| PLEASE NOTE:
The GEM CITY BIRDERS meet on the 4th Tuesday of Oct., Nov., Mar., April, and May at the WEGERZYN GARDEN CENTER. The first half-hour is a social time with the regular meeting taking place from 7 to 9 P.M. PLEASE ENTER BY THE UPSTAIRS DOOR, RINGING THE DOORBELL IF NECESSARY!
All trips below are subject to change up to
the Thursday before. For information on any trip,
please call Nancy at (937) 278-4022.
SUN, SEPT. 22, 9:00 AM
SPRING VALLEY WILDLIFE REFUGE AREA
Our guides, Al Gulvas and Vince Joyce (278-7509), bird Spring Valley frequently because they think it’s the most nationally recognized IBA (Audubon’s Important Birding Areas) in the Miami Valley, especially for late fall warblers. They know it like the back of their hand. Join them at the lower parking lot. Afterwards, we’ll congregate in Waynesville’s Der Dutchman for lunch and good times.
TUES., SEPT. 25, NO MEETING
WEGERZYN GARDENS METROPARK
FRI., SEPT. 28, 6:30 P.M.
NIGHT HERON WATCH at ISLAND METROPARK
Bring a sack dinner, lawn chair, blanket, and binoculars for a visit to the south side of Island MetroPark. We’ll watch Black-Crowned and Yellow-Crowned Night Herons fly down the Great Miami River to feed below the falls near downtown Dayton. This walk was so successful with sightings as well as pleasant exchanges with fellow birders from Darke County that we had to do it again!! We may even sight Caspian Terns! Park south of Helena St atop the levy overlooking the river. Any questions, call Nancy, 278-4022.
SAT.-SUN., SEPT. 29-30, 10-5 AULLWOOD AUDUBON FARM
Visit the farm to delight in apple dumplings, apple flappens, and applesauce! You can even try your hand at peeling apples for apple butter or pedaling the cider press! Enjoy entertainment, art and craft exhibits and demonstrations--all at the Apple Fest!
*SAT., SEPT. 29, 8:00 AM ENGLEWOOD METROPARK
Meet Dayton Audubon’s Charlotte Mathena (433-2167) and Jennifer Monahan (435-0707) at the parking lot at the east end of the dam on US 40 between the airport and Englewood. Englewood MetroPark is a wonderful mix of river-bottom and upland woodlands and is one of the very best places to go birding. Depending on water levels, there could be some mud flats for some shorebird habitat.
*SAT., OCT. 6, 9:00 AM
C. J. BROWN RESERVOIR, SPRINGFIELD
Explore the Reservoir’s habitats including a deep-water lake, shallow inlets, beach, seasonal mudflats, as well as patches of woods and grasslands. Fall waterfowl, shorebirds, and a few late passerine migrants are all possible here near Springfield, maybe a Loon or a Franklin’s Gull. You are invited to join Dick Balk (886-0092) to look for a variety of species. Take I-70 east to US 68, then turn north to SR 344, east to SR 4, south to Croft Rd., east across the dam, to the state park entrance. Meet at the parking lot by the water north of the check-in station (north end of the beach).
SUN., OCT. 7, 8:30 AM
THE NARROWS NATURE RESERVE, BEAVERCREEK
Haven’t seen many warblers this season? Time to go to The Narrows—and it’s right around the corner! Join James Tarkany in the Center’s parking lot as he walks along the Little Miami River trail. Didn’t see a thrush last year, but saw a Magnolia, Black & White, Palm, and a Cape May! Will it be too late for a Nashville Warbler? Come along to see! Join us at a local restaurant for lunch as we put together our bird list.
*SAT., OCT. 13, 8:00 AM
CARRIAGE HILL METROPARK
Come to Carriage Hill MetroPark with its varied habitats, including a planted prairie, a boardwalk, small lake, and several wooded areas. Join Mike Coogan (438-5688), who covers this area for the Christmas Bird Count, for a leisurely amble along the well-kept trails. Directions: I-75 north, east on I-70 to SR201, north to park entrance on right. Follow park road to parking lot north of the road across from Visitor’s Center.
*SUN., OCT. 22, 8:30 AM
CAESAR CREEK LAKE
Join John and Karen Shrader (436-3664) at Caesar Creek State Park. Many birds have been sighted here. If the weather has cooperated, there could still be some southbound passerine migrants around in addition to the numerous local avian residents. Meet at the large beach parking lot where we’ll start. Directions: south on I-75 to SR 73, then east past Waynesville. Where the road widens to four lines (just before crossing the lake), turn left and follow the signs to the Beach.
TUES., OCT. 23, 6:30 social, 7 P.M. meeting
WEGERZYN GARDEN CENTER
WELCOME BACK TO OUR NEW BIRDING SEASON!! Join us to begin our new birding season with our members Dan and Pat Voydanoff, world travelers, who will share their photos of the recent birding trip to Ecuador. Rich in beautiful scenery and diverse in unique birdlife, this South American country is a most interesting region for any birdwatcher to explore.
SAT., OCT. 27, 9A.M.
EASTWOOD & HUFFMAN METROPARKS
Meet Vince Joyce (278-7509) & Al Gulvas at the park office building at Eastwood Lake to check out the early migration of ducks and waterfowl. We hope to see the Pintails and small ducks that will be starting to pass through our area. Bring your scopes, too, as we “wing it” along Rt. 4, checking out Huffman Dam as well. The park office can be reached from Rt. 4 North, exiting at Harshman Rd., taking the first right into the Eastwood Lake park.
SAT., NOV. 3, 7:30 A.M., then 9 to 4 P.M.
HAPPY BIRD DAY at AULLWOOD
Getting your feeders ready to feed the birds? Want to get out and enjoy the woods? You can do both as you enjoy Happy Bird Day at Aullwood Audubon Center. They will have their fall bird seed sale as well as bird-related hikes AULL DAY! Check out Chuck Gardner, Vince Joyce, and Riverdale Optimists members building bird houses. Our own Bill Landis has spent many hours preparing the wood. Bring your grandkids for the many hands-on activities! And try to make the 7:30 A.M. EARLYBIRD HIKE with Tom Hissong! Call Aullwood at 890-7360 for information and a schedule of the event.
SANDHILL CRANES, BIRDS AND MUSEUMS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO
November 9, 6 am, to November 11, 9 pm
Aullwood is planning this exciting 3-day trip by van to northern Indiana and Chicago to witness the passage of sandhill cranes on their annual journey south and to visit the world famous Field Museum in Chicago for a behind-the-scenes tour of their ornithology collections and research facility. We’ll meet a museum ornithologist and learn about the Field Museum’s work with birds, and visit a natural history art gallery to learn more about John James Audubon’s bird art. Cost: $475 for Aullwood members, $520 for non-members. Full payment must be made by Oct. 12. For more details, contact Tom at 890-7360.
SAT., NOV. 10, 8:30 A.M.
LIMA RESERVOIRS/LAKE ST. MARY’S
Dave Dister (855-3013) will meet us at the Museum’s Ridge Ave. parking lot for an all day trip to Lima Reservoirs, Grand Lake St. Mary’s, and the fish hatcheries. Sleet storms in the past have brought in rare birds. Dave promises Snow Buntings and maybe Scoters. Bring snacks to hold you over (and feed the drivers) until you have lunch at the Mexican restaurant.
THURS. & FRI. beginning NOV. 15
FEEDER WATCH, AULLWOOD AUDUBON CENTER
Help count the birds at Aullwood’s feeders while enjoying people, coffee, and donuts! This citizen science effort will send your feeder observations to Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s comprehensive database on world bird populations! All levels of birders welcome. BRING BINOCULARS and JUST SHOW UP from 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. on any of these dates: Nov. 15, 16, 29, 30; Dec. 13, 14, 27, 28; January 10, 11, 24, 25; February 7, 8, 21, 22, March 6, 7, 20, 21.
*SUN., NOV. 18, 9:00 A.M.
WHITEWATER STATE PARK, INDIANA
You just never know what will be seen on this end-of-the-season trip. It could be lots of waterfowl, a few early winter birds, some shorebirds, Black Vultures, or Sandhill Cranes. Over the years, Lee and Polly Hall (434-4531) have had all kinds of surprises here. Plan now to stay all morning—bringing a picnic lunch with you, and, since it is well into Fall, bring a jacket in case the weather is a bit brisk! If you want to come for great birds AND fellowship, this is the trip for you! Take SR 725 west to Indiana 44 to Liberty, Indiana. Then go south on Rt. 101 to the state park sign. Meet at the park entrance. See you there?
SUN., NOV. 25, 9 AM
CAESAR CREEK LAKE STATE PARK BEACH
Getting anxious to spot some unusual birds to add to your list? Join James Tarkany at the beach parking lot of this large state park to find them. We hope to spot some Pine Siskins and Pipits! Directions: south on I-75 to SR 73, then east past Waynesville. Where the road widens to four lines (just before crossing the lake), turn left and follow the signs to the Beach.
TUES., NOV. 27, 6:30 social, 7 P.M. MEETING
WEGERZYN GARDEN CENTER
Alaska, a state nearly 16 times larger than our own, is a land of incomparable vistas and magnificent wildlife. Join Tom Hissong, Aullwood’s Education Coordinator, as he recounts his recent trip to the “Land of the Midnight Sun.” He will share beautiful color images and his impressions of the many special places he encountered, including Fairbanks, Denali NP, the Kenai Peninsula, Seward, Homer, and Anchorage. Tom will focus on Red-necked Grebes, Willow Ptarmigan, Horned Puffins, Red-faced Cormorants, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and more.
WED., DEC. 20, 6:30 P.M., CHRISTMAS PARTY
WEGERZYN GARDEN CENTER
(NOTE: This is not our regular day.) Once again we come together to chat, relax, and share memories of happenings along the birdwatching trail. If you like camaraderie, come to our Christmas Carry-In Dinner! Just bring a covered dish, along with your own table service. There will be hot cider, door prizes, seasonal music, and lots of good friends. Don’t forget to bring a used, unwrapped, nature-related gift that can be auctioned off for Wegerzyn’s youth programs. Hope you’ll be there!
*SUN., DEC. 30
83rd DAYTON AUDUBON SOCIETY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Our local bird count is part of a national tradition designed to record long-term trends in winter bird populations. Every year a few really good birds show up to add lots of excitement to our task of counting common winter species. Plan to join the count. As it gets closer to Christmas and you need more information, check the Dayton Daily News for dates, leaders, meeting places and the compilation meeting; or call Sue Tackett (439-3799).
TUES., JANUARY 1, 9:00 A.M. to NOON
SPRING VALLEY WILDLIFE REFUGE
Welcome to the OH-OH-EIGHT BIG BIRD DAY where you may begin your 2008 bird list! Tom Hissong will meet you at the Spring Valley Wildlife Refuge parking lot. Join us for lunch! Happy Bird Day!!
TUES., JANUARY 22, NO MEETING
WEGERZYN GARDEN CENTER
SAT., JANUARY 19, 9:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.
WINTER BIRD I.D. WORKSHOP
Tom Hissong offers this Aullwood workshop to sharpen your bird ID skills and to study avian behavior, whether you’re starting out or are an experienced birder. The program will begin with an indoor session that will review basic natural history, field ID, and vocalizations of Ohio’s most common winter birds. Then we’ll migrate to Spring Valley Wildlife Area in Greene County for some outdoor bird watching. Bring a bag lunch and binoculars. Dress for the weather! Cost: $25 for Aullwood members, $35 for non-members. Call Tom at 890-7360 for information or to register.
OHIO’S HAWKS AND OWLS WORKSHOP
February 7, 7-9:30 pm, at Aullwood; February 9, field trip, 7 am-9pm
This workshop will explore the field ID and natural history of Ohio’s hawks and owls. A slide lecture, display of specimen, and a chance to meet Aullwood’s beautiful red-tailed hawk, will help participants gain a greater appreciation for these beautiful birds of prey. Hands-on activities will include dissecting an owl pellet. A field trip will be taken to Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area near Kenton, Ohio, to observe them. Cost: $50 for Aullwood members, $100 for non-members. For more information, contact Tom at 890-7360.
BIRD TRIP TO THE EVERGLADES AND SOUTH FLORIDA
Escape the cold, gray, wintry landscape of Ohio with Tom Hissong and Charity Krueger as these Aullwood naturalists explore the natural history of warm South Florida. This is an excellent time to study the bird life of Sanibel Island, Lake Okeechobee, Big Cypress Preserve, among others! We hope to see Pelicans, Anhinga, Tricolored Herons, Little Blue Herons, Reddish Egrets, Great Egrets, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills, Limpkins, Purple Gallinules, Bald Eagles, Snail Kites, Osprey, Crested Caracara, Smooth-billed anis, Loggerhead Shrikes, Painted Buntings, and many others. Call Tom at 890-7360 for information or to register.
* Sponsored by the Dayton Audubon Society
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