, a proposed change to the Bylaws change and nominees for election and re-election will be sent by email to all members no less than 30 days prior to the meeting.

Members will be welcomed to stay after the meeting to spend time talking with other members as well as OOS Board members. Following that time, attendees are welcome to visit the Zoo for the remainder of the day while the Board conducts their final quarterly meeting of the year.

RSVP’s are required so that we can provide your name to the Zoo for access.

Please send your name and email address to: Sue Evanoff
Sue will confirm your registration and share the process for attending the meeting. RSVP’s must be received by Monday, November 14th. Questions should be directed to Sue as well.

PLANNED AGENDA:
 
8:45am – 9:00a.          Arrive at Howard Marsh Metro Park (main parking area).

9:00am – 11:00am      Birding at Howard Marsh

11:30am – 12:00pm    Gather and socialize at Toledo Zoo (Great Hall in the ProMedica Museum of Natural History)

12:00pm – 1:30pm      Presentations/Member Meeting

1:30pm – 2:00pm        Conclusion/Members May Access the Zoo

(2:00pm – 4:00pm       OOS 4th Quarter Board Meeting)

Beverages will be provided. This will be an in-person meeting only.