March

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 

“Nature Preserves & Birds in Northeast Ohio”
Presented by David Kriska and Eddie Dengg

Birders in the Cleveland area (and anyone who appreciates nature!) are lucky that far-sighted people have protected a wonderful range of rare natural areas. For instance, the Western Reserve Land Conservancy (which works to protect the scenic beauty, rural character and natural resources of northern Ohio, and the state’s largest land trust) has preserved more than 250 properties and more than 20,000 acres. Many of the WRLC areas are critical bird habitat, and open to birders. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Natural Areas Program now comprises 37 nature preserves and 4,781 acres that contain unique natural communities, such as hemlock northern hardwood forest, Lake Erie island alvar, fossil dune ridge, marshes, swamps and glacial wetlands. They protect 110 state-listed plant species and 90 state listed or rare fauna, and provide critical habitat for migratory and rare nesting birds. Together, they represent the remarkable biological diversity that was once widespread throughout the region.

About David . . .
David Kriska is the Biodiversity Coordinator at the Center for Conservation & Biodiversity, Natural Areas Division, of The Cleveland Museum of Natural

History. David conducts breeding bird surveys on Museum preserves to track the status of our regions rarest breeding birds. Eddie Dengg is Western Reserve Land Conservancy's Biodiversity Specialist and lead negotiator on land acquisitions.  He has helped make northern Ohio a better place to live through nearly two decades of work in conservation and outdoor recreation.  Before joining the Land Conservancy, Dengg was Executive Director of Grand River Partners, Inc., worked as the park Botanist at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and is a past President of the Ohio Invasive Plants Council.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area
See van trips for description and times.

Saturday, March 27, 2009
Shreve Migration Sensation
7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Shreve Elementary School
598 North Market Street (State Route 226),
Shreve, Ohio 44676
Kenn Kaufman will be speaking
For information visit: http://www.valkyrie.net/~rehmje/migration/


 

April

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
“Four decades of Change: Northern Alaskan Seabirds Respond to a Rapidly Melting Arctic”
Presented by George Divoky

George has spent 35 years studying arctic seabirds off northern Alaska witnessing major changes in the avifauna and marine and coastal habitats of the region. Warming-induced changes in snow have affected a number of the region’s marine birds by causing rapid changes in the distribution and abundance of their nest sites, prey, competitors and predators.  Divoky's annual observations from his research island provide evidence of the rapid rate of change occurring at northern latitudes.

About George Divoky . . .
George Divoky was raised in Cleveland and his interest in birds began on the trails of Shaker Lakes and North Chagrin Reservation.  He has worked in the arctic Alaska since 1970 studying the marine birds of the region.  Divoky obtained his doctorate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is now director of Friends of Cooper Island, a nonprofit dedicated to continuing his three-decade study of Black Guillemots and informing the public of his findings. He is one of the founders of the Pacific Seabird Group, an international society of professional ornithologists and conservationists studying and protecting the marine birds of the Pacific Basin. When not in Alaska he lives in Seattle where he has a 19-year-old son.
 

Saturday, April 24 at 8:00 a.m.
Station Road,
Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Leader: Dwight Chasar
Target Species:  Cerulean and Yellow-throated Warblers and migrants.

Directions: I—77 South to Exit 149A, State Route 82 East (Royalton Road). Continue east on State Route 82, crossing State Route 21 (Brecksville Rd). Go right (south) at Riverview Road and left (east) at entrance to Station Road at bottom of hill.

 
 

May

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

“A Shade-grown Coffee Future”
Presented by Paul Baicich

You've probably heard about the links between birds and shade-grown coffee. Some coffees threaten the lives of birds; some coffees can actually benefit birds. And millions of coffee-drinkers can make the difference.  In this talk we will take a journey to visit vital points of intersection, a crossroads for birds, agriculture, and people. Here, Paul Baicich explores the shade-coffee/birds connection, focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean and “our” birds which migrate to the Neotropics. You will leave this presentation with a greater appreciation of the issues and the ability to explain the coffee-and-bird issue to birding and non-birding friends alike!

About Paul J. Baicich . . .
Paul has been an active birder since his early teens in New York City.  A former employee of the American Birding Association, he edited 14 of their "ABA Birdfinding Guides," edited Birding, ABA's bi-monthly magazine, and served as ABA's Director of Conservation and Public Policy.

His concerns include an abiding interest in bird conservation and studies in the breeding biology of North American birds.  In this last regard, he has co-authored (with the late Colin Harrison) A Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds (1997). Paul also has co-led a number of birding tours and workshops to Alaska.  These Alaska destinations include the Aleutians, the Pribilofs, the Seward Peninsula, and St. Lawrence Island.

Among his many other activities, he has been working for the National Wildlife Refuge System on a consultant basis on issues of popular birding and parallel refuge receptiveness. In addition, Paul co-edits (with Wayne Petersen) the popular monthly Birding Community E-bulletin.

 
Saturday, May 1 at 8:00 a.m.
Tuscarawas Meadow Area,
Firestone Metropark, Summit County

Leader: Ed Pierce
Target Species: Spring Migrants (always great warbler numbers, and much more!)

Directions: Take I-77 to I-76 near Akron to I-277 East/US Route 224 East. Exit at South Main Street, turning right (south) and continue for approximately one mile, Turn left (east) on Warner Road, left again on Harrington Road and immediately left into the Tuscarawas Meadow's parking lot.

Notes: Bring something for potluck brunch at home of Ed and Cheryl Pierce immediately following walk (their home is adjacent to the park)