Spring 2015 Vol. 12, No. 1 CeruleanThe Quarterly Newsletter of the Ornithological Society www.ohiobirds.org • [email protected] For inquiries about your OOS membership, please e-mail us: [email protected] From the Editor Passenger Pigeon I am excited to assume the edi- torship of The Cerulean with this Spring issue. Since its inception in 2004, the OOS and its news- REMEMBERED letter have grown quite a bit (you can find back issues online). From its initial 4-page newsletter format, The Cerulean matured into a publication of broader scope for Ohio birders. My hope and goal for The Cerulean is to continue to serve and appeal to its various OOS audiences: Prairie Warbler established, novice, backyard, Marlene de la cruz-guz m an and uncategorized birders, orni- Great Egret Marsh thologists, nature educators and VOLUNTEER enthusiasts, young birders, family Preserve Bird & Nature birders, local groups and clubs, Walk and citizen science enthusiasts. May 14, 2015 WITH US! Scott Pendleton has produced three wonderful issues as interim With Craig Caldwell and Tara Volunteers are the lifeblood editor. Thank you Scott! And he Baranowski - Register for one of two of this organization. If you has not only ironed out a few hic- walks with Elisa Demis at edemis@tnc. are interested in lending your cups with the publication sched- org or by text at 330-665-1348. Limit 20 for each walk. time, talents, or treasures to ule, but has introduced several our Society, please send an new features such as “Name We will likely see waterfowl, eagles That Nest”, “Beyond Birds”, or soaring above, herons, egrets, and e-mail to Jason Larson, Volun- “Make Your Data Count” that other wildlife including water snakes, teer Chair, at have great educational enter- fish, and turtles. Great Egret Marsh [email protected]. tainment value and relevance Preserve is located at N. Buck Road, Tell us a little about yourself beyond Ohio. Look out for new Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio 43440- 9610. For complete directions and and we’ll help you find a suit- features such as an expanded able match for your time and event calendar (pages 10-11) and GPS coordinates visit: ohiobirds.org the new “Bird Encounters”. interests. The OOS and its publication team wants you, our readers, to From the Editor...... 1 Dennis Profant...... 9 get involved: send your com- Sunshine Corridor...... 2 Bird Encounters...... 9 ments, suggestions, local events, Counting Birds...... 3 Event Calendar...... 10 and contributions to Local Birding...... 4 Membership Application. 12 [email protected]. We would love hear from you! Name That Nest...... 6 –Stefan Gleissberg, Athens CONTENTS Book Review...... 7 Ohio’s Birding Network • 1 On the Land: Conservation

By Cheryl Harner, OOS Conservation Chair

Charity begins at home and conservation starts in your own backyard. Can our choices in landscape influence the long-term course for the survival of our North American birds? Abso- lutely. Because we are the Ohio Orni- u re C onservancy Th e N at The Sunshine Corridor in thological Society, let‘s step away from our own yard and take a southern Ohio state-wide view of bird conserva- tion. Spring migration is upon us and your decisions can make a long term difference, not only for timber in our State Parks and acres along Sunshine Ridge. The “our” birds, but also for birds us- Forests. As a bird-centric orga- OOS believes that several for- ing our state as flyway habitat on nization, we must be concerned est species that are currently in their migrations north. that timbering in the largest con- decline will substantially benefit One habitat that needs our at- tiguous tracts of publicly owned from the project, as will birders tention are forests. They are vital forests is harmful to the long who will have more opportunities to the survival of many warblers, term outlook for forest dependent to view these species. including the rapidly declining warblers. We hope you put your dollars Cerulean Warbler – the icon of OOS returned to Shawnee to work to protect bird habitat the OOS. Mountain top removal State Park and Forest for our and send a contribution of $10- in West Virginia has put a hurt annual conference in April, giv- 50.00 towards the protection of on these gorgeous warblers who ing attendants an opportunity to habitat for Ohio’s future birds. have a preference for oak ridge judge for themselves the disrup- After all, it should be a primary tops. tive impact of timbering on both goal for OOS members to help Size matters when it comes birds and eco-tourism. OOS sup- protect birds and habitats for the to conservation, and contiguous ports The Nature Conservancy enjoyment of the next generation forest promotes far more biodi- (TNC) and their efforts to restore of birdwatcher. Let’s make cer- versity than fragmented wood- a large tract of contiguous forest tain the Cerulean Warbler is not lots. was a in southern Ohio. Through land lost on “our watch.” Please send stronghold for breeding warblers, acquisitions and conservation your ”piece” of the conservation but timbering has dramatically easements, the 65,000 acre Shaw- puzzle and donation to: OOS escalated in the past four years. nee State Forest will be con- Conservation Fund, P.O. Box Ohio laws changed in 2011, nected to the 17,000 acre Edge 2432, Westerville, Ohio 43086. creating a bias for extraction of of Appalachia Preserve by 6,000 The ceruleans thank you...

2 • Ohio’s Birding Network Making Your Data Useful weaving in and out of shrubs. time, counting becomes second For example, today I flushed 27 nature. The Importance Savannah Sparrows as I walked 5) I rarely use an x. I took a around a sediment pond in a break from writing this to see reclaimed mine area. At least ten how many Woodcock were set- of Counting were reflushes and 17 were re- ting up territory in my front field. By Scott Pendleton corded in my list. If the “at least” I heard many Canada Geese fly number is outrageously high or into the farm above but could I think it is very conservative, I get no real sense of how many. Why are numbers important? add comments indicating what I eBird asks, “Are you submitting a For conservation purposes, am seeing. complete checklist…?” and since knowing something is present is 2) Be consistent. I put “actual” I like to answer yes, I entered “x” not nearly as important as know- numbers in up to 25 and estimate for that species. If you were won- ing how many are present. Most in 5’s until I get to 100, then 10’s dering, there were four Wood- data sets use birds per hour of ef- over 100. The eBird algorithms cock. fort. There is not much difference can pick up every number above 6) Did I mention to be consis- between 14 and 18 White-throat- 25 that ends in a 5 or a 0 and tent? ed Sparrows per hour from one reads them as estimates. If you The “x” was conceived as a way week to the next. However, what deviate and put 37 mallards, then for birders to enter pre-eBird if over ten years the average birds it reads all your numbers as exact lists, where they may not have per hour slowly drops from 16.2 counts. So if you have 37 mal- numbers, into the data base. It to 12.1? Most of us would agree a lards and an estimated 45 song has morphed into shorthand for, 25% drop over ten years is sig- sparrows, drop the mallards to “I didn’t count individuals of that nificant. At a 25% decline, maybe 35. species today.” There are many we can intervene and make a real 3) What is an actual number? reasons birders use x: eBird is difference. Counting is important. If you think you hear four chips their life or year list tool, they I am by nature a lover of num- from a brush pile but only see bird for fun and counting com- bers. For me, birding without three birds, then what? Is that to- mon birds is not fun, they are counting gets boring. For many whee on the branch the same one unsure what is expected from an others, it is the opposite; counting that was calling from the ground? estimate, and they do not realize numbers once a year during the These are judgment calls; just what eBird data analysis can and Christmas Bird Count is plenty. remember to use your best con- cannot do. (At the present time, it Some of the things I do when servative estimate and apply the can’t pull data from the comments entering numbers: techniques you use to get that section. A list with “x” Savannah 1) It would be very tedious to number consistently. Sparrows and a comment, “There count every single bird on every 4) Trust your numbers! On a were at least 35 but I couldn’t get trip. Therefore, I always use the group trip we sat down to do the an accurate count because they “at least” number. eBird asks that list and I offered up 25 swamp were so active” gets ignored in you enter your best conservative sparrows. One person was in most data analysis.) I probably estimate. They have developed agreement; one was not. She cannot influence the first two but exercises for estimating flocks halved that number, which she hope to have clarified some things of birds you can actually see, is more than welcome to do on for the last two. like gulls. In reality, estimating her version of the shared list. But These are some of the tech- 5000 gulls is relatively simple I was curious enough to go out niques that work for me. I am compared to estimating large two days later and do four point sure there are others that work numbers of sparrows as they are counts. I came up with 27. Over for you.

Ohio’s Birding Network • 3 Local Birding Series Big Bailey Run Road descend toward Chauncey. Likely breeders include Field Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Ovenbird, Worm-eating, Athens County Baker Preserve

gleissberg stefan Blue-winged, Hooded, and Prairie By Stefan Gleissberg Warblers, as well as Yellow-breasted Located in the unglaciated, steep- and Belted Kingfisher. Among the Chats. Big Bailey Wetland is north ly dissected Allegheny Plateau in warblers are Ovenbird, Worm- of Chauncey at the junction of Big southeastern Ohio, Athens County eating, Louisiana Waterthrush, Bailey Run Road and Carr Bailey features the exceptionally biodiverse Kentucky, Hooded, and Cerulean. Road. Look for Wood Ducks, Great Appalachian mixed-mesophytic Access the trail system in Athens Blue and Green Herons. forests. By the early 1900s, its forest from Sells Park at the end of Avon (3) Waterloo Wildlife Area cover was largely eliminated, but Place. East of Athens, trailheads at and are at the forests have returned and cover the Dow Lake Dam are accessed western edge of the county, 10 miles about 74% of the county today. from US 50/OH-32. Coming from west of Athens. This contiguous A significant amount of public Athens on Strouds Run Road, park area of about 2,700 acres of rug- open space (14%) provides excellent at the first or second parking area ged forest extends into neighboring opportunities for hiking birders on on the right to bird the marsh and Vinton County, where it adjoins the numerous trail systems, particu- riparian stands where Strouds Run . Waterloo larly in the northern and western enters the lake. Trace Trail and WA was among the first public parts of the county and around Athens Trail lead through Cerulean preserves purchased by the state of the city of Athens. Many birding and Worm-eating Warbler territory. Ohio in 1916. It also includes land hotspots in the county are open to A trail map can be downloaded at purchased from a coal company as hunting, so check the Ohio Depart- athenstrails.org. recently as 2005. Look for Ruffed ment of Natural Resources website (2) . The Grouse, Wild Turkey (part of the for hunting seasons. eBird lists 217 Athens Unit of the Wayne NF and area is managed to promote tur- species for the county, and about adjoining public lands, including keys), Barred Owl and other wood- 110 species are known or possible Hocking College, AEP Poston Pub- land species including Ovenbird, nesters. A map of most birding sites lic Lands, Trimble Township Com- Northern Parula, and Worm-eating mentioned here can be found on munity Forest, Tom Jenkins Dam and Cerulean Warblers. Access the eBird. and portions of Burr Oak State Waterloo Center (run by the Rac- (1) Strouds Run State Park was Park, and the Wallace O’Dowd coon Creek Water Trail Association) established in 1960 after the ODNR Wildlife Area, occupy much of the and trailheads from OH 356 just purchased abandoned farmland and northwestern corner of the county south of its junction with OH 56. created Dow Lake by construction and extend far into neighboring (4) The Hockhocking Adena of a dam backing up Strouds Run. counties. The area is listed as an Bikeway offers an opportunity to The scenic lake is surrounded by Important Bird Area, but is certainly bike and bird 20 miles in proxim- young to mature, mostly oak-dom- under-birded. ity to the Hocking River, from East inated forest along the ridges and Utah Ridge Recreation Area has State Street in Athens (near Holzer mixed mesophytic forest in ravines. young and mature woods, clearcuts, Clinic) all the way to the city of In recent years, new public pre- and controlled burned areas. Drive Nelsonville. In its Eastern portion, serves adjoining the state park have and bird the dirt roads between Nel- the bike path passes along weedy been estabwlished, and a network of sonville and the village of Chauncey. and brushy fields with single trees, trails provides access from the city. New Floodwood Road ascends from small woods, lawns and park land. Bird life reported includes Ruffed near Nelsonville to the ridgetop; Between West Side Park in Athens Grouse, Green Heron, Osprey, Utah Ridge Road runs along the and Nelsonville, the Hocking has Broad-winged Hawk, Barred Owl, ridge; and West Bailey Road and retained its riparian wood border, 4 • Ohio’s Birding Network and the bike path runs through partly open areas and farmland and beautiful deciduous forests, at times a bit away from the river. Woodland and open-area birds include Ameri- can Woodcock, Eastern Screech Owl, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Northern Parula, Cerulean, Yellow-throated, and Worm-eating Yellow-billed Cuckoo Gifford State Forest Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, Prothonotary Warbler (near Armit- age Road, River Road and Glen Ebon Road), and Summer Tanager. During Fall and Winter, keep an eye out for Ospreys and, increasingly, Bald Eagles. Access points for short hikes Red-headed Floodplain near Bikepath Woodpecker include (1) the bike path parking gleissberg M arlene de la cr uz- g uz man ( birds ), stefan area on East State Street next to the soaring on the thermals along the Turkey and Black vultures can often Pepsi bottling plant; (2) the end of hillside north of East State Street, be seen perched on the rooftops of East Park Drive near the sewage particularly on warm afternoons. The Ridges buildings. In fall, the treatment plant; (3) on West Union (6) The Ridges, located across wide views from the open hilltops Street at the Habitat for Humanity the Hocking River southwest of can be good for observing the silent office, overlooking the White’s Mill the city of Athens within walking migration of Common Nighthawks. rapids; (4) West State Street Park distance. It originated as a hospital Park at Piggery Lane, along Whites and Currier Street; (5) Jackson (asylum) with a working farm for Mill Road (OH 682), at the Dairy Drive (Eclipse Town) in The Plains; the mentally ill in the late 19th cen- Barn Art Center, or at the Radar 6) the Beaumont (Salina) park- tury, and now houses the Kennedy Hill Trailhead along Dairy Barn ing area at the junction of Hamley Museum of Art, a Biotech Center Lane. Run and LeMaster Roads near The as well as other academic units. Its (7) Lake Snowden, located 6 Plains; (7) Glen Ebon Rd. (Co. Rd. 790 acres comprise open hilltop miles southwest of Athens with 4); (8) Hocking Parkway on the meadows and brush, and various access from US-32/50, is a prime Hocking College Campus in Nel- successional stages of forest, along location for migrating waterbirds sonville. with 3 historic cemeteries, a picnic in the county. The park is 651 (5) Athens city parks and the area and mini golf course, and small acres including the 136 acre lake Ohio University campus provide creeks and ponds. It is accessible and originated in 1970 with the easy-to-walk venues to look for by numerous walkways and trails. construction of a dam across Mar- birds. Listen for Common Night- 155 species have been recorded by garet Creek. Managed by Hocking hawks over downtown Athens at eBirders since the 1960s, and it is College, the park has a campgound dusk in the summer, and see them one of the best county birding areas and other recreational facilities, and migrate above Mount Calvary Cem- during migration. Recent sight- hosts the annual Pawpaw festival in etery in the fall. Hundreds of Chim- ings include Yellow-breasted Chat, September. Look for wintering ana- ney Swifts funnel into the chimney Palm, Chestnut-sided, Blue-winged, tids, grebes and possible Common of East Elementary School during Worm-eating Warblers, and Oven- Loon. Wilson’s Snipe and Ameri- migration. From the schoolyard, bird. The open hilltop area near can Woodcock occur here, and the look for Turkey and Black Vul- Radar Hill is good for American campground is a place to look for tures—sometimes more than 100— Woodcock displays in early spring. continued on page 6 Ohio’s Birding Network • 5 continued from page 5 Red-headed Woodpeckers. Name that NEST! By Scott Pendleton Other areas in Athens County worth visiting are Fox Lake Wildlife Area in southwestern Athens Coun- ty; Desonier State Nature Preserve near OH 50 between Athens and Coolville; and Baker Preserve with a trailhead 0.5 mile north of US-50 on OH-690. Conservation issues. Athens County shares with other Appa- lachian regions a history of envi- ronmental exploitation, particu- larly erosion following 19th century deforestation and acid mine drain- age following coal mining. Recent threats to regional ecosystems and

bird life is the opening to oil and B enis h K elly gas drilling, fracking waste injection wells, and commercial logging by The habitat is a shrubby marsh with standing water the state of Ohio. OOS has stated along a rails-to-trails bike path. This solitary nest is in a that these developments threaten willow (Salix sp.) at eye level. It is well concealed from the integrity of biodiverse habitats above and at the water’s edge. Although individual including birds, through the remov- twigs stick up to twenty inches from center, the bulk al, toxification, and deposition of water, toxic emissions, and industrial of this nest is 12-14 inches across. It is a platform nest disturbance and traffic. On the posi- (does not have a well-formed cup) and is unlined. For- tive side, not-for-profit organizations mulate a list of differentials and turn to page 8 for the such as the Athens Conservancy answer. have helped secure valuable land that will protect bird habitat per- manently and make it accessible to Bob Scott Placier for contributions. Activities in Ohio State Parks: the public. For instance, in 2003, a Athens County eBird hotspots: ohiobirds.org/site/conservation/ rare 100-acre remnant old growth ohioebirdhotspots.wikispaces.com letters.php forest adjacent to Strouds Run State Athens County Open Space: Poston Plant Lands (American Park was purchased from a logging athensconservancy.org/open Electric Power): aep.com/environment/ company by the City of Athens with Birds along the Hockhocking conservation/recland/pdf/PostonMap.pdf help from the Athens Conservancy. Adena Bikeway: ohio.edu/plantbio/ The Hockhocking Adena Bike- The preserve now carries the name staff/cantino/bikeway/allbirds way: seorf.ohiou.edu/~xx200/bp/ of the company, Riddle Preserve, History of Ohio’s State Forests: index and is home to the Cerulean and forestry.ohiodnr.gov/history TrekOhio: trekohio.com/athens/ Worm-eating Warblers. Hocking valley Birding Trail: Zaleski State Forest Map: forestry. birdhocking.com ohiodnr.gov/Portals/forestry/PDFs/ Sources (retrieved January 2015) Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas II: SF/zaleski.pdf The author thanks Phil Cantino, ohiobirds.org/obba2 John Knouse, Scott Moody, and OOS Board Rejects Industrial 6 • Ohio’s Birding Network customed to seeing emanating from Book REVIEW: their parks and wildlife reserves. It is more, much more. Whan has dipped into his voluminous birding The Birds of Franklin record archives, spending untold hours at The Ohio State Museum County, Ohio - of Biological Diversity examin- ing bird skins, translating illegible An annotated Checklist handwriting on bird tags, separat- By William D. Whan ing fact from fiction on dubious 2014.119 pages. PDF file format, distributed at no cost at dates and locations, and commu- nicating with museums worldwide columbusaudubon.org/ to discover outlying bird records for his book. His treatise includes many personal communications with birders, librarians, curators, and authors always looking to refine and authenticate his records. This product is the culmination of painstaking and tedious plain old By Dr. Bernard F. Master hard work but done with a love Ohio is fortunate to have its bird ror (1950), Tom Thomson (1983), and passion shared by few. history of the past two hundred Bruce Peterjohn (2001), and The book is very readable and years recorded for modern day Robert Harlan et al. in 2008. There not weighed down by stuffy scien- readers and enthusiasts. Beginning has not been an updated checklist tific data. He presents interesting with the first checklist of the state devoted solely to Franklin County pieces of field information in most prepared by Jared Potter Kirtland for 130 years until now. Enter of the species accounts. There is in 1838, a long list of authors have William D. Whan who is uniquely something useful for every birder contributed to the base of knowl- qualified, by virtue of his twenty no matter one’s level of expertise. edge of what we call the Ohio years as Editor of The Ohio Cardi- Every record is carefully docu- checklist; however, the compilers nal and his twelve years of service mented. There is an extensive bibli- were few. This early group of Ohio to the Ohio Bird Records Commit- ography. Controversial taxonomy ornithologists, whom I shall dub tee (OBRC), to prepare such an and records are dealt with fairly. “The Venerables”, begins with Dr. update. Bill has written numerous By its title alone, this work invites Kirtland and is followed by John articles about bird life in Colum- a discussion of county listing, Maynard Wheaton, 1861, updated bus and beyond. He becomes fully valuable or not? Whan does not in 1882, and includes the first list engaged with conviction on any take either position, but obviously of 241 Franklin County birds, number of ornithological discus- he believes it is important. I never followed by Jasper, Davie, and sions on the internet, and he is an cared much for it. I thought it was Dawson. avid birder frequently found in the for those who had too much time The next group of Ohio orni- field helping other birders with the on their hands or suffered from thologists, whom I shall call the fine points of birding. He is a born some obsessive compulsive disor- “Modernists” who updated and teacher and educator. der; besides birds can’t read maps vetted numerous records for Ohio An Annotated Checklist of the and don’t know one county bound- and Franklin County, begins with Birds of Franklin County is a tour ary from another. After reading, Milton B. Trautman in 1940 and de force. It is not a checklist in the I talked to a few county listers in- includes works by Donald Bor- form that birders have been ac- continued on page 8 Ohio’s Birding Network • 7 Athens County..

continued from page 7 “Name that NEST!” Book REVIEW: cluding our great Ohio lister, Dan - Answer This nest belongs to the Sanders. I have changed my mind ABA’s Bird of the Year- completely on this subject. County Green Heron (Butorides listing is fun and important. It virescens). It was along the takes birders to the odd corners Bowerston Bike Trail in Har- of the state that are usually left rison County. A relatively unbirded; it gets people off of their small platform nest in a couches into the nature’s nearby tree narrows this nest down nooks and crannies rather inex- to the smaller heron-type pensively, sometimes producing birds. It can be separated surprising and amazing bird finds. from the night-herons by County boundaries are frequently size, less than 15 inches, set by physical barriers such as and rather flimsy construc- rivers and habitat change such as tion. Although Green Heron farmland which can produce inter- can nest in loose colonies, esting results. County birders con- solitary nests are the rule, tribute to the knowledge of migra- compared to the typically tion patterns, population changes, colonial night-herons. This dates of arrival and departure, and species usually builds over vagrancy (birds, not birders), and water in a location that is add valuable information to the always well-concealed from states ornithology. above. B enis h kelly My only negative criticism, and it Atypical nests are occasion- is of form not substance, is Whan’s ally found amongst other use of small caps for common bird heron species colonies names. I know it is the expected and on the ground under form for the lay press; however, I shrubby or brushy thickets. believe that an ornithologist writ- During OBBAII I watched ing an ornithological subject for a green heron walk into a an ornithological society should solitary clump of brambles follow the American Ornithologi- along a small pond in the cal Union rules and use capitals for middle of 1,000 acres of common names. Whan and I have reclaimed strip mine grass- had that discussion before and here land. Upon further inspec- it ends. tion, I located a ground I would like to see this work nest without a tree or shrub bound in hard cover because it be- within 100 yards. Look for B ennis h longs in every Ohio birder’s library this common Ohio nest that next to Trautman and Peterjohn. often offers surprisingly Whan’s Checklist, in my opinion, good views from the side credentials him for entry into the along our waterways. pantheon of Ohio’s “Modernists”.

8 • Ohio’s Birding Network Dennis Profant for 25 years at Hocking College. 1956 - 2015 In spite of a busy schedule, Den- Bird Encounters nis often made himself available to Dennis Profant died at the age of 58 on assist with events and workshops. April 15, 2015 in Nelsonville. Below we Attendees at the last two Motha- print Jim McCormac’s obituary that paloozas benefited from his exper- appeared on his blog “Ohio Birds and tise, and we will sorely miss him at Biodiversity”. this year’s Mothapalooza. Dennis also exposed people worldwide to I recently learned of the death of the wonders of Ohio’s hill coun- one of Ohio’s premier naturalist/bi- try via his blog, Field Biology in gleissberg stefan ologists, Dennis Profant. The news Southeastern Ohio. Last August, I was birding on was a shock to all, and his passing Students, especially when given the bike path along the Hock- was terrible news. the opportunity to do so anony- ing River when I noticed an Dennis was a professor at mously, can be harsh critics of assemblage of vultures far on Hocking College, where he taught their teachers. It doesn’t surprise the opposite bank. Vultures of ornithology, dendrology, and en- me that Dennis scored an A+ on both species are a common tomology. He really was a jack-of- the site Rate My Professors, on sight here in Athens, usually all-trades when it came to natural which many an instructor has been seen gathering in large roosts history knowledge, but he was savaged. Here’s a telling comment in later afternoon hours. Com- probably best known for his ency- from that site: “Dennis is by far ing closer, I noticed that one clopedic knowledge of moths. Den- the best natural resources instruc- of the large birds was much nis published extensively on the tor at Hocking College. He is very lighter colored — an Osprey! It Lepidoptera, especially his beloved knowledgeable and his enthusiasm had prey, a fish or a turtle, in slug caterpillar moths (Limacodi- is contagious. I only wish he taught its talons. Hopeful Black and dae). He was lead author of the all the classes in my curriculum.” Turkey Vultures had surrounded definitive work on these gorgeous Last July was the last time the raptor, watching it closely. little animals: The Slug Caterpillar that I had an extended field trip This was not a peaceful meal for Moths (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) with Dennis, in this case to Wah- the Osprey, who was shielding and other Zygaenoidea of Ohio. keena Nature Preserve in Fairfield its prey by lowering its wings. Don’t let the academic title fool County. We all stayed well into the I noticed that Black Vultures you. The book, which appeared in night, capturing moths, seeking were a little less respectful of 2010, is a richly illustrated, easily caterpillars, and whatever other the powerful bird than their understood and highly useful guide critters we could find. As always, it red-headed cousins. When one to these moths. was an excellent adventure, made of the uninvited guests inched I have known Dennis for at least all the better by Dennis and his too close to the raptor’s back, 20 years, and spent many hours stores of information. a sudden head turn and a few afield with him. Never, ever, did I’ll dearly miss him, as will many wing flaps were enough to send one of these forays conclude with- others. the Black Vulture one or two fast out myself and anyone else who hops away. However, the effect was along being greatly enriched was only temporary. The interest Submit your own intriguing in our knowledge of the natural remained, drawing the scaven- Ohio Bird Encounter for con- world. He was a born teacher and gers again towards the Osprey’s sideration for The Cerulean. it was fitting indeed that Dennis’s feast. The curious game was Images or links to videos are career path took him into sharing still going on when I left. Stefan optional. Send an email to the wonders of the natural world Gleissberg, Athens with young people, which he did [email protected]

Ohio’s Birding Network • 9 continued from page 9

Saturday, 16 May Saturday, 9 May - Sunday, 10 May Field Trip: Spring Warbler Calendar of Migration MARSH MADNESS 2015 Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Events Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor Check our compilation of state- Harbor, OH 43449. ohioyoungbirders.org/northeast-ohio wide and local field trips and other During the Biggest Week in Ameri- birding and nature events. Please can Birding, the OOS, in coop- Saturday, 16 May confirm event details and registra- eration with the Ohio Division of Poland Forest Wildflower and tion needs using the weblinks or Wildlife, will be conducting beginner Birds email provided. And please send guided bird walks again this year Canton Audubon Society us your event! on May 9 and 10 at Magee Marsh. cantonaudubon.org/calendar Walks are limited to 15 participants. Saturday, 16 May - Sunday, 18 May Sundays, 12 April through 17 May To sign up, send an email to Nest with the Birds 82nd Annual Series of Spring Bird [email protected] your Kelleys Island Audubon Club Walks name and phone number, date and kelleysislandnature.com various locations requested time-slot. More informa- Audubon Society of Greater Cleve- tion at ohiobirds.org Monday, 18 May - Tuesday, 19 May land and others OOS Give Back Day wcasohio.org/Field_Trips.htm with Friends of Magee Marsh. Help Saturday, 9 May pull invasive garlic mustard and Saturday, 2 May International Migratory Bird Day improve valuable stopover habitat Field Trip Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, 13531 for migrants along the boardwalk Magee Marsh State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH for 1-2 hours each afternoon. We Black River Audubon Society 43449. will have impromptu afternoon field blackriveraudubon.org The Friends of Magee Marsh, ODNR trips led by OOS members. Division of Wildlife, Ottawa National friendsofmageemarsh.org/fomm/ Saturday, 2 May - Sunday, 3 May Wildlife Refuge, Black Swamp Bird garlicmustard.php Conservation Campus Observatory Grand Opening friendsofmageemarsh.org Wednesday, 20 May 3973 Callender Road “Ohio’s Birds Record Committee- Rock Creek, OH 44084 Saturday, 9 May Basics of Rare Birds: Confirma- The Nature Conservancy Bird walk at . tion and Documentation” by Paul nature.org A day-long Birdathon/Big Day Gardner follows for those who want to Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Saturday, 2 May continue. Canton Audubon Society East Fork Birding Festival Campground A off State Route 3 cantonaudubon.org/calendar South Beach, south of Loudonville 3294 Elklick Road, Bethel, OH Greater Mohican Audubon Society Thursday, 21 May Cincinnati Bird Club gmasohio.org/events Field Trip: Lake Erie Nature and cincinnatibirds.com/calendar Science Center Saturday, 9 May Huntington Reservation, Bay Village Friday, 8 May - Sunday, 10 May Global Big Day 2015 Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society Burr Oak Bird Migration Tour ebird.org wcasohio.org/Field_Trips.htm Burr Oak Lodge 10660 Burr Oak Lodge Road, Sunday, 10 May Saturday, 23 May Glouster,OH 45732 Morning walk on The Ridges Field Trip stayburroak.com/recreation/events Ridges Auditorium on W Circle Cuyahoga Valley National Park Drive in Athens, OH Blackbrook Audubon Society Friday, 8 May - Sunday, 17 May Athens Area Birders blackbrookaudubon.org/events Biggest Week [email protected] Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Saturday, 23 May Center, 1750 State Park Road #2, Thursday 14 May Bird Walk at Byers Woods Oregon, OH 43616 Great Egret Marsh Preserve 675 County Road 1754, Ashland Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Bird & Nature Walk Greater Mohican Audubon Society, Kaufman Field Guides, Magee N. Buck Road, Lakeside-Marble- Ashland County Park District Marsh Wildlife Area, Ottawa Na- head, Ohio 43440-9610 gmasohio.org/events tional Wildlife Refuge Craig Caldwell & Tara Baranowski biggestweekinamericanbirding.com Elisa Demis: [email protected]

10 • Ohio’s Birding Network Saturday, 30 May Wednesday, 22 July Saturday, 22 August 3rd Annual OOS CVNP day trip Bird Walk at Byers Woods Cuyahoga Valley National Park Fledgling Grassland 675 County Road 1754, Ashland Happy Days Lodge, 500 West Sparrows Greater Mohican Audubon Society, Streetsboro Street, Peninsula, OH Ashland County Park District ohiobirds.org gmasohio.org/events Friday, 12 June - Sunday 14 June Thursday, 27 August - Saturday, 29 Mothapalooza! August Shawnee Lodge & Conference Flora Quest 2015 Center Mohican State Park mothapalooza.org www.flora-quest.com Saturday, 13 June Saturday, 26 September Field Trip: Rocky River Nature Bird Walk at Byers Woods Rocky River Nature Center 675 County Road 1754, Ashland Greater Mohican Audubon Society, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society S cott P endleton wcasohio.org/Field_Trips Ashland County Park District OOS South-East Director Scott gmasohio.org/events Saturday, 13 June Pendleton will lead an outing in Har- Birding by Kayak rison County to compare fledgling Saturday, 26 September Columbus Ohio grassland sparrows to each other and Feather and Foliage Bird Festival ohioyoungbirders.org/northeast-ohio their adults in Harrison County. This Ferry from Marblehead, OH event is timed to coincide with the Kelley Island Audubon Sunday, 14 June crèche period when large numbers of http://www.kelleysislandnature.com Wayne National Forest young are gathered in concentrated Friday, 2 October - Sunday, 4 Octo- Breeding Birds areas. If we hit it just right, sparrow Athens Public Library ber Athens Area Birders numbers can be in the hundreds! We American Birding Expo [email protected] will be concentrating on Vesper, Sa- Grange Insurance Audubon Center, vannah, Grasshopper and Henslow’s 505 W. Whittier Street, Columbus, Saturday, 27 June Sparrows. Other expected species OH 43215 Bobolinks at Byers Woods include Bobolink, Eastern Meadow- Bird Watcher’s Digest Greater Mohican Audubon Society lark and Orchard Oriole as well as the americanbirdingexpo.com 675 County Road 1754, Ashland occasional Blue Grosbeak, Dickcissel, gmasohio.org Northern Harrier and Yellow-Breasted More events: Chat. Time permitting, we may go June (TBD) Arc of Appalachia to a local marsh for a real challenge- arcofappalachia.org Annual Bobolink Walk separating recently fledged Song and Metzger Park, Louisville Canton Audubon Society Swamp Sparrows. Number of partici- Cincinnati Bird Club cantonaudubon.org pants is limited. cincinnatibirds.com For questions and to register con- Saturday, 18 July tact Scott at [email protected]. Columbus Audubon Field Trip columbusaudubon.org Black River Reservation July (TBD) Black River Audubon Society Medina Raptor Center Tour blackriveraudubon.org Medina Raptor Center ohioyoungbirders.org/northeast-ohio Friday, 24 July - Sunday, 26 July Midwest Native Plant Conference Friday, 14 August Bergamo Center in Dayton, Ohio Field Trip: Nature at Night Sounds The Cerulean Midwest Native Plant Society Location TBD Stefan Gleissberg: Editor, Layout midwestnativeplants.org ohioyoungbirders.org/northeast-ohio OOS Publication Committee Saturday, 25 July Saturday, 15 August Craig Caldwell, Julie Davis, Field Trip Bird Walk at Byers Woods Stefan Gleissberg, Kathy 675 County Road 1754, Ashland Schoepfle Gardens, Birmingham Greater Mohican Audubon Society Black River Audubon Society McDonald, Scott Pendleton gmasohio.org/eventsednesday, 22 blackriveraudubon.org

Ohio’s Birding Network • 11 THE OHIO ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OHIO’S BIRDING NETWORK! P.O. BOX 2432 WESTERVILLE, OHIO 43086

OFFICERS NONPROFIT Julie Davis OUR MISSION US POSTAGE PAID President SUGARCREEK, OHIO Mike Edgington To provide an Ohio Birding Vice President Network welcoming bird PERMIT NO. 44 Bruce Miller Treasurer watchers of all levels of Sue Evanoff interest and ability to unite Executive Secretary Randy Rogers for the enjoyment, study, Recording Secretary and conservation of Ohio’s DIRECTORS and POSITIONS Tim Colborn wild birds. Northeast Director Rebecca Hinkle PLEASE TAKE TIME TO Northwest Director RENEW OR JOIN OHIO’S Kathy McDonald BIRDING NETWORK! Southwest Director Scott Pendleton Southeast Director UNITED TOGETHER, BIRDERS Jason Larson IN OHIO CAN MAKE A HUGE East Central Director DIFFERENCE FOR BIRDS & Bill Heck Central Director CONSERVATION! Craig Caldwell Director at Large Tom Hissong Director at Large Cheryl Harner Conservation Chair Please check your membership renewal date, Ned Keller Membership Chair IN RED, above your address!

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