04-15-2008, 12:52 AM
COLUMBUS, OH - Spring is birdwatching time in Ohio, when hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts grab their binoculars and field guides and head for wetlands, lake shores and forests to catch a glimpse of the visiting migrants.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), spring is when dozens of songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl arrive in the state to nest or to rest on their way to breeding grounds in Canada and the Arctic. State parks, nature preserves and wildlife areas are among the best places to observe these colorful and interesting visitors.
"There's no better time to be an Ohio birder than in the spring," said Jim McCormac, avian education specialist with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. "Along Lake Erie, thousands of birds are 'stopping over' to feed and rest as they migrate north for the summer. In fact, Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area in Ottawa County has been named one of the top 10 birding destinations in North America by Birder's World and Wild Bird magazines."
Here's a list of places and events that will attract bird watchers in coming weeks:
Shreve Spring Migration Sensation, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 at Shreve Elementary School (Wayne County). A day packed with fun and birding events at Ohio's largest complex of natural inland wetlands. Visit shrevemigration.org for more information.
Lake Erie Wing Watch, April 11-13 at Firelands College in Huron (Erie County). A weekend of birding activities related to Erie, Lorain and Ottawa counties. Visit lakeeriewingwatch.com for details.
Stalking the Wild Woodcock, 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11 at Mary Jane Thurston State Park (Wood County) and at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 at Van Buren State Park. Meet at the Day Use Lodge at Mary Jane Thurston or at the Nature Center at Van Buren to learn about this shorebird. Call 419-348-7679.
Spring Woodcock Walk, 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 at Maumee Bay State Park (Lucas County). Meet at the Nature Center to witness the woodcock's spring courtship flight. Call 419-836-9117.
Cruising For Waterfowl, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 19, at Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County). Pre-registration required. Call 330-402-6906.
Bird Walks at Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area (Ottawa County). Meet at 8:30 a.m. on any of five Saturdays: April 19 and 26, May 3,17, and 24 at the west end of the boardwalk. Updated information about birds visiting the marsh is available daily at 419-898-0960.
International Migratory Bird Weekend, May 9-11 at Hocking Hills State Park (Hocking County). Join naturalists and birders along the Hocking Valley Birding Trail for a variety of programs, hikes and events. Call 740-385-6841, 740-385-8003 or visit birdhocking.com on the Internet.
International Migratory Bird Day, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at Maumee Bay State Park (Lucas County). Meet at the Nature Center for bird banding and more. Call 419-836-9117.
Migration Bird Walk, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 10 at Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County). Meet at Hope Furnace parking lot for a hike to greet spring migrants. Call 740-596-5253.
Whip-poor-will Hike, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at Shawnee State Park (Scioto County). Meet at the park office for a night excursion. Call 740-858-6652.
Ohio Ornithological Society Annual Meeting, May 16-18 at Mohican State Park (Ashland County). A weekend of guided walks, as well as informative lectures, led by some of Ohio's best birders in one of the most interesting birding locales in the state. Informative lectures, as well. Visit www.ohiobirds.org for details.
Nest With The Birds, May 11-17 at Kelleys Island State Park (Ottawa County). Catch the spring warbler migration, hike the park trails and attend guided bird walks. Call 419-746-2546 or visit information@kelleysislandnature.com on the Internet.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), spring is when dozens of songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl arrive in the state to nest or to rest on their way to breeding grounds in Canada and the Arctic. State parks, nature preserves and wildlife areas are among the best places to observe these colorful and interesting visitors.
"There's no better time to be an Ohio birder than in the spring," said Jim McCormac, avian education specialist with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. "Along Lake Erie, thousands of birds are 'stopping over' to feed and rest as they migrate north for the summer. In fact, Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area in Ottawa County has been named one of the top 10 birding destinations in North America by Birder's World and Wild Bird magazines."
Here's a list of places and events that will attract bird watchers in coming weeks:
Shreve Spring Migration Sensation, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 at Shreve Elementary School (Wayne County). A day packed with fun and birding events at Ohio's largest complex of natural inland wetlands. Visit shrevemigration.org for more information.
Lake Erie Wing Watch, April 11-13 at Firelands College in Huron (Erie County). A weekend of birding activities related to Erie, Lorain and Ottawa counties. Visit lakeeriewingwatch.com for details.
Stalking the Wild Woodcock, 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11 at Mary Jane Thurston State Park (Wood County) and at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 at Van Buren State Park. Meet at the Day Use Lodge at Mary Jane Thurston or at the Nature Center at Van Buren to learn about this shorebird. Call 419-348-7679.
Spring Woodcock Walk, 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 at Maumee Bay State Park (Lucas County). Meet at the Nature Center to witness the woodcock's spring courtship flight. Call 419-836-9117.
Cruising For Waterfowl, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 19, at Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County). Pre-registration required. Call 330-402-6906.
Bird Walks at Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area (Ottawa County). Meet at 8:30 a.m. on any of five Saturdays: April 19 and 26, May 3,17, and 24 at the west end of the boardwalk. Updated information about birds visiting the marsh is available daily at 419-898-0960.
International Migratory Bird Weekend, May 9-11 at Hocking Hills State Park (Hocking County). Join naturalists and birders along the Hocking Valley Birding Trail for a variety of programs, hikes and events. Call 740-385-6841, 740-385-8003 or visit birdhocking.com on the Internet.
International Migratory Bird Day, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at Maumee Bay State Park (Lucas County). Meet at the Nature Center for bird banding and more. Call 419-836-9117.
Migration Bird Walk, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 10 at Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County). Meet at Hope Furnace parking lot for a hike to greet spring migrants. Call 740-596-5253.
Whip-poor-will Hike, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at Shawnee State Park (Scioto County). Meet at the park office for a night excursion. Call 740-858-6652.
Ohio Ornithological Society Annual Meeting, May 16-18 at Mohican State Park (Ashland County). A weekend of guided walks, as well as informative lectures, led by some of Ohio's best birders in one of the most interesting birding locales in the state. Informative lectures, as well. Visit www.ohiobirds.org for details.
Nest With The Birds, May 11-17 at Kelleys Island State Park (Ottawa County). Catch the spring warbler migration, hike the park trails and attend guided bird walks. Call 419-746-2546 or visit information@kelleysislandnature.com on the Internet.