Blade Outdoors

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.

Ohio Free Fishing Days

On May 4-5 Ohio residents have the opportunity to fish in any of the state’s public waters without needing a fishing license, as part of the "Free Fishing Days" program of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). There will also be a number of family-friendly fishing events for young anglers on May 4, held at five bodies of water on state properties around Ohio, including at Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon, east of Toledo.

At the youth fishing events, staff from the ODNR will provide bait and instruction, but the young anglers  are encouraged to bring their own fishing rods and tackle. At these special sites, fishing is open to anglers age 15 and under only, but thay can be assisted by an adult.

Maumee Bay will host a fishing derby on May 4, with prizes for largest pan fish and largest catfish caught by anglers in four different age groups. The pond at Maumee Bay will be stocked by the ODNR prior to the event.

 

 

Wildlfower walk at Van Buren

Van Buren State Park, located about 35 miles south of Toledo and just east of I-75, is hosting a spring wildflower walk on Sunday (April 21) at 2 p.m. Meet at the South Shore Shelterhouse No. 3 off Township Road 229 and take part in a guided hike along a woodland trail. Wildflower identification and folklore will be discussed on the hike. Sturdy waterproof footwear is strongly recommended for all hikers. For more information, contact park naturalist Natalie Miller at 419-832-7662 or at Natalie.Miller@dnr.state.oh.us

 

Lake Erie reefs serve up spring walleye

Captain Mike McCrosky of Hawg Hanger Charters, fishing out of Wild Wings Marina in early April, took a limit catch for his party while working on the reefs in 13 feet of water with hair jigs. Stinger hooks were an essential part of the rig.