Blade Outdoors

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



La Su An fishing season opens on May 3

   From May 3 through July 29, the lakes and ponds at La Su An will be open to fishing from sunrise to sunset just four days a week – on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The La Su An Wildlife Area is closed to fishing at all other times.

   While reservations are no longer required, parking at the wildlife area lakes is on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is permitted in designated areas only, and once the spaces fill up, the lakes are closed until a parking spot becomes available. Last year was the first for this new, no-reservation system, and state wildlife officials were pleased with its implementation and the public’s use of the different format.

   The sunfish or bluegill limits at La Su An are 15 total fish per day, with no more than five of those fish being eight inches or larger. Largemouth bass must be 18 inches long, with a limit of five per day. There is a two-fish limit for channel catfish. The limits are in effect at all lakes and ponds at La Su An.