May 3, 2012 - Thursday

Biggest Week in American Birding Registration Opens!
Date: Thursday, May 3 - 13
Time: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Convention Center
Registration will be open daily during the festival.  Stop by to pick up your name badge and registration packet. 

Birding Point Pelee National Park, Ontario Canada onboard the Jet Express
Date: Thursday, May 3 & 10 
Time: 7:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Departure and Arrival: 
Jet Express Dock
3 N. Monroe Street 
Port Clinton, OH 43452 
Fee: $85

***You must be a US or Canadian Citizen and have a current US or Canadian passport
Experience spring migration on the northern shore of Lake Erie! Many migratory birds use Point Pelee to rest and feed as they make their long migratory flight across the lake in route to their northern nesting grounds.  The Jet Express will take you and expert bird guides to Point Pelee National Park to look for migrating songbirds along the Pelee peninsula. Continental breakfast, shuttle service on the peninsula, park entry fee, and a box lunch are included in this guided excursion. So grab your binoculars and jet-away-with-us on this exciting birdwatching excursion!  Be sure to bring a backpack to carry your box lunch.

The Jet Express supports Black Swamp Bird Observatory by being a Birds & Business Alliance Partner!

 

May 4, 2012 - Friday

Oak Openings Preserve Guided Bus Trip, Bus #3
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Fee: $40 
Registration required
This trip to the Toledo Metroparks’ Oak Openings Preserve has become a HUGE hit, so this year we added 3½ more hours to allow more time to bird this unique area! Known for its oak savannahs and ancient sand dunes, expert guides will help you find an assortment of migrating warblers as well as locally rare breeders including Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. With the extra hours, we will also check out the nearby Kitty Todd and Irwin Prairie Nature Preserves. Bring a brown bag lunch or if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room.

South Bay - Private Lands Guided Bus Trip, Bus #4
Date: May 4, 8, & 10
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port Clinton at 6:40 a.m.
Fee: $40
Registration required 
This trip will center on the Green Creek Hunt Club Marshes located along the upper reaches of Sandusky Bay. The property is permanently protected by a conservation easement held by Black Swamp Conservancy. Well known for large movements of landbirds along Green Creek and its associated swamp woods, this area also has a wide variety of wetlands and grasslands available to explore. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting other neighboring private holdings daily to provide for a great diversity of birds each trip. Green Creek is a fine example of how hunt clubs provide great habitat, not only for waterfowl, but also amazing concentrations of songbirds and other wildlife.

Top Secret Locations! - Private Marsh Guided Bus Trip, Bus #5
Date: May 4, 8, & 10
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m. Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port Clinton at 6:40 a.m. 
Fee: $40
Registration required 
Our expert guides will blindfold you until we reach our destination (just kidding!). ;-) The guides will lead you through a variety of wetland, swamp forest, and grassland habitats as you explore these private properties for migrating songbirds, nesting specialties such as Bald Eagle, King Rail, Prothonotary Warbler, and a variety of marsh and waterbirds. 

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. 
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Magee Marsh Boardwalk Guided Walks 
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13 
Time: 8 a.m. AND 11 a.m.
Where: West end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
The Magee Marsh Boardwalk has been dubbed “The Warbler Capital of the World” by Kenn Kaufman and with just a brief visit anytime in mid-May you will soon learn why. Warblers drip from the trees, many dangling invitingly at eye level in front of appreciative birders gathered on this well-maintained boardwalk, just off the southern shore of Lake Erie. Every day during the event, a number of experienced guides will be leading walks from the west entrance of the boardwalk. Every day at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. a number of guides will be waiting there to show you the delights within!

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

The Biggest Day 
Presented by Gunnar Engblom, from Kolibri Expeditions
Date: Friday, May 4
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: FREE
Registration not required. Seating based on availability. 
Gunnar will share details about a 2-week Birding Workshop in the Peruvian Amazon leading to a Big Day attempt - and perhaps a World Record. This is a total immersion to learn the over 500 birds at the Explorer's Inn and a totally new concept for a birding trip. Birding in the Neotropics can be overwhelming. Rather than travel like a maniac over Peru for 2 weeks we shall stay in one place and totally learn the birds there. There will be particular attention to bird calls.  You will feel confident with your skills after the workshop both by vision and by ear.  A few days before the end, you will be teamed up with the leaders to make an attempt at a big day record of 300 or more species in 24 hours. At the very end, while you are picking up the good birds that have been discovered during the Big Day, the leaders will form two teams that will compete with each other to try to beat Ted Parkers record of 331 species in 24 hours. One team represents Peru and another team represents the US. 

Scope it Out! Digiscoping 101
Presented by Clay Taylor and Sharon Stiteler 
Date: Friday, May 4
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10 
Registration required
Brought to you by Swarovski Optiks 
Digiscoping is a unique and effective way to capture images of wildlife at a distance using a spotting scope and digital camera. Clay Taylor, a Naturalist Market Manager with Swarovski Optik and Sharon Stiteler of BirdChick.com, will cover the equipment basics of a good digiscoping set-up, including adapters, scopes, eyepieces, cameras, and tripods. This program will cover what to look for when selecting a spotting scope, how to choose a camera suitable for digiscoping, what adaptors are needed, what tripod is best, plus field tips and techniques for getting a great shot. Bring your cameras and spotting scopes for evaluation and discussion.  

Identifying and Appreciating Spring Warblers
Presented by Kenn Kaufman
Date: Friday, May 4
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10
Registration required
Of the many birds present in northwest Ohio in spring, the warblers undeniably make up the centerpiece of the Biggest Week. This area is called the “Warbler Capital of the World” with good reason in the month of May, and most visiting birders will want to soak up the experience of the dizzying variety and dazzling colors and activity of these magical sprites.

Although many warblers are easier to identify in spring than in fall, they can still present some challenges, especially for new birders. In this presentation, Kenn will provide numerous tips on learning to identify the warblers in the field. He’ll also give an overview of the warbler family, including their impressive diversity, their surprising habits, their varied songs and calls, and their incredible migrations. The program should help you to identify warblers with more confidence and to enjoy them even more deeply.

Ottawa NWR Guided Shorebird Walk
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the Refuge parking lot 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
For those who feel intimidated by those confusing brown “peeps” or those mysterious gray sandpipers, these field trips will focus on the wetland and shorebirds within Ottawa NWR. This impressive refuge contains massive marshes, a multitude of dikes and swampy areas, and is a haven for waterbirds of all shapes and sizes. Shorebirds recorded during previous festivals included Marbled Godwit; White-rumped, Stilt, and Upland Sandpipers; Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers; Ruff; Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalarope; and countless more!  The dikes will also play host to large waterbirds and ducks such as Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, dapper Wood Ducks or maybe even a regal Sandhill Crane. 

The Kirtland’s Warbler: An Extraordinary Bird, Extraordinary People
Presented by the book’s author, Bill Rapai
Date: Friday, May 4
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center
Fee: $10 
Registration required
Proceeds benefit the songbird research of Black Swamp Bird Observatory

The story of the Kirtland’s Warbler is unquestionably dramatic as it came close to extinction as recently as 25 years ago. But the people who preserved the Kirtland’s Warbler are every bit as compelling. In “The Kirtland’s Warbler: An Extraordinary Bird, Extraordinary People,” Bill Rapai tells the story of how a physician, a dentist, a business executive, an anatomy instructor, a penguin biologist and a notorious murderer all played important roles in preventing the warbler from going extinct. Bill will sign books directly after his program.

 

May 5, 2012 - Saturday

Oak Openings Preserve Guided Bus Trip, Bus #3
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Fee: $40 
Registration required
This trip to the Toledo Metroparks’ Oak Openings Preserve has become a HUGE hit, so this year we added 3½ more hours to allow more time to bird this unique area! Known for its oak savannahs and ancient sand dunes, expert guides will help you find an assortment of migrating warblers as well as locally rare breeders including Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. With the extra hours, we will also check out the nearby Kitty Todd and Irwin Prairie Nature Preserves. Bring a brown bag lunch or, if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room.

The Big Day Bus Trip, Bus # 4 & Bus #5
Date: May 5, 7, & 11
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m. 
Fee: $40 
Registration required
On your mark. Get set. BIRD! 
Do you have a competitive streak? Love a bit of fast-paced, exciting birding? Then this is your trip! Led by expert birders, we’ll send out two buses for a “friendly” competition to see which bus can spot the most species. These full-day trips will focus on the local birding hotspots depending on where the latest arrivals are. Did we say, “friendly?” That might change, considering that participants on the winning bus will receive prizes donated by our sponsors! ;-)  Bring a brown bag lunch or, if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room. 

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.  
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Magee Marsh Boardwalk Guided Walks 
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13 
Time: 8 a.m. AND 11 a.m.
Where: West end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
The Magee Marsh Boardwalk has been dubbed “The Warbler Capital of the World” by Kenn Kaufman and with just a brief visit anytime in mid-May you will soon learn why. Warblers drip from the trees, many dangling invitingly at eye level in front of appreciative birders gathered on this well-maintained boardwalk, just off the southern shore of Lake Erie. Every day during the event, a number of experienced guides will be leading walks from the west entrance of the boardwalk. Every day at 8am and 11am a number of guides will be waiting there to show you the delights within!


FREE Songbird Banding & Migration Programs
Presented by the Black Swamp Bird Observatory
13551 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

May 5 & 8, 2012
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
at Black Swamp Bird Observatory

May 12, 2012 - International Migratory Bird Day
7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
at the west end of the Magee Marsh Boardwalk

These programs offer detailed information on the Observatory's migration studies, provide up close looks at beautiful spring warblers, thrushes, and vireos, and share more about the critical stopover habitat that the Lake Erie Marsh Region represents. Basic bird identification will be included, so bring your favorite field guide! The Observatory is proud to offer these educational programs FREE to the public; however, donations are always welcome and help support all the Observatory's research and education efforts! Join us for this unique birding opportunity!

On International Migratory Bird Day, Saturday, May 12, 2012, the Songbird Banding & Migration Program will be held in the BSBO tent adjacent to the west entrance to the Magee Marsh Boardwalk. On the other days, May 5 & 8, 2012, the program will be held at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, located at 13551 W State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449.

Where Birding, Science, and Conservation Meet
Presented by Chris Wood
Date: Saturday, May 5
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: FREE 
Registration required
You’ve probably been hearing a lot about eBird lately, the website and online birding tool that is changing the face of modern birding. EBird is an internet-based checklist program built for birders by birders. It allows you to keep track of your bird records online and share them with the birding community, while making them available for science and conservation. eBird allows birders to post sightings, keep life lists, and manage their personal records. With tens of thousands of active participants submitting over 3 million records every month, eBird now has the capability of accurately depicting the fine-scale distribution and abundance of nearly every North American bird species. Unlike other bird-monitoring programs, eBird collects data year-round, allowing the mapping of seasonal distributions, migration corridors, and important stopover sites. Recently, eBird has gone “global,” incorporating Google maps and current bird taxonomy from every country in the world.  Join eBird Project Leader Chris Wood and see how eBird can increase your enjoyment of birding, improve your birding skills. Also learn how our observations are being used by the scientific and conservation communities. Oh yes. eBird is free!

The Secrets of Duck ID
Presented by Jessie Barry
Date: Saturday, May 5
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10 
Registration required
A flock of ducks takes off from a marsh. How can you tell what they are with only a glance? When summer-time comes, how do you sort out all those brown ducks?  We'll walk through a year in the life of a duck and take a look at what makes each species just a little different, so that you're ready for your next encounter! 

Ottawa NWR Guided Shorebird Walk
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the Refuge parking lot 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
For those who feel intimidated by those confusing brown “peeps” or those mysterious gray sandpipers, these field trips will focus on the wetland and shorebirds within Ottawa NWR. This impressive refuge contains massive marshes, a multitude of dikes and swampy areas, and is a haven for waterbirds of all shapes and sizes. Shorebirds recorded during previous festivals included Marbled Godwit; White-rumped, Stilt, and Upland Sandpipers; Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers; Ruff; Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalarope; and countless more!  The dikes will also play host to large waterbirds and ducks such as Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, dapper Wood Ducks or maybe even a regal Sandhill Crane. 

Patterns of Bird Migration in North America 
Presented by Kenn Kaufman
Date: Saturday, May 5
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center 
Fee: $10
Registration required
Proceeds benefit Black Swamp Bird Observatory’s Ohio Young Birders Club
We can’t help being fascinated by the phenomenon of migration – in fact, that migration is the reason we’re all here at this season, and the migration is what makes the Biggest Week so big.  But where are all these birds coming from, and where are they going?  The answer is surprisingly complicated.  We may think of birds as going north in spring and south in fall, but there are hardly any birds that follow such a simple pattern.  

In fact, there is some bird migration going on in North America practically every day of the year, and some birds are traveling in every direction imaginable.  In this program, richly illustrated with maps and pictures, Kenn will unravel some of the most interesting and unusual patterns of migration on (and off) this continent, to explain where the birds are going, when, and even why they undertake such strange travels.

Woodcock Extravaganza: Witness The Sky Dance
Sponsored by Birds & Blooms Magazine!
Date: May 5,6,7,8, & 9
Time: 8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Where: Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Fee: $5
Registration required
The Black Swamp Bird Observatory lies slap bang in the middle of a core area for American Woodcocks, and more importantly, is located within a known site for seeing their incredible courtship rituals. Participants on this walk are in for an evening of fun-filled fascination as we look into the bizarre lifestyle of these wonderful birds. We’ll split into two groups (limited to 10 people per group) and make the short walk to the territories of these shorebirds; then, we'll wait quietly to listen for their strange croaking calls. We’ll listen for the sound of the male's whirring wings as he takes to the skies above and rides the dusk sky in a ritual known as The Sky Dance.

 

May 6, 2012 - Sunday

Oak Openings Preserve Guided Bus Trip, Bus #3
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Fee: $40 
Registration required
This trip to the Toledo Metroparks’ Oak Openings Preserve has become a HUGE hit, so this year we added 3½ more hours to allow more time to bird this unique area! Known for its oak savannahs and ancient sand dunes, expert guides will help you find an assortment of migrating warblers as well as locally rare breeders including Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. With the extra hours, we will also check out the nearby Kitty Todd and Irwin Prairie Nature Preserves. Bring a brown bag lunch or, if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room.

Catawba/Marblehead Guided Bus Trip, Bus #5
Date: May 6 & 9
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay State Park Lodge parking lot at 5:45 a.m. 
Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port Clinton at 6:40 a.m. 
Fee: $40
Registration required 
While the beach ridges of Magee Marsh and Ottawa NWR are well known for their massive bird concentrations, much less attention has been given to migrant traps on the peninsula. This trip will visit birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Natural areas with names such as Cedar Meadow Preserve, Catawba Point Preserve, Meadowbrook Marsh, and East Harbor State Park will provide a variety of habitats for a surprising diversity of bird species. Warblers, finches, thrushes, and more all build up along the peninsula preparing for their island crossing that must come.  

Northwest Bay - Private Lands Guided Bus Trip, Bus #4
Date: May 6 & 9
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.  
Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port Clinton at 6:40 a.m.
Fee: $40
Registration required 
Expert guides will take you to visit Peninsula Farms, a private complex of grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands along the Sandusky River. The farm is permanently protected by a conservation easement held by Black Swamp Conservancy. Home to a pair of Bald Eagles and a wide variety of nesting birds, it is a hidden treasure for migrating landbirds. The backwaters of the river and associated thicket habitats provide all the necessities of migrants looking for a great stopover habitat. Come prepared to hike trails and get up-close and personal with our feathered friends.

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. 
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Techniques for Better Bird Photography
Field workshop led by Christopher Taylor
Date: Sunday, May 6th 2012
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Where: Meet at Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Fee: $40
(Registration required, Limited to 8 participants)
This workshop will run rain or shine. If conditions are good and birds are cooperating we may go over the allotted time.

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. 
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals.  

Magee Marsh Boardwalk Guided Walks 
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13 
Time: 8 a.m. AND 11 a.m.
Where: West end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
The Magee Marsh Boardwalk has been dubbed “The Warbler Capital of the World” by Kenn Kaufman and with just a brief visit anytime in mid-May you will soon learn why. Warblers drip from the trees, many dangling invitingly at eye level in front of appreciative birders gathered on this well-maintained boardwalk, just off the southern shore of Lake Erie. Every day during the event a number of experienced guides will be leading walks from the western entrance of the boardwalk. Every day at 8am and 11am a number of guides will be waiting there to show you the delights within!

Special Fundraiser!
Bird Walk with Kenn & Kimberly Kaufman
Brought to you by Birds & Blooms Magazine, Kaufman Field Guides, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO)
When: Sunday, May 6
Time: 9 a.m. - Noon
Where: The world-famous Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Fee: $40 - 100% of the proceeds from this walk will help fund the improvement of local birding area viewing platforms, boardwalks, and trails.
Meet: At Black Swamp Bird Observatory and we'll carpool back to Magee Marsh (5 minute drive)
**Limited to the first 25 people

Birds & Blooms Magazine, Kaufman Field Guides, and BSBO bring you an EXCLUSIVE opportunity to go birding with Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman, and Stacy Tornio from Birds and Blooms Magazine!  100% of the proceeds from this walk will help fund improvements to local birding areas. This is the only field trip the Kaufmans will be leading during this year's festival. Kenn and Kimberly will take you birding at their favorite spot in the world in spring: the world famous Magee Marsh! Participants will receive some "goodies" courtesy of Birds & Blooms and Kaufman Field Guides, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory!

18th Century Naturalists' Living History:
An Expedition on Behalf of King Louis XV and the Academie Royale des Sciences
Presented by MacFarlanes' Company
Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center Lobby
Fee:  FREE
The Company will be in the area of Fort Sandaske collecting and documenting the region's flora, fauna, geography, and geology for the Academie. This naturalist's party is primarily Scottish gentlemen, their traveling companions and staff.  A local frontiersman will accompany them as guide and hunter. The party is especially interested in the birds known to migrate in this season, and in the plants and animals that inhabit the south shore of the Lake. Geographical and weather information will be gathered as well as a general geological survey and basic mapping. King Louis has provided a water-colorist and sketch artist from his entourage. The Academie represents a broad range of Scientific interests. Specimens both live and prepared will be gathered. The Company will work with a variety of scientific instruments, surveying equipment, charts, gathering & shooting equipment.

Family Bird Walk
Sponsored by Birds and Blooms Magazine!
Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the ONWR parking lot.
Fee: FREE and open to anyone!

Gather up the kids and join us for a family nature walk. We’ll provide binoculars, field guides, and the birds, you simply provide enthusiastic families. After a short equipment lesson we will be exploring the woodlots and scanning the marshes of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for migratory birds this area is famous for. This trip will be led by leaders of Young Birders Clubs from around the country, and can be the first step in igniting a life-long appreciation for nature.

Spring Migration in the Lake Erie Marshes
Presented by Mark Shieldcastle
Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10
Registration required
In this presentation, Mark Shieldcastle, one of North America’s leading authorities on passerine migration, will delve into the science that makes bird migration so intriguing; he'll explore the seemingly magical way that these feathered marvels move through our universe.  Mark has been studying migration in the Lake Erie Marsh Region for more than 30 years.  He pioneered the “wave theory” that has become a way of thinking among birders visiting Ohio’s north coast.  The three “waves” of neotropical migrants will be brought to life through vibrant imagery, the timing of their passage through this area mapped out with surprising precision. If you have a nemesis bird, or just one species that is special to you, come find out when and where it’s best to look for “your” bird.  

Family Bird Walk
Sponsored by Birds and Blooms Magazine!
Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the ONWR parking lot.
Fee: FREE and open to anyone!
Gather up the kids and join us for a family nature walk. We’ll provide binoculars, field guides, and the birds, you simply provide enthusiastic families. After a short equipment lesson we will be exploring the woodlots and scanning the marshes of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for migratory birds this area is famous for. This trip will be led by leaders of Young Birders Clubs from around the country, and can be the first step in igniting a life-long appreciation for nature.

Raptor ID
Presented by Jeff Bouton
This workshop is sponsored by Leica
Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10
Registration required
Learn some of the subtle tricks of difficult raptor identifications from an experienced raptor fanatic. Hawk watchers and raptor researchers develop almost subconscious cues that hey key in on to make identifications of these birds that go far beyond field marks alone. Subtle differences in color, structural clues, wing profiles, and wing flap all come into play and many of these subtleties are not mentioned in any general guide. Come and learn some of these subtle tips as well as reviewing the basics of identification of some of the most common raptors species found throughout the northeast. This program will offer something for birders of all levels starting very basic and delving into some points that fall into the advanced category. All will be presented in a language that is easily understood by birders of any level!

Ottawa NWR Guided Shorebird Walk
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the Refuge parking lot 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
For those who feel intimidated by those confusing brown “peeps” or those mysterious gray sandpipers, these field trips will focus on the wetland and shorebirds within Ottawa NWR. This impressive refuge contains massive marshes, a multitude of dikes and swampy areas, and is a haven for waterbirds of all shapes and sizes. Shorebirds recorded during previous festivals included Marbled Godwit; White-rumped, Stilt, and Upland Sandpipers; Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers; Ruff; Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalarope; and countless more!  The dikes will also play host to large waterbirds and ducks such as Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, dapper Wood Ducks or maybe even a regal Sandhill Crane. 

Tales with Tails: The Lighter Side of Birding
Presented by Adrian Binns
Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center 
Fee: $10 
Registration required
Mis-worded signs, semi-naked people and curious predicaments are just a few of the things encountered while birding around the globe.  This light-hearted presentation features plenty of laughs, tall tales, and wildlife images too! Join me while I share observations and stories laced with a sometimes-twisted but always generous sense of humor when it comes to leading worldwide birding tours.

Basics of Photo Editing 
Presented by Clay Taylor and Sharon Stiteler
Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 
Where: Maumee Bay Nature Center 
(Adjacent to the Maumee Bay Lodge) 
Fee: $10 
Registration required
The expert digiscoping team of Clay from Swarovski Optiks Taylor and Sharon Stiteler of BirdChick.com will share great tips about how to edit your photos to get the most bang for your photography buck during your visit to The Warbler Capital of the World!

Woodcock Extravaganza: Witness The Sky Dance
Sponsored by Birds & Blooms Magazine!
Date: May 5,6,7,8, & 9
Time: 8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Where: Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Fee: $5
Registration required
The Black Swamp Bird Observatory lies slap bang in the middle of a core area for American Woodcocks, and more importantly, is located within a known site for seeing their incredible courtship rituals. Participants on this walk are in for an evening of fun-filled fascination as we look into the bizarre lifestyle of these wonderful birds. We’ll split into two groups (limited to 10 people per group) and make the short walk to the territories of these shorebirds; then, we'll wait quietly to listen for their strange croaking calls. We’ll listen for the sound of the male's whirring wings as he takes to the skies above and rides the dusk sky in a ritual known as The Sky Dance.
 

May 7, 2012 - Monday

Oak Openings Preserve Guided Bus Trip, Bus #3
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Fee: $40 
Registration required
This trip to the Toledo Metroparks’ Oak Openings Preserve has become a HUGE hit, so this year we added 3½ more hours to allow more time to bird this unique area! Known for its oak savannahs and ancient sand dunes, expert guides will help you find an assortment of migrating warblers as well as locally rare breeders including Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. With the extra hours, we will also check out the nearby Kitty Todd and Irwin Prairie Nature Preserves. Bring a brown bag lunch or, if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room.

The Big Day Bus Trip, Bus #4 & Bus #5
Date: May 5, 7, & 11
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m. 
Fee: $40 
Registration required
On your mark. Get set. BIRD! 
Do you have a competitive streak? Love a bit of fast-paced, exciting birding? Then this is your trip! Led by expert birders, we’ll send out two buses for a “friendly” competition to see which bus can spot the most species. These full-day trips will focus on the local birding hotspots depending on where the latest arrivals are. Did we say, “friendly?” That might change, considering that participants on the winning bus will receive prizes donated by our sponsors! ;-)  Bring a brown bag lunch, or, if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room. 

Birding by Canoe -NEW TRIP FOR 2012!
Dates: May 7, 9, & 11
Time: 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. 
Where: Meet at the Sandusky County Park District office at 1970 Countryside Place in Fremont, Ohio 43420
Fee: $30 
*The Parks will provide the canoes and life vests. 
Canoe northwest Ohio's best kept secret—Green Creek. The creek meanders through two miles of habitat ideal for migrating warblers and flows into Mud Creek Bay, an arm of the larger Sandusky Bay. The property has a conservation easement with Black Swamp Conservancy and will eventually be deeded to the Sandusky County Park District. Led by Research Coordinator, Tom Kashmer, of the Sandusky County Park District, you will learn the history of this unique area. Expect to see more Bald Eagles than you will see all week, too! All this and we’ll still have you back in time to check out the daily action at the Magee Marsh boardwalk! 
***Proceeds from The Biggest Week canoe trips will benefit Sandusky County Parks, Black Swamp Conservancy, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory!

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. 
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Magee Marsh Boardwalk Guided Walks 
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13 
Time: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Where: West end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
The Magee Marsh Boardwalk has been dubbed “The Warbler Capital of the World” by Kenn Kaufman and with just a brief visit anytime in mid-May you will soon learn why. Warblers drip from the trees, many dangling invitingly at eye level in front of appreciative birders gathered on this well-maintained boardwalk, just off the southern shore of Lake Erie. Every day during the event a number of experienced guides will be leading walks from the western entrance of the boardwalk. Every day at 8am and 11am a number of guides will be waiting there to show you the delights within!

Magee Marsh Bird Sits
Date: May 7 & 9
Time: 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Near the west end of the boardwalk.
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
Designed for those with limited mobility—or those who just like to take a break and see what birds come to you—these Bird Sits will allow you to relax and enjoy the birds visiting the edge of the wood lot along the boardwalk. This edge habitat frequently offers some of the best birding in the area and we’ll have expert guides on hand to help you spot birds and tune your ears in to the fine art of birding by ear, too. We’ll post these group sit-ins in the grassy area near the west end of the Magee Marsh boardwalk. (See the map for the exact spot.)  Please bring your own chair, birding stool, or blanket to sit on. This area should be fine for those with wheelchairs or motorized carts.

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. 
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Birding Equador
Presented by Jim Beckman representing Cheepers, Birding on a Budget
Date: Monday, May 7
Time: 11 a.m. - Noon 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: FREE
Registration not required. Seating based on availability.
Ecuador is a birdwatchers' paradise. This South American country, roughly the size of Nevada, harbors amazing diversity in habitat and wildlife. Over 1640 species of birds inhabit Ecuador, including an incredible 131 species of Hummingbirds! Jim and Cindy Beckman, owners of Cheepers! Birding on a Budget, will share their Ecuadorian birding adventures with you. From the elfin forest of Yanacocha to the bird-rich Tandayapa Valley to the paramo of the high Andes, and on to the montane forests of the eastern slopes and the Amazon Basin, each change in habitat offers new bird species to see as new adventures unfold.

Birdsong Ear Training Techniques: Sorting out the Singers in the Chorus!
Presented by Lisa Rainsong
Date: Monday, May 7
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10 
Registration required
Birds are highly-skilled musicians!  Avian and human music share many common elements such as rhythm, phrasing, pitch, and tone quality.  Listening to bird songs as music can help us identify, compare, and remember what we hear more effectively than relying exclusively on memorization. 

Using an approach derived from teaching ear training and music appreciation classes, Cleveland Institute of Music faculty member Dr. Lisa Rainsong will help you develop your ability to recognize and identify the avian music around you.   Whether you are trying to distinguish the many variations of Tufted Titmouse and Song Sparrow songs, sort out the Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak from the Robins, or plan to finally learn as many of our summer residents as possible, a music-based approach will help you better understand the repertoire of these accomplished singers.   

Often the most challenging aspect of bird song is sorting out the individual singers from the overall sonic texture.  To help you do this, we will begin with a one-hour indoor presentation and then practice our listening skills outdoors.  

Basics of Identifying Shorebirds
Presented by Kenn Kaufman
Date: Monday, May 7
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge 
Fee: $10 
Registration required
The shorebirds – the sandpipers, plovers, and their relatives – include some of our most impressive migrants, traveling every spring from southern South America to the high Arctic, with many stopping over in northwest Ohio. Their elegant shapes and subtle patterns make them favorites of many birders. However, they can be very challenging to identify at times, especially for new birders.  

In this program, Kenn will break down the challenge of shorebird ID to make it manageable. He will explain how to observe shorebirds in the field, what to look for first, how to understand the changing plumages of these birds, and how to avoid being misled by potential points of confusion. Finally, he will offer shortcuts to help name these birds quickly, so that we can spend our time enjoying these elegant migrants rather than puzzling over their identity.

Ottawa NWR Guided Shorebird Walk
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the Refuge parking lot 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
For those who feel intimidated by those confusing brown “peeps” or those mysterious gray sandpipers, these field trips will focus on the wetland and shorebirds within Ottawa NWR. This impressive refuge contains massive marshes, a multitude of dikes and swampy areas, and is a haven for waterbirds of all shapes and sizes. Shorebirds recorded during previous festivals included Marbled Godwit; White-rumped, Stilt, and Upland Sandpipers; Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers; Ruff; Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalarope; and countless more!  The dikes will also play host to large waterbirds and ducks such as Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, dapper Wood Ducks or maybe even a regal Sandhill Crane. 

A Feather of a Different Color -Why Diversity Matters Beyond the Birds
Presented by: Dr. Drew Lanham
Date: Monday, May 7
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center 
Fee: $10 
Registration required
This will be a presentation about how birds and nature viewed through the lens of race and ethnicity can have an impact on birding and conservation. Drew will offer personal perspectives on why color should be a consideration in how we move forward to make sure that the conservation conversation is as diverse as the audience that it needs to serve.

Woodcock Extravaganza: Witness The Sky Dance
Sponsored by Birds & Blooms Magazine!
Date: May 5,6,7,8, & 9
Time: 8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Where: Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Fee: $5
Registration required
The Black Swamp Bird Observatory lies slap bang in the middle of a core area for American Woodcocks, and more importantly, is located within a known site for seeing their incredible courtship rituals. Participants on this walk are in for an evening of fun-filled fascination as we look into the bizarre lifestyle of these wonderful birds. We’ll split into two groups (limited to 10 people per group) and make the short walk to the territories of these shorebirds; then, we'll wait quietly to listen for their strange croaking calls. We’ll listen for the sound of the male's whirring wings as he takes to the skies above and rides the dusk sky in a ritual known as The Sky Dance.

 

May 8, 2012 - Tuesday

Oak Openings Preserve Guided Bus Trip, Bus #3
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Fee: $40 
Registration required
This trip to the Toledo Metroparks’ Oak Openings Preserve has become a HUGE hit, so this year we added 3½ more hours to allow more time to bird this unique area! Known for its oak savannahs and ancient sand dunes, expert guides will help you find an assortment of migrating warblers as well as locally rare breeders including Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. With the extra hours, we will also check out the nearby Kitty Todd and Irwin Prairie Nature Preserves. Bring a brown bag lunch or, if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room.

South Bay - Private Lands Guided Bus Trip, Bus #4
Date: May 4, 8, & 10
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port Clinton at 6:40 a.m.
Fee: $40
Registration required 
This trip will center on the Green Creek Hunt Club Marshes located along the upper reaches of Sandusky Bay. The property is permanently protected by a conservation easement held by Black Swamp Conservancy. Well known for large movements of landbirds along Green Creek and its associated swamp woods, this area also has a wide variety of wetlands and grasslands available to explore. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting other neighboring private holdings daily to provide for a great diversity of birds each trip. Green Creek is a fine example how hunt clubs provide great habitat, not only for waterfowl, but also amazing concentrations of songbirds and other wildlife.

Top Secret Locations! - Private Marsh Guided Bus Trip, Bus #5
Date: May 4, 8, & 10
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m. Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port Clinton at 6:40 a.m. 
Fee: $40
Registration required 
Our expert guides will blindfold you until we reach our destination (just kidding!) ;-) the guides will lead you through a variety of wetland, swamp forest, and grassland habitats as you explore these private properties for migrating songbirds, nesting specialties such as Bald Eagle, King Rail, Prothonotary Warbler, and a variety of marsh and waterbirds. 

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. 
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Kelleys Island Birding by Ferry
Date: Tuesday, May 8
Time: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: Departure and arrival from the Kelleys Island Ferry Dock
510 W Main St. (SR-163)
Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio 43440
Fee: $55 

The trip includes ferry fee, expert bird guides, island transportation and a buffet lunch. You will board the ferry by foot and must be able to carry all you will need during this excursion. Parking at the ferry dock is $8 and is on your own. The ferry dock is located 30 miles east of the Magee Marsh boardwalk or 11 miles east of Port Clinton.

Experience spring migration on the largest U.S. island in Lake Erie, used as a "stepping stone" by migrating songbirds. Bird your way across the Lake during the 25-minute ferry passage to the island, where you’ll be taken to your birding locations by an island tram. Before lunch you will bird the Glacial Grooves State Memorial area (the largest accessible Devonian limestone glacial grooves in the world). We will have lunch at the northwestern point of the island at Camp Patmos and will bird the Camp Patmos grounds and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Jones Preserve grounds on Long Point after lunch.

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Magee Marsh Boardwalk Guided Walks 
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13 
Time: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Where: West end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
The Magee Marsh Boardwalk has been dubbed “The Warbler Capital of the World” by Kenn Kaufman and with just a brief visit anytime in mid-May you will soon learn why. Warblers drip from the trees, many dangling invitingly at eye level in front of appreciative birders gathered on this well-maintained boardwalk, just off the southern shore of Lake Erie. Every day during the event a number of experienced guides will be leading walks from the western entrance of the boardwalk. Every day at 8am and 11am a number of guides will be waiting there to show you the delights within!

Digital Photography: The Basics
Presented by Kevin Loughlin
Date: Tuesday, May 8  
Time: 9:00 a.m. 
Where: Meet at Black Swamp Bird Observatory 
Fee:  $25
Limited to 10 participants
*Every participant will receive a copy of Kevin's brand new book: Digital Nature Photography 
Just got a new camera and don't know where to begin? Maybe you've had a camera for a while and just are not happy with your results? This class is open to beginners and intermediate photographers using ANY digital camera type. Professional photographer, instructor and international tour leader, Kevin Loughlin will answer many of your questions through discussion and hands-on activities during this fun opportunity to better understand the basics of digital photography.


FREE Songbird Banding & Migration Programs
Presented by the Black Swamp Bird Observatory
13551 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

May 5 & 8, 2012
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
at Black Swamp Bird Observatory

May 12, 2012 - International Migratory Bird Day
7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
at the west end of the Magee Marsh Boardwalk

These programs offer detailed information on the Observatory's migration studies, provide up close looks at beautiful spring warblers, thrushes, and vireos, and share more about the critical stopover habitat that the Lake Erie Marsh Region represents. Basic bird identification will be included, so bring your favorite field guide! The Observatory is proud to offer these educational programs FREE to the public; however, donations are always welcome and help support all the Observatory's research and education efforts! Join us for this unique birding opportunity!

On International Migratory Bird Day, Saturday, May 12, 2012, the Songbird Banding & Migration Program will be held in the BSBO tent adjacent to the west entrance to the Magee Marsh Boardwalk. On the other days, May 5 & 8, 2012, the program will be held at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, located at 13551 W State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449.


The Natural Splendor of Panamá!
Presented by Carlos Bethancourt  - Canopy Family
Date: Tuesday, May 8
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: FREE
Registration not required. Seating based on availability.
Panamá, though scarcely the size of South Carolina, but perfectly positioned as a narrow land bridge between North and South America, is blessed with an incredible natural beauty and biodiversity second to none. Over 975 bird species, hundreds of mammals, reptiles & amphibians, and a staggering 10,000 plants species have been recorded here. Join the knowledgeable and entertaining head guide of the Canopy Tower, Carlos Bethancourt, on a photographic journey across Central Panama, where myriad tropical birds, bizarre mammals and unusual reptiles and amphibians are seen in their natural setting! From Toucans to hummingbirds, Mouse Opossums to tongue-wielding Orange Nectar Bats, Carlos will keep you spellbound with his stories of discovery and vivid images. Come experience why Panamá is indeed the country of Natural Splendor!

Point and Shoot for Wildlife
Presented by Stephen Ingraham
Date: Tuesday, May 8
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10 
Registration required
With a spotting scope and a small, compact digital point & shoot camera you can take very satisfying images of wildlife of all kinds...full-frame, close-up images like you see in the magazines. Steve Ingraham, Birding and Observation Product Specialist for Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, will show you the easy, and relatively inexpensive, way to wildlife photography success. Point and Shoot for Wildlife. It is that simple.

Understanding What You See for Better Bird ID
Presented by Kenn Kaufman
Date: Tuesday, May 8
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10 
Registration required
Spring 2011 saw the publication of Kenn’s brand-new Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding. Despite the title, this book is definitely NOT just for “advanced birders” – it is designed to help birders at all levels of experience to increase their skill at bird ID. The basic point of the book is that learning to identify birds is not a matter of memorizing more field marks; rather, it relies on building up a better understanding of what we are seeing and hearing.

Drawing on key sections of the book, this program will give an overview of this approach, with surprising examples involving familiar birds. Kenn will show how to avoid being misled by tricky birds, and how a few basic and general ideas can make the identification of all birds less confusing and more fun.

Ottawa NWR Guided Shorebird Walk
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the Refuge parking lot 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
For those who feel intimidated by those confusing brown “peeps” or those mysterious gray sandpipers, these field trips will focus on the wetland and shorebirds within Ottawa NWR. This impressive refuge contains massive marshes, a multitude of dikes and swampy areas, and is a haven for waterbirds of all shapes and sizes. Shorebirds recorded during previous festivals included Marbled Godwit; White-rumped, Stilt, and Upland Sandpipers; Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers; Ruff; Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalarope; and countless more!  The dikes will also play host to large waterbirds and ducks such as Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, dapper Wood Ducks or maybe even a regal Sandhill Crane. 

A Taste of the Region
A FREE evening event filled with fun, food, music, and more! 
Date: Tuesday, May 8
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. 
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center
Fee:  FREE to festival attendees - Just show your Biggest Week name badge to get in
Biggest Week participants are invited to a very special evening featuring local food, beverage, and music. This special event will take place in the Lodge’s beautiful lounge and lobby area. Featuring “A Taste of the Region,” local restaurants will share samples of their tastiest dishes and drinks. Live music (something appropriate – not too heavy!) will help create the perfect atmosphere for this lovely evening!  Attendees can also browse the Birders’ Marketplace and bid on their favorite Conservation Auction items!

Woodcock Extravaganza: Witness The Sky Dance
Sponsored by Birds & Blooms Magazine!
Date: May 5,6,7,8, & 9
Time: 8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Where: Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Fee: $5
Registration required
The Black Swamp Bird Observatory lies slap bang in the middle of a core area for American Woodcocks, and more importantly, is located within a known site for seeing their incredible courtship rituals. Participants on this walk are in for an evening of fun-filled fascination as we look into the bizarre lifestyle of these wonderful birds. We’ll split into two groups (limited to 10 people per group) and make the short walk to the territories of these shorebirds; then, we'll wait quietly to listen for their strange croaking calls. We’ll listen for the sound of the male's whirring wings as he takes to the skies above and rides the dusk sky in a ritual known as The Sky Dance.

 

May 9, 2012 - Wednesday

• Your longest telephoto lens with teleconverters
  Tripod and head
• Flash kit- speed light, external battery pack and Fresnel lens (such as the Better Beamer) & preferably a bracket with off shoe flash cord to get the flash a little higher above the lens.  
• An intermediate telephoto lens that can be comfortably hand held in case the best photography is on the boardwalk where the birds can be in very close proximity
• Manual for your camera and flash
• Clothing and gear protection appropriate for the conditions
• Hopefully extra batteries and flash cards will be needed!

Magee Marsh Boardwalk Guided Walks 
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13 
Time: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Where: West end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
The Magee Marsh Boardwalk has been dubbed “The Warbler Capital of the World” by Kenn Kaufman and with just a brief visit anytime in mid-May you will soon learn why. Warblers drip from the trees, many dangling invitingly at eye level in front of appreciative birders gathered on this well-maintained boardwalk, just off the southern shore of Lake Erie. Every day during the event a number of experienced guides will be leading walks from the western entrance of the boardwalk. Every day at 8am and 11am a number of guides will be waiting there to show you the delights within!

Magee Marsh Bird Sits
Date: May 7 & 9
Time: 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area (Near the west end of the boardwalk. See the map (to the left) for the exact spot indicated with a red star.)
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
Designed for those with limited mobility—or those who just like to take a break and see what birds come to you—these Bird Sits will allow you to relax and enjoy the birds visiting the edge of the wood lot along the boardwalk. This edge habitat frequently offers some of the best birding in the area and we’ll have expert guides on hand to help you spot birds and tune your ears in to the fine art of birding by ear, too. We’ll post these group sit-ins in the grassy area near the west end of the Magee Marsh boardwalk. (See the map for the exact spot.)  Please bring your own chair, birding stool, or blanket to sit on. This area should be fine for those with wheelchairs or motorized carts.

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Birding the World's Ultimate Avian Country: Columbia
Presented by Forrest Rowland representing Rockjumper Birding Tours
Date: Wednesday, May 9
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: FREE
Registration not required. Seating based on availability
Colombia – the world’s ultimate birding country.  Boasting a world record bird list of 1,889 species, Colombia is a must-visit destination for every international birder. Forrest Rowland will take you through the reasons why Colombia is home to so many species, and whilst delighting you with fantastic images of Colombian birds, he will also explain how a birder should go about tackling this megadiverse country.

Bird-friendly Coffee: Shade the Coffee - Save the Birds
Presented by Representatives from the Birds & Beans - The Good Coffee Team
Date: Wednesday, May 9
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge 
Fee: FREE 
Registration required
For early morning birding, many of us rely on a jolt of coffee to get us going.  But we may not think about the fact that the kind of coffee we drink can have an impact on our birding, not just today, but for years to come. 

Coffee is a crop that can be grown in a variety of conditions in the American tropics.  It can be grown in full sun, with heavy chemical use, if you don’t care about the health of your farm workers or the taste of your coffee.  Or, it can be grown in the shade.  Under ideal conditions, where it is grown in the understory of native forest, the coffee farms can provide good jobs for local communities, can produce superior coffee, and can serve as wonderful habitat for resident and migratory birds.  Many of the spring migrants that we celebrate in northwest Ohio may have spent the winter on “Bird-Friendly” coffee farms.  Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman visited one such farm last winter, and in this program Kenn will describe the fascinating and inspiring story of how “the good coffee” is produced and how it benefits the birds and the birders.

Basics of Identifying Sparrows
Presented by Kenn Kaufman
Date: Wednesday, May 9
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10 
Registration required
The North American sparrows seem to create an unreasonable amount of confusion and difficulty for the average birder. This is partly because they are often hard to see, partly because there are so many species to choose among, and partly because their field marks for many of them seem to be so similar. A birder catching a glimpse of a sparrow may be at a loss to even begin to put a name on it. 
 
 The best approach to identifying sparrows doesn’t begin with field marks at all. In this program, Kenn will illustrate the importance of putting the sparrows into groups on the basis of their shapes, habitats, and behavior. Once a sparrow has been placed in the right group, it becomes much easier to narrow it down to species by looking at a few key field marks. By getting past the ID challenge, we can focus on the beauty of these subtle birds. 

Ottawa NWR Guided Shorebird Walk
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the Refuge parking lot 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
For those who feel intimidated by those confusing brown “peeps” or those mysterious gray sandpipers, these field trips will focus on the wetland and shorebirds within Ottawa NWR. This impressive refuge contains massive marshes, a multitude of dikes and swampy areas, and is a haven for waterbirds of all shapes and sizes. Shorebirds recorded during previous festivals included Marbled Godwit; White-rumped, Stilt, and Upland Sandpipers; Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers; Ruff; Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalarope; and countless more!  The dikes will also play host to large waterbirds and ducks such as Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, dapper Wood Ducks or maybe even a regal Sandhill Crane. 

Uncommon Facts about Common Birds 
Presented by Laura Erickson
Date: Wednesday, May 9
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center 
Fee: $10 
Registration required
For over a quarter of a century, Laura Erickson has been producing a radio program about birds, continually amassing interesting information about everyday birds. Did you know that chickadees replenish many of their brain neurons every fall, essentially deleting files they no longer need so their tiny brain can continue to process and remember important new information during a lifespan that can last longer than a decade? Why do many owls have crooked ears, one lower and more forward than the other? And if you have questions about the birds and the bees, you'll find out why Laura has been called the "Dr. Ruth of Ornithology."

Woodcock Extravaganza: Witness The Sky Dance
Sponsored by Birds & Blooms Magazine!
Date: May 5,6,7,8, & 9
Time: 8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Where: Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Fee: $5
Registration required
The Black Swamp Bird Observatory lies slap bang in the middle of a core area for American Woodcocks, and more importantly, is located within a known site for seeing their incredible courtship rituals. Participants on this walk are in for an evening of fun-filled fascination as we look into the bizarre lifestyle of these wonderful birds. We’ll split into two groups (limited to 10 people per group) and make the short walk to the territories of these shorebirds; then, we'll wait quietly to listen for their strange croaking calls. We’ll listen for the sound of the male's whirring wings as he takes to the skies above and rides the dusk sky in a ritual known as The Sky Dance.

 

May 10, 2012 - Thursday

Oak Openings Preserve Guided Bus Trip, Bus #3
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Fee: $40 
Registration required
This trip to the Toledo Metroparks’ Oak Openings Preserve has become a HUGE hit, so this year we added 3½ more hours to allow more time to bird this unique area! Known for its oak savannahs and ancient sand dunes, expert guides will help you find an assortment of migrating warblers as well as locally rare breeders including Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. With the extra hours, we will also check out the nearby Kitty Todd and Irwin Prairie Nature Preserves. Bring a brown bag lunch or if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room.

South Bay - Private Lands Guided Bus Trip, Bus #4
Date: May 4, 8, & 10
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m. Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port Clinton at 6:40 a.m.
Fee: $40
Registration required 
This trip will center on the Green Creek Hunt Club Marshes located along the upper reaches of Sandusky Bay. The property is permanently protected by a conservation easement held by Black Swamp Conservancy. Well known for large movements of landbirds along Green Creek and its associated swamp woods, this area also has a wide variety of wetlands and grasslands available to explore. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting other neighboring private holdings daily to provide for a great diversity of birds each trip. Green Creek is a fine example how hunt clubs provide great habitat, not only for waterfowl, but also amazing concentrations of songbirds and other wildlife.

Top Secret Locations! - Private Marsh Guided Bus Trip, Bus #5
Date: May 4, 8, & 10
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m. Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port Clinton at 6:40 a.m. 
Fee: $40
Registration required 
Our expert guides will blindfold you until we reach our destination (just kidding!) ;-) the guides will lead you through a variety of wetland, swamp forest, and grassland habitats as you explore these private properties for migrating songbirds, nesting specialties such as Bald Eagle, King Rail, Prothonotary Warbler, and a variety of marsh and waterbirds. 

Birding Point Pelee National Park, Ontario Canada
onboard the Jet Express
Date: Thursday, May 3 & 10 
Time: 7:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Departure and Arrival: 
Jet Express Dock
3 N. Monroe Street 
Port Clinton, OH 43452 
Fee: $85

***You must be a US or Canadian Citizen and have a current US or Canadian passport

Experience spring migration on the northern shore of Lake Erie! Many migratory birds use Point Pelee to rest and feed as they make their long migratory flight across the lake in route to their northern nesting grounds.  The Jet Express will take you and expert bird guides to Point Pelee National Park to look for migrating songbirds along the Pelee peninsula. Continental breakfast, shuttle service on the peninsula, park entry fee, and a box lunch are included in this guided excursion. So grab your binoculars and jet-away-with-us on this exciting birdwatching excursion!  Be sure to bring a backpack to carry your box lunch.

The Jet Express supports Black Swamp Bird Observatory by being a Birds & Business Alliance Partner!

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Magee Marsh Boardwalk Guided Walks 
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13 
Time: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Where: West end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
The Magee Marsh Boardwalk has been dubbed “The Warbler Capital of the World” by Kenn Kaufman and with just a brief visit anytime in mid-May you will soon learn why. Warblers drip from the trees, many dangling invitingly at eye level in front of appreciative birders gathered on this well-maintained boardwalk, just off the southern shore of Lake Erie. Every day during the event a number of experienced guides will be leading walks from the western entrance of the boardwalk. Every day at 8am and 11am a number of guides will be waiting there to show you the delights within!

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Belize Birding Bonanza
Presented by Keving Loughlin representing Wildside Nature Tours
Date: Thursday, May 10
Time: 11 a.m. - Noon 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: FREE 
Registration not required. Seating based on availability.
Belize is one of the most environmentally conscious countries in the Americas. Thanks in part to its small population, over 60% of its 8867 square miles have been protected. This protection has allowed the birds and wildlife to continue to flourish. Roughly the size of New Hampshire, over 600 bird species have been recorded within the Belize borders and along its 172 mile barrier reef!

Belize is the last Central American stronghold of the majestic Jabiru which nests in the savannas and wetlands of the north. Regional endemics such as Yucatan Jay, Yucatan Flycatcher and Yellow-lored Parrot may also be found in these rich savannas. The rare Orange-breasted Falcon and Stygian Owl can be found in the Maya Mountains alongside many of 'our' familiar northern migrants.

Nature photographer, Kevin Loughlin, has been leading tours to this beautiful gem since 1993... join him on this colorful and informative photographic journey of Belize!

Migration All Around Us: How Birds Navigate the Americas
Presented by Dr. Andy Jones
Date: Thursday, May 10
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge 
Fee: $10 
Registration required
For some five billion individual birds, an annual trip to Central or South America from North America is an absolute requirement, and a stunning annual accomplishment. Many perish during this migration. Why do birds undertake this costly annual trip? How do they manage to find their way to a wintering ground they have never seen before? This program will answer these questions, as well as detail how ornithologists study the phenomenon of migration. Dr. Andy Jones is Curator of Ornithology at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Identifying and Appreciating Spring Warblers
Presented by Kenn Kaufman
Date: Thursday, May 10
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge 
Fee: $10 
Registration required
Of the many birds present in northwest Ohio in spring, the warblers undeniably make up the centerpiece of the Biggest Week. This area is called the “Warbler Capital of the World” with good reason in the month of May, and most visiting birders will want to soak up the experience of the dizzying variety and dazzling colors and activity of these magical sprites.

Although many warblers are easier to identify in spring than in fall, they can still present some challenges, especially for new birders. In this presentation, Kenn will provide numerous tips on learning to identify the warblers in the field. He’ll also give an overview of the warbler family, including their impressive diversity, their surprising habits, their varied songs and calls, and their incredible migrations. The program should help you to identify warblers with more confidence and to enjoy them even more. 

May 11, 2012 - Friday

Oak Openings Preserve Guided Bus Trip, Bus #3
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Fee: $40 
Registration required
This trip to the Toledo Metroparks’ Oak Openings Preserve has become a HUGE hit, so this year we added 3½ more hours to allow more time to bird this unique area! Known for its oak savannahs and ancient sand dunes, expert guides will help you find an assortment of migrating warblers as well as locally rare breeders including Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. With the extra hours, we will also check out the nearby Kitty Todd and Irwin Prairie Nature Preserves. Bring a brown bag lunch, or, if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room.

The Big Day Bus Trip, Bus #4 & Bus #5
Date: May 5, 7, & 11
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m. 
Fee: $40 
Registration required
On your mark. Get set. BIRD! 
Do you have a competitive streak? Love a bit of fast-paced, exciting birding? Then this is your trip! Led by expert birders, we’ll send out two buses for a “friendly” competition to see which bus can spot the most species. These full-day trips will focus on the local birding hotspots depending on where the latest arrivals are. Did we say, “friendly?” That might change, considering that participants on the winning bus will receive prizes donated by our sponsors! ;-)  Bring a brown bag lunch, or, if you’re staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night before by visiting the dining room. 

Birding by Canoe -NEW TRIP FOR 2012!
Dates: May 7, 9, & 11
Time: 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. 
Where: Meet at the Sandusky County Park District office at 1970 Countryside Place in Fremont, Ohio 43420
Fee: $30 
*The Parks will provide the canoes and life vests. .
Canoe northwest Ohio's best kept secret—Green Creek. The creek meanders through two miles of habitat ideal for migrating warblers and flows into Mud Creek Bay, an arm of the larger Sandusky Bay. The property has a conservation easement with Black Swamp Conservancy and will eventually be deeded to the Sandusky County Park District. Led by Research Coordinator, Tom Kashmer, of the Sandusky County Park District, you will learn the history of this unique area. Expect to see more Bald Eagles than you will see all week, too! All this and we’ll still have you back in time to check out the daily action at the Magee Marsh boardwalk! 
***Proceeds from The Biggest Week canoe trips will benefit Sandusky County Parks, Black Swamp Conservancy, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory!

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. / Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Magee Marsh Boardwalk Guided Walks 
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13 
Time: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Where: West end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
The Magee Marsh Boardwalk has been dubbed “The Warbler Capital of the World” by Kenn Kaufman and with just a brief visit anytime in mid-May you will soon learn why. Warblers drip from the trees, many dangling invitingly at eye level in front of appreciative birders gathered on this well-maintained boardwalk, just off the southern shore of Lake Erie. Every day during the event a number of experienced guides will be leading walks from the western entrance of the boardwalk. Every day at 8am and 11am a number of guides will be waiting there to show you the delights within!

Local Hotspots - Half-day Guided Bus Trip, Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!) 
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. / Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for migrants in some of the lesser-known birding hotspots that all the local birders know about. Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting all these areas daily, and will take 13 lucky birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals. 

Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad & Tobago: Land of the Purple Honeycreeper, the Bearded Bellbird, the Scarlet Ibis, and the Six O'clock Rum Punch
Presented by Mark Heden representing Caligo Ventures
Date: Friday, May 11
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: FREE
Registration not required. Seating based on availability.
Located at 1,200 feet in the mountains of the Northern Range, seven miles north of the town of Arima, the Asa Wright Nature Centre (AWNC) is a world-class natural history destination for students of tropical ecology and is of particular interest to birdwatchers. The Centre’s main facilities are located on a former cocoa-coffee-citrus plantation, previously known as the Spring Hill Estate. This estate has now been partly reclaimed by secondary forest, surrounded by impressive rainforest, where some original climax forest on the steeper slopes have a canopy of 100-150 feet. The whole effect is one of being deep in tropical rainforest. 

A special attraction on the property is a breeding colony of the nocturnal Oilbird, or Guacharo (Steatornis caripensis). Located in Dunston Cave, a beautiful riparian grotto, it is perhaps the most easily accessible colony known for this remarkable species. Indeed, the World Wildlife Fund made a substantial contribution toward the establishment of the Centre in order to protect the colony. Join Mark to hear all about the center and all it has to offer.

Birding by Ear
Presented by Tom Hissong
Date: Friday, May 11
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge 
Fee: $10 
Registration required
Each spring birds present us with both a colorful feast for the eyes and a symphony of sounds for the ears. This workshop will “tune” in to the fascinating world of bird vocalizations. Learn how and why birds vocalize and how to improve your bird “listening” skills during the excitement of spring. Become familiar with some of the more common Ohio bird sounds.

Basics of Identifying Shorebirds
Presented by Kenn Kaufman
Date: Friday, May 11
Time: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: $10 
Registration required
The shorebirds – the sandpipers, plovers, and their relatives – include some of our most impressive migrants, traveling every spring from southern South America to the high Arctic, with many stopping over in northwest Ohio. Their elegant shapes and subtle patterns make them favorites of many birders. However, they can be very challenging to identify at times, especially for new birders. 
 
 In this program, Kenn will break down the challenge of shorebird ID 
to make it manageable. He will explain how to observe shorebirds in the field, what to look for first, how to understand the changing plumages of these birds, and how to avoid being misled by potential points of confusion. Finally, he will offer shortcuts to help name these birds quickly, so that we can spend our time enjoying these elegant migrants rather than puzzling over their identity.

Ottawa NWR Guided Shorebird Walk
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the Refuge parking lot 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
For those who feel intimidated by those confusing brown “peeps” or those mysterious gray sandpipers, these field trips will focus on the wetland and shorebirds within Ottawa NWR. This impressive refuge contains massive marshes and a multitude of dikes and swampy areas and is a haven for waterbirds of all shapes and sizes. Shorebirds recorded during previous festivals included Marbled Godwit, White-rumped, Stilt, and Upland Sandpipers, Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers, Ruff, Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalarope and countless more!  The dikes will also play host to large waterbirds and ducks such as Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, dapper Wood Ducks or maybe even a regal Sandhill Crane. 

A Night at the Movies: A special viewing of the movie
The Big Year!
Date: Friday, May 11
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. 
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center 
Fee: $10 
Registration required
Proceeds benefit the Ohio Young Birders Club!
In 2001, birders around the country celebrated the fact that birds & birding made it to Hollywood’s Big Screen when the book, The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession, by Mark Obmascik became a full-length feature film!  Directed by David Frankel, the movie stars Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. Ohio native Greg Miller was portrayed in the book and played by Jack Black in the movie.  Greg will be here with us to share his experiences on the movie set, what it was like to watch the movie for the first time in the theater, and life AFTER being portrayed in a Hollywood movie. 

 

May 12 2012 - Saturday
International Migratory Bird Day

Tom Bartlett’s Big Sit For Conservation - 18th Annual!
Date: May 12
Time: 5 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Where:  Magee Marsh Boardwalk (near the west end)
Fee:  FREE – But we hope you’ll consider making a donation!
Every year for the past 17 years, Tom Bartlett has conducted a Big Sit fundraiser for Black Swamp Bird Observatory’s (BSBO) education programs.  It’s part of our IMBD celebration! Tom and his wonderful crew of helpers are such a hoot to hang out with, and they’ll keep a tally board updated with sightings all day long! So stop by and visit, help Tom spot some birds, and make your pledge to support BSBO’s education programs!

Magee Marsh Boardwalk Guided Walks 
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13 
Time: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Where: West end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
The Magee Marsh Boardwalk has been dubbed “The Warbler Capital of the World” by Kenn Kaufman and with just a brief visit anytime in mid-May you will soon learn why. Warblers drip from the trees, many dangling invitingly at eye level in front of appreciative birders gathered on this well-maintained boardwalk, just off the southern shore of Lake Erie. Every day during the event a number of experienced guides will be leading walks from the western entrance of the boardwalk. Every day at 8am and 11am a number of guides will be waiting there to show you the delights within!


FREE Songbird Banding & Migration Programs
Presented by the Black Swamp Bird Observatory
13551 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

May 5 & 8, 2012
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
at Black Swamp Bird Observatory

May 12, 2012 - International Migratory Bird Day
7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
at the west end of the Magee Marsh Boardwalk

These programs offer detailed information on the Observatory's migration studies, provide up close looks at beautiful spring warblers, thrushes, and vireos, and share more about the critical stopover habitat that the Lake Erie Marsh Region represents. Basic bird identification will be included, so bring your favorite field guide! The Observatory is proud to offer these educational programs FREE to the public; however, donations are always welcome and help support all the Observatory's research and education efforts! Join us for this unique birding opportunity!

On International Migratory Bird Day, Saturday, May 12, 2012, the Songbird Banding & Migration Program will be held in the BSBO tent adjacent to the west entrance to the Magee Marsh Boardwalk. On the other days, May 5 & 8, 2012, the program will be held at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, located at 13551 W State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449.


Ohio Young Birders Club Guided Walk
Date: May 12
Time: 9 a.m. to ??
Where: Meet at the west end of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk
Fee: FREE
Young birders ages 12-18 are encouraged to join us on the famous Magee Marsh Boardwalk and other local birding hotspots to search for the most recent arrival of migrants in the area.

Book Signing at the West End of the Magee Boardwalk
Date: Saturday, May 12
Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: West end of the boardwalk in the BSBO tent
Kenn Kaufman, Jim Mollenkopf, Laura Erickson, and Greg Miller will be autographing books, and Nina Harfmann will be autographing copies of the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp at the BSBO tent near the west entrance of the Magee Marsh Boardwalk.

Ottawa NWR Guided Shorebird Walk
Date: Daily from May 4 – 13
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 
Where: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge – Meet in the Refuge parking lot 
Fee: Just show your BIGGEST WEEK name badge to participate!
For those who feel intimidated by those confusing brown “peeps” or those mysterious gray sandpipers, these field trips will focus on the wetland and shorebirds within Ottawa NWR. This impressive refuge contains massive marshes and a multitude of dikes and swampy areas and is a haven for waterbirds of all shapes and sizes. Shorebirds recorded during previous festivals included Marbled Godwit, White-rumped, Stilt, and Upland Sandpipers, Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers, Ruff, Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalarope and countless more!  The dikes will also play host to large waterbirds and ducks such as Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, dapper Wood Ducks or maybe even a regal Sandhill Crane. 

Pride in the Name of Birding
Presented by Kenn Kaufman
Date: Saturday, May 12
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center 
Fee: $12 
Registration required
Proceeds benefit the Donate The Guía Conservation Program
If you’re reading this, you probably know already that birding is exciting, fun, challenging, endlessly rewarding, and cool.  But you may have noticed that the general public thinks of birding in terms that are exactly the opposite. 

As a rabid kid birder, Kenn learned to ignore that public image.  But now he has a new suggestion:  don’t just ignore that negative image, challenge it!   This isn’t just a matter of self-esteem.  We live in an age when birds and their habitats need all the friends they can get.  And many people won’t take up birding because they’re scared away by that dorky stereotype.  To build support for the survival of birdlife, it’s time to exercise Birder Pride.   

We have good reason to be proud.  Did you know that Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Socrates, and Napoleon were all birders?  That Marco Polo, Robert Frost, and Lewis and Clark were all birders?  Did you know that birding played a role in the development of mathematics, philosophy, computer science, and rock & roll? Come along on Kenn’s fast-paced review of the world according to birders, and he promises that you’ll end up with a new sense of pride in our birding heritage. 

 

May 13, 2012 - Sunday