BLACK SWAMP BIRD OBSERVATORY

BSBO NEWS

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BSBO Visitors’ Center Hours: We are open Friday, Saturday & Sunday year 'round from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. April & September: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. We are open every day in May from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 419.898.4070 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Director’s Perch

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2014 Volunteer Awards

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Biggest Week In American Birding

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Bird Ohio Day

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Research News

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Education News

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Conservation News

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Donate the GUIA

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Help BSBO

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Welcome New Members

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Thank you to our Donors

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BSBO Membership Renewal Form

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Black Swamp Bird Observatory: inspiring the appreciation, enjoyment and conservation of birds and their habitats through research, education and outreach.

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S PERCH

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Black Swamp Bird Observatory Teaming Research with Education to Promote Bird Conservation 13551 West St. Rt. 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 419 898-4070 (voice) 419 898-1363 (fax) www.bsbo.org

Observatory Staff Kimberly Kaufman Executive Director Mark Shieldcastle Research Director Kate Zimmerman Education Director Julie Shieldcastle Research Project Field Supervisor Lester Peyton Outreach Director Hugh Rose Gift Shop Manager

BSBO Board Chair Barry McEwen Vice Chair Randy Kreager

This might sound strange coming from the director of a bird observatory, but I’ve been spending a lot of time talking to people who know nothing about birds. And, truth be told, some of the people I’ve been spending time with might not ever care about birds in the way that you and I do. But that’s okay. Just as long as they come away from our conversations with the awareness and understanding of the economic value of habitat conservation, the point that’s become a cornerstone of BSBO’s conservation message since we started the Biggest Week In American Birding. ‘The Biggest Week’ is so much more than a great time for a whole lot of birders. (And it certainly is that!) We’ve worked hard to leverage the economic impact of birding tourism in northwest Ohio—$37 million each spring—to create a swell of interest in habitat conservation. We’re talking to groups, organizations, and agencies that we would never have imagined speaking to before we started the event! Northwest Ohio Public Relations Society of America, Port Clinton Business and Professional Women, Advertising Club of Toledo, Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development, and Ohio Lake Erie Commission—just to name a few. What an amazing opportunity to talk birds and habitat conservation with entirely new audiences! The Biggest Week also allows us to engage the business community, which we believe is crucial for the success of habitat conservation. BSBO’s Birds and Business Alliance program offers cost-effective marketing of local businesses directly to birders. For a small annual fee, participating businesses are exclusively listed on the Biggest Week In American Birding website and in printed materials available through BSBO. The Alliance also builds a network that allows BSBO to communicate with local businesses, offering guidance about providing quality services for birders and information about bird conservation issues in the region. And let’s face it, there’s no better time to talk about conservation issues with folks who can help than right after you packed their establishments with birding business! And, as you’ll see as you read this issue of BSBO News, in addition to our work on the Biggest Week, our education and research efforts are going full steam ahead, too! We’re reaching thousands of people with our bird conservation message, and we’re doing it all on a pretty small budget. We are a lean, mean, bird conservation machine, and with the continued support of members like you, we’ll continue to do great things for birds--and for people! This is a wonderful time in BSBO’s history, and I’m proud to be a part of this team. I hope you are, too! Yours in bird conservation,

Treasurer Delores Cole

Kimberly Kaufman Executive Director

Secretary Rob Ripma Directors Dr. Andy Jones Doug Gray Kenn Kaufman Joe Komorowski Jane Garling Dr. Elliot Tramer

BSBO was nominated for one of the Toledo Press Club's Touchstone Awards for our efforts to bring economic development to the region through the Biggest Week In American Birding. We didn't win, but just to be nominated and included with individuals and organizations who do so much for the community was a tremendous honor! We are deeply grateful to Karen Fraker for nominating BSBO. Karen is a wonderful community leader, and it means so much that she would feel our work was worthy of such a prestigious award. And our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes time and energy to the Biggest Week. We talk a lot about how much the festival does to raise awareness of the value and importance of habitat conservation; this is evidence of that. Without the remarkable team of volunteers who give so much to the festival, none of this would be possible.

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BSBO Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

Our heartfelt thanks to all of the amazing volunteers who give so much to BSBO!

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Volunteer of the Year Jim Mollenkopf

SPECIAL VOLUNTEER MILESTONES!

Five-Year Volunteers Kelly McKinne, Sally Mogyordy, Karen Potts, and Jill & John Bowers. Cindy & Jim Beckman, Cheryl Harner,Laura Gooch, Darlene Sillick, Elliot Tramer, Julie Davis, Tom Hissong, and Liz McQuaid (not pictured)

Ten-Year Volunteers

2014 Conservation Service Award Tiffanie Hayes

Kenn Kaufman, Karen Mitchell, and Kristin Mylecraine (not pictured)

15-YEAR VOLUNTEERS (NOT PICTURED)

MERIDITH BECK MARK BLEIM

Twenty-Year Volunteers Tom Bartlett, Anita Manzec, Hank & Sally Hiris, and Lee Garling. Mary Lou Klein (not pictured) BLACK

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Learn more about joining our volunteer team by visiting www.bsbo.org/volunteer or by calling BSBO at 419.898.4070

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Tom Bartlett was recognized for his incredible contribution to BSBO’s education programs through his annual BIG SIT fundraiser

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2014 BIGGEST WEEK ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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$14,000 FOR THE ‘SAVE THE GOLDEN-WING’ PROJECT WITH AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY

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200 CONSERVATION STAMPS SOLD IN 10 DAYS

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200 COPIES OF THE GUIA DE CAMPO A LAS AVES DE NORTEAMERICA DONATED FOR CONSERVATION TRAINING PROGRAMS

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$1,000 FOR THE FRIENDS OF MAGEE MARSH BOARDWALK RENOVATION

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$1,000 FOR BLACK SWAMP CONSERVANCY

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$1,000 FOR SANDUSKY COUNTY PARKS

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$500 FOR THE OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AUTO TOUR

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$500 FOR THE SNOWY OWL PROJECT

Mark your calendars NOW for the 2015 Biggest Week In American Birding May 8-17, 2015!

A YOUNG BIRDER’S THOUGHTS ON THE BIGGEST WEEK by Matthias Benko If you were told that you were going to travel to a place where birds drip from trees, would you think it was a myth? If someone told me months ago, I certainly would have thought that the person was exaggerating. However, my thoughts transformed when I experienced the Biggest Week in American Birding. The Biggest Week, a week-and-a-half-long festival celebrating spring migration, takes place in northwestern Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie. People from all over the world flock to this area in order to experience the wonderful neotropical migrants passing through the area----warblers. There is such a concentration of warblers here that the area is known as the “Warbler Capital of the World.” The Biggest Week gives ample opportunities to birders to observe the beautiful migrants; for example, there are daily guided bus trips around Erie County and walks on Magee Marsh Wildlife Area’s famous boardwalk. Even though the bus trips last about nine hours, they are truly amazing experiences for a variety of reasons. My bus trip was called “The Wilds of Erie County.” First, our group of 12 people was driven to a fantastic hotspot in Sandusky, Ohio, known as Pipe Creek Wildlife Area. Pipe Creek consists of wooded areas and a series of marshes, providing perfect habitat for songbirds (including warblers), Matthias Benko rails, bitterns, herons, and ducks. We birded this area for an extensive amount of time, and the birds did not disappoint. Some of the highlights at Pipe Creek were a Least Bittern, multiple Soras, and a handful of Black-crowned Nightherons. After a relaxing lunch break at a local fast food restaurant, we headed out to the second and final destination of the day: Sheldon Marsh. Sheldon Marsh is a sprawling expanse of deciduous forest with a nondescript marsh located close to the parking area. Some highlights at Sheldon included a Veery, an Ovenbird, and two Brown Thrashers. We ended the day with exactly 100 species, both birds we saw and heard. The next day, I went on a guided walk of Magee Marsh Wildlife Area with Kenn and Kim Kaufman. I had been to the area the night before and seen some pretty amazing species (Summer Tanager, Eastern Screech-Owl, Black-throated Blue Warbler, American Woodcock), so I was eager for the morning to begin. Our group birded the Estuary Trail because birding with multiple people on the boardwalk is quite difficult. This trail, which consists of a little beach, a wooded area, and an open area, was fantastic; along the way, we had male Scarlet Tanagers, a Gray-cheeked Thrush, a male Magnolia Warbler, and a Blackburnian Warbler. On the trail, we saw Common Terns over the water, a male Canada Warbler, a male Wilson’s Warbler, a Northern Waterthrush, and an American Robin’s nest. This day yielded a lot of birds, pleasing my mood for the extensive four-hour drive to Indianapolis ahead. The Biggest Week in American Birding is truly one of the best birding festivals in the world. I would highly recommend that every birder go there at least once. Make sure to register for a room at Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center as soon as possible because the hotel becomes completely booked quite rapidly. The same thing goes for the bus trips; there are a limited number of spots, so sign up right away! I sincerely hope to see you at Biggest Week 2015. It is a life-changing experience for all.

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BIRD OHIO DAY: RAISING THE VALUE OF HABITAT CONSERVATION TO A NEW LEVEL BSBO staff and board with Sen. Randy Gardner, Rep. Chris Redfern, Ann Longsworth-Orr, representing Senator Sherrod Brown, Chief Scott Zody, Ohio Division of Wildlife, Larry Fletcher, Lake Erie Shores & Islands, Rich Nachazel, Destination Toledo, and Sandy Burris, Friends of Magee Marsh

The First Bird Ohio Day Ceremony May 10, 2014 Magee Marsh Wildlife Area

On April 22, members of the BSBO staff, along with three Ohio Young Birders Club (OYBC) members and their families traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to accept the official resolution designating May 10, 2014, as the first annual Bird Ohio Day, as adopted by the Ohio State Senate on March 20, 2014. The resolution was initiated and drafted by Black Swamp Bird Observatory and sponsored by Senator Randy Gardner and Representative Chris Redfern. The Bird Ohio Day resolution encourages teachers to incorporate birds into their lesson plans; encourages all citizens of the state of Ohio to spend time outside enjoying the spectacle of bird migration through our state; calls attention to the economic impact of bird tourism in Ohio; and urges all citizens to be better stewards of the habitats migratory birds rely on for their survival. The resolution also helped educate Ohio Lawmakers on the value of habitat conservation.

BSBO's Executive Director, Kimberly Kaufman, along with Ohio Young Birders Club members Doug Whitman, Ethan Rising, and Delaney Hayes, accept the official Bird Ohio Day Resolution from Senator Randy Gardner

Senator Gardner gave the group a brief tour of the Statehouse, took us onto the floor of the Senate, and spent time talking with each OYBC member. It was a special day for BSBO, for the OYBC, and most importantly, for bird conservation in the State of Ohio. Our sincere thanks to Senator Gardner for his support, and for all of the time and effort he and his staff put into helping us make Bird Ohio Day a reality!

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BLACK SWAMP BIRDS & BUSINESS ALLIANCE We encourage you to patronize these establishments that support the Observatory. Please tell them that BSBO referred you, and thank them for their support.

America’s Best Value Inn Barnside Creamery Bassett's Market Bench Farms (SR-2) Benchmark Prints Birding Africa BirdWatching Magazine Birds and Beans Coffee Birds & Blooms Magazine Blackberry Corner Tavern Brian Zwiebel Photography BRANT Camp Sabroske Cheepers, Birding on a Budget Common Grounds Coffee & Deli Crazy Lady Saloon DotNet Technology DG’s Soft Ice Cream Eagle Optics Eagle's Nest Sweet Retreat Five Bells Inn Great Lakes Popcorn Co. Greg Miller Birding Jack's Superette J. Conklin Consulting Jet Express Jordan Specialty Advertising Holiday Inn Express - Oregon Kaufman Field Guides Kokomo Bay Restaurant Kozy Corners Leica Optics Magee East Marina & Campground Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center Maumee Bay General Store McKenna’s Inn Miller Boat Line McCarthy's Restaurant & Pub Naturally Avian Ohio Telecom Oregon Inn Our Guest Inn & Suites Our Sunset Place B & B Riverview Industries, Inc. Rock Ledge Inn Cottages Sabrewing Nature Tours Swarovski Optik USA The Island House Resort Time & Optics, Ltd. Toledo Mud Hens Victor Emanuel Nature Tours Victorian Inn B & B Wild Birds Unlimited - Toledo

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HELP US CONTINUE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MIGRATORY BIRDS AND THEIR HABITAT NEEDS AND...

ADOPT A MIST NET BSBO’s songbird banding research would not be possible without expensive mist nets. For just $75, Adopt A Mist Net and help support our research. To adopt a net, please call 419-898-4070, or visit our secure website at: bsbo.org

Thank you for helping us help the birds!

RESEARCH NEWS: BY MARK SHIELDCASTLE Swainson’s Warbler

BSBO’s long-term study to monitor the population status of neotropical migrants and to better understand the relationship between en-route habitat and their breeding ecology is conducted on the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge complex and neighboring lands, SE Michigan, and at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. Constant-effort mist netting and point counts are conducted at each site to document the spatial and temporal use of the habitats by different birds in spring and fall.

The spring 2014 data are still being compiled for our satellite stations but we can look at the data from our main banding station, Navarre Marsh. Our banding totals at Navarre Marsh this spring were 7,807 individuals, which is very close to the average number of birds banded each spring (7,907 individuals). This spring will be remembered by the oddities, both present and absent. We banded significantly more Louisiana Waterthrushes, Northern Waterthrushes , and Northern Parulas compared to significantly fewer White-throated Sparrows, Indigo Buntings, Cedar Waxwings, and Lincoln Sparrows this spring compared to other years. The high water levels at the Navarre Marsh banding station were reflected in the capture of the first spring Belted Kingfisher, the second Solitary Sandpiper on record, and five Green Herons (only one banded in the past 30 years!). Two of the several exciting highlights this spring include the recapture of a “foreign” banded Wilson’s Warbler and Canada Warbler! The Wilson’s Warbler was originally banded in September 2013 near Springfield, Illinois. The Canada Warbler was originally banded by Pelee Island Bird Observatory in May 2011. Other highlights include the capture of a Northern Mockingbird, the first in our station’s history, and the station’s second record of Swainson’s Warbler.

Top Ten species for spring 2014 and the 1989-2013 average at the Navarre Banding Station Spring 2014

1989-2013 Average

Species

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Species

# Banded

Magnolia Warbler

615

Magnolia Warbler

644

Yellow-rumped Warbler

563

Yellow-rumped Warbler

563

Gray Catbird

459

White-throated Sparrow

522

American Redstart

449

Gray Catbird

413

Yellow Warbler

430

Yellow Warbler

376

Traill’s Flycatcher

340

Common Yellowthroat

322

Swainson’s Thrush

327

Traill’s Flycatcher

295

White-throated Sparrow

305

American Redstart

274

Common Yellowthroat

302

Swainson’s Thrush

244

Palm Warbler

233

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

209

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RESEARCH NEWS (CONTINUED)

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COLONIAL WADING BIRD POPULATIONS MONITORING We were able to complete our population monitoring field work on West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge this summer. This is a cooperative project with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio Division of Wildlife, and BSBO. BSBO is responsible for banding a sample of the herons and egrets on the island to provide information on the dispersal of these birds. West Sister Island NWR is an important breeding area for many of the colonial wading birds, such as Black-crowned Night-Heron, in the Great Adult Black-crowned Night-Heron Lakes region. The island holds 40% of all the nesting herons and egrets in the U.S. Great Lakes. We observed the average number of nesting pairs of Black-crowned Night-Herons, Snowy Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Great Egrets, and Double-crested Cormorants on West Sister Island. However, we observed the lowest number of nesting pairs of the Great Blue Heron since the inception of the population monitoring surveys during the late 1980s. A possible explanation for the low numbers of Great Blue Heron nesting pairs could be explained by the harsh winter of 2013-2014. The number of non-migrating Great Blue Herons has continually increased since the record blizzard of 1978. You might think, why stay here year round? The advantage these herons have by staying year round is the ability to acquire prime nesting sites in the rookeries because most migratory heron and egret species have not yet arrived to the area. Winter mortality is the risk that these nonmigratory herons are taking by staying year round in this area. Is the risk worth the payoff? This is the gamble these birds take every year. Therefore, was the risk too great for these birds during the record cold temperatures and snowfall in Ohio this past winter? We can’t say for sure, but during the spring thaw we received lots of reports of deceased Great Blue Herons along waterways in NW Ohio. Next year’s breeding population survey may be needed to better understand this year’s observations.

OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AUTO TOUR DATES

FEDERAL DUCK STAMPS MAKE WONDERFUL GIFTS!

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NOV. 16

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DEC. 20-21

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EDUCATION NEWS Your BSBO education team has been very busy! Each arrow below includes partners we’ve worked with and places and organizations we’ve given programs for... ...JUST IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS This amazing team of staff and volunteers delivered programs directly to more than 9,000 people of all ages!

Help us reach more kids of all ages! Donate to BSBO’s education programs at www.bsbo.org

Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools; Magee Marsh Wildlife Area; Ottawa NWR; The Oregon Public Library; Ottawa Soil & Water Conservation District; Wright State University; Hardin Northern High School; The University of Toledo; Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist; Carroll-N-Company 4-H Club; Terra State Community College; Lake Erie Islands Road Scholars Group; Otterbein Portage Valley Retirement Community; Woodmore Elementary; Ohio Association of Garden Clubs; Time & Optics; Stone Lab; Pioneer Scout Reservation; Lakeside Chautauqua; Hayes Presidential Center; Toledo Naturalists’ Association; OSU Extension (Sandusky County); Boy Scouts of America Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station; University of Michigan; Ability Center of Ottawa County; Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development; NW Ohio Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Port Clinton Business and Professional Women; Oak Harbor Lions Club; Advertising Club of Toledo; Port Clinton Lions Club; Ohio Lake Erie Commission; Toledo Museum of Art; Ohio Association of Garden Clubs; ; Schedel Gardens; Shreve Migration Sensation; Amish Birding Symposium; Blue Week ; Green Ribbon Initiative

We accomplished all this through your support! Please help us continue. In a few weeks, you’ll receive a letter asking you to make an end-of-the-year donation to BSBO. We hope you will. We promise we’ll keep doing good work for birds and people with your support! BLACK

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BSBO PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS TO CREATE NEW CONSERVATION PROGRAM

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Students Against Balloon Releases (SABR) is a partnership between Black Swamp Bird Observatory and Benton-Carroll -Salem Schools. The program seeks to educate students about the value of conserving natural resources, the dangers and wastefulness of mass balloon / sky lantern releases and other forms of litter, and to empower them with the knowledge to educate others. Led by BSBO’s Conservation Outreach Specialist, Tiffanie Hayes, SABR has already achieved great success. We worked with BSC Schools to discontinue their homecoming balloon release, and SABR volunteers handed out really cool pomLogo designed poms to students as a better and more eco-friendly way to show their school by Scott Arvin pride! SABR volunteers presented programs to 200 first and fourth grade students, and hosted a poster contest for these students. Winners from each classroom received a free set of Kaufman Field Guides to share with their class!

OHIO YOUNG BIRDERS CLUB NEWS

The Ohio Young Birders Club is supported by memberships, sponsorships, and donations.

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When balloons are released, their strings often become entangled around birds and other wildlife causing starvation and death. Both are falsely marketed as “100% biodegradable.” In reality, they pop and fall back to the ground where they can remain for months--even years. Deflated balloons look like food to birds and wildlife, often resulting in death.

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Many people think they simply vanish, but the reality is that they can travel for thousands of miles before deflating and falling back to the ground as Ugly Litter.

Guillemot killed by deflated balloon and string

Tiffanie Hayes

Where do balloons go when they are released into the atmosphere?

Many states have banned mass-littering events with balloons and sky lanterns. Massive fires ignite when mylar balloons float into high tension power lines. Sky lanterns are set on fire and released with no control over when or where they land, sometimes resulting in massive fires.

Balloons Stuck on Power Lines

For more information on the dangers of balloon release and safer alternatives, visit www.balloonsblow.org

BSBO WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBER! Thanks to the support of BSBO members and donors, BSBO recently added a new member to our team! Lester Peyton joins us as our Outreach Director, in charge of helping to share BSBO’s message with the community. Lester is a Master Bird Bander who combines this skill with tremendous experience in environmental education. He's a first-rate birder who has led field trips for groups across the state, including being one of the key field trip leaders for the Biggest Week In American Birding. These skills, combined with Lester's commitment to bird conservation, make him a wonderful addition to the BSBO team. BLACK

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Richard Gilbert

Mylar & latex balloons can be dangerous for birds and wildlife

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Students, membership is just $10 Adults, please consider becoming a friend of the OYBC. For just $20 a year, you can help support the future of bird conservation! Your organization can help the OYBC, too! Organizations can sponsor the OYBC at the following levels: $1,000 BALD EAGLE $750 PEREGRINE FALCON $500 RED-TAILED HAWK $250 MERLIN $100 AMERICAN KESTREL

Visit www.oybc.org and join or donate through our secure online PayPal service, or contact BSBO at 419-898-4070 to pay over the phone

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CONSERVATION NEWS

WIND ENERGY UPDATE

BSBO continues to advocate for bird-smart wind energy with a multi-pronged approach. PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY After hearing that the Blue Creek wind farm in Van Wert and Portage counties, Ohio, was killing a much higher number of birds and bats than expected, BSBO submitted a request for post-construction mortality data under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Iberdrola Renewables, owner and operator of the project, has refused to release the data, using their attorneys to fight our request under the excuse that the data contains “trade secrets.” We submitted our request for data to the Ohio Power Siting Board, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ohio Department of Natural Resources. BSBO will continue to push for this data to be released in order to allow informed decision making about the placement of future wind energy projects and their impacts to birds and wildlife. FIGHTING THE LACK OF SOUND PRE- AND POST-CONSTRUCTION STUDIES In evaluating the environmental assessments for wind energy projects such as Camp Perry, Lake Erie Business Park, and most recently the LEEDCo “Icebreaker” project proposed for Lake Erie, BSBO and our partners at American Bird Conservancy have been appalled at the insufficiencies of these documents. We are not alone in our opinion of the failure of these documents. State and federal wildlife agencies agree with us. We are working with the agencies and lawmakers to improve the methodology behind these studies in order to more accurately and effectively assess the impacts of wind energy on birds. RADAR STUDIES WITH USGS BSBO’s research team is working closely with U.S. Geological Survey to conduct marine radar studies to document not only the volume of birds passing through the area during migration, but also the ascent / descent rate of the birds as they drop into and rise out of stopover habitat in northwest Ohio. This will allow BSBO to develop a position (based on sound science) on how far back from the Lake shore we must keep wind turbines. LEEDCo ICEBREAKER PROJECT BSBO is working with American Bird Conservancy to evaluate this project that proposes an initial six turbines in the Central Basin of Lake Erie, seven miles off the coast of Cleveland. The project goal is a future build out of more than 1,000 turbines. The pre-construction environmental impact studies were very weak, and BSBO and ABC are working with representatives from the company to educate them on the insufficiencies of their data. WIND ENERGY SHOULD BE REGULATED BSBO is working to build contacts with lawmakers to advocate for the introduction of bird-smart wind energy legislation in Ohio. IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS (IBAs) BSBO is working with National Audubon Society and many partners and stakeholders here in Ohio to strengthen Ohio’s Important Bird Areas program. Please support BSBO’s conservation efforts by making a donation through our secure online website, www.bsbo.org, or by calling us at 419.898.4070.

ASTONISHING EVIDENCE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING LAKE ERIE’S MIGRATORY BIRD HABITAT Millions of birds cross Lake Erie during spring and fall migration. For many of these tiny birds, crossing the lake is an arduous task that leaves them completely exhausted. A Lake Erie charter boat captain sent us these photos of a Golden-crowned Kinglet and a Nashville Warbler that were so exhausted during their crossing that they landed on the first safe haven they came to—fishermen on a boat. We hear stories of this happening on the Gulf of Mexico and other vast bodies of water that migratory birds must cross. But how many of you ever stopped to consider that for birds weighing considerably less than an ounce, Lake Erie poses the same kind of challenge? These images are evidence of how imperative it is to protect habitat for migratory birds. Yes, it might seem cool that birds would land on people on a boat out in the Lake. But the bottom line is that these birds were exhausted enough to land on people, and obviously flying low enough to spot this temporary refuge, putting them within the reach of things like wind turbines. Lake Erie—and the air column over it—is crucial habitat for migratory birds. We've got to do all that we can to ensure that it is protected. Here at BSBO, we are working hard to do that, and we hope you'll help us.

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BSBO FOCUS ON DIVERSITY

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DONATE THE GUIA PROGRAM In the spring of 2005, Kenn Kaufman’s Field Guide to the Birds of North America became the first field guide to the birds of the US and Canada to ever to be published in Spanish. Kenn's vision for Guia de campo a las aves de Norteamerica was to help recruit scores of new birders from among the more than 28 million Americans who speak Spanish at home. The hope is that the more people we can awaken to the beauty and importance of our natural world, the more support we win for conservation. Black Swamp Bird Observatory believes in Kenn’s vision so we put together the DONATE THE GUIA program to help get this book into the hands of people who can really use it. We’re working with many partners to help distribute copies of the GUIA to organizations and individuals who are using the books for conservation outreach programs. For just $12, YOU can send a copy of this valuable outreach tool to our partners! Call BSBO at 419-898-4070, visit www.bsbo.org/donate-the-guia or stop by the BSBO gift shop to donate a copy today!

Guias donated in honor of friends and loved ones make GREAT gifts! Call 419-898-4070, visit www.bsbo.org, or stop by the BSBO Gift Shop to Donate a Guia, TODAY!

THANK YOU TO OUR GUIA DONORS Judith Amrose Alyssa Batzer Kimberly Batzer Joseph Benenate Matthias Benko Zoltan Benko Stanley Blackstone Robert Bochenek Larry Bowdre Patricia Brannon Judy Cannon Ryan Cook Ty Cook Deb Cooney Dean Davis Fran Davis John Disterhoft Cynthia Dooley Diane Evans Bob Finkelstein Dale Forbes Carolyn Garber Jim Garber Jane Garling Alan C. Garrett Carol AnnGarrett Richard Gelbard Abe George Janis George Jessica George Janice Giesken Heather Giroux Keith Giroux

Kyron Giroux Vincent Griesemer Sue Grisko Tom Grisko Denise Haning Thelma Harms Delaney Hayes John Hayes Roger Heller Firmin Hickey Marie Hickey Mary Hill Cate Hopkinson Mark Hopkinson Katherine Hopper Josh Hunt William Hutchison James Jeffery RosemarieJeffery Carlyn Jervis Thomas Jervis Barbara Josephson David Josephson Ritzie Junker Cynthia Krakowski Jim Krakowski Randy Kreager Raymond Kutnar Andrea Lanni JP Lawrence Kim Lawrence Wade Lawrence Thomas Lebryk

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Erica Locke Jonas Locke Paula Lozano Barb Lucas Barry McEwen Cathy McEwen Sarah McKillip Janet McLean Ilene Meyer Sharon Miller Tom Miller Katrina Moilanen Dianne Noice William Noice Amy Ogburn John Ogburn Paul Olson Carol Ortenzio George Pagos Terry Pagos Donna Pennington Joel Pennington Aidan Place Andrew Place Ted Pobud Ginger Pomiecko Barbara Quinlan Barry Ramsey Julie Ramsey Brian Rippon Cindy Rowe Kelli Rule Don Runker

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Mary Rust Tom Rust April Sayre Jeff Sayre Cindy Shilkret Donna Madrid-Simonetti Eric Smith Jay Smith Kim Smith Katie Sumner Nancy Sumner Ruth Swartzendruber Thomas Taylor Cathleen Tuley Ann Ellen Tuomey Jim Tuomey Judy Volin Brian Wargo Paul West Lewis Whitman Mary Whitman Robert Williams Chris Wills Teri Wills Debra Witter Karen Zach

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WE’RE GONNA FLY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS ANNA MACKE MIKOLAJCZYK “WINDOW ON WILDLIFE” NEEDS YOUR HELP!

VOLUNTEER WITH US! Black Swamp Bird Observatory could not function without the assistance of volunteers. You may choose to help occasionally or regularly, as your schedule permits. No experience is necessary. Benefits: Opportunities to learn, share with others who have similar interests, and promote the Bird Observatory’s mission. Please contact us by phone at 419 898-4070, or email [email protected] to join the team! Gift Shop and BSBO Office Meet people from all over the world, help BSBO do all the “behind-the-scenes” work that is so vital to the Observatory’s success. Answer the phone (that thing NEVER stops ringing these days!), greet customers in the gift shop, ring up sales, interact with visitors and answer questions. Data entry and clerical work: Many of our programs and projects require hundreds of hours of data entry and clerical work. The job might not be all that exciting, but it’s an integral part of research. We REALLY appreciate the people who help us out with this task ---like Tracy Marr, for example! :-) Adopt-A-Highway / Clean Up: Help keep our stretch of St. Rt. 2 Clean. We also need help cleaning gutters, cutting brush along our walking trail, and keeping BSBO look beee-u-tee-ful!

Anna’s Window has brought the joy of discovery to so many lives. We have thoroughly enjoyed watching as our visitors make their way into Anna’s room, waiting to hear the intake of breath, followed by the “ooohs & aaahs” as they see the scene before them through her window. Our bird feeders are kept full and clean by donations to Anna’s Window on Wildlife fund. Please help us replenish our bird seed stash! The resident and migrant birds (and possibly a squirrel and opossum) around the BSBO grounds will thank you! Donations can be made online at www.bsbobird.org, or by mailing a check to Black Swamp Bird Observatory 13551 W. St. Rt. 2 • Oak Harbor, OH • 43449 Please indicate “Anna’s Window” in the memo line.

BSBO WISH LIST EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES Mist Nets for our research ($75 per net)  Bird Seed and Suet for our feeders  HP LaserJet 05A Black Ink/Toner Cartridge  Large plotter printer  Cases of copy paper  Cases of paper towels and toilet paper

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RETAIL GIFT CARDS  Staples or OfficeMax for office supplies  Home Depot or Lowe’s for maintenance supplies  Gas Cards to help fuel the BSBO Bird Bus (NO BP GAS CARDS, please!)

Passerine Banding Station: Volunteers needed 7 days per week during spring and fall migration. The spring season runs from mid-April to early June and the fall season is from mid August to mid-October. Volunteers must attend a mandatory fall training workshop to participate in this project. BSBO Booth/Display: We are looking for volunteers to help work our booth and portable store at various festivals and events. It’s a lot of fun and it really helps spread the BSBO message!

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HELP SECURE BSBO’S FUTURE THROUGH PLANNED GIVING

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PLEASE CONSIDER A GIFT TO BSBO IN YOUR ESTATE PLANNING You can help ensure the future of our research and education efforts by including Black Swamp Bird Observatory in your estate plans.

Leave a

Bequests of any size are gratefully accepted.

legacy—

You will help us continue to help birds and conserve their habitats when you name Black Swamp Bird Observatory to receive:

remember

   

A specific dollar amount A percentage of your estate's value All or part of the remainder of your estate in your will or trust All or part of the proceeds of a Life Insurance policy or Retirement Plan

BSBO in your estate planning.

Before completing your bequest to Black Swamp Bird Observatory, please contact us to ensure that your philanthropic goals will be met.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS FRIENDS Jeff and Cris Cox SUPPORTING Robert Clarke Keith & Paula Davis John Dwyer Thomas Jervis Jim & Becky Sillery Amanda and Edward Wolski FAMILY Christine Adams Holden Baker Jerry & Carolyn Barnhart Wendy Becker Steve Berry Dave & Kathy Billings Adam Blank Patricia Blaskovic Jen Brenke Jeannie Burnett William Meltzer & Catherine Malkin Beth Clapper Marilyn Cooley Jane Coombs Nigel Cunliffe Thomas Dankowski Donald & Jackie Dann Earl Decker Carl Dister Carol & Larry Dole Greg DuBois Joan Duprey Tom Embaugh Paul Evans

Paul Farrell Tracy Ficker Deborah Fisher Jennifer Gaydos Richard Gelbard Jill Goldman Ken Ondo & Irene Gorta William Hall Patrick Hogan Carol Holdcraft Randy Holmes Marianne Hosford Ben & Margaret Humphrey Rosemarie Jeffery Georgia Kaufman Martha Klems Deanna Lammie Rosanna Lane Peter Lavalette Karen & Warren Leow Gary & Linda Mansfield Pat & Ken Mauer John & Gail McCain Linda Michaels Susan Nicolaisen Don Niece Scott Norviel Greg Okoniewski Tom Patt Kay & Mike Patterson Marsha Penner Amy Popp Michelle Radtkin Catherine Ripma Michaelina Schimming

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Ronald & Hollie Scott Marian Sebastiano William Stano Patricia & Walter Starr Judy & Robert Sudomir Rebecca Szabo Janice Tartell Jean Tatalias Rachel Tayse Rebecca Traxler David Van Fleet Rafael & Leticia Villalobos Adelynne Waldie Kimberly Warner Justina Weyman Elizabeth Williams Richard Williams Susan Yorke INDIVIDUAL Patricia Adams Ann Adjutant Wynne Antonio Coralee Armstrong Deborah Arthur Judith Bailey Richard Banish Maureen Bardusk Kathleen Beard Ann Bickford Benedikt Bierwisch Stanley Blackstone Liz Boakram Susan Breisch Norma Bruce Pat Buchanan

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Harold & Camille Buchanan Jennifer Carter-Cornell Benito Chia Jules Christensen Linn Chuck Ken Clarke Cheryl Coomez Michele Cote Daniel Countryman Joanna Crewe Susan Curtis Sue Czech Laura Dale William Davies Jodie DeLamatre Kathy Dickey Jim Diebel Carol Dolgosh Marilynn Dunn Jayme Duris Karen Fairweather Elaine Fischhoff Marta Fisher Mary Flood David Frahlich Julie Frazier Janine Free Laura Fuderer Brian Garrett Becky Gatewood Barbara Gee *Continued on page 14

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS (CONTINUED)

INDIVIDUAL Janice Giesken Mike & Karen Gillen Michael Glinka Sandra Gratop Catherine Green Barbara Hamelberg Jennifer Hamilton Mary Hansen Jerry Harness Diana Harris Susan Hedler Lee Hermandorfer Firmin Hickey Mary High Cathy Hodge Wendy Hogrefe Elizabeth Holloway Helen Holmgren Sheila Horowitz Sue Hunter LaDean Hutter Donna Johnson Bill Jones Rosemary Kelly

Kathy Kepler Meishia Kernahan Jeff Lamson Christine Larson Denise Lesko John Lever Elizabeth Loesch Dafna Lotan Ann Maddox Marcia McCintire Kathy McClain Bonnie McGrady Gregory Miller Lyn Miller Sally Deems-Mogyordy Karen Neff Kathleen Neugebauer Linda Oatley Paul Olson Kellie Orshoski Carol Pankratz Paul & Margie Patton Sharon Pawlowski Arlene Pepera Kathy Petersen

Katie Phillips Norma Portwood-Stacer Kelly Quinn Nancy Radding Jeff Rader Lesile Redmon Kay Regester Sarah Reinschmidt Mary Ann Renz Suzanne Reta Kelly Riccetti Rosalyn Rinehart Mandy Roberts Jan Rogers Mary Ann Rose Robert Ross Margery Rutbell Ray Schaffer Steven Schellenger Jane Schroeder Marianne Shaffer Stephanie Siddens Marsha Siglow James Smucker Joe Staab

Timothy Stelzer Lee Sterrenburg Natalie Swonger Linda Tate Lili Taylor Martin Tilson Julius Toth Laurie Voss Peggy Lee Wait John Wargo Brenda Warner Ann Waters Susan Weaver Jeff Wentz JoAnn Whitmore Larry Wilson Sandy Winland Cheryl Yarger Elissa Young Gary Zirulnik Oak Harbor Lions Club *As of September 31, 2014

Thank you to all of our new members! Our work depends on the support of our members like YOU.

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS Harris Abramson Alula Birding & Natural History Tours Claudia Anders Anonymous Clark Co Audubon Columbus Audubon Janice Avery Ellen Avril Susan Wilkinson & David Axt Paul Baicich Maclyn & Carol Ball Carla Barbaro Tom & Paula Bartlett Barbara Bauer Ronald Becker Joe Benenate Mark & Joanna Bennett Ann & John Benzon Barbara Berg Joy Berlin Birds and Beans LLC Tim Bischoff Stanley Blackstone Robert Bochenek Nancy Bogart Meiring Borcherds Jill & John Bowers John Brandan Susan Breisch Gerry Brevoort Dale Broder Lisa Brohl

Erik Bruder Ann Buchanan Garnet Byrne Craig Caldwell Archie & Chey Call June Campbell Earl & Thurid Campbell Tony Carapella Deborah Carr-Taylor Yvonne Cecil Laura Ceperly Lisa Chapman Joan Clapp Rita Claypool Timothy Cotts Jeff & Becky Cullen Scott Daniel Lynn Daugherty Anne Dayer Jodie DeLamatre Phyllis Devlin Jan Dixon Paul Druckenmiller James Eidemiller Michael Elbrecht Nancy Elmore Donna Emerson Paul Farrell Bill & Jo Fedor Sherry Ferrell Mark Filter Bonnie Fish Thomas Fishburn

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Joseph Forte David Freeman Rev. Mark Frey Michael & Guinivere Gallaway Lee & Jane Garling Elizabeth Garney Scott & Cathy Garrett Brenda Gates Cindy Gatewood Denise Gehring John Geither Laura Gooch & David Kazdan Irene Gorta Kathryn Greisen Deborah & David Griffith Kathryn Griffiths John Guenin Ann & Martin Gulbransen Ed Gustafson Donna Gyde Kathy Nicholson & Susanne Hanno Norman & Ann Hannon Elizabeth Hardesty Lynn & Greg Harris Mark Harrison Thomas Haskins Tiffanie Hayes William Heck Eugene & June Hegemier Maurice Henning Steve Henthorne Bev Hesse

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Margaret Hiett Loren Hintz Patrick Hogan Nathan Holewinski Dallas & Linda Howard Ronald Howenstine Keith & Georgiana Huizenga Robert Hunt David & Cathy Hunter Debra Ikeman Claire Johnson Susan Johnson Dean & Trudy Johnson Andrew Jones Barbara Kahler Rosemary Kelly George Klein Kay Kramarz Randy & Nancy Kreager Kenneth & Kathy Krepley Jane & Ray Kruse Thomas Kuenzli Rosanna Lane Gretchen Larson Martha Latshaw Kay Lauerer Walter Levernier Fred & Kathi Lieb Jackie & Bill Light *Continued on next page...

DONORS (CONTINUED) Mary Line Dafna Lotan Paula Lozano Ronnie Macko Ann Maddox Anita Manzeck Daniel Marchant Bernie Master Clinton Mauk Thomas May Trish McCartney Dorothy McDowell Patty McKelvey Janet McLean Elizabeth McQuaid William & Catherine Malkin Meltzer Frank Merritt Ilene Meyer Doris Midili Dr. John & Joyce Millar Michael & Cathy Moore Janice Morrow Robert Morton Jerry Motter Lynn & Bob Moyer Nan & Lin Nester

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Ed & Bev Neubauer Robike Noll-Faries Stacy O'Hair Ohio Association of Garden Clubs Paul Olson Constance Oney Doug Overacker Fern Overbaugh Barbara Padgett Jack Papp Nancy Parry Barb Partington Candace Patz Jane & Ron Payne William & Carol Pfeifer John Phelps Jessica Philpott Randy Pinkston Matthew & Deborah Plotts Edward Powers Jeff Powers Dr. & Mrs. Leon Putnam Marsha Randall Frances Repperger Paula Reynosa Kelly Riccetti

Glenn & Mary Richter Jay Rine Tom & Mary Anne Romito Judy Kolo-Rose & Hugh Rose Ann & Howard Rosenberg Cynthia Rudick Bill & Marge Rupp Wesley Sadler Jen Sauter Kurt & Debbie Schroeder Carol Schwierking John & Betsy Searight Mary Ann Sergio Beulah Shanks Rebecca Shemenski Mark Shieldcastle Irwin & Melinda Simon Julia & Dan Smith Julia Smith Jack Solomon Lynn Spencer Mary St John Cindy Stahl-Yuhas John Stein Robert Styer Bert Szabo Martin Tilson

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Bill & Ann Toneff Sue & Lee Tooman Christine Tratnyek Margy & Scott Trumbull Laraine Turk Richard Tuttle Tammi Ventura Lawrence & Christy Virgin Dan & Patricia Voydanoff Tom Wasilewski Ann Waters Jim & Cynthia Waymer Julie West & Gary Neuman Dennis & Nancy Whalen Lewis Whitman Dorinda Whitsett John & Judy Wilkinson James Wilson Tim & Amy Winnicki Allen Wolf Francisco Wong Gary & Jaqueline Yambert Karen Zach Fred Zimmerman *As of September 31, 2014

MEMORIAL DONATIONS

In Memory of...

Pat Watkins Tina Walker

Lucy Zach Kelly Skinner

ADOPT-A-MIST NET

Nancy Andersen Jayme Duris Carol Leininger Tracy Marr

Harold Ashley Kathleen Acker EMPLOYER MATCH

Walmart Foundation Verizon GE Foundation United Health Group

John Stein Anonymous Pat Whitesides & Donald Bauman

Bellevue United Selective Fund Bank of America State Employees’ Community Campaign

GIFTS WE HAVE RECEIVED

2 Large Bat Houses: Mike Rule Bird Feeders: Steve Sergio Duck Painting Kits & Book: Robert Moyer Bird Seed & Suet Cakes: Walmart (Fremont, OH) 8’ Folding Table & Home Depot Gift Card: Dia Staniszewski Glass Bowl: Lee & Jane Garling

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Relief Wood Carving: Bob Vanhoff 120lbs. Sunflower Seed: Candace Patz Bird Seed: Crary Family Book: Barb & Dan Myers Suet Cakes: Amy Hanney Books: Hugh Rose Epson LCD Projector: Paul Owens InFocus Projector: Candace Patz Gift Certificate: Erie Shores Chiropractic

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Gift Certificate: Hand-in-Hand Nail Design 8x42 Prostaff 5 Binocular: Nikon Bird Feeders: Wild Birds Unlimited of Erie, PA Vacation Package: Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, Inc. Backpacks, science calculators, assorted office supplies: Donald Masaitis

OBSERVATORY

Black Swamp Bird Observatory 13551 W. State Route 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 www.bsbo.org 419-898-4070

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Oak Harbor, OH 43449 Permit No. 87

We are located just inside the entrance to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area

"Teaming Research with Education to Promote Bird Conservation” Printed on Recycled Paper with Soy Ink

Address Service Requested

Time to renew your BSBO Membership

Black Swamp Bird Observatory Membership Renewal

Name: _________________________________________________ Organization: ___________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ City: __________________________ State: ______ Zip: ________ Phone: ___________________ Email: ____________________________________ Gift Membership from: _________________________________________________ Yes, I want to conserve trees and expense; sign me up for electronic delivery of the BSBO quarterly newsletter.

$ _______ Donation Amount - Yes, I would like to make a donation to help support BSBO! $ _______ Annual Fund $ _______ Membership Dues $ _______ Total Amount Enclosed (Please make checks payable to BSBO) Are you interested in volunteering? How? _________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

__ $15 Student

(24 and under)

__ $35 Individual __ $25 Individual Senior

(60 +)

__ $40 Family __ $100 Supporting __ $250 Friends __ $500 Sustaining

Mail to: Black Swamp Bird Observatory, 13551 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449