The Passenger Pigeon
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CINCINNATI BIRD CLUB THE PASSENGER PIGEON VOLUME 51, NUMBER 4 APRIL 2015 April Program: Birding the Bluegrass SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST SPEAKER: Brian Wulker of nearby locations and po- his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Date: Friday, April 17th, tential weekend trips for the Biology from Morehead April Meeting 7:00 pm Cincinnati birder. Some State University in More- April Field Trips Location: Sharon Woods spots on the docket are: head, KY. While in school, Visitor’s Center Red River Gorge, Minor Brian became involved in East Fork Birding Festival Clark Fish Hatchery, Daniel the Kentucky birding scene April's speaker, Brian Boone National Forest and a and travelled throughout Falcon Cam Wulker, will be taking us smattering of western and the state, which he contin- Field Trip Notes on an exotic journey south northern Kentucky sites. ues to do frequently. Brian of the border… to Ken- is an expert birder and a Bird Quiz tucky. For some reason, not Most of you will know well-rounded naturalist, so Kayak Birding many Cincinnatians take Brian from his involvement he will include aspects of all advantage of their proximity with the local birding com- natural history in his talk. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: to a state that spans the gap munity, including the Cin- Please join us @ 7:00 p.m. between the Mississippi cinnati Bird Club. If you for snacks and schmoozing. River and the Appalachian haven’t met him, you’ve Birding Local Waterways 2 Mountains, with miles of probably seen Brian’s bird birdy countryside in be- reports. Brian finds great April 11 Kayak Trip 3 tween. In his talk Brian will birds on a weekly basis – ~ Jack Stenger, Program highlight some of his favor- my e-bird e-mail alerts have Chair East Fork Birding Festival 4 ite birding areas in Ken- become Brian’s personal tucky, including a balance sightings log. Brian earned Peregrine Falcon Cam 4 April Bird Quiz 5 April Field trip: Cincinnati Urban Birding March Quiz Answer 6 Date: April 18, 2015 habitats surrounded by a sea ter we would spot finches Time: 8:00am of human dwellings and that were hard to find any- Where: Spring Grove industry. It's a haven for where else in the area and in Calendar 7 Cemetery wintering and migratory the spring the warblers, Leader: Brian Wulker birds as well as local nesting thrushes and other song- How About Some Greek 8 species. This location has birds would be incredible. The Cincinnati Bird Club, been considered a Cincin- On April 18 the spring mi- March Meeting Re-cap 9 led by Brian Wulker, is nati birding hotspot long grations should be well un- going to Spring Grove before ebird hotspots came derway so we most likely Notes: Brookville 10 Cemetery and if time per- along. When I was a young will find a good variety of mits on to Burnet Woods. birder I would always get birds. Birds logged in ebird Notes: Cedar Bog 10 Spring Grove Cemetery is a excited about going to for Spring Grove Cemetery microcosm of different Spring Grove. In the win- (Continued on page 2) Notes: East Fork SP 11 PAGE 2 THE PASSENGER PIGEON (Continued from page 1) here: http://ebird.org/ tunnel. Here is a google If you have any questions ebird/hotspot/L711719 map link of the location of you can contact Brian at: can be found here: http:// the Cemetery: Spring Information about Spring [email protected] ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/ Grove Grove Cemetery can be L140465 (513)405-8373 found here: http:// Directions: In Cincinnati Burnet Woods near the www.springgrove.org/ from I75, take the Mitchell University of Cincinnati is Entering the cemetery from Avenue exit (exit 6). At ~ Bill Stanley, Field Trip another long time birding Spring Grove Avenue, con- 0.4 miles turn left onto Coordinator migrant trap and hotspot. tinue straight through the Spring Grove Avenue. The Birds logged in ebird for arch tunnel. We will meet cemetery entrance in on the Burnet Woods are found Brian just past the Arch right at 0.5 miles. BIRDING ON THE LOCAL WATERWAYS Jason Gantt with Ohio De- local waterways starting off of the equipment, but you more information contact partment of Natural Re- in April at East Fork State must register to participate Jason Gantt at sources/Division of Water- Park. These outings are because the number of par- craft and a Cincinnati Bird free and the Ohio Depart- ticipants is limited. Details 513-734-2730 ext. 237. Club member has put to- ment of Natural Resources/ of the next trip are in the Here is a list of dates and gether a series of kayak and Division of Watercraft will newsletter on page 9. For locations: bird excursions on various provide the kayaks and most Date Location April 11, 2015 East Fork State Park May 9, 2015 Stonelick State Park May 22, 2015 East Fork State Park May 23,2015 Little Miami River, Carl H. Rahe Park May 24,2015 Little Miami River, Nisbet Park May 25,2015 East Fork State Park June 6, 2015 Grant Lake Wildlife Area June 19, 2015 Little Miami River, Lake Isabella July 11, 2015 Hueston Woods August 22, 2015 East Fork State Park September 19,2015 East Fork State Park October 10, 2015 East Fork State Park VOLUME 51, NUMBER 4 PAGE 3 Kayak Birding Trip: See birds from the water at East Fork State Park. Campground Beach Date: Saturday April 11, 2015 water temperature, not the air tem- first serve basis. See below to register. perature. It could end up being a fairly Time: 8:00 a.m. to noon (longer if we To Register: Call or visit East Fork warm day, but in early April the water want) State Park main office (Division of Wa- will be cold. tercraft section). Speak with Lu or Sponsored by: Ohio Department of Speaking of water, be prepared to get at Elizabeth and they will add you to the Natural Resources/Division of Water- least a little wet. Our kayaks are ex- list if slots are open. craft tremely stable, and in all the kayak trips Office Number-513-734-2730 Ad- Event Type: Field Trip I have led; only a few folks have gone in dress: 3292 Elklick Road Bethel, OH Cost: Free the water. Just be advised that it could 45106 happen. Even if you do not go in, wa- Office Hours-8am to 4:30pm Monday Details: If you have ever wanted to go ter does find its way into the kayak. thru Friday. birding from a kayak this is your Also, you will most likely have some chance. The Ohio Department of sort of optics with you. We recom- Contact Information: Jason Gantt, Natural Resources-Division of Water- mend that they are waterproof as the 513-734-2730 ext. 237 craft will be hosting several kayak bird- Division of Watercraft does not accept Directions: From North Take 275 ing trips this year. This trip is the first. responsibility for personal property. South to State Route 32. Go East on 32 East Fork State Park is a great place to towards Batavia. Take the Half Acre bird. The lake and its surroundings Please understand that kayaking is exer- Road exit and go south to Old St. Rt. offer great habitat much of which is best cise and at times can be taxing. Obvi- 32. Go left on Old St. Rt. 32. East seen from the water. Trip leaders Cory ously we will stay together and move at Fork State Park entrance will be on Cover and Jason Gantt will guide every- a comfortable pace, but if you are new your right. Follow signs to the camp- one to those areas. Both Cory and Ja- to or not used to kayaking you may find ground beach and look for the trailer son are relatively new birders so we yourself a bit tired. If we want and with kayaks on the beach. will all help each other find the birds. time permits, we beach the kayaks at a good location and hike a paved trail From South take 275 North to State We will launch from the Campground along the river to spice things up a bit. Route 32. Go East on 32 towards Bata- Beach at East Fork State Park and head via. Take the Half Acre Road exit and up the East Fork of the Little Miami Be advised that for safety purposes and go south to Old St. Rt. 32. Go left on River. At this time of year we should group cohesion participants must be at Old St. Rt. 32. East Fork State Park have a mixed bag of birds. Various least twelve years of age and weigh no entrance will be on your right. Follow shorebirds, waterfowl, loons, herons more than 350 pounds. Because the signs to the campground beach and look and early migrants are possible. Division of Watercraft is a state agency all participants will be asked to sign a for the trailer with kayaks on the beach. Things to Consider/Know: The waiver. Trips are weather permitting. Address: 2837 Old State Route 32 Division of Watercraft will provide High winds, thunderstorms, strong Batavia, OH 45103 (Camp Office) most of the necessary equipment. This currents or other dangerous weather includes sit on top kayaks, paddles and conditions will be cause to cancel the life jackets (must be worn). We rec- trip. Participants will be notified if the ommend that you bring water, sun- trip is cancelled. block, snacks, something to keep per- sonal items like phones dry, a hat and Finally, space is limited.