Blade Outdoors

Metroparks has busy start to June schedule

Activities for the first week of June at the Metroparks:

Saturday, June 1

 

Homesteading Open House: We Wore What?, Pearson, Johlin Cabin, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone with the pioneer spirit must make the trek to the region's premier historic Black Swamp Cabin. The lady of the house is dressed in period clothing and eager to show visitors how Toledo's ancestors lived 150 years ago. Guests can take part in a program, lend a hand with daily chores or casually explore the site on their own. Think summer is too hot? Imagine it without shorts and tee-shirts. Participants experience fashion from the 1800s and try on clothes Toledo's Black Swamp ancestors wore. Reservations needed. Price: Free.

 

Gallery Exhibition, Secor Metropark, National Center for Nature Photography, 12 to 5 p.m. All new gallery exhibits: The 2012 International Conservation Award winners, Stars Above and Parks Below by Tyler Nordgren, The Spiders of Oak Openings by Dr. Richard Bradley, Metroparks Wet Prairie Restoration by Art Weber, and Urban Nature by University of Toledo photography students . Price: Free.

 

Sunday, June 2

 

Gallery Exhibition, Secor Metropark, National Center for Nature Photography, 12 to 5 p.m. Price: Free. All new gallery exhibits: The 2012 International Conservation Award winners, Stars Above and Parks Below by Tyler Nordgren, The Spiders of Oak Openings by Dr. Richard Bradley, Metroparks Wet Prairie Restoration by Art Weber, and Urban Nature by University of Toledo photography students  

Price: Free.

 

Monday, June 3

 

Wee Workshop Preschool Camp (Ages 3 to 5), Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Explore favorite Ohio animals through songs, puppets and games. Enjoy multi-sensory activities, crafts and outdoor exploration. Adults will play alongside their child. Register child only. Camp is held rain or shine, with plenty of rainy day options. Reservations needed. Price: $ 55.00.

 

Tuesday, June 4

 

Side Cut Explorer, Side Cut, Riverview Area, 10 to 11 a.m. Travel along the banks of the Maumee River and down the canal towpath. A naturalist highlights the scenery, as passengers relax in Metroparks wheelchair accessible, open-air trolley. Program runs every Tuesday, June through October. Reservations needed. Price: $ 3.00.

 

Fallen Timbers Battlefield Preservation Commission, Side Cut, Lamb Center Lamb Center, 7 to 9 p.m. For 200 years the Fallen Timbers Battlefield laid hidden in plain sight. Now that it's been found, what will happen to it? Metroparks volunteers will shape the battlefield's fate for the next hundred years, so now is the perfect time to get involved. For more information email President Dave Westrick at evadwest@buckeye-express.com. Price: Free.

 

Wednesday, June 5

 

Toddler Trails (Ages 18 months to 3 years), Wildwood Preserve, Courtyard - Metz Visitor Center, 10 to 11 a.m. This outdoor, multi-sensory nature play and exploration program runs the first Wednesday of each month. Parent must accompany their child at the program. Register toddlers only. Reservations needed. Price: $ 3.00.

 

Friends of Pearson, Pearson, Packer-Hammersmith Center, 7 to 9 p.m. The Friends of Pearson always welcome fellow fans of the park to help plan events and volunteer activities. These meetings are the best way to learn how to support the popular Oregon Metropark. Price: Free.

 

Thursday, June 6

 

Stranleigh Estate Tour, Wildwood Preserve, Lawn, 2 to 3:30 p.m. One of Toledo's great estates returns to life in this leisurely walking tour of select buildings at Wildwood Preserve. Historical photos and stories from oral histories transport visitors back to Toledo's golden years. Discover how preservation efforts lasting over 75 years have maintained the timeless beauty of the property that complements the Manor House. Reservations needed. Price: Free.

 

Friday, June 7

 

Tea at Stranleigh: Women of World War II, Wildwood Preserve, Manor House,12 to 2:30 p.m. Women played a critical role in driving America to victory in the Second World War. This special tea remembers their sacrifices and courage. Settings include tea, two sandwiches, two desserts and musical entertainment in the beautiful setting of Stranleigh Manor. Reservations welcome but not required. For limited reservations, call             419 344 4765      . Sponsored and presented by the Manor House Volunteers. Price: $ 9.00.

 

Saturday, June 8

 

Birders of a Feather: Nesting Birds, Oak Openings Preserve, Window on Wildlife, 8 to 10 a.m. Nesting birds have returned to the region and Oak Openings is a great place to see red-headed woodpeckers and indigo buntings. Become part of a bird watching flock. The group meets at different parks each month to share the enjoyment of birding. First-timers and experienced birders love these monthly avian explorations. Bring binoculars and field guides. These programs are free, but please register if planning to attend. Reservations needed. Price: Free.

 

Maumee River Canoe Paddle, Farnsworth, Boat Launch parking lot, 2 to 4 p.m.Explore the Maumee River on a three mile canoe paddle around Missionary Island. See one of northwest Ohio's natural gems and get some exercise on this naturalist-led excursion. Participants must be 12 or older. All minors must be in the same canoe as their legal guardian. Program canceled if water is high. Two people per canoe. Participants should wear clothes that can get wet and bring sunscreen, bug spray and water. Reservations needed. Price: $ 12.00.

 

Gallery Exhibition, Secor Metropark, National Center for Nature Photography, 12 to 5 p.m. All new gallery exhibits: The 2012 International Conservation Award winners, Stars Above and Parks Below by Tyler Nordgren, The Spiders of Oak Openings by Dr. Richard Bradley, Metroparks Wet Prairie Restoration by Art Weber, and Urban Nature by University of Toledo photography students  Price: Free.

 

MetroBarks, Swan Creek Preserve, Airport Highway parking lot, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Celebrate the 10th annual canine festival with entertainment, food, rescue/adoption groups and vendor booths. Dogs are welcome at this event. There will be "tail waggin' fun" for all ages. The winner of this year's Toledo Blade Pet Idol contest will be announced live at the festival. MetroBarks is sponsored by The Blade, Toledo Area Humane Society, Planned Pethood, Lucas County Children Services and The Andersons. Price: Free.

 

Volunteers In Parks Pancake Breakfast, Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall,8 to 11 a.m. Welcome spring back at this Pancake Breakfast in beautiful Wildwood Preserve. All the pancakes you can eat along with sausage links, orange juice, coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Adults $4.95 and children 12 and under are $2.50. Outside and inside seating available. The program runs rain or shine. All proceeds go to purchase items from the Metroparks staff's "wish list". Price: $ 4.95.

 

Sunday, June 9

 

Blue Creek Open House, Blue Creek Conservation Area, White Barn on Schadel Road, 1 to 5 p.m. See one of the district's newest properties and meet Metroparks partners, Nature's Nursery and Lucas Soil & Water Conservation District. Price: Free.

 

Geocache History Adventure, Wildwood Preserve, Courtyard - Metz Visitor Center, 1 to 3 p.m. Explore the history of Wildwood using GPS to locate clues throughout the preserve. Reservations needed. Price: $ 3.00.

 

Gallery Exhibition, Secor Metropark, National Center for Nature Photography, 12 to 5 p.m. All new gallery exhibits: The 2012 International Conservation Award winners, Stars Above and Parks Below by Tyler Nordgren, The Spiders of Oak Openings by Dr. Richard Bradley, Metroparks Wet Prairie Restoration by Art Weber, and Urban Nature by University of Toledo photography students. Price: Free.

 

Naturalists Camera Club of Toledo: The Ohio Prairie Story Presented by John Blakeman, Secor Metropark, Secor Room, 2 to 4 p.m. This is an illustrated introduction to the biology and history of Ohio's native prairies. Visit the gallery before the program. This is a free program and public is welcome. Price: Free.

 

Sewing Circle, Pearson, Johlin Cabin, 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy working with needle and thread? Lend a helping hand mending historic clothing. Reservations needed.Price: Free.

Bartlett sitting down on the job -- again

Each spring for the past 18 years, Tom Bartlett has conducted a Big Sit fundraiser for Black Swamp Bird Observatory’s (BSBO) education programs, and he's at it again. As part of the International Migratory Bird Day celebration, Bartlett and his crew will be stationed near the west end of the Magee Marsh boardwalk from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday (May 11), and they will keep a running tally on their bird sightings throughout the day. All pledges for this fundraiser will be matched by a generous donor, up to $5,000.

 

 

Zoo offers foul weather option for birders

With Friday's forecast looking somewhat gloomy for birding outdoors, the aviary at the Toledo Zoo offers an attractive and very dry indoors option, and one with 162 species -- most of which you will not see in the marshes and woodlots along Lake Erie. The zoo's collection includes the African pygmy goose, Kori bustard, Egyptian plover, Jambu fruit dove, Alexandrine parrot and the Blue-faced honeyeater.

eBird puts the latest info in birders' hands

eBird is an online program developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society about 10 years ago. It allows birders to follow reports and access information in real-time. By using eBird, birders are always in touch with the best data sources for reliable information on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of locations throughout the world. During The Biggest Week in American Birding festival, eBird can direct birders to active sightings throughout the region.

The following coordinates for area birding sites were compiled by Ohio eBird reviewer Ken Ostermiller.

Lucas County

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area--Boardwalk

Coordinates: 41.6277095, -83.191884

Maumee Bay SP

Coordinates: 41.683072, -83.3776689

Mallard Club Marsh Wildlife Area

Coordinates: 41.6838083, -83.3475067

Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area

Coordinates: 41.6498064, -83.2374224

Oak Openings Preserve Metropark

Coordinates: 41.5536134, -83.8585468

 

Ottawa County

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area--Black Swamp Bird Observatory & Trails

Coordinates: 41.6051585, -83.1933045

Ottawa NWR--Visitor Center and Boardwalk

Coordinates: 41.607517, -83.2096338

Meadowbrook Marsh

Coordinates: 41.50922, -82.7726376

East Harbor SP

Coordinates: 41.5514, -82.8064544

Is that a sparrow?

Birding expert and author Kenn Kaufman will present a session on the basics of identifying sparrows at 1 p.m. on Tuesday (May 7) at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge visitors' center. North American sparrows are tough to see and many species look quite similar. This leads to confused birders, but Kaufman hopes to clear the air on sparrows by demonstrating how to group them by shape, habits and behavior. Once grouped, narrowing down the likely species becomes much easier. There is a $10 fee for the workshop and registration is required.

 

 

Urban Bird Walk: Birding the City of Toledo

Doug Gray, Drew Lanham and Rue Mapp from Outdoor Afro will lead a free birding hike in Swan Creek Preserve Metropark, starting at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday (May 7). The two-hour walk will start from the
Yager Center located in the park, which is at 4659 Airport Highway. There is no fee or registration required for this event, which is part of "The Biggest Week in American Birding" festival. The format is relaxed, the pace comfortable, and the fun unlimited. The guides will bring binoculars and bird books to help those new to birding learn the basics of identifying birds.

Biggest Week offers many free events

A reminder that many of the events associated with "The Biggest Week in American Birding" festival are free and open to the public. The daily guided tours along the boardwalk at Magee Marsh are a simple and easy way to get an introduction to birding in a very relaxed setting. The guides will show you where to look, and help identify the many songbirds in the trees along the trail. It is an easy walk along a raised, wooden platform that winds through the marsh and woods. The guided walks start at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. each day for the remainder of the week. The boardwalk is open throughout the day, however, and many experienced birders along the route are willing to help those new to the endeavor.

Bridge work puts birders on different route

(Black Swamp Bird Observatory graphic)

Biggest Week Frequent Flyers

Some of the best opportunities to learn about birds, see birds, and develop an appreciation for birds during "The Biggest Week in American Birding", which goes on daily through May 12 at a variety of sites around the region:

Magee Marsh Guided Walks: 8-10 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. daily. Experienced guides point out warblers in the trees along the boardwalk that winds through the marsh.

Oak Openings Preserve Guided Tours: 6 a.m - 4 p.m. daily. Bus tour leaves from Maumee Bay Lodge and makes frequent stops to view Lark Sparrows, Summer Tanagers and other rare sights.

Birding for Beginners: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily. Guided bus tours depart from Maumee Bay at 6 a.m. to a day of instruction, watching and learning.

Raptor Identification: 1-2 p.m. on Sunday. Hawk counter Erik Bruhnke leads a workshop on field techniques for raptor identification at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.

Family Bird Walk: 2-4 p.m. Sunday. Kid-friendly event starts at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Visitors’ Center, where after a short lesson, binoculars and field guides are provided for a guided tour of the woodlots and marshes.

For a complete listing of the Biggest Week in American Birding events, visit the biggestweekinamericanbirding.com website. (Most events require registration, some require a fee.)

Biggest Week In American Birding runs May 3-12