The Bird-a-thon is back!
May 19th (5 p.m.) -20th (5 p.m.), 2023
The Bird-a-thon is a 24 hour avian survey that takes place on public lands in both Marion and Morrow Counties during the peek of Ohio’s neo-tropical warbler migration.
Black and White Warbler
Simply put, we are going to be visiting your local parks to count and record the different types of birds we are spotting and we want you to join us!
The goal of the Bird-a-Thon is to empower and encourage our community to get involved in wildlife research and conservation. The data from this bird count will be added to a trove of count information collected internationally to determine species health, number and migration habits. The more we understand about birds, the better we can protect them.
We want to thank our Partnering Parks and Organizations for supporting this event and forwarding efforts in citizen science and avian research.
Headwaters Outdoor Education Center
There are two ways to participate…
Non-Competetive
Our Bird-a-thon hike series aims to serve as an introduction to birding for the novice, as well as, an opportunity for experienced birders to connect. Each hike will be led by a naturalist that will share their personal knowledge, tips and tricks for spotting and identifying. All ages are welcome and there is no fee to participate.
Each hike will begin with a short orientation of the tools and technologies of the trade, including the use of binoculars, field guides, the Merlin Mobile App (free) and the eBird Mobile App (free). We encourage participants to bring along their own binoculars and/or spotting scopes, however, binoculars will be available at the event. Participants are not required to download the apps mentioned above. Please dress for the weather and bring plenty of water.
These treks will last approximately 1 hour in duration and will include walking a variety of terrain. Our recommendations for participants interested in the most accessible trails are the paved Marion Tallgrass Trail and the 17.4 acre Maxwell Park in Cardington.
The hike schedule is as follows…
Canceled
Friday, May 19th
5:00 p.m. - Mount Gilead State Park, ODNR
(Meredith Cameron, Naturalist - Mount Gilead State Park)
7:00 p.m. - Gleason Family Nature Preserve, Morrow County Park District
(Mia Shotwell, Naturalist - Headwaters Outdoor Education Center and Tyler Butler - Naturalist, ECO Center LLC)
11:00 p.m. - Headwaters Outdoor Education Center, Morrow County Soil and Water District
(Mia Shotwell, Naturalist - Headwaters Outdoor Education Center)
Saturday, May 20th
8:00 a.m. - Marion Tallgrass Trail, Marion County Park District
(James Anderson, Naturalist - Marion County Park District)
10:00 a.m. - Terradise Nature Center
(Tyler Butler, Naturalist - ECO Center LLC)
12:00 p.m. - Maxwell Park, The Village of Cardington
(Tyler Butler, Naturalist - ECO Center LLC)
2:00 p.m. - Sheedy Sanctuary, Morrow County Park District
(Mia Shotwell, Naturalist - Headwaters Outdoor Education Center and Tyler Butler - Naturalist, ECO Center LLC)
4:00 p.m. - Headwaters Outdoor Education Center, Morrow County Soil and Water District
(Mia Shotwell, Naturalist - Headwaters Outdoor Education Center)
Competetive Birding
Competitive birding will take place over the same 24 hour period as the hike series posted above, birding may only take place at participating parks and all posted park rules MUST be observed. Please stay on the trails, pack out and exit the parks at appropriate times.
Our opportunity for a Park After Dark this year will be provided by the Headwaters Outdoor Education Center at 11:00 p.m. on Friday the 19th.
American Goldfinch
Individuals of the team with the most species identifications will receive an Enamel Bird Pin of their choice from the Bird Collective.
Teams will register from this page prior to May 19th and will consist up 2-6 individuals. Teams are free to move about locations at their leisure and may count as many, or as little, locations as they see fit. You do not need dedicate all 24 hours to the Bird-a-thon to participate. This side of the count is self guided and dependent on the “Honor System.”
In order to make a positive identification two or more birders must have their eyes on the bird and agree upon the species seen.
Submit a list for each new location surveyed through eBird (free). This can be done through the mobile app or by keeping a written list of the birds found and submitting a list through the desktop version of the site once finished. Only one participant should submit a checklist for each spotting trip.
Use of the eBird Mobile Application:
Open the eBird Application and create a profile
Download the “Ohio, US” Birdpack
Once you’ve arrived at a participating park tap “Start Checklist”
Add your observations by scrolling through the list and/or searching birds by name, tap “+” to add the bird to your list
When finished tap “Stop”
Tap “Choose a Location” if necessary and use the apps auto-location feature
Select what type of birding took place (Stationary or Traveling)
Tap the “Observers” window to add participants
In the “Comments” section add your team name and the name of the park you performed you count at. (Ex. The Bird Brains, Terradise Nature Center)
Tap “Submit”
*Share your checklist for each location with out.tb.door@gmail.com
Use of the eBird Desktop Site:
Open the eBird Desktop site and create a profile (www.ebird.org)
In the upper, right-hand corner you will see a “Submit” option in the tool bar
Choose your location
Add a date and time spent at the location you chose on the previous page
Select what type of birding took place (Stationary or Traveling ~ estimate the distance traveled)
Add your party information
Comment your team name and the name of the park you performed you count at. (Ex. The Bird Brains, Terradise Nature Center)
Add your observations by scrolling through the list and/or searching birds by name
Click “Submit”
Repeat these steps for each count
*Share your checklist for each location with out.tb.doors@gmail.com