BIRD CLUB THE PASSENGER PIGEON

VOLUME 51, ISSUE 5 MAY 2015

May Program: Birds of Peru SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Friday, May 15, 2015 7:00 sionate conservationist. For more information on pm at Sharon Woods Visi- Although Richard lives in Richard and his interests,  May Meeting tor Center Peru – where he is from - click here. Speaker: Richard Amable for part of the year, we are  May Field Trips Topic: Birds of Peru fortunate that he lives in  East Fork Birding Festival southwest for the During spring migration it other part, where he serves  Falcon Cam seems like the tropics come on the board of the Audu-  Field Trip Notes to you. We are doubling bon Society of Ohio. Join down on that sentiment us at 7:00 p.m. to hear  Kayak Birding and bringing the tropics Richard share his first-hand even closer. May’s speaker, knowledge and passion and INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Richard Amable, is the for the natural history of founder and director of Peru. Field Trip Notes 2 Jacamar Club Peru , which offers bird and natural his- ~Jack Stenger May Quiz Bird 2 tory tours throughout Program Chair Photo from http:// Peru. Richard is an expert East Fork Birding Festi- 3 www.jacamargroup.com/#! birder, bird guide, and pas- background/c18h9 Golden Startling 4 Peregrine Falcon Cam 4 May Field trip: Long Branch Farm April Quiz Answer 5 Date: Saturday, May 16 booth. Pass the booth/ access to Long Branch for Time: 8:00am Until Noon entryway and bear right to Cincinnati Bird Club mem- Oxbow Birdathon 6 Where: Long Branch Farm cross a creek, then bear left bers. The trails at Long (Cincinnati Nature Center) at the fork until you reach Branch Farm wind through Calendar 7 Leader: Mike Kravitz the parking lot. We will deciduous forest, fields, meet at the Creekside Barn streams and ponds. The great Birding Local Water- 8 The Long Branch Farm walk which is across from the variety of habitat and the begins at 8 AM and ends parking lot (there are rest numbers of migratory birds Kayak Birding May 9 9 at Noon. The address is 6926 rooms there). passing through on this peak Gaynor Rd, Goshen, OH Since 2002, Mike has volun- migration date should bring a Kayak Birding May 22 10 45122 and can be found on teered at the Cincinnati Na- good assortment of bird spe- Google Maps here. Long ture Center (CNC) as a bird cies. Kayak Birding May 23 11 Branch If you're coming guide on many of their "2nd If you have any questions from OH-28 East, turn left and 4th Saturday of the contact Mike at: Kayak Birding May 24 12 onto Gaynor Rd and go month" bird walks. Nor- [email protected] about 1.6 miles, turn left mally accessible only to CNC (513)265-4160 Kayak Birding May 25 13 into a small entry area with a members, Mike has obtained PAGE 2 THE PASSENGER PIGEON May Quiz Bird

Rules: Anybody is welcome and the state list for Ohio, Indiana, or all are encouraged to participate. Kentucky is fair game. Whoever However, only paying members has the highest number of correct (it’s only $12 per year) are eligible answers by the end of the Bird for prizes and unadulterated brag- Club season (May) “wins.” Any ging rights. To participate send public discussion of quiz birds will your answers to me result in a trap door opening up ([email protected]) by May beneath the violator. 25. Prize: To be determined. All responses must be the official Answers: I will post the answer common English names used by with a brief analysis in the next the American Ornithologists’ Un- Bird Club newsletter. This will ion check-list (Link). This means include a list of all those who they must be correctly spelled, guessed correctly. Don’t worry, capitalized, and hyphenated or else wrong guesses will not be pub- they are counted as wrong. Mind lished, so fire away: it’s better to your plovers and quails. Also in- get a CBC quiz wrong than to have clude any comments you have never participated. I think Alexan- about the quiz bird, such as how der Wilson said that. you arrived at your ID, or how ~Jack Stenger you felt about the picture. Venting is welcome. Any bird that is on

April Field Trip Notes

On Saturday, April 18, 22 other birds. of raptors including American locations. people met Brian Wulker at Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, After making our way Thanks to Brian for leading a Spring Grove Cemetery for Red-shoulded Hawk and through Spring Grove Ceme- great trip on a beautiful day. the Cincinnati Bird Club Broad-winged Hawk. One of tery, we went to Burnet walk. It was a warm, sunny the non-bird highlights at Ebird list for the trip can be Woods. Burnet Woods had day and a great day to be out Burnet Woods was the Laza- an interesting mix of birds found here: birding with friends. At rus Lizards that were on the including a Blue-winged War- Spring Grove we found Yel- rock walls. They were very bler, Yellow-rumped War- Spring Grove low-bellied Sapsucker, Pine fast and challenging to see. bler, Northern Parula and a Burnet Woods Siskin, Northern Parula, Pine very cooperative Black- I'd say that the bird of the day Warbler, Yellow-throated throated Green Warbler. was Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Warbler, and Yellow-rumped We also found a good variety with many being seen at both Warbler as well as a variety of Black-throated Green Warbler Photo by Jeff Bilsky

See page 4 for more photos from the field trip. VOLUME 51, ISSUE 5 PAGE 3

2015 Birding Festival May 2-3rd Did you know there are at least two active Bald Eagle nests in Clermont Co. this spring? Information on where to see Bald Eagles locally Live Raptors on Display Bird Walks throughout the day, including a nocturnal hike for owls/woodcocks Birding by Kayak/Canoe (vessel provided) Talks on Bird Identification, Photography, Conservation, etc. Activities for Young Birders and Children of all ages, & more!

All activities will be centered at the south public swimming beach in Bantam, OH. For directions or more information, contact: Donald Morse Jr. “Donald the Birder” at [email protected] or see the park website for contacts/directions: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/eastfork

Organizations that will make this all possible include: The Cincinnati Bird Club, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Donald the Birder’s Blog, and

PAGE 4 THE PASSENGER PIGEON More photos from the Burnet Woods field trip

Blue-winged Warbler European Wall Lizard (Lazarus Lizard) Photo by Jeff Bilsky Photo by Brian Wulker

It's time for the Golden Startling to move on.

It should be noted that the Oxbow Bir- and Paul Wharton. team and give the "Beasts of Birdin" a dathon has been dominated by a continu- run for their money. So get your team That Starling is gathering dust and I ing team that has held the coveted together and get those "Beasts of Birdin" know of two teams who are out to take it "Golden Starling" award for the majority flapping scared. away. My team "Invasive Species" con- of the last 28 years. This team is the sisting of Jeff Bilsby, Bill Stanley and Birdathon details can be found on page 6. "Beasts of Birdin" made up of Jack James Wheat and Brian Wulker’s team. Stenger and Joe Bens. This team was I'm sure that there are other Cincinnati formally known as the "Fire and Brim- Bird Club members who could create a stone Birders" that included Jay Stenger

Cincinnati Peregrine Falcon Cam Goes Live!

from the convenience of The Cincinnati Peregrine your own home! Falcon Cam is now live! As of April 2, four eggs Check it out on the home have been laid with the page of RAPTOR Inc. at hatching expected to be www.raptorinc.org. The around the end of April or downtown Cincinnati nest the beginning of May. Then box is located on the north comes the excitement of side of the 4th and Vine watching the chicks grow Building (formerly PNC). and develop, eating food You can see this nest box brought into the nest box from the observation deck and eventually fledge. Tune Photo From the Raptor Inc Facebook Page of the Carew Tower with in and watch the action! binoculars. With the web- cam, you can observe all of Cindy Alverson the daily activities of an RAPTOR Inc. active Peregrine Falcon nest VOLUME 51, ISSUE 5 PAGE 5

APRIL BIRD QUIZ ANSWER

April Quiz Bird. Photo series by Rob Tunison

Although this is called a bird quiz, most divers and since only the tip of this birds tail behind and disappearing completely. of the pictures so far have been of build- tail can be seen it must indeed be on its Kathi Hutton and Bill Stanley were this ings and bushes. I’ve added to this diver- way to the depths. However, dabbling month’s correct respondents. Northern sity by including a picture of water. I ducks can rarely dive below the surface was originally planning on doing a war- of the water. But this is never an elegant Pintail was the only other species receiv- bler for the April quiz, but when Rob affair. “Diving” dabblers look like a kid ing guesses. This picture of a Long- Tunison showed me the following pic- trying to touch the bottom of the pool tailed Duck was photographed by Rob tures, I had no choice. The sequence while wearing a life jacket. Tunison on March 1, 2015 after Frank captured in his photos is as rare as the Renfrow reported it from the Coving- This is where my new favorite field bird in them. ton Riverfront. mark comes into play; the arc of water Only two local birds have a long, ele- droplets trailing tail. These drops show gant tail that can be seen protruding the path of the tail milliseconds before ~Jack Stenger from the water – Northern Pintail and this picture was taken. You can imagine Program Chair Long-tailed Duck. Pintail are dabblers the exact trajectory as the Long-tailed and oldsquaw (Long-tailed Duck) are Duck sprung underwater, whipping its PAGE 6 THE PASSENGER PIGEON OXBOW INC. 28th ANNUAL BIRDATHON 2015 Begins: 5:00 pm, Friday, May 8, 2015 Ends: 5:00 pm, Saturday, May 9, 2015 The annual Oxbow Birdathon is sched- goals to preserve the Oxbow area. So it over 70 individuals took to the Birdathon uled for Friday and Saturday May was that the Birdathon was born and the field and raised several thousand dollars 8th and 9th, 2015. This is the 28th con- first event took place in May 1988. Over for habitat management in the Oxbow. Most importantly all those who partici- secutive year of this event, which has the years Oxbow Inc. has achieved great pated had a lot of fun and experienced become a spring birding tradition within success and today well over 1,000 acres the sense of camaraderie that comes from the Greater Cincinnati birding and con- has been protected and Oxbow Inc. is in a group effort working together for a servation community. a good position to acquire more land as it good cause. What can be more fun and As always, the event will begin at 5:00 becomes available. But Oxbow Inc. con- rewarding than a birding excursion with PM. sharp on Friday evening and end at tinues to need your financial support. your friends on a glorious spring week- With ownership of the land comes the end? The answer; doing exactly that 5:00 PM. sharp on Saturday. The regis- while at the same time knowing your responsibility of stewardship of that land. tration fee remains at $5.00 per person. efforts are helping to preserve the impor- The Birdathon Tally and Party will begin These days the funds raised from the an- tant natural area we know as the Oxbow. nual Birdathon are earmarked for habitat at 5:00 PM. Saturday May 9th, immedi- ately after the Birdathon ends. Plenty of management, improvements and access. cold drinks, pizzas and other food are Many projects have already benefited So mark your calendar and help us make provided at no additional cost. This year from Birdathon funds and many other Birdathon 2015 another great success. the Birdathon Tally & Party will be held projects are on the table waiting for fi- We encourage you to participate in the at the Fernald Preserve Visitor Center. nancial support. event, but if you can’t physically partici- The entrance to Fernald Preserve is lo- pate, we hope you can pledge at least a cated in northwestern Hamilton County But the Birdathon is more than just a few dollars to this worthy cause. Bear in on Willey Road, about ¼ mile west of fundraiser for Oxbow Inc. We see this mind that the Birdathon is intended to event as a community celebration of the State Route 128. We wish to thank the be, first and foremost, fun. You can par- conservation ethic and birds during the ticipate in many ways. You can go all out staff at Fernald for their hospitality and peak of spring migration. It truly is a and try to find as many birds in 24 hours efforts to make this a successful event. festive event and we encourage individu- Fernald Preserve has plenty of room als to form teams or fly solo as represen- as possible or you can participate for just space, ample parking and is centrally tatives of Oxbow Inc. or a charitable a few hours from your favorite deck chair located to the Oxbow. And the terrific organization of their choosing. We have in your backyard. Or you can choose any birding found on the preserve will make always encouraged other nature, conser- number of ways in between those two vation and educational organizations to this a great “last stop” for participants. As examples. participate in this event. These organiza- tradition dictates, our Birdathon dates tions are encouraged to form teams and If you are interested in participating, are always scheduled on the Saturday use this opportunity to raise funds for before Mothers Day (the second Sunday their own groups. Each of these teams is have questions, need a registration packet in May). Directions to Fernald Preserve asked to split any funds they raise 50/50 please e-mail me, Jay Stenger, at the fol- can be found at the following link. with Oxbow Inc. In this way both organi- lowing [email protected] zations benefit. We usually have at least or call me at (513) 522-8147. http://www.lm.doe.gov/Fernald/ ten or more such organizations partici- Oxbow Inc. thanks you for your support. Visitors_Center/Directions.pdf pate in this way.

~Jay Stenger When Oxbow Inc. was in its infancy, President Chair members realized we needed an annual Last year’s event represented the 27th year of the Birdathon and was a great fundraiser if we were to achieve our success. Over twenty teams made up of  VOLUME 51, ISSUE 5 PAGE 7

Community Calendar MAY 2015

 May 2...East Fork State Park Bird- ing Festival Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat  May 3...East Fork State Park Bird- 1 2 ing Festival  May 8...Oxbow Birdaton 3 4 5 6 7 8 9  May 9...Oxbow Birdaton  May 9...Cincinnati Nature Center 10 11 12 13 14 15 16  May 15...Cincinnati Bird Club 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 May Meeting  May 16...Cincinnati Bird Club 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Field Trip  May 23...Cincinnati Nature Cen- 31 ter  May 23...Oxbow Field Trip

OTHER BIRDING OPPORTUNITIES

 May 2 and 3rd, 8am until 2pm each  May 23, 8am, Oxbow Bird Walk day. East Fork State Park Birding Meet: In the upper Oxbow parking Festival. lot at the main entrance to the Ox- Organized by Donald Morris. bow. [email protected] Darlena Graham (513)400-6544 (859) 653-7223 [email protected]  May 8 starting at 5:00pm and May 9 Meeting for the tally at 5:00pm. Jay Stenger [email protected] (513) 522-8147  May 9, Cincinnati Nature Center 2nd Saturday Bird Walk. Leader Mike Kravitz (513)831-1711  May 16, 8am Cincinnati Bird Club Bird Walk. Long Branch Farm Leader Mike Kravitz (513)265-4160  May 23 Cincinnati Nature Center 2nd Saturday Bird Walk. Leader Bill McGill (513)831-1711 PAGE 8 THE PASSENGER PIGEON

BIRDING ON THE LOCAL WATERWAYS Note: Make plans and call early. I waited until the day before the April kayak trip and it had filled up. 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 May 9, 2015 May 22, 2015 East Fork State Park May 23,2015 , 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, ISSUE 5 PAGE 9

Kayak Birding Trip:

See birds from the water at Stonelick State Park.

Date: Saturday May 9, 2015 way into the kayak. Also, you will most 275 to State Route 28 and go east to likely have some sort of optics with Mt. Repose. Once in Mt. Repose look Time: 8:00 a.m. to noon (longer if we you. We recommend that they are for Woodville Pike and go right. Take want) waterproof as the Division of Water- Woodville Pike to where Woodville Sponsored by: Ohio Department of craft does not accept responsibility for becomes Newtonville Road and T’s into Natural Resources/Division of Water- personal property. 727/Newtonsville Rd. and go right. craft Continue on 727/Newtonsville Rd. to Please understand that kayaking is exer- Lake Drive and go left. Continue on Event Type: Field Trip cise and at times can be taxing. Obvi- Lake Drive and follow signs to beach ously we will stay together and move at Cost: Free and look for the trailer with kayaks. a comfortable pace, but if you are new Details: If you have ever wanted to go to or not used to kayaking you may find Address: 2895 Lake Drive Pleasant birding from a kayak this is your yourself a bit tired. If we need a break Plain, OH 45162 chance. Stonelick State Park should be from paddling, we could beach the kay- a great place to bird! This lake will be aks and bird on foot for a bit. new experience to both trip leaders Cory Cover and Jason Gantt. Both Be advised that for safety purposes and Cory and Jason are relatively new bird- group cohesion participants must be at ers so we will all help each other find least twelve years of age and weigh no the birds. At this time of year we may more than 350 pounds. Because the have a bit of a mixed bag of birds. Wa- Division of Watercraft is a state agency terfowl, loons, shorebirds, migrants all participants will be asked to sign a and a host of other species are possible. waiver. Trips are weather permitting. High winds, thunderstorms, strong We will launch to the right of the beach currents or other dangerous weather as you look out onto the lake. Look for conditions will be cause to cancel the the trailer with the kayaks. trip. Participants will be notified if the Things to Consider/Know: The trip is cancelled. Division of Watercraft will provide Finally, space is limited. The Division most of the necessary equipment. This of Watercraft has spots for eight peo- includes sit on top kayaks, paddles and ple. Slots will be filled on a first come, life jackets (must be worn). We rec- first serve basis. See below to register. ommend that you bring water, sun- block, snacks, something to keep per- To Register: Call or visit East Fork sonal items like phones dry, a hat and State Park main office (Division of Wa- most importantly proper clothing. tercraft section). Speak with Lu or Shoes must be worn. Dress for the Elizabeth and they will add you to the water temperature, not the air tem- list if slots are open. perature. It could end up being a fairly Office Number-513-734-2730 Ad- warm day, but in early May the water dress: 3292 Elklick Road Bethel, OH will be cold. 45106 Speaking of water, be prepared to get Office Hours-8am to 4:30pm Monday wet. Our kayaks are extremely stable, thru Friday. and in all the kayak trips I have led; only Contact Information: Jason Gantt, a few folks have gone in the water. Just 513-734-2730 ext. 237 be advised that it could happen. Even if Directions: From north/south take you do not go in, water does find its PAGE 10 THE PASSENGER PIGEON

Kayak Birding Trip:

See birds from the water at East Fork State Park. South Beach

Date: Friday May 22, 2015 perature. It could end up being a fairly ple. Slots will be filled on a first come, warm day, but in May the water will be first serve basis. See below to register. Time: 8:00 a.m. to noon (longer if we cold. want) To Register: Call or visit East Fork Speaking of water, be prepared to get State Park main office (Division of Wa- Sponsored by: Ohio Department of wet. Our kayaks are extremely stable, tercraft section). Speak with Lu or Natural Resources/Division of Water- and in all the kayak trips I have led; only Elizabeth and they will add you to the craft a few folks have gone in the water. Just list if slots are open. Event Type: Field Trip be advised that it could happen. Even if Office Number-513-734-2730 Ad- Cost: Free you do not go in, water does find its dress: 3292 Elklick Road Bethel, OH way into the kayak. Also, you will most 45106 Details: If you have ever wanted to go likely have some sort of optics with Office Hours-8am to 4:30pm Monday birding from a kayak this is your you. We recommend that they are thru Friday. chance. East Fork State Park is a great waterproof as the Division of Water- place to bird. There are numerous craft does not accept responsibility for Contact Information: Jason Gantt, coves and water edge environments that personal property. 513-734-2730 ext. 237 are most easily accessible by water. Directions: From North Take 275 Trip leaders Cory Cover and Jason Please understand that kayaking is exer- South to State Route 125 (Beechmont Gantt will guide everyone to those ar- cise and at times can be taxing. Obvi- Ave). Go East on Beechmont Ave to- eas. Both Cory and Jason are relatively ously we will stay together and move at wards Bethel. At Old St. Rt. 125 go new birders so we will all help each a comfortable pace, but if you are new left. A quarter mile up you will see the other find the birds. to or not used to kayaking you may find yourself a bit tired. If we want and if park entrance on your left. Follow the We will launch from the South Beach at there is a good spot we can beach the signs to the beach and look for the East Fork State Park and kayak the kayaks and hike some of the park. trailer with the kayaks. shorelines and into some of the many From South take 275 North to State coves at the park. At this time of year Be advised that for safety purposes and our local breeding birds should be back group cohesion participants must be at Route 125 (Beechmont Ave). Go East as well as many spring migrants. least twelve years of age and weigh no on Beechmont Ave towards Bethel. At more than 350 pounds. Because the Old St. Rt. 125 go left. A quarter mile Things to Consider/Know: The Division of Watercraft is a state agency up you will see the park entrance on Division of Watercraft will provide all participants will be asked to sign a most of the necessary equipment. This waiver. Trips are weather permitting. your left. Follow the signs to the beach includes sit on top kayaks, paddles and High winds, thunderstorms, strong and look for the trailer with the kayaks. life jackets (must be worn). We rec- currents or other dangerous weather ommend that you bring water, sun- conditions will be cause to cancel the block, snacks, something to keep per- trip. Participants will be notified if the sonal items like phones dry, a hat and trip is cancelled. most importantly proper clothing. Shoes must be worn. Dress for the Finally, space is limited. The Division water temperature, not the air tem- of Watercraft has spots for eight peo- VOLUME 51, ISSUE 5 PAGE 11

Kayak Birding Trip:

See birds on the Little Miami River from a Kayak. Carl H. Rahe Park

Date: Saturday May 23, 2015 most importantly proper clothing. of Watercraft has spots for eight peo- Shoes must be worn. Dress for the ple. Slots will be filled on a first come, Time: 8:00 a.m. to noon (longer if we water temperature, not the air tem- first serve basis. If slots are not filled want) perature. It should end up being a fairly we will still be on site and will cast off Sponsored by: Ohio Department of warm day, but even in late May the on time. See below to register. Natural Resources/Division of Water- water could still be cold. To Register: Call or visit East Fork craft Speaking of water, be prepared to get State Park main office (Division of Wa- Event Type: Field Trip wet. Our kayaks are extremely stable, tercraft section). Speak with Lu or Cost: Free and in all the kayak trips I have led; only Elizabeth and they will add you to the a few folks have gone in the water. Just list if slots are open. Details: If you have ever wanted to go be advised that it could happen. Even if Office Number: 513-734-2730 Of- birding from a kayak this is your you do not go in, water does find its fice Address: 3292 Elklick Road Be- chance. The Little Miami River way into the kayak. Also, you will most thel, OH 45106 (Warren and Clermont Counties) likely have some sort of optics with Office Hours-8am to 4:30pm Monday should offer a great chance at seeing you. We recommend that they are thru Friday. many birds. Late in May local breeding waterproof as the Division of Water- birds are back. We should also see craft does not accept responsibility for Contact Information: Jason Gantt, many migrating songbirds as well as the personal property. 513-734-2730 ext. 237 local resident birds. The trip will be Directions: From north take I71 led by Division of Watercraft employ- Please understand that kayaking is exer- south to Kings Mills Road exit and go ees Cory Cover and Jason Gantt. Both cise and at times can be taxing. Obvi- east. Head east to Kings Island Drive Cory and Jason are relatively new bird- ously we will stay together and move at and go left. Take Kings Island Drive to ers so we will all help each other find a comfortable pace, but if you are new Western Row and go left. Take West- the birds. to or not used to kayaking you may find yourself a bit tired. ern Row to Socialville-Foster Road and We will launch from the Carl H. Rahe left. Take Socialville-Foster Road to Be advised that for safety purposes and Park on Little Miami River in Warren Old 3C Highway and go right. The group cohesion participants must be at County (Foster, OH). We will then entrance to Carl H. Rahe Park will be least twelve years of age and weigh no drift/paddle downriver. The end loca- just up the road on your left. tion will be Lake Isabella in Hamilton more than 350 pounds. Because the From south take I71 North to the Fields County. The trip length is roughly 7.5 Division of Watercraft is a state agency Ertel Road Exit. Upon exiting go left miles. Birding at Lake Isabella is nor- all participants will be asked to sign a (north) on Mason Road. Mason Road mally not bad for spring migrants so if waiver. Trips are weather permitting. will turn into Mason-Montgomery time permits we could bird on foot if High winds, thunderstorms, strong Road as you cross over Fields Ertel we feel like it. currents or other dangerous weather conditions will be cause to cancel the Road. Continue north on Mason- Things to Consider/Know: The trip. Participants will be notified if the Montgomery Road. When you get to Division of Watercraft will provide trip is cancelled. Socialville-Foster Road go right. Take most of the necessary equipment. This Socialville-Foster Road to Old 3C High- We will be offering transportation back includes sit on top kayaks, paddles and way and go right. The entrance to Carl to the launch site after the trip. All you life jackets (must be worn). We rec- H. Rahe Park will be just up the road will have to do is drive to the launch ommend that you bring water, sun- on your left. block, snacks, something to keep per- site.

sonal items like phones dry, a hat and Finally, space is limited. The Division PAGE 12 NEWSLETTER TITLE

Kayak Birding Trip:

See birds on the Little Miami River from a Kayak. Nisbet Park

Date: Sunday May 24, 2015 most importantly proper clothing. Finally, space is limited. The Division Shoes must be worn. Dress for the of Watercraft has spots for eight peo- Time: 8:00 a.m. to noon (longer if we water temperature, not the air tem- ple. Slots will be filled on a first come, want) perature. It should end up being a fairly first serve basis. If slots are not filled Sponsored by: Ohio Department of warm day, but even in late May the we will still be on site and will cast off Natural Resources/Division of Water- water could still be cold. on time. See below to register. craft Speaking of water, be prepared to get To Register: Call or visit East Fork Event Type: Field Trip wet. Our kayaks are extremely stable, State Park main office (Division of Wa- Cost: Free and in all the kayak trips I have led; only tercraft section). Speak with Lu or a few folks have gone in the water. Just Elizabeth and they will add you to the Details: If you have ever wanted to go be advised that it could happen. Even if list if slots are open. birding from a kayak this is your you do not go in, water does find its Office Number: 513-734-2730 Ad- chance. The Little Miami River way into the kayak. Also, you will most dress: 3292 Elklick Road Bethel, OH (Clermont Counties) should offer a likely have some sort of optics with 45106 great chance at seeing many birds. Late you. We recommend that they are Office Hours-8am to 4:30pm Monday in May local breeding birds are back. waterproof as the Division of Water- thru Friday. We can hope to see many migrating craft does not accept responsibility for songbirds as well as the local residents. personal property. Contact Information: Jason Gantt, The trip will be led by Division of Wa- 513-734-2730 ext. 237 tercraft employees Cory Cover and Please understand that kayaking is exer- Directions: From north take I275 Jason Gantt. Both Cory and Jason are cise and at times can be taxing. Obvi- south to the Loveland/Indian Hill exit. relatively new birders so we will all ously we will stay together and move at Upon exiting take Loveland-Maderia help each other find the birds. a comfortable pace, but if you are new to or not used to kayaking you may find Road left. Take Loveland-Maderia We will launch from the Nisbet Park in yourself a bit tired. Road to West Loveland Ave. and go Loveland, OH. We will then drift/ right. Take West Loveland Ave. into Be advised that for safety purposes and paddle downriver. The end location downtown Loveland and go left on group cohesion participants must be at will be Kelley Island Nature Preserve Railroad Ave. Nisbet Park is on the least twelve years of age and weigh no (Clermont County). The trip length is left. Look for parking anywhere in this more than 350 pounds. Because the roughly 6.4 miles. The birding is nor- area. We will meet at the amphithea- Division of Watercraft is a state agency mally very good on the trails found at ter. Kelley Island Nature Preserve. So if all participants will be asked to sign a From south take I275 north to the time permits we will beach the kayaks waiver. Trips are weather permitting. Loveland/Indian Hill exit. Upon exit- and bird on foot. High winds, thunderstorms, strong currents or other dangerous weather ing take Loveland-Maderia Road left. Things to Consider/Know: The conditions will be cause to cancel the Take Loveland-Maderia Road to West Division of Watercraft will provide trip. Participants will be notified if the Loveland Ave. and go right. Take West most of the necessary equipment. This trip is cancelled. Loveland Ave. into downtown Love- includes sit on top kayaks, paddles and land and go left on Railroad Ave. Nis- We will be offering transportation back life jackets (must be worn). We rec- bet Park is on the left. Look for parking to the launch site after the trip. All you ommend that you bring water, sun- anywhere in this area. We will meet at will have to do is drive to the launch block, snacks, something to keep per- the amphitheater. sonal items like phones dry, a hat and site. VOLUME 51, ISSUE 5 PAGE 13

Kayak Birding Trip:

See birds from the water at East Fork State Park. Campground Beach

Date: Monday May 25, 2015 perature. It should end up being a fairly ple. Slots will be filled on a first come, warm day, but even in late May the first serve basis. See below to register. Time: 8:00 a.m. to noon (longer if we water could still be cold. want) To Register: Call or visit East Fork Speaking of water, be prepared to get State Park main office (Division of Wa- Sponsored by: Ohio Department of wet. Our kayaks are extremely stable, tercraft section). Speak with Lu or Natural Resources/Division of Water- and in all the kayak trips I have led; only Elizabeth and they will add you to the craft a few folks have gone in the water. Just list if slots are open. Event Type: Field Trip be advised that it could happen. Even if Office Number-513-734-2730 Ad- Cost: Free you do not go in, water does find its dress: 3292 Elklick Road Bethel, OH way into the kayak. Also, you will most 45106 Details: If you have ever wanted to go likely have some sort of optics with Office Hours-8am to 4:30pm Monday birding from a kayak this is your you. We recommend that they are thru Friday. chance. East Fork State Park is a great waterproof as the Division of Water- place to bird. There are numerous craft does not accept responsibility for Contact Information: Jason Gantt, coves and riverine environments that personal property. 513-734-2730 ext. 237 are most easily accessible by water. Directions: From North Take 275 Trip leaders Cory Cover and Jason Please understand that kayaking is exer- South to State Route 32. Go East on 32 Gantt will guide everyone to those ar- cise and at times can be taxing. Obvi- towards Batavia. Take the Half Acre eas. Both Cory and Jason are relatively ously we will stay together and move at Road exit and go south to Old St. Rt. new birders so we will all help each a comfortable pace, but if you are new 32. Go left on Old St. Rt. 32. East other find the birds. to or not used to kayaking you may find yourself a bit tired. If we want we can Fork State Park entrance will be on We will launch from the Campground beach the kayaks at a good location and your right. Follow signs to the camp- Beach at East Fork State Park and head hike a paved trail along the river to ground beach and look for the trailer up the East Fork of the Little Miami spice things up a bit. with kayaks on the beach. River. Late in May local breeding birds From South take 275 North to State are back. We can hope to see many Be advised that for safety purposes and Route 32. Go East on 32 towards Bata- migrating songbirds as well as the local group cohesion participants must be at via. Take the Half Acre Road exit and residents. least twelve years of age and weigh no more than 350 pounds. Because the go south to Old St. Rt. 32. Go left on Things to Consider/Know: The Division of Watercraft is a state agency Old St. Rt. 32. East Fork State Park Division of Watercraft will provide all participants will be asked to sign a entrance will be on your right. Follow most of the necessary equipment. This waiver. Trips are weather permitting. signs to the campground beach and look includes sit on top kayaks, paddles and High winds, thunderstorms, strong for the trailer with kayaks on the beach. life jackets (must be worn). We rec- currents or other dangerous weather ommend that you bring water, sun- conditions will be cause to cancel the block, snacks, something to keep per- trip. Participants will be notified if the sonal items like phones dry, a hat and trip is cancelled. most importantly proper clothing. Shoes must be worn. Dress for the Finally, space is limited. The Division water temperature, not the air tem- of Watercraft has spots for eight peo-

CINCINNATI BIRD CLUB

c/o Newsletter Editor 3491 Bootjack Corner Rd Williamsburg, Ohio 45176

President Jay Stenger

Program Chair Jack Stenger

Treasurer Lois Shadix

Field Trips Bill Stanley

Newsletter Editor Bill Stanley

Park VIP John Stewart

WE’RE ON THE WEB! CINCINNATI BIRD CLUB

Bird Club Membership Name ______Address ______Phone ______Email ______

2014-2015 DUES: _____Individual $12.00 ______Family $15.00 ______Student (under 18) FREE IF YOU HAVEN’T SENT Make your check payable to Cincinnati Bird Club, and mail to our Treasurer: IN YOUR DUES YET FOR THE SEPTEMBER Lois Shadix ([email protected]), 2928 Saddleback Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45244 2014 - MAY 2015 BIRDING SEASON, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM AND MAIL IT IN ALONG WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEES