The Audubon Society of Ohio

Late Fall Migration and Nature Walk at East Fork State Park with Bill Stanley
2024-10-26 08:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | East Fork State Park, Park Rd 2, Bethel, OH, 45106, United States
Late Fall Migration and Nature Walk
Location: East Fork State Park
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Meet: 8:00 A.M. at the East Fork State Parks south Swimming Beach parking lot, nearest the Pavilion (see the directions below).
Leader: Bill Stanley, (513) 324-2796, tyrannus58@gmail.com
Join our trip leader Bill Stanley for what should be a great day of birding at East Fork State Park during a beautiful time of the year. Bill is an expert birder and skilled naturalist and a board member of our Audubon Society. Bill has been a fixture in our birding and conservation community since he joined the Cincinnati Zoo’s Jr, Zoologist Program as a young teenager. October is a beautiful month and autumn color should be near peak on this date. October is also centered in the middle of fall migration and because of that it offers somewhat of a mixed bag of species. East Fork SP and Harsha Lake is an excellent spot to find this diversity of species.
While neotropic migration is over by this date, there are several species of late fall migrant songbirds moving through. These numbers are augmented by the new arrivals of our wintering species. Shorebird migration is slowing down by this date, but a few of those species should still be around. Waterfowl migration will be close to peak on this date which is also true of gulls, grebes, loons and a number of other species of water birds. Raptors are on the move throughout the month and Bald Eagles should be expected. And there is always a chance for a rarity, as East Fork has an excellent reputation in that regard, particularly in the fall.
Bill, who lives nearby, knows East Fork SP as well as anyone and plans to visit several different locations and habitats within the park. This will entail driving to a few different spots, interspersed with light walking at a birders pace between. While we will walk a bit during the morning, it will be moderate and at a leisurely pace over mostly level trails and roadsides. Bill will probably stay at it until birding begins to tail off around noon. So come and join Bill for some great birding on what should be a beautiful autumnal morning. This trip will probably end around noon or so. Restrooms are available in the park. Dress for the weather, it is always colder close to the water. If you have scopes bring them. If you have any questions feel free to contact Bill.
Directions:
We will meet at the Parks south swimming beach parking lot, nearest to the Pavilion. To get to the East Fork SP south entrance from I-275, take exit # 65, SR 125 (Beechmont Ave./Ohio Pike) and go east about 9 miles to the junction of Rt. 222. Turn left onto Old State Rte. 125 (opposite Rt. 222) and follow the signs to the Park entrance. Follow the Park Road (and signs) to the East Fork SP Swimming Beach. Meet in the Parking Lot nearest the Pavilion.
Visit the East Fork State Park website for a Park map and other info at:
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/east-fork-state-park
Here is a google maps link to the meeting location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4JxpdckyTMm7Jtjv8
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Fall Color & Botanical Walk at Spring Grove Cemetery with Denis Conover
2024-10-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45232, United States
Theme: Fall Color & Botanical Walk
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery
Date: Sunday, October 20, 2024
Meet: 9:00 A.M. at Spring Grove Cemetery, along the road just beyond the tunnel from the main entrance on Spring Grove Avenue
Leader: Denis Conover, (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com
Fall color should be near peak on this date and Spring Grove is a great place to see the beauty of an autumnal morning. This will be the focus of this field trip, but as always our field trip leader, noted botanist Denis Conover, will point out the diverse botanical community found at Spring Grove Cemetery. Come out and join ASO Board Member, UC professor, and expert botanist and naturalist Denis Conover as he leads us on a mid-morning autumnal walk through the beautiful grounds of Spring Grove Cemetery. This is a beautiful time of the year and fall color should be brilliant.
Besides fall color, Denis will identify the tremendous diversity of trees, shrubs, fallen leaves and other plants that can be found here and expound on their ecology. Denis will also point out our native flora, invasive species, and ornamental plantings as well as show us some of the champion trees found here. Denis has interests in all aspects of natural history and he will be sure to point out the birds and other fauna we are sure to see. So come along and join Denis to see the brilliant fall foliage on what should be a beautiful autumnal morning and gain some tips and insight on plant identification and their natural history. Late migrant songbirds and new winter arrivals will also be seen.
Participants should be prepared for a few hours of steady walking, most of which will be relatively flat and on pavement, but there will also be some walking off pavement on trails or in damp or wet grass. This will be a three to four walk. Denis is always willing to stay later if anyone wants to go longer. We suggest wearing good waterproof footwear and dress for cool to cold temperatures. Binoculars are not necessary to see plants but are recommended if you have them, or want to see birds clearly. Restrooms are available at the cemetery office. Denis says rain will not cancel this trip. If you have any questions feel free to contact Denis.
Directions: The Spring Grove Cemetery main entrance is located on Spring Grove Avenue just west of the Winton Road intersection. To find our meeting spot, drive in through the main entrance gates and go straight. You will go through a short tunnel. Just beyond the tunnel, pull over and park alongside the right side of the road.
Spring Grove Cemetery website:
https://www.springgrove.org/locations/spring-grove-cemetery-arboretum/
Spring Grove Cemetery Map:
https://www.springgrove.org/resource/maps/
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Bird Mural Walk and Visit to Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library with Julie Zickefoose
2024-10-19 10:00 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Birds and Art featuring works by John James Audubon, Genevieve Jones, John Ruthven, Charley Harper, and more

Date: October 19th, 2024

Meet: at 10 AM inside the front door of the main public library at 800 Vine Street, Cincinnati, 45202

Leader: Ann Oliver, (513)-307-0929, annieobirder@yahoo.com

During the daylight hours of BLINK, we’re hosting a Bird Mural Walk in downtown Cincinnati with Julie Zickefoose, Saturday October 19 at 10 AM.
It’s like a field trip but we’ll view priceless, famed publications and birds on murals such as John Ruthven’s “Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon”.
Meet at 10 AM at the Cincinnati and Hamilton Public Library downtown at 800 Vine Street inside the main front door.
We’ll start our morning inside the library with a viewing of the current page on view of John James Audubon’s famous double elephant folio “Birds of America”. Then we’ll have a chance to see one of the original, remaining copies of the late 1800’s book “Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of Birds of Ohio” by Ohio artist Genevieve Jones: we’ll hear about her family’s efforts to finish her work after her untimely death from typhoid fever in 1879 at age 32. Jone’s life and artwork are the subject of Joy M. Kiser’s lovely 2012 biography “America’s other Audubon”.
We’ll then head outside to view nearby bird murals, old and new!
We should finish around noon.
FYI: allow time for parking and walking to main entrance of the downtown library. Wear comfortable shoes.

October Program – Julie Zickefoose
2024-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Sharon Woods Visitor Center, 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45241, United States
Thursday, October 17 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Books, Birds, and Following Passion’s Path

Presented by Julie Zickefoose

Thursday, October 17th 2024, 7:00 p.m.

Sharon Woods Visitor Center

Books, Birds and Following Passion’s Path

This talk is an origin story; a close look at the making of a natural history writer and illustrator. It follows the threads of inspiration from formative books and influential artists in Julie’s early years, to the creation of her own books. Zickefoose tracks in intimate detail the exceptionally close interactions she has with birds under her study and care. These experiences have given her deep insight into the way birds think and see the world. “There’s no better way to come to know a bird than to be its mama. Then, to let it go and watch it learn to navigate its world and become what it was meant to be—this is how I come to understand birds: from their beginnings on outward.”

Illustrated with the author’s own photographs, drawings and paintings, this lecture brings viewers into Julie’s world, and that of the birds she has come to know. A brood of Carolina wrens: ferociously intelligent, surprisingly affectionate, inventive and comical, consumed Julie’s summer in 2023. You’ll leave with a far greater appreciation of these small brown birds, and all birds, who have been Julie’s best instructors in the ways of the wild.

Bio:
Julie Zickefoose lives and works quietly on an 80-acre wildlife sanctuary in the back country of Whipple, Ohio. She is a prolific writer and painter who was an All Things Considered commentator for five years. Her illustrated work, The Bluebird Effect, was an Oprah’s Book Club pick in 2012. After 37 years of contributing art and writing to Bird Watcher’s Digest, Julie recently became Advising Editor to the new and improved BWD Magazine. Her heavily illustrated books include Natural Gardening for Birds, Letters from Eden, The Bluebird Effect, and Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into the Nest. Her newest book is Saving Jemima: Life and Love With a Hard-Luck Jay, the intimate story of how an orphaned bird can save a soul.

Sharon Woods Visitors Center is located at 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, Ohio 45241 (0.8 miles) south of I-275

Botanical and Migrant Bird Field Trip
2024-09-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45232, United States
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery
Date: Sunday, September 29th, 2024
Meet: 9:00 A.M. at Spring Grove Cemetery, along the road just beyond the tunnel from the main entrance on Spring Grove Avenue
Leader: Denis Conover, (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com
The focus of this field trip will be the diverse botanical community found at Spring Grove Cemetery as well as the fall migration of birds. Come out and join ASO Board Member, UC professor, and expert botanist and naturalist Denis Conover as he leads us on an early autumnal morning walk through the beautiful grounds of Spring Grove Cemetery. This is a beautiful time of the year and the fall color season should just be getting under way.
The southbound migration of songbirds (including warblers) and other species will still be underway. Our leader Denis is known foremost as a botanist but he has a great love and knowledge of birds of which many species should be seen. As we walk Denis will also identify the tremendous diversity of trees, shrubs, leaves and other plants that can be found here and expound on their ecology. Denis will also point out our native flora, invasive species, ornamental plantings and early fall color as well as show us some of the national and state champion trees found here. Denis has a great interests in all aspects of natural history and he will be sure to point out any other fauna we are sure to run across. So why not come along and join Denis on what should be a glorious fall morning and gain some tips and insight on birds and plant identification and their natural history.
Participants should be prepared for a few hours of steady walking, most of which will be relatively flat and on pavement and at a leisurely pace. But there will also be some walking off pavement on trails or in damp or wet grass. This field trip will be about a four hour walk. Of course participants can leave at any point they would like. We suggest wearing good waterproof footwear (wet/damp grass). Binoculars are not necessary to see plants but are recommended if you want to see birds clearly. Restrooms are available at the cemetery office. If you have any questions feel free to contact Denis.
Directions: The Spring Grove Cemetery main entrance is located on Spring Grove Avenue just west of the Winton Road intersection. To find our meeting spot, drive in through the main entrance gates and go straight. You will go through a short tunnel. Just beyond the tunnel, pull over and park alongside the right side of the road and look for Denis.
Spring Grove Cemetery website:
https://www.springgrove.org/locations/spring-grove-cemetery-arboretum/
Spring Grove Cemetery Map:
https://www.springgrove.org/resource/maps/
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Fall Birding and Herping Field Trip
2024-09-22 08:00 - 12:00 | Caesar Creek Beach, OH, United States
Location: Spring Valley Wildlife Area/Caesar Creek State Park
Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024
Meet: At 8:00 A.M. in the swimming beach Parking Lot at Caesar Creek State Park. See directions below.
Leader: Ryan Jorgensen, (630) 333-2631, jorgensen28ryan@gmail.com
This trip will focus on the fall migration of birds as it is scheduled during the middle of September which represents the peak of fall migration for songbirds, shorebirds and many other species of birds. But the trip will equally focus on finding and identifying reptiles and amphibians, or “herps” as many naturalists refer to them (from herpetology). This group of animals includes snakes, turtles, lizards (reptiles) and frogs, toads and salamanders (amphibians). Our chances of success are very good because our field trip leader, Ryan Jorgensen, is not just a skilled birder but is an expert herpetologist and naturalist as well. Ryan is also a board member of our Audubon Society. He has a Master’s degree in Biological Science at UC where he specialized in herpetology. His research is on snakes and particularly their muscular activity during locomotion. Ryan is also an avid and skilled birder and will help us find and identify what should be a great diversity of species.
Many of us know SVWA as a great birding area but the varied habitats found in this 842 acre wildlife area are also perfect for reptiles and amphibians. The shallow lake with dense emergent vegetation, the extensive marsh, the shallow Little Miami River, the wooded riparian bottoms and hardwood hillsides and dense brushy edges offer excellent bird habitat, but it is also a perfect habitat for a diversity of herp species. After cool night temperatures, these cold-blooded creatures become active as the day warms up, seeking places to sun and bask, making them much easier to find and see.
Ryan plans to walk the loop trail investigating and probing all the hidden spots where our subjects may be hiding or basking. While there are never any guarantees, Ryan knows how to find herps, so expectations are high. Ryan will most likely spot several species of herps and he may catch a few to boot. SVWA is also famous as one of the few places in Ohio that the eastern massasauga rattlesnake is found, although it is in serious decline here and throughout the Midwest.
The date of this trip is set right in the middle of fall migration and a diverse group of birds should also be found. We expect to find migrant songbirds (including many warblers), shorebirds on the mudflats, early season waterfowl, other water and marsh birds, Bald Eagle, Osprey and other raptors. A pair of Sandhill Cranes nested here this summer and had two offspring, all four of which are often seen at the edge of the marsh.
This trip will consist totally of walking the loop trail around the marsh which is a little over two miles long. But walking will be leisurely and over flat terrain with lots of stops to view wildlife. Parts of the trails may be damp or wet, so waterproof footwear is advised. Binoculars are necessary to see birds well and are also highly advised. To make your trip more comfortable we suggest bringing water. There are no restrooms available at SVWA, but there is plenty of privacy in the woods. Restrooms are available at Caesar Creek SP where we will meet. This trip is expected to last at least until noon. Come on out and join Ryan for what should prove to be a unique field trip on what will likely be a beautiful autumnal day. If you have any questions feel free to contact Ryan.
Directions: To get to Caesar Creek State Park from Cincinnati, take I-71 north from its intersection with I-275 and drive about 34 miles north to SR 73 (exit # 45). Turn left/west onto SR 73 and go about 5.4 miles to the Caesar Creek SP entrance. Turn right into the Park and follow signs to the swimming beach. Look for our leader Ryan parked near the north end of the beach. It is a large parking lot but Ryan should be easy to spot at this time of day. Ryan will caravan us over to nearby Spring Valley WA from there.
The ODNR Spring Valley WA website (includes a map)
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/spring-valley-wildlife-area
SVWA Map:
https://ohiodnr.gov/static/documents/wildlife/wildlife-area-maps/springvalley.pdf
Caesar Creek State Park:
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/caesar-creek-state-park
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

September 18th Program: Jay Stenger on Raptors Of The Greater Cincinnati Area.
2024-09-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Sharon Woods Visitor Center, 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45241, United States
Jay Stenger will be ASO’s Wednesday, September 18 speaker at Sharon Woods Visitors Center from 7-9 pm.
This program will focus on the identification, habitats, habits and the relative abundance and distribution of the 15 plus species of hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures that regularly occur in the greater Cincinnati region.
Since his childhood our speaker, Jay Stenger, has a lifelong passion for all animals and nature, especially birds. He has been avidly birding for over 45 years and is considered an expert. He is one of the original founders of Oxbow Inc. and has been associated with The Audubon Society of Ohio (Cincinnati Chapter) and the Cincinnati Bird Club since 1984. He is a long-time Compiler of the NAS Cincinnati Christmas Bird Count, has served four terms on the Ohio Birds Record Committee, has conducted Federal and State Breeding Bird Surveys and has led over 400 field trips for a number of birding and conservation organizations.
Sharon Woods Visitor Center 11450 Lebanon Road
Cincinnati, OH 45241 United States

Walk at Fernald Preserve
2024-09-14 10:30 - 13:00 | Fernald Preserve, 7400 Wiley Road, Hamilton, OH, 45013, United States
Greater Cincinnati Wild Ones will have a naturalist-led tour at Fernald Preserve on Saturday, September 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by lunch (your own!) indoors at the visitor center. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes and bringing a refillable water bottle. If you want to join us after the hike, bring your lunch and join us in the beautiful visitor center.
Fernald Preserve has a unique history and was once a uranium processing plant. It closed in 1989 when a comprehensive environmental cleanup began, including the planting of many native trees and grasses to restore the ecology. Today, it encompasses 1,050 acres of upland forest, grassland, and wetlands. The diversity of wildlife inhabiting the preserve attests to the success of the reclamation activities.
Although Fernald Preserve is an “undeveloped” park, visitors can enjoy seven miles of trails. These trails range from short, gravel paths near the visitor center to longer, more rugged trails that travel through the various habitats found in Fernald. A viewing blind and overlooks provide opportunities to observe native flora and fauna. Over 240 species of birds have been recorded at Fernald Preserve, along with butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.
Fernald Preserve includes a visitor center with exhibits designed by faculty and students at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP). The outstanding exhibits illustrate the history of the Fernald site including the Native Americans who first lived there, its role in the Cold War, and its environmental cleanup. The visitor center was the first building in Ohio to achieve platinum LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

ASO September 8th 2024 Field Trip
2024-09-08 08:00 - 12:00 | KY
Fall Migration; Warblers & Shorebirds
Sunday, September 8, 2024, 8:00 A.M.
Meet: At the Shawnee Lookout boat ramp upper parking lot. The upper parking lot is located directly across from the Shawnee Lookout Park entrance. (See directions below)
Leader: Ann Oliver, (513) 307-0929, annieobirder@yahoo.com
An excellent argument can be made that, after May, September is the next best birding month in our region, at least in terms of the greatest number of species one could find in a given month. September represents the peak of fall migration for both song birds (especially warblers) and shorebirds. Numbers of other species such as early waterfowl, long-legged waders, tern’s, raptors and others also migrate south during this month. Fall migration will be in full swing on this date and finding a diversity of species will be the primary focus on this field trip.
Our trip leader is Ann Oliver, an expert and skilled birder. Ann is also a long time Audubon advocate and board member. With Ann’s birding skills and the peak of fall migration, we can expect to find a wide variety of birds. Ann will begin this field trip at the Shawnee Lookout Park entrance to take advantage of migrant songbirds, especially warblers.
Since our primary focus of this field trip is the fall migration of warblers and other songbirds, Ann will spend most of the morning at Shawnee Lookout. Depending on time and current birding reports, Ann may lead us to another nearby spot or two such as the Lost Bridge area or the Oxbow to look for migrating shorebirds and other water birds.
The diverse habitats of these excellent birding sites at this time of the year should yield a great diversity of species. Warblers and many other song birds should be abundant. Shorebirds, herons & egrets, terns, and other water birds could be seen in nearby locations. Hawks, including Osprey & Bald Eagles, are all likely to be found during this morning trip.
The plan is to bird until around noon. There will be quite a bit of walking on this trip, but most of it will be generally easy and at a comfortable birding pace. Binoculars are necessary if you expect to see birds. Restrooms are available at Shawnee Lookout. A Hamilton County Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required at all Hamilton County Parks. Daily Motor Vehicle Permits can be purchased for $5 for Hamilton County residents and $8 for non-residents at park entrance booths ($10 & $16 annual). Please feel free to contact Ann if you have any questions.
Directions to Shawnee Lookout Park: We will meet at the Shawnee Lookout boat ramps upper parking lot at 8:00 a.m. The upper parking lot is located directly across from the Shawnee Lookout Park entrance. Shawnee Lookout is located at 2008 Lawrenceburg Rd. North Bend, Ohio. Take I-275 to the Kilby Road Exit # 21. Turn south on Kilby Road and go about 1 mile to the stop light at U.S. 50. Turn right onto US 50 and go about 2 miles to the stop light at Lawrenceburg Road and turn left. Follow Lawrenceburg Road to the stop sign at the end of the Great Miami Bridge (Lost Bridge), turn right and go about 1.5 miles to the park entrance which is on the left. The upper boat ramp parking lot where we will meet is on the right, directly across from the Park entrance.
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

General Late Summer Nature Walk
2024-08-25 09:00 - 13:00 | Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45232, United States
Theme: General Late Summer Nature Walk
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery
Date: Sunday, August 25, 2024
Meet: 9:00 A.M. at Spring Grove Cemetery. Park along the main road, just beyond the tunnel from the main entrance on Spring Grove Avenue (see directions below).
Leader: Denis Conover, (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com
The theme of this field trip will be a general late summer nature walk. Come out and join UC professor, and skilled botanist and naturalist Denis Conover as he leads us on a morning summer walk through the beautiful grounds of Spring Grove Cemetery. Denis has been involved in various types of botanical research since 1981 and is a professor in the department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. He is also a current board member of our Audubon Society.
Vegetation will be at peak on this date. Denis will identify the tremendous diversity of trees, shrubs and other plants that can be found here and expound on their ecology. Denis will point out our native flora, invasive species, ornamental plantings and late summer plants that bloom at this season, as well as show us some of the many national and state champion trees found here. Denis also loves birds and will be sure to spend time observing them and any other wildlife we come across. Early fall songbird migration begins in our region during the last week of August so seeing a few species of migrant songbirds is not out of the question. So come along and join Denis on what should be a pleasant, but likely warm, morning walk and gain some tips and insight on plant identification and the birds found at the cemetery.
This trip will consist almost entirely on foot. Participants should be prepared for an entire morning of walking, most of which mostly be at a leisurely pace though with lots of stops to observe plants and animals. The terrain will be relatively flat and on pavement, but there will also be some walking off pavement in damp or wet grass. We suggest wearing good comfortable footwear. Binoculars are not necessary to see plants but are recommended if you have them or are interested in birds. August can be hot, so we recommend wearing a hat and bringing water, sunscreen and insect repellent to make your walk more comfortable. Restrooms are available at the cemetery office. This trip is scheduled to last until at least 1:00 PM. If you have any questions feel free to contact Denis.
Directions: The Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum main entrance is located at 4521 Spring Grove Avenue just west of the Winton Road intersection. To find our meeting spot, drive in the Spring Grove Avenue main gates and go straight. You will go through a short tunnel (old RR archway). Just beyond the tunnel, pull over and park alongside the road and look for Denis.
Spring Grove Cemetery website:
https://www.springgrove.org/locations/spring-grove-cemetery-arboretum/#hrs

Spring Grove Cemetery Map:
(Click on or cut and paste into your browser)
https://assets.takeshape.io/af54a46e-9d1d-4a13-84ea-ea820654ba30/dev/66f7f564-13e7-4da3-9599-d5fc44c9d764/Spring%20Grove%20Cemetery%20and%20Arboretum%20Map.pdf
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Mysterious Moths: Growing the Darker Side of Butterflies
2024-08-24 19:30 - 23:00 | Fernald Preserve, 7400 Wiley Road, Hamilton, OH, 45013, United States
Jim McCormac
Sataurday, August 24, 2024 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Fernald Nature Preserve ~ Free!
Register today for this informative and engaging one hour presentation by Jim McCormac, co-author of the popular book Gardening for Moths, followed by checking light sheets for some mysterious moths and other intriguing insects that might be found at the lights and around the preserve! Learn how you can help these wonderful night time critters in your own backyard. For directions to Fernald Nature Preserve, follow the link, then click on “directions”: https://www.energy.gov/lm/visit-fernald-preserve-visitors-center. This program is sponsored by the Midwest Native Plant Society, Inc. The program is free but space is limited.
Registration required. Follow this link to register: https://midwestnativeplantsociety.regfox.com/mysterious-mothsgrowing-the-darker-side-of-butterflies
Jim writes that “Our enchantment with butterflies isn’t surprising. These daytime flyers are easily observed and collectively encompass a rainbow palette of colors punctuated with ornate patterns. However, their close relatives the moths overwhelm butterflies in species diversity and sheer numbers. Most moths are nocturnal and largely out of sight and mind. Nonetheless, they are one of the most important animal groups. Moths are inextricably intertwined with native plants, bats, birds, and the whole of the eastern deciduous forest ecosystem. They play an enormous role in the pollination of native plants and over the eons have spurred the evolution of myriad defensive plant compounds to ward off caterpillar herbivory. In addition, they are often far more interesting than butterflies, both visually and behaviorally. This talk will be a pictorial journey into an intriguing and little-known world of these amazing creatures. We can greatly benefit the ecosystem around us by “moth-gardening” in our yards”.
Jim worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for 31 years as a botanist, and later specializing in wildlife diversity projects for the Division of Wildlife. He has authored or coauthored six books, including Birds of Ohio (Lone Pine 2004); and Wild Ohio: The Best of Our Natural Heritage (Kent State University Press 2009). The latter won the 2010 Ohioana Book Award. He is a co-author of the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas II book. His book, Gardening for Moths, in collaboration with Chelsea Gottfried, was released in February 2023. Jim writes a column, Nature, for the Columbus Dispatch, and regularly publishes a natural history blog. He has written numerous articles in a variety of publications and has delivered hundreds of presentations throughout the eastern United States. He was named the 2015 Conservation Communicator of the Year by the Ohio League of Sportsmen. Jim is an avid photographer, shooting a range of natural history subjects. He has had hundreds of photos published in various forums, including the TV show Jeopardy!

Shorebirds & Early Fall Migration
2024-08-17 08:00 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Shorebirds & Early Fall Migration
Saturday, August 17, 2024, 8:00 am
Meet in the upper Oxbow parking lot at the main entrance of the Oxbow (see directions below)
Leader: Dave Helm, (513) 403-4519, helmmd@icloud.com

The focus of this trip will be birds, specifically early fall migrants. That’s right, I did say fall. While the calendar and temperature tells us it is still late summer, the southbound fall migration of shorebirds (sandpipers & plovers), long-legged waders (herons & egrets) and several other species begins quite early and will be well under way by this date. So come out and join our trip leader, Dave Helm, as we search for a number of species, especially shorebirds, at a few different locations in the Oxbow area. Dave is an exceptional all around naturalist and expert level birder. Dave is also a current board member of our Audubon Society and has led 100’s of field trips for many conservation groups over the years. Dave knows the Oxbow area extremely well and his great knowledge of birds, plants, butterflies and other wildlife comes in very handy on any field trip.

Shorebirds (sandpipers and plovers) and waders (herons and egrets) need exposed mudflats, shorelines and sandbars where they forage for food at water’s edge. When they find these suitable conditions during their southbound migration they will stop to rest and refuel so to speak. Good migratory shorebird habitat in our region is generally scarce and can vary from year to year depending on water levels and other factors. To improve our chances of finding these interesting species on this trip, we will spend some time at a couple of different locations in the Oxbow area. Locally, late summer is usually a fairly dry season, which results in lower water levels, which in turn provides the habitat that shorebirds and long-legged waders prefer. These seasonally exposed shorelines and shallow edges of wetlands and ponds, and the exposed sandbars found in the Oxbow and along the Great Miami River, can provide favorable habitat for all of these species.

Dave’s plan will be fluid as conditions can change rapidly in this area, particularly water levels. Dave will plan this trips exact route closer to the day of the trip. But he will certainly take a good look at Oxbow Lake and the adjacent habitats as well as the Lost Bridge area along the Great Miami River and nearby mudflats.

In addition to several species of shorebirds, we expect that we will find numerous Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons and a few Green Herons. Black-crowned Night-Herons are also possible. This is also a great time of year to find an unusual or rare species such as Little Blue Heron and Snowy Egret. Other species such as early dabbling ducks (teal, shovelers etc.), Caspian Terns, Osprey and Bald Eagles are all likely to be seen as well. The wooded riparian corridor and open fields of the Oxbow should attract numbers of early migrant and resident songbirds including numerous swallows. It should be a fun trip and we will likely find a good diversity of birds. While birds will be our main focus, we should see lots of other wildlife and interesting plants.

There will be some driving from one spot to another and some moderate walking during this trip, but it will be slow and easy. This trip should end by noon or a little after. It is usually hot at this season, so we suggest bringing sunscreen, insect repellant, plenty of water and a hat to make your trip more comfortable. There are no restrooms in the Oxbow but there are plenty of nearby businesses with restroom facilities. If you have any questions feel free to contact Dave.

Directions to the Oxbow main parking lot:
To get to the Oxbow from I-275, take the Lawrenceburg Indiana/US 50 Exit # 16. At the end of the long exit ramp turn left/south on US 50. Almost immediately, within about 200 yards, turn left onto unmarked Walnut Street which is just past the Circle K gas station and before a Waffle House. Drive over the levee to where the road T’s. There will be a fence directly in front of you. Turn right and go about 100 yards to the Oxbow entrance sign. Turn left into the Oxbow. The parking area is immediately on your right. You can also use Google Maps and search for “Oxbow Nature Conservancy”.
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Prairie & Wetland Plants at Shaker Trace
2024-07-26 19:00 - 21:00 | KY
Theme: Prairie & Wetland Plants in Bloom
Location: Miami Whitewater Forest, Shaker Trace
Date: *Friday, July 26, 2024
Meet: At *7:00 P.M. in the Baughman Road Parking Lot. See directions below.
Trip Leader: Tom Borgman, (513) 473-7696, pborgman@live.com

*Note that this is a Friday evening walk.

The focus of this trip will be on the prairie & wetland plant communities at the Shaker Trace. Note the evening start time which should help us beat the heat a bit. Many of the prairie wildflowers will be in bloom, blanketing the grassland in spectacular color. In 1992, Great Parks of Hamilton County began a native prairie and wetland restoration project of several hundred acres at Miami Whitewater Forest. The project has been a great success and today over 500 acres of a native grassland and wetland community is preserved. Often referred to as the Miami Whitewater wetlands, the entire complex is officially named Shaker Trace and represents the largest wetland/grassland complex in Hamilton County. Late summer is a great time to see these prairie plants in bloom in a stunning array of colors.
Identifying all of these plants can be a challenge. But our trip leader, Tom Borgman, is more than qualified in that regard. Tom is retired from the Hamilton County Park District where he worked for many years as a naturalist. Many of those years were spent working on the Shaker Trace project. Tom is a skilled botanist and overall naturalist and is a past board member of our Audubon Society Chapter. Tom’s wife, Penny Borgman, also retired from years of service with the HCPD is our ASO current President.
Tom plans to take a leisurely evening walk exploring the Shaker Trace complex with lots of stops to look at and identify plants, especially the prairie blooms. This is also a great time of year for butterflies. Breeding birds will still be around as well as a few early migrants. Tom will point out all of these and any other wildlife we encounter.
This trip will end around dusk. This walk will cover about 2 miles, but the walking will be slow and level. Some places are likely to be damp as we will at times walk along a marsh. We can expect late July to be hot, so to make your trip more comfortable we suggest bringing water, sun screen, insect repellant and wearing a hat. Bring your binoculars if you have any.
Bring your questions about natural areas management and come prepared to enjoy an evening with friends among the grasses and flowering plants of these extensive prairie and wetland habitats. Restrooms are available in other areas of the park but there are none at Shaker Trace. A Hamilton County Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required ($5 daily, $10 annual resident and $8 daily and $16 annual non-resident). Feel free to contact Tom if you have any questions.
Directions: Take I-74 west to the Dry Fork Road exit # 3. Turn right onto Dry Fork Road (north) and go 2.2 miles to New Haven Road. Bear right (east) onto New Haven Road and go .8 mile to Oxford Road. Turn left onto Oxford Road and then immediately left again onto Baughman Road. Go .7 mile and look for the gravel parking lot on the right side (north) of the road just after passing the Bike/Hike Trail crosswalk.
For a Park map and other information visit the Miami Whitewater Forest website at:
https://www.greatparks.org/parks/miami-whitewater-forest

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Herping and Birding at Mt. Airy Forest
2024-07-21 08:00 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Herping (finding Reptiles & Amphibians) and Birding
Location: Mt. Airy Forest
Date: Sunday, July 21, 2024
Meet: At 8:00 A.M. in the first parking lot on Blue Spruce Rd (Park Road) from the main Colerain Avenue entrance. See directions below.
Leader: Ryan Jorgensen, (630) 333-2631, jorgensen28ryan@gmail.com

The theme of this field trip is to find reptiles and amphibians or “herps” as many naturalists refer to them (from “herpetology”). This group of animals includes snakes, turtles, lizards (reptiles) and frogs, toads and salamanders (amphibians). Our chances of finding some are good because our field trip leader, Ryan Jorgensen, is an expert herpetologist. Ryan has a Master’s degree in Biological Science at UC where he specialized in herpetology. His research is on salamanders and snakes, particularly their muscular activity during locomotion. He is also a skilled birder and overall naturalist. So it goes without saying that we will be looking for birds and other wildlife as well.
My. Airy Forest is the largest Cincinnati Park. The Park consists of 1,459 acres of mostly forest and open park habitats. The Park is an exceptional and somewhat underrated birding location and host a great diversity of wildlife species within the city limits. Somewhat surprisingly, July can be a difficult time of the year to find herps, mostly due to extreme heat. For cold blooded animals, most species of herps can be effected by extreme temperatures, especially during the day. None-the-less, Ryan figures we should be able to find at least a few specimens and possibly more with a little luck.
Ryan has laid out about a 2 mile loop route that we will walk as he investigates and probes all the hidden spots where our subjects may be hiding or basking. Ryan expects to “flip” ground cover and check along ponds and a small creek. Turtles and frogs should be seen and Ryan expects to find at least one or two salamanders. He also expects to find a few snakes, but in extremely hot weather that can’t be guaranteed. Even though mid-July is nearing the end of the breeding bird season plenty of birds are still around including the young of the year. Ryan’s birding skills will come in handy for them.
This trip will consist totally of walking along about a 2 mile route that Ryan has laid out. But walking will be leisurely and over mostly flat terrain with lots of stops to view wildlife. Parts of the rout may be damp or wet, so good footwear is advised. Binoculars will aid you in viewing birds and other and are advised. July can be hot so we recommend wearing a hat and bringing water, sunscreen and insect repellent to make your trip more comfortable. Restrooms are available in the Park. This trip is expected to last about three to four hours. Come on out and join Ryan for what should prove to be a unique field trip on what will hopefully be a pleasant summer day. If you have any questions feel free to contact Ryan.
Directions: Mt. Airy Forest is located at 5083 Colerain Avenue. To get to our meeting spot enter the Park from the main Colerain entrance. This Park rd. is named Blue Spruce Rd. Go straight, staying on Blue Spruce for.2 mile. The parking lot will be on your right side. Turn in to Park and look for our group.
Visit the Mt. Airy website at the link below.
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/find-a-parkfacility/mt-airy-forest/

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Nature Walk at the Oxbow
2024-07-20 08:00 - 11:00 | KY
Meet at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, in the Hardintown end Oxbow Parking Lot. This general nature walk will be led by trip leader Dave Helm for a very interesting summer morning visit into the Oxbow. Dave, a long time Oxbow member and advocate, is an exceptional all around naturalist and expert level birder. Dave knows the Oxbow area extremely well and has a great knowledge of birds, plants, butterflies and other wildlife.
There are many breeding songbirds in the Oxbow. Bald Eagles now breed in the Oxbow area and are always a possibility. Double-crested Cormorants are now regular summer residents in the Oxbow, but are they breeding here? Black-crowned Night-Herons have always been present during the summer, but where do they breed? These questions illustrate what we can still learn. July also marks the very beginning of southward shorebird migration in the Oxbow area, so some shorebirds can be expected. Heron and Great Egret numbers will also begin building and it is a good time to find one of the rarer species of long-legged waders such as Little Blue Heron or Snowy Egret.
There is a great diversity of plants found in the Oxbow and the prairie plants in our grassland should be in bloom at this season. Amphibians, such as frogs, are at their peak in mid-summer. We should see many interesting plants, birds, dragonflies, butterflies, turtles and other wildlife on this morning walk.
Dave plans to spend the morning mostly walking around Oxbow Lake and Osprey Lake, interrupted by a short drive or two to move from one location to another. The walking will be at a slow pace over flat terrain with a lot of stopping to look at birds and plants. If time permits, Dave may also take a look at Lost Bridge to see what we can find along the Great Miami River and the nearby ponds.
This trip will end before noon. We suggest long pants and decent footwear for walking in tall grass and possibly mud. You also might consider wearing a hat and bringing water, sunscreen and insect repellent to help make your trip more comfortable. There are no restrooms available in the Oxbow but there are plenty of nearby businesses with restroom facilities. If you have any questions feel free to contact Dave, at (513) 403-4519, email helmmd@icloud.com.

July Program - Reptiles and Amphibians of the Cincinnati Region
2024-07-17 19:00 - 21:00 | KY
Our monthly program will feature Ryan Jorgensen who will present his program entitled “The Families of Reptiles & Amphibians of the Cincinnati Region”. This program will be held at the Sharon Woods Visitor Center on Wednesday July 17th beginning at 7:00 PM. The visitor center is located at 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH 45241

Ryan’s program will focus on the local families of reptiles and amphibians and their specific unique characteristics that suit them for their various habitats. He will cover their relationships to other families and whether they are cosmopolitan families or if they are North American specific.

Ryan attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he received his BS in Integrative Biology, and studied Four-toed Salamander ecology. From there Ryan went to the University of Cincinnati to receiver his MS in Biological Sciences. At UC Ryan studied arboreal snake locomotion and worked on several published papers on the topic. He was also a TA for Ornithology while at UC. After graduation Ryan worked at Northwestern in Cardiology and currently works at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Cancer Biology. We are also proud to announce that Ryan has recently become an ASO board member.

Ryan is a life-long naturalist specializing in reptiles and amphibians and has been a birder for over a decade. We hope to see you there for what should be a unique program.

Note that Ryan will also be leading an ASO field trip on Sunday, July 21st. The focus of that trip will be, yes, you guessed it, finding reptiles and amphibians. Brian is also a skilled birder and will point out the birds we see and hear. That trip will be held at the Mt. Airy arboretum. See the separate writeup on the field trip for details.
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Late Summer Nature Walk at Spring Grove Cemetery
2024-07-14 09:00 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Late Summer General Nature Walk
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery
Date: Sunday, July 14, 2024
Meet: 9:00 A.M. at Spring Grove Cemetery. Park along the main road, just beyond the tunnel from the main entrance on Spring Grove Avenue (see directions below).
Leader: Denis Conover, (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com
The theme of this field trip will be a general summer nature walk. Come out and join UC professor, and skilled botanist and naturalist Denis Conover as he leads us on a mid-morning summer walk through the beautiful grounds of Spring Grove Cemetery. Denis has been involved in various types of botanical research since 1981 and is a professor in the department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. He is also a current board member of our Audubon Society.
This is a beautiful time of the year and vegetation will be at peak on this date. Denis will identify the tremendous diversity of trees, shrubs and other plants that can be found here and expound on their ecology. Denis will point out our native flora, invasive species, ornamental plantings and late summer plants that bloom at this season, as well as show us some of the many national and state champion trees found here. Denis also loves birds and will be sure to spend time observing them and any other wildlife we come across. So come along and join Denis on what should be a pleasant morning walk and gain some tips and insight on plant identification and the breeding birds found at the cemetery.
Participants should be prepared for a few hours of walking, most of which will be relatively flat and on pavement, but there will also be some walking off pavement on trails or in damp or wet grass. We suggest wearing good comfortable footwear. Binoculars are not necessary to see plants but are recommended if you have them or are interested in birds. July can be hot so we recommend wearing a hat and bringing water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Restrooms are available at the cemetery office. If you have any questions feel free to contact Denis.
Directions: The Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum main entrance is located at 4521 Spring Grove Avenue just west of the Winton Road intersection. To find our meeting spot, drive in the Spring Grove Avenue main gates and go straight. You will go through a short tunnel (old RR archway). Just beyond the tunnel, pull over and park alongside the road and look for Denis.
Spring Grove Cemetery website:
https://www.springgrove.org/locations/spring-grove-cemetery-arboretum/#hrs
Spring Grove Cemetery Map:
https://assets.takeshape.io/af54a46e-9d1d-4a13-84ea-ea820654ba30/dev/66f7f564-13e7-4da3-9599-d5fc44c9d764/Spring%20Grove%20Cemetery%20and%20Arboretum%20Map.pdf

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Hamilton County Butterfly Count
2024-07-06 09:00 - 17:00 | KY
Each year, Bob Nuhn leads the Hamilton County count for the North American Butterfly Assoication. Much like Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, the butterfly counts compile all the butterflies seen wihtin a 15-mile diameter circle, on a single day near July 4.
This year’s count will be held on Saturday, July 6th, meeting at the harbor snack bar shelter at Miami Whitewater Forest at 9 a.m. After 3 years of rain, please pray for no rain! If it does, the rain date will be Sunday, July 7th. Please remember to dress accordingly as we will be in natural areas of high grass/forbs, possible ticks and chiggers. A little OFF on your socks and sunscreen on your skin goes a long way to ward off pests and sunburn. Please remember water, binoculars, and field guides if you have them. If you know of someone interested in coming out for all or part of this count, please invite them! As always, knowledge of butterflies is not essential; you will pick some of that up from count leaders. What we need are your eyes in locating butterflies. Remember to sign in when you come to the harbor since NABA (North American Butterfly Association) wants to know how many participants are counting. There is no need to stay all day; any time you can spare will be deeply appreciated! Although most counting parties will be at MWF, our group will also hit Fernald Park in the early p.m., then finishing up at Mitchell Memorial Forest. We have noticed a major reduction in the number of butterflies we have found recently compared to the earlier years of the count. Why? Increased usage of pesticides, habitat fragmentation/degradation and the associated reduction in larval foodplants and adult nectar sources, and introduced pathogens initially meant to control injurious insects but now also attacking some beneficial insects including butterflies.
If you need to contact Bob on the count day and/or if you arrive in the afternoon and don’t know where counting parties are located, please don’t hesitate to call him on his cell: 513-479-8941. Thank you for your interest in our local plants and wildlife, including insects! We are looking forward to seeing some interesting species this year, hopefully with the sun assisting!

Breeding Birds and Nature at Indian Creek
2024-06-22 08:00 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Breeding Birds & General Nature Walk
Location: Indian Creek State Wildlife Area
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Meet: At 8:00 AM at the Marathon Gas & Food Mart in Fayetteville Ohio, located on the northwest corner of the US 50 & SR 68 intersections in Fayetteville. See directions below.
Leader: Bill Stanley, (513) 324-2796, tyrannus58@gmail.com
We have not visited this unique area for quite a while, but prior trips have always proved popular and successful. If you have never been to this location you are in for a surprise.
Located about 20 miles east of Milford and just south of US 50 the 1800 acre Indian Creek State Wildlife Area (SWA), is a little known but wonderful hidden gem that can teem with birds and other wildlife and provides excellent birding at any season. Woodlands, weedy and brushy fields, many marshy ponds, wooded riparian Indian Creek and a managed wetland create a multitude of habitats which in turn attract a diversity of birds and other species. This quiet and little visited area has miles of quiet gravel roads which makes for easy access and walking.
On this date breeding birds should be abundant. Many songbirds, raptors and wetland birds should be found. Some interesting species that are likely present include Northern Bobwhite, Red-headed Woodpecker, Bell’s Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, and several breeding warbler species including Kentucky, Blue-winged, Prairie, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated to name a few. Some species of butterflies, reptiles & amphibians and some mammals will likely be seen.
Our trip leader, Bill Stanley, is a very skilled and veteran birder and naturalist who knows this area very well. Bill is current board member of our Audubon Society and is involved in many natural history organizations in our area. We will meet Bill at the Fayetteville Marathon Station (see directions below) and caravan from there. Indian Creek is easily accessed off of US 50 and is only about a 3 minute drive from our meeting spot. Expect mostly walking on this trip, but the walking will be moderate over level ground and at a leisurely birders pace. Bill will probably occasionally drive from one stop to another.
Bill figures this trip will last no later than noon. It can be hot in June so you may want to bring water, sun screen, insect repellent and a hat to make your trip more comfortable. Bill will plan restroom stops along the way. There is a restroom at our meeting location and a few primitive facilities at Indian Creek. Feel free to contact Bill if you have any questions.

Directions to Marathon Gas & Food Mart in Fayetteville, Ohio:
From I-275 at the Milford Parkway/US 50 Exit # 59, take US 50 east for about 20 miles to the intersection of US 68 in Fayetteville, Ohio. The Marathon Station is located on the NW corner. Meet in the Parking Lot but park away from the front doors if possible.
Indian Creek SWA website:
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/indian-creek-wildlife-area

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Breeding Birds at Middle Creek Park
2024-06-15 07:30 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Breeding Birds in Riparian & Mature Forests
Location: Boone County Cliffs Area & Middle Creek Park & Road. Boone County, Kentucky
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024
Meeting Time & Place: At 7:30 AM in the Middle Creek Park Parking Lot, Boone County, Kentucky. (See directions below).
Leader: Ann Oliver, (513) 307-0929, annieobirder@yahoo.com

Middle Creek Park (a 230 acre Boone County Park) Dinsmore Woods Preserve and the Boone County Cliffs Preserve (a Nature Conservancy property) are all nestled in the wooded hills of western Boone County, Kentucky. The picturesque Middle Creek Road and Middle Creek run between these three locations and comprise one of the most beautiful riparian corridors in our region. Join our trip leader, Ann Oliver, as she explores this fascinating area on what should be a pleasant morning walk in early summer. Ann is an experienced and highly skilled birder and long-time ASO advocate and current board member. Ann has led many field trips for ASO and other organizations, including several to this location, so she knows this area very well.
Spring migration will be over by this date, but at least 13 species of warblers and many other birds breed along the Middle Creek and in the forested hillsides of this beautiful area. The birding in this area can be phenomenal.
The whole region is forested and contains some old-growth forest habitat reliable for breeding Worm-eating Warblers which is generally rare in most of our region. Other breeding forest birds are also expected, including Broad-winged Hawk, Cerulean, Hooded and Kentucky Warblers, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush and both Scarlet & Summer Tanagers. Middle Creek, which flows through the area, is loaded with Northern Parula’s, Yellow-throated Warblers and numerous other breeding birds. Prairie Warblers & Yellow-breasted Chats are common in adjacent successional areas.
Ann plans to begin the trip at Middle Creek Park and Dinsmore Woods Nature Preserve and spend some time walking and birding along the trails in these adjacent and wonderful parks. Ann then plans to make several driving stops along picturesque Middle Creek Road. Middle Creek Road is an excellent birding spot, but it is narrow and has limited space to pull off. Nonetheless we should be able to walk a good bit of this lovely secluded and little used road. We will finish this section of the trip near the “closed” Boone County Cliffs Preserve. The birding is excellent along the road fronting the Preserve. For those who wish, we’ll next drive a mile or so further out KY 18 to Belleview’s The Conservancy Park, a mix of forty-five acres of prairie, woodland, lake and hillsides on a reclaimed gravel pit. Yellow-breasted Chats, Orchard Orioles and abundant butterflies can be found here. Blue Grosbeaks can also be found in several places in the area.
This trip will end around noon and will consist mostly of moderate walking along the trails at Middle Creek Park, and a bit more along Middle Creek Road. Also note that there are no restrooms in any of these places, but a port-o-let is usually available at Middle Creek Park. If nature calls you’ll have to drive back to civilization or find a quiet spot. Comfortable shoes, water, sun screen and insect repellent will all make your trip more enjoyable. Contact Ann if you have any questions.

Directions to Middle Creek Park:
From I-75: from I-75 take Kentucky 18, exit # 18, at Florence and go west. When you reach Burlington, KY, continue for 6.5 miles to the Middle Creek Park entrance, which will be on your left (south side of KY 18). The entrance and parking lot is just a short distance past Middle Creek Rd.
Directions from the west: Take I-275 south and cross the Ohio River. After crossing the river take the first exit, which is KY 8, exit # 11. Turn right (west) onto KY 8, which immediately becomes KY 20 after a short distance. Continue west and then south on KY 20 for about 12 miles. At the intersection with KY 18, turn left or east onto KY 18 and go about 1 mile. The entrance to Middle Creek Park will be on your right (south side of KY 18). Middle Creek Rd. is just a short distance ahead.
For directions, a map and information about Middle Creek Park and Dinsmore Woods Nature Preserve (Boone County KY Parks) go to the following webpages:
https://www.boonecountyky.org/departments/parks/middle_creek_park.php
https://www.boonecountyky.org/departments/parks/dinsmore_woods.php
For further info on the Nature Conservancy’s Boone County Cliffs go to the following webpage:
https://www.boonecountyky.org/departments/parks/boone_cliffs.php
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Fireflies at Fernald Preserve
2024-06-07 19:00 - 22:00 | KY
Lighting up the Shadows: The Secret Lives of Fireflies, Lightning Bugs, & Glow-worms

Date: Friday, June 7, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. There will be an indoor presentation followed by an outside exploration at dusk to look for fireflies.
Location : Fernald Preserve – this will be a joint program with Audubon and Fernald, and will be held at the Fernald Preserve Visitor Center.
Presenter: Matthew Speights, matthewspeights@gmail.com
As children, we loved to catch fireflies (a.k.a. lightning bugs) on warm, summer nights, but few of us realized the secrets these insects were hiding. During our talk, you’ll discover the hidden world of fireflies and learn about their biology, behaviors, lifestyles, and survival mechanisms. You’ll learn how to identify local species, why many fireflies are threatened today, and what you can do to advance firefly conservation. Following the talk, we’ll walk the grounds to observe and identify fireflies.
Matthew Speights is an avocational naturalist with interests in botany, entomology, and paleontology. As a young boy, he experienced the common dinosaur craze, but this grew from a phase into a permanent nature obsession that currently manifests through educational outreach, writing, and speaking about botany, orchid cultivation, terrarium construction, native gardening, fireflies, and paleontology. In 2022, he discovered the first population of a firefly previously unreported in Ohio, the Blue Ghost (Phausis reticulata). Since then, he has collaborated with local conservation organizations and city and county parks to do educational outreach and field research on firefly distribution in the Midwest. He is currently trying to modify his native garden to attract even more fireflies.
About Fernald Preserve: The Fernald Preserve was opened to the public in August 2008 and is the property of the federal government. The site is operated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Legacy Management. Once the location of a uranium foundry that served as the first link in America’s nuclear weapon’s production cycle, the Fernald property has undergone a $4.4 billion environmental cleanup and ecological restoration. The ecological restoration of the property was accomplished using plants and grasses native to southwestern Ohio that were identified in an 1819 land survey of the area.
The Fernald Preserve features 140 acres of wetland habitat, 400 acres of forests and 360 acres of grasslands including tall grass prairies. The preserve currently has about 2.5 miles of trails with additional trail construction planned for 2009. Lodge Pond trail, located along the site’s access road approximately 1/8 mile from the Willey Road entrance, provides access to wetlands and prairies. In addition to a wide range of migratory waterfowl, this area provides excellent viewing opportunities for a variety of prairie species including dickcissels, bobolinks, grasshopper sparrows and eastern meadowlarks. Shingle Oak trail primarily spans woodland habitat and is a good choice for viewing neo-tropical migrants as well as a variety of summer nesters. The Weapons-to-Wetlands trail features an overlook that provides excellent viewing for migrating waterfowl in the spring and fall as well as a variety of raptors in the winter months. The 3.5 mile Trestle Trail, completed in September 2009, spans prairies, upland forests, open water and a riparian corridor. (special note: For individuals who might be concerned about visiting a former uranium foundry, be assured that the property has been cleaned to standards established by site neighbors and nearby communities. These standards were approved by both the U.S and Ohio Environmental Protection Agencies as being protective of human health and the environment.)
Directions: Fernald Preserve is located northwest of Cincinnati at 7400 Willey Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45013. From downtown Cincinnati, take I-75 N to I-74 W (toward Indianapolis) to Exit 7, SR 128 (Hamilton-Cleves Highway). Travel north on 128 through Miamitown for 7 miles to Willey Road. Turn left on Willey Road for ¼ mile to the Fernald Preserve access road.

Spring Wildflowers and Birds at Spring Grove Cemetery
2024-05-26 08:30 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Spring Wildflowers, Blooms, Buds and Birds
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum
Date: Sunday, May 26, 2024
Meet: At 8:30 A.M. at Spring Grove Cemetery. Park along the main road, just beyond the tunnel from the main entrance on Spring Grove Avenue (see directions below).
Leader: Denis Conover, (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com
Spring Grove Cemetery is one of Cincinnati’s most beautiful natural settings and its designation as an arboretum is well deserved. A tremendous diversity and number of native and ornamental plants can be found here. The focus of this field trip will be on spring wildflowers, blooms and buds, birds, and all other aspects of nature. Over the years our trip leader, Denis Conover, has become our go to guy when botany is the theme of our field trips and we are fortunate to have him share his knowledge with us. Denis is a professor in the department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati and has been involved in various types of botanical research since 1981. Denis is also a current board member of our local Audubon Society. Denis also has a great interest in birds and will equally focus on them. Spring songbird migration will be winding down by this date but many species will be well into their breeding cycle. Spring Grove has a great birding reputation, especially during the spring. I think it is also safe to say that Spring Grove Cemetery is among Denis’s favorite places as he leads many field trips here.
Denis’s plan is to take us on a long leisurely spring morning walk through the cemetery observing what will be abundant signs of spring. Denis will also show us an undeveloped forested section of the cemetery that should be carpeted with woodland wildflowers. Native plants, ornamental plantings, invasive species, budding shrubs and trees and birds (resident and late spring migrants) will all be pointed out, identified and discussed. Other than a short drive here or there to move to a different part of the cemetery, participants should be prepared for a few hours of being on foot and moderate walking. Much of the walking will be relatively flat and on pavement, but there are a few low hills and there will also be some walking in damp or wet grass. We suggest wearing comfortable waterproof footwear. Binoculars are necessary to see birds well. Restrooms are available at the cemetery office. If you have any questions feel free to contact Denis.
Directions: The Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum main entrance is located at 4521 Spring Grove Avenue just west of the Winton Road intersection. To find our meeting spot, drive in the Spring Grove Avenue main gates and go straight. You will go through a short tunnel (old RR archway). Just beyond the tunnel, pull over and park alongside the road and look for Denis.
Spring Grove Cemetery website:
https://www.springgrove.org/locations/spring-grove-cemetery-arboretum/#hrs
Spring Grove Cemetery Map:
https://assets.takeshape.io/af54a46e-9d1d-4a13-84ea-ea820654ba30/dev/66f7f564-13e7-4da3-9599-d5fc44c9d764/Spring%20Grove%20Cemetery%20and%20Arboretum%20Map.pdf

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Late Spring Migration at Grailville
2024-05-19 08:00 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Late Spring Migration & New Nature Preserve Visit
Location: Cardinal Nature Preserve at Grailville
Date & Time: Sunday, May 19th, 2024, 8:00 AM
Meet: We will meet at Cardinal’s new nature preserve at Grailville, located on the south side of O’Bannonville Rd. outside of Loveland
Leader: Ann Oliver, (513) 307-0929, annieobirder@yahoo.com
Grailville is an excellent and under-birded area within the city limits of Loveland. Cardinal Land Conservancy, The Grail in the US, and Clermont County Parks, collectively protect approximately 280 acres of greenspace that includes forest, old fields, meadows, ponds, and riparian areas. The plan for this field trip is to take a leisurely walk through all three properties to explore the diversity of habitats at Grailville. Most of the trails will be mown grass paths and we expect the trip to end around 11:00.
Grailville is a site rich in history. The women of the Grail have been stewarding the property since 1944. In 2017 and 2018, Clermont County Park district acquired 112 acres from the Grail and plans to open their property to the public in the near future. This April, Cardinal Land Conservancy acquired 89 acres from the Grail and will open it to the public in 2024. The Grail still owns approximately 76 acres that are open to the public. The three organizations intend to connect the three properties with hiking trails and protect the natural value of the land. A Cardinal staff member will be present to share Cardinal’s plans for restoring the area which will be beginning this summer.
More information on Cardinal Land Conservancy: https://www.cardinallandconservancy.org/2023/10/18/cardinal-secures-grailville/
More information about Grail in the US:
https://www.grail-us.org/
More information about Clermont County Park District Property:
https://www.clermontparks.org/
Location: Cardinal’s nature preserve at Grailville is located within Loveland on the south side of O’Bannonville Rd. Be aware that O’Bannonville Rd. is currently closed between Loveland and Grailville so the property must be approached from the east.
The coordinates of Cardinal’s driveway is 39.265638, -84.242567, which can be placed directly into a mapping app such as Google Maps. The gravel drive extends south off of O’Bannonville Rd. approximately 70 yards east of the entrance to The Grail’s property, which is on the northside of the road. Follow the gravel road to the parking area.
Please see the aerial map below for reference. The Cardinal driveway is red and the meeting parking lot is the yellow dot. The area will be signed.

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Spring Migration & Wetland Biodiversity at Gilmore Ponds
2024-05-04 08:00 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Spring Migration & Wetland Biodiversity
Location: Gilmore Ponds Preserve
Date & Time: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 8:00 AM
Meet: We will meet in the Gilmore Ponds south parking lot located at the intersection of Symmes Rd and Bilstein Blvd. (See directions below)
Leader: Dave Helm, (513) 403-4519, helmmd@icloud.com

Gilmore Ponds is steeped in local birding history and at times can be among the most productive birding sites in our region. The Audubon Society has named it an “Important Bird Area”. Gilmore Ponds is a roughly 270 acre seasonal wetland located in south central Butler County with considerable adjacent privately owned acreage. Gilmore can be very wet or fairly dry from year to year, or season-to-season, depending on the amount of rainfall the area receives. When it is wet, it can teem with water related species. The dense brushy borders and edges and the wet woodlands are always great for warblers and other migrant songbirds during spring and fall migration. This is one of the wet seasons so we can expect a diversity of species on this trip. At one time Gilmore Ponds was privately owned. During the 1980’s the Gilmore Ponds Conservancy, a citizen’s conservation group, was formed to try to protect the area from development. The Conservancy had some success, acquired some land and got the attention of the Butler County Park District, who eventually took control and now owns the property. Today Gilmore Ponds faces a new set of threats but for the time being it is still a wonderful birding site.
Migrant and resident warblers (this is a great Prothonotary Warbler spot) and other songbirds should abound and be very vocal on this date. The wetlands may hold shorebirds, rails, bitterns, herons, egrets and teal. Many marsh species which normally breed only in the northern half of the state have been recorded breeding here over the years during wet spring and summers. Over the past few years the resident Great Blue Heron, Green Heron and Black-crowned Night-Heron colonies have been joined by nesting Great Egrets and Double-crested Cormorants. Most recently, and perhaps most interestingly, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, which are considered very rare breeding birds in Ohio, have begun successfully nesting here.
Dave Helm, our trip leader, is an expert and skilled birder, botanist, and all-around naturalist. He is also a long-time Audubon Society advocate. With Dave’s expert help we can expect to find a great diversity of species on our walk and almost any species that migrates through our region can be expected here. Dave will also bring our attention to the diverse flora and other fauna of this wonderful wetland.
Gilmore Ponds has a log loop trail, with several shorter side trails, and a few observation decks. Dave’s plan is to follow these trails throughout the preserve. This entire trip will be on foot, but it will consist of flat terrain and at a leisurely birders pace. While the terrain is flat, be warned that the walking could be a bit on the rough side as the trails may become overgrown at times and there may be a few wet or muddy spots. To make your walk more comfortable we recommend waterproof footwear, wearing long pants and bringing sunscreen, insect repellent and water. There are also no restrooms available on the preserve. But for those of us who don’t mind stomping the brush there will be plenty of birds, plants and other animals to see and a unique habitat to explore
This is scheduled as a half-day trip and will end around noon. Butler County Parks requires non-residents to purchase a Motor Vehicle Permit. They can be purchased from Park Rangers if you see one. If you have any questions feel free to contact Dave.
Location: Gilmore Ponds is located in Fairfield in south central Butler County. Gilmore Ponds proper is bounded on the south by Symmes Road, on the east by the Route 4 Bypass, on the west by North Gilmore Road and on the north by the Butler County Regional Airport. There is parking lot on Symmes Road at the intersection of Bilstein Blvd. and another parking lot on N. Gilmore Rd. just south of the RR tracks. We will meet in the Symmes Rd/Bilstein Blvd Parking Lot.
There are several ways to get to Gilmore Ponds. One way is described below.
Directions 1: To reach Gilmore Ponds from I-275, take the Route 4 exit # 41 and go north on Rt. 4 for about 2.5 miles. Turn right onto the Route 4 Bypass and go about 1.5 miles to Symmes Road. Turn left onto Symmes and go about .5 mile and make a right turn into the Gilmore Ponds parking lot, located directly across from Bilstein Blvd.
Directions 2: You could also take the I-275 Winton Rd exit # 39 and go north on Winton Rd. Be aware that Winton Rd. changes its name to South Gilmore Road in Butler County. Continue north on S. Gilmore Rd to the intersection/stop light at Rt. 4. Cross Rt. 4 and go straight. This road becomes Bilstein Blvd. Continue on Bilstein Blvd to the T intersection with Symmes Road. Go straight through the stoplight and into the Symmes Road Parking Lot.
For preserve information, directions and a trail map visit the Butler County Gilmore Ponds web page link below
https://www.yourmetroparks.net/parks/gilmore-metropark

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

April Program - Carol Trosset
2024-04-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Sharon Woods Visitor Center, 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45241, United States
Wildflowers and Birds in an Acre of Restored Woodland
Presented by Carol Trosset
Monday, April 29, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
Sharon Woods Visitor Center
Beginning in the 1950s, the Trosset family restored an acre of woodland in Evendale by letting the trees grow and repopulating the property with a large variety of native wildflowers. Using 40 years of weekly records collected by her mother, Carol will show us the richness of the resulting habitat, which has hosted 122 species of birds and 15 species of mammals. Data on wildflower bloom dates make it possible to see how climate change is affecting our local ephemeral wildflowers. Changes in the habitat over 70 years illustrate the opportunities and challenges of small-scale habitat restoration.
Carol Trosset grew up in Cincinnati studying natural history with her family and as a member of several local organizations, and recently returned here in retirement. She is the author of The Woods: The Natural History of an Acre in Southwestern Ohio, published in 2023 by the Ohio Biological Survey.
Sharon Woods Visitor Center is located at 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, Ohio 45241 0.8 miles south of I-275.

Spring Wildflowers and Birds at Spring Grove Cemetery
2024-04-21 10:00 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Spring Wildflowers, Blooms, Buds and Birds
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum
Date: Sunday, April 21, 2024
Meet: At 10:00 A.M. at Spring Grove Cemetery. Park along the main road, just beyond the tunnel from the main entrance on Spring Grove Avenue (see directions below).
Leader: Denis Conover, (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com
Spring Grove Cemetery is one of Cincinnati’s most beautiful natural settings and its designation as an arboretum is well deserved. A tremendous diversity and number of native and ornamental plants can be found here. The focus of this field trip will be on early spring wildflowers, blooms and buds, but birds, as well as all other aspects of nature will not be ignored. Over the years our trip leader, Denis Conover, has become our go to guy when botany is the theme of our field trips and we are fortunate to have him share his knowledge with us. Denis is a professor in the department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati and has been involved in various types of botanical research since 1981. Denis is also a current board member of our local Audubon Society. Denis also has a great interest in birds and will equally focus on them. Spring songbird migration will be near peak on this date and Spring Grove has a great birding reputation, especially during the spring. I think it is also safe to say that Spring Grove Cemetery is among Denis’s favorite places.
Denis’s plan is to take us on a long leisurely spring morning walk through the cemetery observing what will be abundant signs of spring. Denis will also show us an undeveloped forested section of the cemetery that should be carpeted with woodland wildflowers. Native plants, ornamental plantings, invasive species, budding shrubs and trees and birds (resident and early spring migrants) will all be pointed out, identified and discussed. Other than a short drive here or there to move to a different part of the cemetery, participants should be prepared for a few hours of being on foot and moderate walking. Much of the walking will be relatively flat and on pavement, but there are a few low hills and there will also be some walking in damp or wet grass. We suggest wearing comfortable waterproof footwear. Binoculars are necessary to see birds well. Restrooms are available at the cemetery office. If you have any questions feel free to contact Denis.
Directions: The Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum main entrance is located at 4521 Spring Grove Avenue just west of the Winton Road intersection. To find our meeting spot, drive in the Spring Grove Avenue main gates and go straight. You will go through a short tunnel (old RR archway). Just beyond the tunnel, pull over and park alongside the road and look for Denis.
Spring Grove Cemetery website:
https://www.springgrove.org/locations/spring-grove-cemetery-arboretum/#hrs
Spring Grove Cemetery Map:
(Click on or cut and paste into your browser)
https://assets.takeshape.io/af54a46e-9d1d-4a13-84ea-ea820654ba30/dev/66f7f564-13e7-4da3-9599-d5fc44c9d764/Spring%20Grove%20Cemetery%20and%20Arboretum%20Map.pdf

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Spring Migration at Shawnee Lookout and Lost Bridge
2024-04-13 08:00 - 12:00 | KY
Theme: Spring Migration
Location: Shawnee Lookout Park and Lost Bridge
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024, 8:00 AM
Meet: at the upper Boat Ramp parking lot across from the main entrance to Shawnee Lookout Park
Leader: Ann Oliver, (513) 307-0929, annieobirder@yahoo.com

By the middle of April spring will be in full swing and this winter’s weather forgotten. Spring migration in general will be near peak and a diversity of avian species should be found in the Lower Great Miami River Valley at this season. In addition, many woodland plants and wildflowers will be in bud and bloom, adding their beauty to the natural scene. Ann Oliver, our trip leader, is an extremely skilled birder and conservationist who has birded our area for many years. Ann is a long-time Audubon Society advocate and current board member. In addition to her local birding knowledge, Ann has birded all across the United States and the world in search of birds. Ann is also very familiar with Shawnee Lookout and her experience will certainly come in handy as birds should be abundant and vocal on this date.
The month of April coincides with the spring migration of a diverse number of families of birds. Ducks, herons and egrets, shorebirds, terns & gulls, raptors (including Bald Eagles) and migrant & returning summer songbirds (including several warbler species) are all expected on this date. Ann’s plan is to first focus on spring migrant songbirds and other woodland species at Shawnee Lookout Park. Towards the end of the morning, Ann plans to make a stop at Lost Bridge and the adjacent ponds to look for water birds. Depending on time and current reports, Ann might visit another nearby spot.
We encourage you to come out with Ann and witness the great diversity of spring migration on what should be a beautiful spring morning in the Shawnee Lookout area. Most of this trip will be on foot, but walking will be easy to moderate and at a birders pace. As always, be prepared for muddy spots, especially if conditions have been wet. It goes without saying that binoculars are necessary for seeing birds well. This field trip will end sometime around noon. Restrooms are available at Shawnee Lookout. Feel free to contact Ann if you have any questions.
*Note: A Great Parks motor vehicle permit is required at Shawnee Lookout. Permits are $10 annual or $5 daily for residents of Hamilton County and $16 annual or $8 daily for non-residents

Directions to Shawnee Lookout Park:
Shawnee Lookout is located at 2008 Lawrenceburg Road, North Bend Ohio 45052. To get there from I-275, take the Kilby Road Exit # 21. Turn right onto Kilby Rd and go the short distance to the light at US 50 and turn right. Go about 1.7 miles to Lawrenceburg Road and turn left at the light. Follow Lawrenceburg Road across the bridge (Lost Bridge) over the Great Miami River. Turn right at the stop sign and go about 1.5 miles to the Upper Boat Ramp Parking Lot on the right, directly across the street from the Shawnee Lookout Park entrance.
Shawnee Lookout Website:
https://www.greatparks.org/parks/shawnee-lookout

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Nocturnal Vocalizations in a Marsh - Miami Whitewater Wetlands
2024-03-29 19:00 - 21:00 | KY
Theme: Nocturnal Vocalizations in a Marsh
Location: Miami Whitewater Park (Shaker Trace Wetlands)
Date: Friday Evening, March 29, 2024
Meet: At 7:00 P.M. in the Baughman Road Parking Lot (see directions below)
Leader: Brian Keane, (513) 961-4476, keaneb@muohio.edu

Join us for this unique field trip, the general theme of which is night sounds, or more specifically, nocturnal vocalizations. This trip has proven to be quite popular over the past many years and has become an annual event. If you’re looking for something different you might not want to miss this one.
Join our trip leader Brian Keene for what should be a leisurely evening/night walk around the Miami Whitewater Wetlands known as Shaker Trace. Brian is a Zoology Professor at Miami University and is a past president and current board member of our Audubon Chapter. Brian is a skilled naturalist and an expert in vertebrate zoology. His goal on this night will be to find and identify a variety of wildlife by ear.
Brian plans to begin the trip with a leisurely walk around the marsh for about an hour before sunset. On our walk around the marsh we should see several species of waterfowl, Wilson’s Snipe, Northern Harrier and other hawks and songbirds. At dusk we will listen for the raspy flight calls of snipe and the “peenting” of American Woodcock. Once woodcock are located by sound we will be able to watch their courtship displays, at least until it becomes too dark to see them. We should hear many and see several. Once darkness has completely fallen we will turn our attention to the amphibian chorus which should be quite loud in this wetland habitat. American Toads, Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs should dominate the musical, but Wood Frogs and Leopard Frogs might be heard as well. Other species that might possibly be heard during our walk would be our resident owls. There is no guarantee here, but Great Horned, Barred and Eastern Screech are all locally present. Even howling coyotes are possible as they are becoming quite common in our rural areas. We are still a week or two early on this date for rails and bitterns, but they are known for their nocturnal vocalizations as well. So come out and join Brian for what will most certainly be a fun and interesting trip under a night sky.
Note that sunset on March 29th will be 7:59 PM and Civil Twilight ends (becomes totally dark) at 8:26 PM. The trip will consist of level, moderate walking. However the trails through the wetlands are not paved and can be damp and muddy, so wear appropriate footwear. Heavy rain at the time will cancel this trip but we have set a rain date for the following evening, Saturday March 30th, same time, and same place.
This trip should end sometime around 09:30 PM. There are no restroom facilities at the Miami Whitewater wetlands, but they are available in the main park area nearby. It can be very cold on this date, especially in a marsh at night, so dress accordingly. Binoculars are not essential on this trip but are highly recommended. A Hamilton County Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required ($5.00 daily, $10.00 annual) at Miami Whitewater for each vehicle. If you have any questions feel free to contact Brian.
Directions: We will begin our walk at 7:00 p.m. sharp from the wetlands parking area on Baughman Road, so try to arrive a bit before 7:00. From I-74, take the Dry Fork Road exit # 3, and turn right. Continue past West Rd, and stay on Dry Fork until it ends. Turn right onto New Haven Road. At the first stop sign, turn left onto Oxford Road, and then immediately left again onto Baughman Road. Go about .6 of a mile to the parking area on the right side of the road, just past the bike trail crossing.

For a park map, directions and other info visit the Miami Whitewater/Great Parks website.
http://greatparks.org/parks/miami-whitewater-forest

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

March Program - DeVere Burt on John James Audubon
2024-03-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Sharon Woods Visitor Center, 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45241, United States
Our March program will be held on Tuesday, March 19 at 7p.m. at the Sharon Woods Visitor Center, located at 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, Ohio 45241.
We will feature DeVere Burt, telling us about John James Audubon.
As a college student from Iowa, DeVere Burt found several new species of fleas in the Antarctic. After this prelude to a remarkable career, DeVere went on to serve as an illustrator for the Naval Medical Research Unit in Cairo, the regional vice president for the Nature Conservancy in the Midwest, and as the CEO of the Cincinnati Museum Center. Under his leadership the Museum led expeditions around the world, began research that continues today, and moved into Union Terminal.
Throughout it all, DeVere also remained devoted to art, taking pencil and paint to paper and canvas. His works illustrated Museum publications and are widely displayed in collections; he is a member of the Society of Animal Artists; and he helped found of the Masterworks for Nature Group. He also studied John James Audubon.
DeVere found that although Audubon’s thirst for art and adventure may have been unparallelled, Audubon was constantly beset with the arduous challenge of earning a living. During Audubon’s working life in the first half of the 1800’s, bank failures and other economic crises complicated the task. Some of Audubon’s business decisions have in turn complicated our world today.
One of John James Audubon’s earliest jobs was with the Cincinnati natural history museum. In a circle of life, DeVere will sketch out the rest of the story of America’s most renowned naturalist.

Waterfowl and Early Spring Migration - Brookville Lake Region
2024-03-17 07:30 - 16:00 | KY
Theme: Waterfowl & Early Spring Migration
Location: Brookville Lake Region
Date: Sunday, March 17, 2024
Meet: 7:30 A.M. at the Park & Ride at I-275 Exit # 7 (see directions below)
Leaders: Jack Stenger, (513) 503-3389, jackstenger@gmail.com
Jay Stenger, (513) 910-2087, jaystenger1@gmail.com

The focus of this trip will be the spring waterfowl migration, which should be near peak at this date. Our trip leaders, Jack Stenger and Jay Stenger, plan to visit several spots around the Brookville Lake Region. If time permits we might make the short hop over to Hueston Woods to take a quick look around Acton Lake before returning home.
Jack, and his father Jay, are exceptionally skilled birders and have high expectations for this trip. Jay and Jack know the Brookville Lake region extremely well, having birded there many, many times over the past 30 plus years.
Both, the Brookville Lake Region & Hueston Woods, are birding hotspots and are excellent for attracting waterfowl and water birds at this season. The rural countryside surrounding these two large lakes has diverse habitats so we expect to find a great variety of species along the way. Finding many species of Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans) is quite possible. We also expect to find numbers of gulls, grebes, Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles and other raptors, and songbirds, including early spring migrants and lingering winter visitors. Finding something rare is always a strong possibility on this trip. Past ASO March field trips to Brookville Lake have yielded Prairie Falcon, Golden Eagle, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, several rare waterfowl, and Lapland Longspurs just to name a few.
Because Brookville Lake is so large, this field trip will be an auto-tour type, which will consist of driving from spot to spot interspersed with a few short easy walks. While the trip duration is long and does entail considerable driving, the rewards, in terms of what we see, always make it worth the effort.
The trip will run into mid to late afternoon, but of course you can leave at any time you like. Bring your lunch and drinks. It always seems colder around large lakes so dress accordingly. If you have a scope it will prove useful. Restrooms will be available and we will make several stops during the day. One important note; a few of our scheduled stops will be on Indiana Park property. Indiana State Parks charges a daily per car entrance fee ($7 resident, $9 non-resident) that is good for any park property that day. That said, at this time of year there are usually no attendants on duty, but we cannot be sure of that. Ohio State Parks are free so there is no charge at Houston Woods.
We will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the park & ride lot, located on SR 128 right at the I-275 Exit # 7. I believe this exit is marked Cleves-Hamilton. This is the first exit just west of the Great Miami River at Miamitown. We will caravan from there to the Brookville area, about a 30-minute drive. Call or email Jay or Jack if you have any questions.

Visit the Brookville Lake website at:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2961.htm
Visit the Whitewater Memorial State Park (at Brookville Lake) website at:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2962.htm

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)
