Common Raptors of Cincinnati Parks, Cemeteries and Natural Areas With Jordan West
2025-03-20 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Sharon Woods Visitor Center, 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45241, United States
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Sharon Woods Visitors Center
Please join the Audubon Society of Ohio (Cincinnati) in welcoming Jordan West as he tells us about the Common Raptors of Cincinnati Park, Cemeteries and Natural Areas. Jordan has extensive experience with Cincinnati raptors photographing them in Cincinnati’s public areas. He also volunteers for RAPTOR INC. so has hands on, close up experience with these birds.
Jordan will discuss the identification of adult and juvenile raptors, diet, habitat requirements and breeding habits interspersed with stories of individual birds banded and followed by RAPTOR INC.
Jordan will be using his fantastic photos to illustrate his program.
To see Jordan’s photography visit his website here: https://www.jordanwestphotography.com/
To learn more about RAPTOR INC visit their website here: https://www.raptorinc.org/
Sharon Woods Visitors Center can be found here: Sharon Centre

Nocturnal Vocalizations in a Marsh at Miami Whitewater Park with Brian Keane
2025-03-28 19:00 - 21:30 | KY
Theme: Nocturnal Vocalizations in a Marsh
Location: Miami Whitewater Park (Shaker Trace Wetlands)
Date: Friday Evening, March 28, 2025
Rain Out Date: The following evening, Saturday evening, March 29, same time and place
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 retired Zoology Professor at Miami University and is a past president and current board member of our Audubon Chapter. Brian is an expert and 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, Northern Spring Peepers and Western Chorus Frogs should dominate the musical, but Wood Frogs and Northern 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 28th will be 7:58 PM and Civil Twilight ends (becomes totally dark) at 8:25 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 29th, 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.
Miami Whitewater Forest
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Midwest Native Plant Society - Creating and Maintaining LIving Landscapes
2025-03-29 09:00 - 17:00 | KY
The Midwest Native Plant Society is presenting a one-day workshop on Creating and Maintaining Living Landscapes, at the Bergamo Center in Dayton, on March 29. The workshop will include both indoor presentations and (weather permitting) outdoor programs and field trips. The cost for the day, including lunch, is $95.00, and pre-registration is required. You can find all the details at https://midwestnativeplants.org/createing-living-landscapes/, along with a link to the registration page.

April 17, 2025 Meeting: Build it and they will come. Creating habitat in your yard for native reptiles and amphibians.
2025-04-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Sharon Woods Visitor Center, 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45241, United States
Date: Thursday April 17, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Sharon Centre at Sharon Woods
Over the past 6 years, Dean Alessandrini has converted his yard into a wildlife sanctuary, emphasizing creating habitats for our native reptiles and amphibians. He now has five species of snakes, two species of salamanders and six species of frogs and toads residing on his property. Come join Dean as he shows us how he accomplished this and discuss the habits and habitats of the many herps native to the Cincinnati area!
Meeting here: Sharon Centre

Bender Mountain Spring Wildflower Walk
2025-04-19 10:30 - 2025-04-26 12:30 | BENDER MOUNTAIN NATURE PRESERVE
The Cincinnati Chapter of Wild Ones will sponsor a wildflower walk at Bender Mountain on April 19, from 10:30 to 12:30. Bender Mountain is a preserve owned by Western Wildlife Corridor, and is one of the best spots in our area for spring wildflowers.
Join us for a nature hike to explore the wildflowers of the the Bender Mountain Nature Preserve. If we are lucky, we will see lot of the beautiful Blue-eyed Mary blooming, along with other native hard to find Spring Ephemerals including various trilliums, bluebells, waterleaf, and more! Our leaders are skilled naturalists Tom Borgman, Scott Peak, and Joyce Richter.
To RSVP email midwestnativeplants@gmail.com. Meet at the Bender Road pull off lot, located at 6320 Bender Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45233. You may leave at any time, but the trip usually takes an hour or two with additional time to stop and explore the wildflowers. We hope to see you there!

Spring Grove Cemetery Spring Botanical & Bird Walk with Denis Conover. Saturday April 19, 2025
2025-04-19 14:30 - 18:00 | Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45232, United States
Theme: Spring Botanical & Bird Walk
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025
Meet: *2:30 P.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
*Note this is an afternoon trip.
Spring will be in full swing on our monthly field trip to Spring Grove Cemetery. Note that this trip is an afternoon field trip that will begin at 2:30 pm and run until the cemetery closes at 6:00 pm.
Our trip leader, Denis Conover, has become our designated ASO field trip leader for our monthly field trip to Spring Grove Cemetery. He is a UC biology professor, an ASO Board Member and an expert botanist and naturalist. And he loves Spring Grove and knows it as well as anyone. Denis says that rain will not cancel this field trip.
Trees, shrubs, wildflowers and a host of other plants will all be budding or in full bloom on this walk. Birds, both resident and migrants will also be present in good numbers, although the late start could make them a little less active. As always, Denis will take us on a walk through the beautiful cemetery grounds and point out the diverse botanical community and seasonal birds found at Spring Grove Cemetery. Denis will identify the tremendous diversity of wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and other plants that can be found here and expound on their ecology. Showy woodland wildflowers should be particularly on display on this walk. 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 and hear. So come along and join Denis on what hopefully will be a pleasant afternoon spring walk and gain some tips and insight into plant identification and their natural history as well as see some spring migrant and resident birds.
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 (possibly) wet grass. This will be a three hour leisurely walk but you can always end your walk whenever you like. We suggest wearing good footwear and dress for cool 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.
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 on the right side of the road.
Spring Grove Cemetery website:
https://www.springgrove.org/locations/spring-grove-cemetery-arboretum/
Spring Grove Cemetery Map:
https://assets.takeshape.io/af54a46e-9d1d-4a13-84ea-ea820654ba30/dev/5d7beeda-d7d3-4c82-966c-d22f93ebe751/2023_Visitor%20Map_current%20champion%20trees%20(2).pdf
Meet here: Spring Grove
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Gilmore Ponds Preserve Spring Migration & Wetland Biodiversity with Mike Busam. April 27, 2025, 8:00 AM
2025-04-27 08:00 - 12:00 | Gilmore Ponds, 7950 N Gilmore Rd, Hamilton, Ohio, 45015, United States
Theme: Spring Migration & Wetland Biodiversity
Location: Gilmore Ponds Preserve
Date & Time: Sunday, April 27, 2025, 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: Mike Busam (513) 259-3262, mbusam@gmail.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.
Mike Busam, our trip leader, is an expert and skilled birder, an all-around naturalist and a long-time Audubon Society advocate. Mike is also a past President of the Gilmore Ponds Conservancy, and remains a vigilant protector and advocate of this area. Mike knows as much, or more, about Gilmore Ponds, past and present than anyone. With Mikes 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. Mike will also bring our attention to the diverse flora and other fauna of this wonderful wetland.
Spring migrant and resident warblers (this is a great Prothonotary Warbler spot) and other songbirds (Bells Vireo?) should abound and be very vocal on this date. The wetlands may hold shorebirds, rails, bitterns, herons, egrets, grebes and ducks. 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 successfully nested here over the past several years.
Mike’s plan is to follow the 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 some 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 and to bring 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 Mike.
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. Two ways are 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
Meet here: Bilstein Blvd.
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Burnet Woods Botany and Ornithology with Denis Conover. April 27,2025 at 2:30 PM
2025-04-27 14:30 - 17:00 | Burnet Woods, 3251 Brookline Ave, Cincinnat, Ohio, 45220, United States
This second monthly Burnet Woods trip will always be conducted on the last Sunday of every month beginning at 2:30 pm, focus primarily on botany but also birds, and will be led by ASO board member Denis Conover:
Meet at the Trailside Nature Center.
Denis Conover (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com

Oxbow Birdathon 2025
2025-05-02 17:00 - 2025-05-03 17:00 | Fernald Preserve, 7400 Wiley Road, Hamilton, OH, 45013, United States
ASO Supports the Oxbow Birdathon
*Note: This year’s event will be held on Friday and Saturday May 2nd and 3rd.
There is still time to register for the Oxbow Inc. BIRDATHON. This is an annual fundraiser and area birding event since 1987. The idea is to spend all, or part, of a 24 hour period trying to find the greatest number of bird species you can. If you can come up with a few dollars in pledges or donations for Oxbow Inc., all the better. Form a team or go birding as an individual. You can choose wherever you want to go birding in the Tri-State region.
As always, the event will begin at 5:00 p.m. sharp on Friday evening and end at 5:00 p.m. sharp on Saturday. At that time the Birdathon Tally begins. Plenty of cold drinks, pizzas and other food on a help yourself buffet is provided before the Grand Tally begins and our combined bird sightings are revealed. This year the Birdathon Tally will again be held at the Fernald Preserve Visitors Center. We wish to thank the staff at Fernald for the generous use of their facilities. The Fernald Preserve entrance is located at 7400 Willey Road, about half a mile west of State Route 128, in Crosley Township in Northwestern Hamilton County (see the Fernald Preserve website, https://www.energy.gov/lm/fernald-preserve-visitors-center). There is ample parking and is centrally located to many of the best birding sites (including Fernald itself) on the west side of town.
There is a $5.00 per person registration fee. This is your only cost. Most of that goes to defray the cost of pizza, snacks, drinks and other goodies at the Grand Tally.
If you would like to participate email me at: jaystenger1@gmail.com
I will then send you a printable Registration Form, Birdathon Checklist and Birdathon Area Map among some other informative materials. If you choose to participate you must email me so we know how many people are participating and to plan accordingly. Bring your completed registration and checklist to the Tally or mail them to Oxbow Inc If you cannot make it to the tally.
Visit the Oxbow Inc. website:
oxbowinc.org
Oxbow Inc.
PO Box 4172
Lawrenceburg, Indiana 470255
This event is mostly about having fun, comradery and promoting birds and birding during spring migration. We hope you chose to participate. Feel free to contact me, Jay Stenger, at the above email address if you have any questions.
jaystenger1@gmail.com

Burnet Woods Ornithology with Brian Keane May 4, 2025
2025-05-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Burnet Woods, 3251 Brookline Ave, Cincinnat, Ohio, 45220, United States
The first monthly Burnet Woods trip will always be conducted on the first Sunday of every month beginning at 9:00 am, focus primarily on birds, and will be led by ASO board member and VP Brian Keane:
Meet at the Trailside Nature Center.
Brian Keane, (513) 961-4476, keaneb@miamioh.edu

Sunday May 4, 2025 Field Trip and Meeting. Tiffany Kersten's Big Year!
2025-05-04 15:00 - 21:00 | Fernald Preserve, 7400 Wiley Road, Hamilton, OH, 45013, United States
Schedule of Events

A “Birds & Blooms Walk” on Sycamore Trail (or other birding location on property) from 3-5 PM
Snack break from 5-6 PM
Tiffany Kersten program from 6-7:30 PM
“Woodcock Walk” from 8-9. PM

Title: Tiffany Kersten’s Big Year!
Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
Location: Fernald Preserve Visitors Center

Tiffany Kersten didn’t set out to do a Big Year, but after a series of unanticipated and serendipitous events, she suddenly found herself amidst one. As a sexual assault survivor, she spent 2021 traveling to all corners of the country, tallying birds and gifting personal safety alarms to women she met along the way. Her goal was to see 700 species, and to raise awareness of women’s safety in the outdoors. She ended up surpassing her goal and setting a new record, with 726 species. In her presentation, Tiffany will lead us through the fear, empowerment, struggles, and healing that all played vital roles in the personal growth she experienced on this wild adventure.

Meeting Place: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dRwswmeMKxTgLJK87

Mt. Airy Forest Spring Migration With Ryan Jorgensen Saturday, May 10th, 2025
2025-05-10 08:00 - 12:00 | Mt. Airy Forest, 5083 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45223, United States
Theme: Spring Migration
Location: Mt. Airy Forest
Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2025
Meet: At 8:00 A.M. in the parking lot for Everybody’s Treehouse located on Trail Ridge Road about .4 miles from the Colerain Avenue entrance. See directions below.
Leader: Ryan Jorgensen, (630) 333-2631, jorgensen28ryan@gmail.com
Spring songbird migration will be near peak on this morning and both, residents and migrant songbirds, should abound. Mt. Airy Forest is a beautiful park and the second week of May is a beautiful time of year highlighted by mild temperatures, leafing trees and spring blooms. Our trip leader will be Ryan Jorgensen. Ryan is a skilled birder, an expert level herpetologist and an all-round naturalist. Ryan has a Master’s degree in Biological Science at UC where he specialized in herpetology and is also a board member of our Audubon Society. Ryan plans to take us on a leisurely morning walk through the park as we look for birds. Because of Ryan’s expertise in herpetology, he will have his eyes open for reptiles and amphibians as well, and he may be able to find a few of them for us as well.
Ryan expects us to see (and hear) many species of warblers and many other songbirds including flycatchers, vireos, swallows, thrushes, tanagers, sparrows, grosbeaks, buntings and orioles among others. Hawks, cuckoos, hummingbirds and woodpeckers will be present and even Wild Turkeys are likely.
Mt. Airy Forest is a large City of Cincinnati Park that consists of 1,459 acres of mostly woodlands that range from mature forest, mixed conifer-deciduous woodlands, pine groves, woodland edges, tree lined streams open park land and an arboretum. There are miles of hiking trails and roadsides, making birding access easy. Mt. Airy also acts as a “migrant trap” during spring and fall, as from the sky this large “island” of green stands out from the surrounding urban sea and thus attracts many birds.
Ryan’s plan is to walk and bird around at least a few different sections of the park, beginning at the well-marked and very obvious Everybody’s Tree House. Other than to move from one section of the park to another, this trip will consist mostly of walking. Most of the area is relatively flat and walking will be at a leisurely birders pace. Restrooms are available. If you expect to see birds binoculars are required. Water, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes may make your walk more enjoyable. The trip will break up around noon. Moderate rain will not cancel this trip. If you are unsure contact Ryan. If you have any other 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 which is Blue Spruce Road and immediately turn left onto Trail Ridge Road. Go .4 mile down Trail Ridge Road to the well-marked Everybody’s Tree House Parking Lot on your left side. Park and look for our group.
Meeting Place is here: Everybody’s Tree House Parking
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)

2024 Audubon Photography Awards At The Main Branch Of The Cincinnati Public Library
2025-05-14 - 2025-05-31 | Cincinnati Public Library Main Branch, 800 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, United States
Come to the main branch of the Cincinnati Public Library to view our May exhibit of the 2024 Audubon Photography Awards! Showing now until May 31st, we are now displaying the 12 most spectacular bird images submitted to the National Audubon Society in the 2024 photo contest. Each photo is displayed large and in living color, with the backstory explaining the birds and their behaviors. Also, remember to check out the library’s displays of the works of Charley Harper and John James Audubon – they have can’t miss materials. We will be hosting a joint event to walk through the library and look at their bird material collections and talk about the photo contest winners on the evening of Wednesday, May 28th at 6pm.
The address of the Main Branch Of The Cincinnati Public Library is:
800 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
and can be found here: Cincinnati Public Library

Late Spring Migration And 17 Year Cicada Emergence At East Fork State Park With Dave Helm
2025-05-24 08:00 - 12:00 | East Fork State Park, Park Rd 2, Bethel, OH, 45106, United States
Theme: Late Spring Migration & 17 Year Cicada Emergence
Location: East Fork State Park
Date: Saturday, May 24 2025, 8:00 AM
Meet: 8:00 A.M. at the South Swimming Beach Parking Lot (see the directions below)
Leader: Dave Helm, (513) 403-4519, helmmd@icloud.com
By the second half of May spring migration will begin winding down but plenty of birds will still be on the move and almost all of our summer residents will be into their nesting cycles as well. While spring migration in general will be past peak, a diversity of avian species should be found at this season. This date should also coincide with the spectacular emergence of the 17 year cycle of cicadas in this area.
Dave Helm, our trip leader, is an expert veteran birder and naturalist and long-time Audubon advocate and current board member. Dave is also a regular visitor to East Fork SP and knows the area exceptionally well. Dave’s experience and knowledge will certainly come in handy as birds should be abundant and vocal on this date.
Some of the birds we may find will include herons and egrets, migrant shorebirds & terns, hawks, including Bald Eagle and Osprey, and a host of migrant & returning summer songbirds (including many warblers) are all expected on this date. Also consider that East Fork SP has a well-deserved reputation for attracting rare species. This date will also coincide with the spectacular emergence of the 17 year cycle of cicadas in this area.
Dave plans to begin our trip at the South Swimming Beach which is an excellent spot to find a diversity of water birds. From there, Dave will lead us to several other spots and habitats around the park. Dave also has a great interest in botany, butterflies and all other wildlife and he will gladly share his knowledge on these topics. Most of this trip will be on foot with short drives from spot to spot, but walking will be at a moderate and leisurely pace over mostly level trails and roadsides.
For your comfort you may want to consider bringing water, sun screen and insect repellent. This field trip will end sometime around noon. Restrooms are available in the park. We encourage you to come out with Dave and see natures great diversity on what should be a beautiful spring morning. Feel free to contact Dave if you have any questions.
Directions: We will meet at the swimming beach parking lot located on the south side of East Fork State Park. We will meet at 8 AM on the far left side of the beach parking lot (when facing the lake). At that time of day it shouldn’t be a problem finding our group. To get to the beach, enter the park from the south side and follow the park signs to the beach. To get to the south side entrance to East Fork SP 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 Bantam Rd. (opposite Rt. 222) and follow the signs to the park entrance.
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
The Meeting Place can be found here: East Fork SP South Beach
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Spring Wildflowers, Blooms, Buds and Birds At Spring Grove With Denis Conover
2025-05-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45232, United States
Theme: Spring Wildflowers, Blooms, Buds and Birds
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Meet: At 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
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.
Denis’s plan is to take us on a leisurely spring morning walk through the cemetery observing plants, birds and other wildlife. Denis will also show us woodland wildflowers, native plants, ornamental plantings, invasive species, budding shrubs and trees. Birds (resident and late spring migrants) should be abundant and will also be pointed out.
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. This trip will end around noon or so. 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
The Meeting Place can be found here: Spring Grove Cemetery
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Midwest Native Plant Society - Spring Nature Safari
2025-05-30 17:30 - 2025-06-01 12:00 | KY
The Midwest Native Plant Society is sponsoring a weekend event at Shawnee State Park, on May 30 through June 1. The weekend will concentrate on daytime and evening field trips, but will also include indoor evening presentations by Jim McCormac and Shauna Weyrich, and a Sunday morning lecture by noted ecologist, conservationist and entomologist Doug Tallamy. The cost is $150.00 for the entire weekend, and pre-registration is required. You can find all the details, including a link to the registration form, at https://midwestnativeplants.org/spring-nature-safari/. The event will include a native plant sale.
In addition to the weekend event, you can elect to attend just the Sunday Doug Tallamy talk. A link to register for just the lecture is on the same web page.

Breeding Birds in Riparian & Mature Forests At Middle Creek Park With Ryan Jorgensen
2025-06-07 07:30 - 12:00 | Middle Creek Park, 5701 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY, 41005, United States
Theme: Breeding Birds in Riparian & Mature Forests
Location: Boone County Cliffs Area & Middle Creek Park & Road, Boone County, Kentucky
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Meeting Time & Place: At 7:30 AM in the Middle Creek Park Parking Lot, Boone County, Kentucky. (See directions below).
Leader: Ryan Jorgensen, (630) 333-2631, jorgensen28ryan@gmail.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 and Middle Creek Road run between these three locations and comprise one of the most beautiful riparian corridors in our region. Join our trip leader Ryan Jorgensen as he explores this fascinating area on what should be a pleasant morning walk in early summer. Ryan is a skilled birder and naturalist and an expert level herpetologist and current ASO board member.
Spring migration will be over by this date, but at least 13 species of warblers and many other birds breed along 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 Parulas, Yellow-throated Warblers and numerous other breeding birds. Prairie Warblers & Yellow-breasted Chats are common in adjacent successional areas.
Ryan 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. Ryan may then make a few driving stops along picturesque Middle Creek Road if time permits. 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.
To end the trip Ryan may 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. Comfortable shoes, water, sun screen and insect repellent will all make your trip more enjoyable. Contact Ryan 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
The Meeting Place can be found here: Middle Creek Park
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Summer Nature Walk - Botany, Breeding Birds and Butterflies
2025-06-22 08:00 - 12:00 | KY
Sunday, June 22, 2025, 8:00 AM
Meet: In the upper Oxbow parking lot at the main entrance to the Oxbow
Leader: Kathy McDonald, mkathymcdonald@gmail.com
Join our trip leader Kathy McDonald for a pleasant early summer morning walk which will emphasize the overall nature of the Oxbow area primarily focusing on plants, breeding birds and butterflies. Kathy, a skilled naturalist with an interest in all aspects of nature, is also a longtime Oxbow Inc. advocate who knows the Oxbow area very well. Kathy was a founder of the Midwest Native Plant Society and is a recent past president and current director of that organization. She has also served on the local Audubon Society and is an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist.
During June birds are abundant and almost all of them are involved in nesting and breeding activities. You may be surprised that over a hundred species of birds regularly breed within the Oxbow area or in close proximity (Shawnee Lookout). On this trip we can expect to see or hear many species of birds including water birds, raptors (including eagles), and a host of songbirds including warblers, vireos, orioles, tanagers, flycatchers, grosbeaks and buntings and lots more. June is also the peak singing period and the morning chorus of bird songs will be quite vocal, giving us a great chance to track them down and get a look.
Because of Kathy’s strong background in botany, plants will also be prioritized, identified, and Kathy will point out native and invasive plants. She also has a great interest in butterflies and at this season we should see several species. Kathy’s plan is to take a leisurely walk in the Oxbow, looking for birds, butterflies and pointing out interesting plants. Later in the morning Kathy may decide to move to other areas of the Oxbow area depending on the time and reports closer to the date of the trip.
Most of this trip will be on foot with some short drives from spot to spot. Walking will be easy to moderate and at a naturalists pace. The trip will end around noon. Remember that June can be hot by mid-morning. You may want to wear a hat and bring water, sun screen and insect repellent. Binoculars are necessary for seeing small birds. There are no restrooms in the Oxbow but they are available nearby. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kathy.

June 22, 2025 Spring Grove Cemetery Nature Walk With Denis Conover
2025-06-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45232, United States
Theme: Monthly Spring Grove Cemetery Nature Walk
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2025
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 our monthly field trips here will be general nature walks that will focus on botany and birds and all other aspects of nature we come across.
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 and also has a great interest in birds and will equally focus on them.
Denis’s usual plan is to take us on a long but leisurely morning walk through the cemetery observing plants, birds and other wildlife. Each season offers its own diversity of migrant, summer and winter resident species of birds and plants in varying stages of their annual cycle. Denis will point out native plants, ornamental plantings, invasive species, shrubs and trees. Birds are usually abundant at Spring Grove and will also be pointed out.
Other than a short drive from 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 or snow in winter. 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
The Meeting Place can be found here: Spring Grove Cemetery

Lighting up the Shadows: The Secret Lives of Fireflies, Lightning Bugs, and Glow-worms
2025-06-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Sharon Woods Visitor Center, 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45241, United States
Date: Thursday, June 26
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Sharon Centre at Sharon Woods
Speaker: Matthew Speight

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.

The Meeting Place can be found here: Sharon Centre

Natural Gardening for Landscapes
2025-06-28 09:30 - 12:30 | KY
This is a joint program with the Cincinnati Chapter of Wild Ones and Midwest Native Plant Society, Inc. The program will be held at Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati, 2715 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, from 9:30 to 12:30 on June 28. We have two excellent speakers planned, an opportunity to network with other native plant enthusiasts. The event is free, but space is limited, so pre-registration is required. Register here: https://midwestnativeplantsociety.regfox.com/natural-gardening-for-landscapes. After the talks, you are welcome to stroll the grounds to see some inspiring landscaping, the new native plant greenhouse, and more. Feel free to bring your lunch to eat on the grounds after the program.
Demystifying the Matrix Planting Style, Jennifer Smith
Famous designers such as Piet Oudolf, Dan Pearson, and Adam Woodruff are known for their lush gardens that hold their beauty year-round. They have also brought the Matrix planting style to the front pages of garden magazines and books. But what is Matrix planting, and what can we learn from these designers and their way to plan a garden? Join us as we discuss employing the Matrix planting style when planting for pollinators. This talk is for all levels.
Jennifer Smith is an award-winning pollinator garden designer and educator at Wimberg Landscaping. She has been planting with nature for more than 20 years, she designed and maintains the Wimberg Landscaping pollinator garden at Ault Park, the new pollinator garden at the Wasson Way bike trail, as well as the gardens surrounding Wimberg’s office. She was a volunteer gardener with Ault Park for nearly 10 years, and was the coordinator of the Adopt-a-Plot program at Ault Park for several years. She is a garden writer, photographer, and speaker and former garden blogger for Horticulture Magazine.
Planting Native in a World of HOAs & Weed Ordinances, Sam Settlemeyre
Gardening with native plants is an incredibly rewarding experience, however the experience can quickly sour if you receive a citation for your natural garden. Weed ordinances, HOA rules, and societal norms encourage mowed manicured lawns restricted by height and general appearance. Requiring uniformity makes it easy to enforce these rules, but completely ignores the needs of other organisms that are trying to survive in our suburban landscapes. In this class we will take a closer look at local weed ordinances and HOA rules that make planting native difficult. We will explore how one can plant native without getting cited and what you should do in the case that you do receive a citation for your natural garden. Finally, we will look at some local efforts to change these laws and learn about how you can get involved.
Sam is the Conservation Program Manager at the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati where he works to support healthy green spaces and restore urban habitats. Through his work he provides education and resources to homeowners, partner organizations and volunteers working in public spaces. Outside of work, Sam serves as a board member for Northside Greenspace. Like many native plant geeks, his love for the outdoors led him to develop a passion for this work and drives him to introduce others to the wonders of the natural world.

Sunday, June 29, 2025 Otto Armleder Memorial Park With Lisa Conner
2025-06-29 08:00 - 12:00 | Otto Armleder Memorial Park, 5057 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH, 45227, United States
Theme: Summer Bird Walk
Location: Otto Armleder Memorial Park
Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025
Meet: At 8:00 AM at the Main Pavilion Parking Lot at Armleder Park (See directions below)
Leader: Lisa Conner, (765) 337-4669, lmconner14@gmail.com
Armleder Park in jointly managed by the Hamilton County Great Parks and the Cincinnati City Parks. This 305 acre park has developed an excellent birding reputation, mostly due to its unique habitats. The park lies in a flood plain along the west bank of the Little Miami River, about a mile north of its confluence with the Ohio River. The park is prone to flooding, which can be good for water birds but difficult to access at those times. The park also has a sizeable amount of open space, including grassland and weedy fields, an uncommon habitat in the Greater Cincinnati area. This in turn attracts many open country and grassland species. The wooded riparian corridor and sandbars along the Little Miami are very attractive to a number of birds. Brushy woodland edges, athletic fields and abandoned gravel pits, at least one which is permanently filled with water, round out the habitats. All of this attracts a great diversity of species throughout the various seasons. Many trails meander through the park.
Our trip leader, Lisa Conner, is a skilled birder and naturalist and is also a current and valued board member of our Audubon Society. Lisa’s plan is to walk the trails through the diverse habitats this Park has to offer. We expect to find a diversity of breeding and summering birds. Breeding birds should be abundant and still singing on this date. While birds will be our main focus, Lisa will not ignore other aspects of nature we find along the way. So come on out with us and join Lisa for what should be a pleasant morning walk in an interesting and unique park.
If time permits, Lisa may take a side trip to the nearby Bortz Nature Preserve. This 119 acre Cardinal Land Trust property lies at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Miami Rivers. Bald Eagles have nested here for the past few years.
Virtually all 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. Expect warm to hot summer temperatures and dress accordingly. Bringing water, a hat, insect repellent and sunscreen may make your walk more enjoyable. It should go without saying that binoculars are necessary for seeing birds well. Restrooms are available at Armleder. This field trip will end sometime around noon.
If you have any questions about this trip feel free to contact Lisa at her contacts listed above.
Directions:
Otto Armleder Park is located at 5057 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45226. It is located directly north of Lunken Airport and Beechmont Avenue, but can only be accessed from Wooster Pike. You can access Wooster Pike and Armleder Park from Columbia Parkway (US 50), and Red Bank Road from the north or Beechmont Avenue (Rt. 125) or Wilmer Avenue from the south. From Wooster Pike, turn into Otto Armleder Park and follow the Park road straight to the stop sign at the T intersection. Then go straight ahead, into the main Pavilion Parking lot where we will meet.
Otto Armleder Website (Includes Google Directions & Park Map)
https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/find-a-parkfacility/otto-armleder-memorial-park/
https://www.greatparks.org/parks/otto-armleder-memorial-park/otto-armleder-memorial-park-trails
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

ASO Burnet Woods Monthly Nature Walks.
2025-06-29 14:30 - 16:30 | Burnet Woods, 3251 Brookline Ave, Cincinnat, Ohio, 45220, United States
Date:
Date: Sunday, June 29
Time: 2:30 pm
Location: Burnet Woods
Leader: Denis Conover
Our ASO chapter is pleased to announce that we are adding two regular monthly field trips to Burnet Woods each and every month. These trips will be conducted every month of the year and will always be scheduled on the same days every month. Both trips are general nature walks but the first monthly trip will focus on birds and the second monthly trip will focus on plants.
The second monthly walk. Which will focus on plants, will always be conducted on the last Sunday of every month beginning at 2:30 pm and will meet at the Trailside Nature Center in the Park. This walk will be led by ASO board member Denis Conover: Denis Conover (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com

Audubon Society of Ohio Burnet Woods Monthly Nature Walks. July 6, 2025
2025-07-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Burnet Woods, 3251 Brookline Ave, Cincinnat, Ohio, 45220, United States
Our ASO chapter is pleased to announce that we are adding two regular monthly field trips to Burnet Woods each and every month. These trips will be conducted every month of the year and will always be scheduled on the same days every month. Both trips are general nature walks but the first monthly trip will focus on birds and the second monthly trip will focus on plants.
The first monthly walk, which will focus on birds, will always be conducted on the first Sunday of every month beginning at 9:00 am and will meet at the Trailside Nature Center in the Park. This walk will be led by ASO board member and VP Brian Keane: Brian Keane, (513) 961-4476, keaneb@miamioh.edu

DEFENSELESS: The Silent Disappearance of Butterflies in a Human-Centric World With Dr. Glenn Crisler II
2025-07-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Sharon Woods Visitor Center, 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45241, United States
Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Sharon Centre at Sharon Woods
Speaker: Dr. Glenn Crisler II
Butterflies, once abundant and celebrated, are now in alarming decline. In this talk, we will explore the intricate relationship between butterflies and their native habitats, examining how shifts in the landscape and ecology have left these delicate creatures increasingly vulnerable. Through captivating imagery of habitats and host plants—featuring rare and endangered species found in the Eastern USA—we will dive into the main threats driving their decline, including- but not limited to- habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. Drawing on concrete examples, we will shed light on how these environmental changes are impacting butterfly populations. The presentation will also offer insights into how we can make a difference, with a brief discussion on butterfly gardening and practical tips for attracting local species to your yard.
The Meeting Place can be found here: Sharon Centre
If you can’t make the meeting on July 17, 2025 at 7:00 pm it will be available live at that time via Zoom at this link:
https://zoom.us/j/97182314212?pwd=[REDACTED]

2025 North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Clermont County Butterfly Count July 19, 2025 Saturday 9:00am-4pm
2025-07-19 09:00 - 16:00 | KY
Here is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to citizen science by joining the Clermont County Butterfly Count of 2025. Butterfly identification expertise is not required (although greatly appreciated). We need eyeballs in the field! There will be team leaders to help you with identification.

We will meet at the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center at East Fork State Park/Wildlife Area at 9am. to divide into teams to search for all butterflies within a 15 mile diameter circle. This area includes all of East Fork State Park/Wildlife Area, the Cincinnati Nature Center Rowe Woods, in addition to Shor, Sycamore and Pattison Parks.

For those of you new to this event, the count is sponsored by NABA, an organization that promotes conservation and enjoyment of butterflies. Butterfly counts similar to Christmas Bird Counts are held throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. A $3,00 fee is collected by NABA to defray costs associated with the count program

Please email Tammie Stanley at mockingbirdhillflowers@gmail.com for more information about registration and the tally after the event.

Monthly Spring Grove Cemetery Nature Walk. July 20, 2025 With Denis Conover
2025-07-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45232, United States
Theme: Monthly Spring Grove Cemetery Nature Walk
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025
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 our monthly field trips here will be general nature walks that will focus on botany and birds and all other aspects of nature we come across.
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 and also has a great interest in birds and will equally focus on them.
Denis’s usual plan is to take us on a long but leisurely late morning walk through the cemetery observing plants, birds and other wildlife. Each season offers its own diversity of migrant, summer and winter resident species of birds and plants in varying stages of their annual cycle. Denis will point out native plants, ornamental plantings, invasive species, shrubs and trees. Birds are usually abundant at Spring Grove and will also be pointed out.
Other than a short drive from 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 or snow in winter. 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
The Meeting Place can be found here: Spring Grove Cemetery
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)

Stiltgrass Removal for Running Buffalo Clover at Warder-Perkins 7-22-25 @ 10:30 AM
2025-07-22 10:30 - 16:00 | KY
Audubon Society of Ohio (Cincinnati) owns a 25 acre preserve off Bridgetown Road near Cleves, Ohio. The land once belonged to Dr. John Warder, founder of the Cincinnati Park System. Ethel Perkins, a board member of Audubon Society of Ohio (ASO) purchased the property and donated it to the chapter.
The property, now called the Warder-Perkins Preserve, hosts a rare stand of running buffalo clover, a plant thought extinct until it was rediscovered in the 1980’s. The plant was put on endangered species list until 2021, by which time discoveries of other plots had improved the plant’s standing.
However, the species remains threatened by continued habitat destruction and competition with non-native invasive plants.
On July 22 Warder-Perkins’ stand of running buffalo clover is scheduled for invasive plant control, especially for Asian stiltgrass. Like the clover, stiltgrass grows in shaded forest openings, where its uncontrolled spread is chocking out native species.
The stiltgrass removal day is spearheaded by the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, which serves as a custodian of the Warder-Perkins Preserve. ASO is looking for volunteers to help with the project.
Volunteers will find that Warder-Perkins has a wonderful stand of mature oaks, but the terrain is steep, and the running buffalo clover is hundreds of yards from the parking lot. Stiltgrass removal will not involve heavy labor, but likely will be hot and sweaty.
Warder-Perkins Preserve lies behind the Crossroads West Side Church at 8575 Bridgetown Rd., Cleves, OH 45002. Meet at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 22 the southwest corner of the main parking lot, which is to the right of the church. Volunteers should plan to work until 3 or 4 p.m. Bring drinking water and work gloves.
Please contact Steve Maslowski at sbmaslowski@hotmail.com if you would like to volunteer. Thank you!

Miami Whitewater Forest, Shaker Trace. July 26, 2025 With Tom Borgman
2025-07-26 19:00 - 21:00 | KY
Theme: Prairie & Wetland Plants in Bloom
Location: Miami Whitewater Forest, Shaker Trace
Date: *Saturday, July 26, 2025
Meet: At *7:00 P.M. in the Baughman Road Parking Lot. See directions below.
Trip Leader: Tom Borgman, (513) 473-7696, treeborg2@gmail.com
*Note that this is a Saturday 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 past President and current board member.
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. The south bound fall migration of wading birds and shorebird will also have begun by this date and Sedge Wrens are a distinct possibility. 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 so wear appropriate footwear. 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.
Also bring any questions you have 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)

Audubon Society of Ohio Burnet Woods Monthly Nature Walks. July 27,2025
2025-07-27 14:30 - 17:00 | Burnet Woods, 3251 Brookline Ave, Cincinnat, Ohio, 45220, United States
Our ASO chapter is pleased to announce that we are adding two regular monthly field trips to Burnet Woods each and every month. These trips will be conducted every month of the year and will always be scheduled on the same days every month. Both trips are general nature walks but the first monthly trip will focus on birds and the second monthly trip will focus on plants.
The second monthly walk. Which will focus on plants, will always be conducted on the last Sunday of every month beginning at 2:30 pm and will meet at the Trailside Nature Center in the Park. This walk will be led by ASO board member Denis Conover: Denis Conover (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com
