New Guest Leader at Byers Woods!

We are introducing a new guest leader at Byers Woods!

Each year we feature special speakers and have big name guides Like Greg Miller and Jim McCormac at the Bobolinks at Byers Woods bird Festival.  If you have been living under a rock and haven't heard about it yet,  here's the plan:

Something altogether new this year is the addition of a Bird-song walk led by Lisa Rainsong, a very talented music professor.  

Lisa Rainsong listens to birds.

Join Lisa  at Bobolinks at Byers Woods Festival for a 10:00 interpretive walk focusing on bird song. And to get you warmed up for the adventure, go to her blog page Listening in Nature  to read her fascinating findings on our feathered friends, the Bobolinks.

For general information and maps go to the Greater Mohican Audubon Society web page and "Events" link.  Hope to see you there!

Right now, I have to go chase butterflies at Mothapaloosa!

Grassland Birds Responding to Change.

In mid-Ohio we have seen a whole suite of birds responding to the forces of change: grassland birds.   These birds have been scattered by the relentless forward march of progress.  Their numbers have been reduced by loss of habitat, change of farming practices, global pressures, and now even a changing climate is getting in on the act. 

What's a baby Bobolink to do?

 If a love-struck pair of Bobolinks survive long enough to make it out of Argentina and fly nearly 5,000 miles to mid-Ohio in the spring, what are the chances they will find an appropriate grassland?

Ohio has lost 99.9 percent of its native prairies.

Nearly all of Ohio's grasslands have been converted to farmland, or urbanized.  Of that farmland, what percentage is suitable for grassland birds?  They can't make it in a mono-culture like corn or beans.  A hay field would work, as long as it isn't  harvested or mowed before the fledglings leave the nest in July.

Ohio farmlands in early July.

And if all that wasn't enough, grassland birds are now getting a sucker punch from climate change.  Have you noticed extreme weather being reported in the news?  How are grassland birds responding to the massive droughts in the west?  We know someone who has been pondering all those questions...

Michael Godfrey, bird videographer and his best friend Benson.

 Michael Godfrey is a fellow who has been seriously engaged in watching birds (and farms) for a long time.  When you meet him, he might tell you he is a "cattleman," but that's just the short story.  He recently created a program for the Smithsonian Conservation  Biology Institute on the particular subject at hand: grassland birds. Now he has agreed to travel to Ohio to share that program with the friends of Greater Mohican Audubon Society.

This "old boy" from Virginia can turn a phrase until it squeals for "Uncle!" He is an entertaining story-teller and a darn good author as well, with several published books to his credit.   His blog is called Birding on the Farm. You'll want to see his most recent entry, which includes excellent footage of a Mourning Warbler in full song.

Godfrey* is a deep thinker and an inquisitive guy.  He's full of questions and just has to know "why".  What birds are doing and eating should be just as important to us as their color, shape or plumage.  Behavior is key to truly learning about birds and Michael likes to look at the big picture, so to speak.

*He has also been known to carve out a tune on a  Dobro; he claims to have several outstanding warrants for that particular musical offense.

Audubon VideoGuide filmed by Michael Godfrey

Many a birder honed their knowledge with Michael's video guides. Recently, I noticed they were for sale at Maumee Bay State Park gift shop, right next to the Kaufman Field Guides.  How fitting, as these two have known each other for many years and collaborated on several projects.

I'd love to introduce you to my friend Michael. He is going to give his program on grassland birds and climate change the night before the Bobolinks at Byers Woods event. If you would like to join us for the whole weekend, drop me a line at gmasohio@gmail.com and I will send along the form for you to sign up.

Hope to see you there!

Ohio's best grassland birding-

May has swooshed by in one amazing fog!  Your blogger has traipsed all across this state and into another!  I admit, these blog posts got a bit behind as I was just running too hard and having too much fun to sit down to write.

Greg Miller birding with Ronnie and Sharron from Nova Scotia

My friends and I traveled from  Shawnee State Park (Flora-Quest) and Forest, to Maumee Bay (Biggest Week in American Birding), to Mohican State Forest, Byers Woods, Hocking Hills, and Cranberry Glade, WV.

Sharron and Ronnie- doing what birders do.

 We found nice, quiet spots off the beaten path, where we enjoyed both birds and botany throughout Ohio.

The Greater Mohican Audubon Society spotted Cerulean Warblers from the Mohican Covered Bridge.

Some of these travels were "pay back birding."   Ronnie was my birding host when I visited Nova Scotia in search of Atlantic Puffins last year.  In return, I promised to help him find Cerulean Warblers.  This photo was from the day we saw at least four Ceruleans singing their hearts out along the Clear-Fork River in Mohican.  Debt paid in FULL!

Sharron Marlor, Luisa Martinez and Ronnie D'entremont at Byers Woods, a landfill- turned bird sanctuary.

Of all our jaunts, Ronnie spent the most time working his photographic charms at Byers Woods.  He was amazed at the numbers of Bobolinks we found there.  In addition to numbers, the shear proximity to these grassland birds is a bit mind boggling.  You don't even need binoculars for the most part.

Bobolink with landfill vent in the background, photo by Ronnie D'entremont

This stunning in-flight photo of a Bobolink was taken by Ronnie.  We counted over forty Bobolinks in flight- calling across the grassland looking for love.  Most Bobolinks land in all the WRONG places- farm acreage that will be mowed or harvested before the young are able to fledge from the nests built on the ground.

Bobolink in grassland repose, photo by Cheryl Harner

By now the Bobs have found their mates, built nests on the ground and may well be incubating their eggs.  It could be tough to see much activity during this quiet period.

Welcoming sign at Byers Woods

We know this timing well, because the Greater Mohican Audubon Society hosts a festival to celebrate the Bobolinks at Byers Woods each year. Join us on June 22nd and you'll be likely to see some active Bobolinks feeding young in their nests.

Join us for a fun free event. You'll see more Bobolinks than you can shake a stick at!  We have come a long way with 6 years of conservation.  Go to the GMAS website for more details.  This is your opportunity to go on a walk with Jim McCormac, Lisa Rainsong, or take the beginner's walk with local expert Tim Leslie.  Greg Miller will also be there to help you see a Bobolink in a spotting scope.

Bobolink numbers have been in great decline all across the country.  It is not just Ohio that has seen changes in their numbers.  For more information, the University of Connecticut has a Bobolink Project for the protection of Bobolinks.  

It seems we have been leaders in conservation right here in Ashland County!  Thanks to all of their friends in Greater Mohican Audubon and the Ashland Park District, central Ohio's Bobolinks have a place to call home.

Bobolinks Festival Huge Success

The weather was picture perfect today, as 120 some folks gathered in Ashland County's Byers Wood.  We were celebrating the Bobolinks in residence and the conservation of grassland birds. It was not that long ago that these birds' nests were destroyed each year by the mowing scheduled to maintain the capped off landfill mounds.

Greater Mohican Audubon Society and Ashland Park District started this event 6 years ago, in order to promote a mowing schedule favorable to Bobolinks.  It is popular event, which provides up-close viewing of grassland birds and a nice mix of educational displays and vendors.

 Celebrities?  YES!  We have Jen Brumfield: birder, artist, tour guide and dragonflier extraordinaire.  And Greg Miller: THE Greg Miller of The Big Year (book and movie).

 Our members help out in a big way.  Diana and Don Plant set up educational displays, Don Beam brings native plants, Mel Bolt manned a Bluebird display. Hugh and Judy Kolo-Rose brought the Black Swap Bird Observatory display and Ohio Ornithological Society was on hand with goodies too!  Gary, Sue, Su,   Bianca, Derrick, John and Sue, Greg and Leslie all pitched in too.  It couldn't be done without them.

And the birders came from all across the state!  There were 22 counties of Ohio represented and birders of all levels and interest, from beginners to experts.  

The Bobolinks did not disappoint.

The new star of the show are the Dickcissels being seen at Byers. We will be most interested in watching the timing and locations of their nests.  It is a bonus to have these much rarer birds benefit from the grassland management that favors our Bobolinks.

Dave Duncan from BeeOlogy was our special guest.  His daring deeds with bumblebees and other pollinators make for great conversation.  The products offered by BeeOlogy are the best and I stocked up on my soap supplies.

Thanks to all our partners and friends who attend and make this event possible.  It looks like the Bobolinks will have another successful year, thanks to you!

Celebrating Bobolinks

Baby bobolinks are a natural by-product of adult bobolinks and proper grassland habitat. Great, that's not so tough right? It shouldn't be.

But before those babies are big enough to fly away, the grass or hay is at the perfect time to be harvested. Barely-feathered, baby "Bobs" are pretty much flightless. Guess what happens to those nestlings that can't get away from the mowers?

So, here is our educational sign for Bobolink protection, and there goes the mower grinding up babies on June 30th in 2010. Not a pretty sight.

The Friends of Ashland Park Disitrict and Greater Mohican Audubon Society have been trying to protect those baby "Bobs"for the last 5 years. We have been hosting seminars and festivals hoping to create public awareness and get the extra time the birds need to leave the nests- before the mowing occurs.

After all, what could be cuter than a baby Bobolink? You don't even have to be a birdwatcher to appreciate the bubbly calls of these gorgeous "ricebirds" from Argentina.

Finally, the Ashland birds are set to get a break! After multiple trips to the Ashland County Commissioners, they have contracted to mow Byers Woods after JULY 10th! This is great news for Bobolinks! We should have many fledglings leaving the nests before the mower comes through this year. We may lose some late "second-nesters" who have moved in after their nests were destroyed at other sights, but at least we will get our local "crop" of Bobolinks out of the fields before the mow date.

Male Bobolink in flight... photo by Dave Lewis (Birds From Behind)

The Byers Woods Bobolinks are flying around celebrating, and we are celebrating with them!

Please join us on Saturday June 25th, 2011; help us show the Ashland County Commissioners how many people DO CARE if the Bobolinks fledge. We can't save all the Bobolinks in farm fields throughout Ohio, but at least we can cooperate and manage this one field as a safe spot for Bobolinks.

Click HERE for enlarged schedule

We have a stellar line up of walks, vendors, displays, and food! Come out and look at Bobolinks through a spotting scope with Greg Miller. Take an educational Dragonfly/ Butterfly walk with Guy Denny. Pick up a new field guide from the Black Swamp Bird Observatory traveling store!

But most of all stop out on June 25th to help us- help the Bobolinks. Their habitat is declining throughout Ohio, and they need all the friends they can get. So be sure to thank their new friends: the Ashland County Commissioners!

Map and full details at www.gmasohio.org

Landfill to Landmark- Byers Woods

The Ashland County Park District has an unusual piece of real estate in their portfolio, a capped off landfill. Greater Mohican Audubon has been giving bird walks at Byers for years, offering a scenic walk around two large "cells" covered in mixed grasses, clovers and forbs, and nearby woods. Each year we would celebrate the return of the Bobolinks in the spring, and then mourn the lost of their fledglings when the grass was mowed for maintenance in June.

Male Bobolink

Four years ago we did something about it. We worked with the Ashland County Park Board, and with the blessings of Ashland County Commissioners we planned our first Bobolinks and Butterflies at Byers Woods. The Commissioners arranged for the annual maintenance mowing in July, allowing time for the baby Bobo's to leave the nests built directly on the ground in the deep grasses.

Last year we stepped up our public education efforts by installing a sign explaining the life cycle of the Bobolinks. Now, we annually celebrate successful Bobolink breeding and the other interesting flora and Fauna found at Byers Woods. Here a just a few more creatures we saw in 2010.

Milbert's Tortoiseshell Photo by Greg Cornett

These orange and brown butterflies are the prized lepidopterian jewels of Byers Woods. They are not an easy find in Ohio, and most of my friends in NW or SW Ohio will wish they had seen this little beauty. You'll want to think twice before you get rid of "weeds" like Stinging nettle, Urtica dioica , as we learned it is is the host plant for this unusual butterfly.




Our afternoon speaker/ trip leader was Jim Davidson a butterfly, dragonfly, bird and botany guy and good friend of mine. Jim does it all and has an amazing wealth of knowledge. Here he explains the differences between native and non-native cattails species.

And since Jim is quite good with the dragonflies, we spent a bit of time admiring the species found at the pond. This Unicorn Clubtail was quite a thrill and a "life" dragonfly for most of our troops. Anytime I get to see a clubtail, I am a happy camper.

And Halloween Pennants were perched on stem-tops holding their wings like a flag in the breeze. These colorful dragonflies of orange and brown make quite an impression!

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Thanks to all the folks who so graciously helped out, Su Snyder - bird walk leader, John Precup- our main GMAS booth man, Warren Uxley and Greg and Leslie Cornett for carting plants and for helping wherever needed.

A special thank you for the support and encouragement of Black Swamp Bird Observatory and Hugh Rose and Judy Kolo-Rose for bringing the traveling display to our event. And certainly, we appreciate Jack and Lalle Laughlin from the Friends of Ashland Parks for all their help with this event, and all the park folks who provided lunch!

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But most of all this event works for conservation because people attend from far and wide! Thank you for traveling many miles to show our park system that we value the Bobolink. IF you were not able to make it this year, please save the last Saturday in June of 2011 and plan to join us in our efforts to continue conserving grassland birds at Byers Woods. It is hard to believe we can accomplish so much for conservation, just by having a good time!

Bobolinks and Butterflies at Byers Wood

It was a celebration of three years of conserving Bobolinks at Byers Woods in Ashland Ohio.

Male Bobolink singing, photo by Brian Zwiebel

The most sought-after stars of the day were the Bobolinks, but Eastern Meadowlarks and Savannah Sparrows were also welcomed.

Mark and Michelle Goodman stroll casually ahead, while buoyant Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows graced the trails long the grassland and provided entertainment for all three groups of birdwatchers.

Hard to find Ohio Native plants were plentiful and Don Beam of Stucker Meadow has an enthusiasm for prairie plants that is hard to resist. He set out an impressive display of tried and true species!

Your blogger got caught sampling the Ashland County Park District's cook out lunch. These guys know how to grill the hot-dogs! (Kathy Mock incognito behind me...)

And this may well be the highlight of my day: a Striped Hairstreak! Check the diagnostic red cap above the blue cell on the hindwing, unusual vertical lines and an inset above the upper "tail." (What do you other butterfly-ers say?)

Thanks to everyone who came out to support us, and the GMAS volunteers who work at all these events: Mary Ellen, Su, Bianca, Marcia, Jean and Judy. It was great to partner with the Ashland County Park District for the third year in a row. The Bobolinks were "bubbling" over with joy and I especially appreciate all those friends and family who traveled distances to be with us. Thanks again, we hope to see you next year!

Bird Quiz!

Here is a special quiz (I'll be cheering for all of you GMAS people!)


Did you get it? Kenn Kaufman just had a great article in Birdwatcher's Digest about fledgling birds and their bizarre plumage...hint, hint. OK, give up?

It is a baby Bobolink, making short work of a little lepidopteran snack. We hope to see tons of them next Saturday, June 27th at the Bobolinks and Butterflies at Byers Woods event. You can read the schedule at the GMAS website or follow the Bobolink photo on the sidebar of this blog. But either way, don't miss this chance to support our on-going conservation efforts in Ashland County and a lot of fun too. We'll have the standard 9:00 am GMAS Bird walk and a special set-up of spotting scopes at 11:00 am- so the public can really get a good view of the Bobolinks and other grassland birds. Bring the kiddies out to see our famous migrant from Argentina!

And check out our new sign! Thanks to an Audubon mini-grant, folks can learn all about these special birds. The Ashland Park District folks will be grilling up the hot-dogs and Don Beam of Stucker Meadow will be presenting info on Butterflies and plants- with a great selection of HARD TO FIND native Ohio plants for sale. And now the butterfly fanatics are angling to have an informal butterfly foray at 1:30 pm. Milbert's Tortoiseshells and Harvesters have been seen on this weekend in the past.

We have come a long way from that first seminar in 2007 with Jim McCormac's phenomenal Grassland Birds program and Dr. Stoffer's Butterflies of Byer's Woods. So do the good thing- support conservation and come have a great time! Hope to see you there.