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birding...
Ohio
Ohio`s list of 412 bird species includes 41 waterfowl, 20 hawks and falcons, 47 shorebirds, 30 larids, 12 owls, 10 woodpeckers, and 41 warblers. Breeding species on the list number 200. The state`s dominant geographical features include the Lake Erie shore along the eastern two-thirds of the state`s northern border, the associated plains in the north and west, and rugged hills, untouched by the most recent glaciation, in the southeastern quarter. Dense deciduous forest covers most of the hill country, and agricultural fields are a prominent feature of the plains. Wetlands, though much diminished from bygone days, are an important component of the birding scene, with the largest remnants lying near the Lake`s western end. Winter birding is most exciting along the Lake Erie shore, with enormous gatherings of waterfowl and gulls. Spring migration, during which a day`s count can approach 200 species, takes place over a broad front and on a strict schedule. There are many favoured locations for watching neo-tropical passerines, raptors, shorebirds, and the like at this time. The variety of breeders differs rather widely latitudinally, with good reasons to seek birds in both the north and south. Autumn`s migration of passerines is more various in both time and space, with different places to find shorebirds, raptors, sparrows, ducks and geese, etc., and a lengthier time of passage. Good birding can reliably be found in many locations at any season. Certain State Parks, many state Wildlife Areas and Nature Preserves, city and county parks, and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge are always of interest, and are generally good places to learn about Ohio`s bird life. Elsewhere, certain reservoirs, urban waterfronts, grasslands, woodlots, and the like are known to local birders as productive spots. Half a dozen examples of particularly productive areas are briefly described in the section below. Ohioans are fortunate to have excellent sources of information for visiting birders and the very best source is local birders who welcome visitors. Like birders everywhere, we relish making new friends, and showing our birds to those less familiar with them. |
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Headlands Beach State Park
Headlands Beach State Park and Natural Area, thirty miles east of Cleveland, is also a magnet for spring and fall migrants, not only passerines but waterfowl and gulls. Here, marshes, sand dunes, open beach, and both open and sheltered Lake water invite an ever-changing succession of passing birds, and the area`s list numbers over 300 species. Perhaps no place in the state is more exciting in winter for water birds when the Lake remains unfrozen.Hocking Hills
The Hocking Hills, in Hocking County in the south-central part of the state, harbour a rich array of breeding species from late April through August, accessible in scenic settings on trails on public lands. Several state parks here feature striking sandstone caves, cliffs, and ravines, and Clear Creek Metro Park has a fine range of unspoiled habitats, with damp and shadowy gorges, riparian areas, fields, and deep woods. A significant number of more southern species, unlikely to be found at places like Magee, occur here as breeders, and hence are especially noticeable. At the same time, some habitats in the Hills, such as groves of hemlocks and other conifers, harbour nesters normally found only far to the north.Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area
Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area is dominated by grasslands and successional habitats interrupted by woodlots and reservoirs. While of interest during migration periods, this area in Wyandot County in the central part of the state draws most attention from birders during the winter, when numerous raptors hunt its fields and forests. Eagles nest, and several species of hawks are usually prominently present in good numbers. Owls of half a dozen species are easiest to find at this time, with the most thrilling encounters perhaps those with hunting short-eared owls at dusk over the fields. Other wintering birds such as shrikes, buntings, longspurs, and sparrows are as easy to find here as anywhere in the state.Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area deserves its international reputation as a spring migrant trap, due mostly to the spectacular concentrations of northbound birds near its boardwalk trail, accessible from the Crane Creek State Park parking lot. More than a few May days will bring 20+ species of wood warblers, along with Colorful orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks, flycatchers, etc. Corresponding concentrations of birders help to ensure that no species goes unobserved or unshared here. The great spring rush of migrants is easily observed at other spots along the Lake as well, such as in the Lake Erie Islands and parklands to the east, or at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, though nearby Ottawa is most renowned in spring as a spot for raptors, waterfowl, and shorebirds during their migrations.Oak Openings
The Oak Openings, protected in several Nature Conservancy preserves and in the Toledo parks system, represent several habitats unique to Ohio. Sandy ridges, patches of wetland, and several forest types constitute this area west of Toledo. This is a fine spot for observing spring and fall migrations, and several species of birds and butterflies breed only here in the state. Like those of the Hocking Hills, its richly-mixed habitats attract nesting birds from much further north and south than its latitude alone would suggest.Shawnee State Forest
After a long winter, Ohio birders resort to Shawnee State Forest as an attractive place to see and hear the year`s first migrants. Beginning in mid-April, numerous neo-tropical birds appear, many those of southern affinities arriving to breed, and by the end of the month birds heading for Canada are passing through. Very peaceful at this time of year, this mature forest rings with birdsong, and wildflowers in bloom are everywhere at one`s feet. Nearby Adams County is dominated by the botanical treasures of its large Nature Conservancy properties, but here also are the most reliable spots in Ohio for southern nesters like chuck-will`s-widows and blue grosbeaks.contributor |
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Bill Whan
Editor - The Ohio Cardinal
danielel@iwaynet.net
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useful reading |
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A Birder`s Guide to the Cincinnati Tristate
By Robert Folzenlogen Second Edition Published by Willow Press Paperback 140 pagesISBN: 0962068586
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birding in Ohio
Tom Thomson Paperback (November 1994) Indiana University PressISBN: 0253208742
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Ohio
Jim McCormac and Gregory Kennedy 360 pages, col illus, map. Lone Pine Publishing 2004ISBN: 1551053926
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of the Lake Erie Region
by Carolyn V Platt 2001 Kent State Univ Press, Kent, OH.ISBN: 0873386906
Buy this book from NHBS.com
The Birds of Ohio
by Bruce G Peterjohn 2001 The Wooster Book Co, Wooster, OH.ISBN: 1888683880
Buy this book from NHBS.com
useful information |
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Ohio`s Wildlife Areas
The website has notes on all state wildlife areas
http://www.ohiodnr.com/aboutus.htm
State Bird
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
The Ohio Cardinal
...the state birding magazine... details from our correspondent.
clubs |
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Audubon Miami Valley
http://www.orgs.muohio.edu/audubonmiamivalley/A regional chapter of the National Audubon Society...
Audubon of Mahoning Valley
http://members.cboss.com/audubonmv/As a member of the National Audubon Society, you are also a member of the Audubon Society / Mahoning Valley, our local chapter. There are no local dues, and you will receive The Heron bimonthly. To find out more about activities of Mahoning Valley Audubon, contact any of our officers, or join us at a meeting...
Audubon Society in Ohio
http://www.audubon.org/chapter/oh/The link page listing Ohio Chapters.
Audubon Society of Ohio
http://home.earthlink.net/~audsocohio/Cincinnati Chapter of the National Audubon Society - There were already a few bird clubs around the country calling themselves Audubon societies in honour of pioneering bird artist John J. Audubon. But none had a more logical claim on the name than did Cincinnati. The famous bird artist had once been a Cincinnati citizen. In 1819 he became an employee of the Western Museum, which eventually became the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History. Here Audubon began the series of paintings that eventually led to publication of his famous birds of America. Five of the paintings in the collection were completed in Cincinnati.
Birding Ohio
http://www.birdingamerica.com/Ohio/default.htmPhotographs and more...
Black River Audubon Society
http://www.blackriveraudubon.org/All Field Trips are free and open to the public. (unless otherwise noted) Dates and times are subject to change...
Blackbrook Audubon Society
http://www.blackbrookaudubon.org/Serving the communities of North East Ohio, particularly Lake and Geauga Counties. Please read our Bi-monthly magazine, The Hushwing Herald, for more information...
Columbus Audubon Society
http://www.columbusaudubon.org/Welcome to the Columbus Audubon Society Home Page. The Columbus Audubon Society (CAS) was founded in 1913 and is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. The mission of CAS is to promote the appreciation, understanding, and conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for present and future generations.
East Central Ohio Audubon Society
http://www.ecoas.homestead.com/We are glad that you stopped in to visit our new web site. We hope that you find it useful and return periodically to check out what our chapter is doing. ECO-AS has over 600 members in the six county area that we serve. Our main mission is to provide a local link to the National Audubon Society and to provide fun environmental education programming for not only our members but for everyone in our service area.
Greater Akron Audubon Society
http://www.cs.uakron.edu/~pelz/gaas.htmlThank you for visiting the home page of the Greater Akron Audubon Society. We hope you enjoy the visit and decide to join us in some of our activities. As is common on the Web, these pages are continually changing. Each page should indicate the date of the last change; in addition, this home page will have dates for each of the subsequent pages. Better than average chapter site.
Greater Cleveland Audubon Society
http://www.clevelandaudubon.org/The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland has a long and proud history of service to the Greater Cleveland Community and its members. It is one of Cleveland`s oldest continuously operating environmental organizations...
Greater Mohican Audubon Society
http://audubon.cjb.net/The Greater Mohican Audubon Society consists of Ashland, Holmes, Richland, and Wayne Counties in North-central Ohio. The National Audubon Society recognized GMAS as an official chapter in May 1999. The bird chosen to represent the GMAS is the handsome Bobolink.
Hocking Valley Audubon Chapter
Local chapter events, progammews etc...
Kelleys Island Audubon Club
http://www.kelleysislandnature.com/With a land mass of twenty-eight hundred acres (four square miles) and almost eighteen miles of shoreline, Kelleys Island is the largest American island situated in the western basin of Lake Erie. Located three and one half miles north of Marblehead, Ohio, its latitude is forty-one degrees thirty-five minutes north and eighty-two degrees forty-two minutes west.
Kirtland Bird Club
http://www.kirtlandbirdclub.org/The Kirtland Bird Club (KBC) has over a 60-year tradition of quality contributions to the Northeast Ohio Birding community. The objectives of the KBC are the serious study of ornithology with a view to increasing the knowledge of individual members, the exchange of ornithological experiences and records, the compilation and publication of important information on birds, and the promotion of good fellowship among its members...
Mahoning Valley Audubon Society
http://members.cboss.com/audubonmv/Audubon of Mahoning Valley meets the fourth Tuesday of the month, 7:00 P.M., at the Mill Creek MetroParks Experimental Farm on Route 46 in Canfield...
Nature Conservancy in Ohio
http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/A sparkling new site... Working with Communities to Preserve Ohio`s Last Great Places. Welcome to the Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy! Here you`ll find information on the many ways we`re working with the people of the state and the nation to help preserve the diversity of living things by protecting the habitats - land and water - in which they live...
Ohio Bluebird Society
http://www.obsbluebirds.com/The Ohio Bluebird Society was formed in 1987 to foster the return and the perpetuation of the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) and other native cavity nesting birds in Ohio. To this end, the Ohio Bluebird Society will strive for the best methods to use to conserve and create habitat for the protection of these species.
Ohio Bird Records Committee
http://www.ohiobirds.org/records/aboutobrc.phpWelcome to the Ohio Bird Records Committee Homepage. This site is being developed in cooperation with the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves...
Toledo Naturalists Association
http://www.toledonaturalist.org/Rare Bird Alert + birding news etc.
Tri-Moraine Audubon Society
http://www.tri-moraineaudubon.org/The Tri-Moraine Audubon Society is more than just birds! Our members belong for many different reasons. All appreciate the natural environment. Some are interested in reptiles and amphibians. Others in flowers, trees, and mushrooms. Others enjoy star-gazing. And some just enjoy spending time outdoors...
Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
http://www.wcasohio.org/What we`re really about is nature and families enjoying, experiencing and learning about nature. We offer the opportunity for people of all ages to participate in nature walks, attend educational programs, and meet other people with like interests and values...
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Black Swamp Bird Observatory
http://www.bsbobird.org/Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) is an independent non-profit organization devoted to wildlife research, conservation and educational programs for the public. The Observatory`s objectives are to develop and promote sound stewardship of avian and other wildlife resources through research and education. BSBO cooperates with governmental agencies, environmental organizations and educational institutions to accomplish these objectives. The Observatory site is the Lake Erie marsh region of northwest Ohio, but its activities are not geographically limited. These wetlands are known for their wildlife year around. More than 230 species have been documented in this region, and more than 150,000 birds have been banded in BSBO`s research projects.
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Aullwood Audubon Centre
http://aullwood.center.audubon.org/Aullwood is an environmental education centre in western Ohio. We are an Audubon Centre of the National Audubon Society. Our goal is to promote the protection of birds, other wildlife and the habitats on which they depend. Aullwood offers both children and adults the opportunity to experience and appreciate the world through experience-based education. Come see our woods, streams, ponds, prairies, meadows, and our education centre and organic farm.
Cincinnati Nature Center
http://www.cincynature.org/Provide the Greater Cincinnati community, especially young people, the opportunity to experience, study and enjoy the natural world. Encourage understanding, appreciation, and responsible stewardship of the environment through education. Preserve the heritage and integrity of Cincinnati Nature Centre natural and agricultural lands.
Crane Creek State Park
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/cranecrk.htmLocated on the scenic shore of Lake Erie, Crane Creek State Park offers a vast freshwater marsh and spacious sandy beach for enjoyment. This coastal environment is home to more than 300 species of birds. Herons, waterfowl, warblers, gulls and the magnificent bald eagle make this park one of the best birdwatching areas in the country.
East Harbor State Park
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/eastharbor.htmLarge numbers of ducks, geese, gulls, terns and other migratory waterfowl delight birdwatchers. Middle Harbour is a game sanctuary where black-crowned night herons, egrets, great blue herons and other shorebirds find refuge. Furbearers in the park include muskrat and red fox. Hundreds of migrating songbirds rest here before winging north across the lake...
Gilmore Ponds Conservancy
http://gilmore.pond.org/Nearly hidden by an industrial park and an airport, Gilmore Ponds Interpretive Preserve provides over 200 acres of marsh, ponds, and other wetland wildlife habitat. This wildlife oasis lies entirely within the boundaries of the city of Hamilton Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. Each spring and fall the ponds teem with migratory waterfowl and songbirds...
Kelleys Island Ohio Birds and Natural History
http://www.kelleysisland.ws/With a land mass of twenty-eight hundred acres (four square miles) and almost eighteen miles of shoreline, Kelleys Island is the largest American island situated in the western basin of Lake Erie. Located three and one half miles north of Marblehead, Ohio, its latitude is forty-one degrees thirty-five minutes north and eighty-two degrees forty-two minutes west.
Maumee Bay State Park
http://www.ohiodnr.com/parks/parks/maumeebay.htmOver 300 species of birds have been recorded with shorebirds such as snipe, great blue heron, common gallinule and ring-billed gulls residing with waterfowl including Canada geese, pintails, redheads, and ruddy ducks. Songbirds include the red-winged blackbird, yellow warbler, killdeer and swamp sparrow. Spring migration brings many others including the colourful warblers...
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Ottawa/The Ottawa NWR Complex is a major feeding, nesting, and resting area for migrating birds. The refuge preserves portions of the historic Lake Erie marshes and Great Black Swamp habitats. Ottawa NWR Complex is comprised of three refuges - Cedar Point NWR, Ottawa NWR and West Sister Island NWR. West Sister Island NWR, is Ohio`s only wilderness area and is located about 9 miles offshore in Lake Erie...
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Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!
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Birding Pal
http://birdingpal.org/oh.htmLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
places to stay |
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Cedar Hill B&B
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/ohio/cedarhillinwoods.htmRetreat into a world of towering trees, wildflowers, birds and star gazing.
Colonel Taylor Inn
http://www.coltaylorinnbb.com/The Colonel Taylor Inn is a beautiful three story, 9000 sq. ft.Victorian Mansion located in the Scenic part of Southeastern Ohio. Our Inn is a striking example of Victorian architecture that captures all the charm & grace of a bygone era, with central A/C and all the comforts of today. Visitors will enjoy the history of this gracious Painted Lady as well as the opportunity to explore the countryside. Our Inn is located near many state parks, craft shops, antique malls, hiking, boating, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and other winter sports...
Island House Inn
http://www.islandhouseinn.com/Birdwatcher`s Specials - Sept to May
Lansing Street B&B
http://www.innsite.com/inns/A000587.htmlThis room had a wall of french doors which overlooks the courtyard with its fountain, many windchimes and lots of birds and, in the right seasons, beautiful flowers...
St. George House B&B
http://www.innsite.com/inns/B007383.htmlThe room layout is user-friendly, displaying some antiques and 1920`s furniture. When the weather is suitable, one can spot small animals, sometimes deer, and many migrating birds as well as our usual friends.
Sugar Camp Cottages B&B
http://www.bbonline.com/oh/sugarcamp/Maybe you feel like taking a walk in the woods with a little book on wild flowers, or birds.
mailing lists |
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ohio-birds
http://lists.envirolink.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-birdsTo post to list:ohio-birds@envirolink.org.
Mailing List – Discussion Group The Ohio-birds mailing list has been active since 1 January 1997. We now (May 2000) have subscribed 460 accounts. To subscribe send the message: subscribe ohio-birds your name where your name is replaced with your name
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ACME Wild Bird Feeder Company
http://www.bestnest.com/We carry many wild bird feeders, including: squirrel proof feeders, hummingbird feeders, oriole feeders, peanut feeders, platform feeders, hopper feeders, house feeders, tube feeders, suet feeders, thistle feeders, dome & globe feeders, and window feeders.
Bird Watcher`s Digest
http://www.birdwatchersdigest.comBased in Marietta; Ohio. Expert advice on birdwatching, birding, backyard bird feeding, bird gardening, bird identification, bird travel and cool birding products. The editors of Bird Watcher`s Digest invite you to experience the joy and passion of bird watching and to learn the best birding how-to tips from the experts.
Birding from the North Coast
http://pw1.netcom.com/~djhoff/home.htmlShorebirds are among our favorite birds, and while it can be difficult to find suitable habitat near Cleveland, we do try. We also take whatever opportunities arise to see shorebirds elsewhere. We have been accumulating links and images of shorebirds on the web and invite you to visit.
Birding in Cincinnati
http://cincinnatibirds.com/The Cincinnati Bird Club is devoted to the active pursuit of the pastime/hobby/sport - call it what you will - of birding. If you`re a birder, you know what it is. If you`re not, just look around here a bit, and then join us in some of the activities that the Bird Club or other organizations offer. Be careful, though. You just might get hooked, like the rest of us did, and find yourself spending entirely too much time on birds. An excellent site that doesn`t take itself too seriously.
Birds of Ohio
http://aves.net/birds-of-ohio/Not just a check list but species accounts, and much much more. Another part of the excellent works of Mr Fazio.
BLOG - Akron Birding Journal
http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/grebe/No entries in this BLOG since mid 2004 but an archive of info and pics from this Ohio birder…
BLOG - Bill of the Birds
http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/blog/blogger.htmlMy name is Bill and I am a bird watcher…
BLOG - Donald the Birder
http://donaldthebirder.blogspot.com/I started birding around the age of 12. I enjoy birds and the outdoors, especially showing young people and others the many wonders of nature...
BLOG - Julie Zickefoose
http://www.juliezickefoose.com/blog/index.phpLife and times of this wildlife writer...
BLOG - Meadowhawk Sketchbook
http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mhawk90/Birding Blog from Cleveland…
BLOG - Susan Williams
http://susankwilliams.blogspot.com/My observations and musings about birding with two small kids, living with 13 pets and 1 husband, native plants of Ohio, the environment, and my life in all it's humor...
Borror Laboratory of Bioacoustics
http://blb.biosci.ohio-state.edu/Central Ohio Rare Bird Alert
http://www.netwalk.com/~vireo/RBA.htmlTypical entry… At the Greenlawn Dam on the 20th there were Ring-billed and Herring Gulls, Canada Geese, Common Goldeneyes, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks, and a Canvasback. Other birds seen there recently include: Canvasback, Redheads, and Hooded Mergansers.
Cleveland Area Birding Site Guide
http://pw1.netcom.com/~djhoff/csiteix.htmlThis is a birding site guide for locations in the general commuting area of Cleveland, Ohio. As might be expected, most of the sites are located along the Lake Erie shore, but additional locations of interest are also included...
Cleveland Terminal Tower Peregrine Falcons - Webcam
http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/news.phpThe Terminal Tower Falcon Cam is brought to you as a community service by APK Net, Inc., Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Walter & Haverfield, LLP. The nest box is located on a 12th floor ledge at Terminal Tower, Public Square, Cleveland OH...
Columbus Audubon
http://www.columbusaudubon.org/Columbus Audubon was founded in 1913 and is a chapter of Audubon. Our mission now is the same as it was in 1913: to promote the appreciation, understanding and conservation of birds, other wildlife and their habitats, for present and future generations...
Dayton Area Birding Sites
Detailed Site Information includes site location and directions for finding the site from downtown Dayton, site description and habitat, bird species that might be found, and facilities and other information of interest to birders...
Four Nature`s Keepers - Jack Hanna Premium Wild Bird Food
http://www.natureskeepers.com/We are a manufacturer of premium wild bird food cakes, stixs, crumbles, dough and other specialty wild bird food products...
Julie Zickefoose
http://www.juliezickefoose.com/Julie Zickefoose is a widely published natural history writer and artist. Educated at Harvard University in biology and art, she worked for six years as a field biologist for The Nature Conservancy before turning to a freelance career. Her observations on the natural history and behavior of birds stem from more than three decades of experience in the field.
Ohio Birder Resources
http://aves.net/obr/Having sections on where to go birding, checklists, local clubs, magazines, etc. this is a very comprehensive resource for birding in Ohio.
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Photographer - Robert Royse
http://www.geocities.com/roysephotos/Welcome to Robert Royse`s photograph and birding pages - Stunning images and useful infomation including diary and trip reports.
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