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Tom Bartlett's BIG SIT for BSBO Education

Each year in May, Tom Bartlett conducts a BIG SIT fundraiser to support BSBO’s education programs. Last year’s Big Sit Fundraiser was canceled due to Covid. But this year, it’s BACK and we need your help! Here’s how it works.

On Saturday, May 8, World Migratory Bird Day, Tom will spend 12 hours (5 a.m. to 5 p.m.) tallying the birds that he sees and hears at the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. You make a Big Sit donation or a pledge per bird species that Tom tallies that day. BSBO turns that support into ACTION, educating thousands of students every year!

This year we’ve set an ambitious goal of raising $25,000 and we can’t do it without you! Your BIG SIT support allows Black Swamp Bird Observatory to continue our dynamic education programs at NO COST to schools. We hope to resume our onsite programs this fall, and your support can help make that happen.

Our new website made possible
by the generous support of the Frederick S. Upton Foundation

Breaking News!

Safe & Sensational: The Biggest Week In American Birding Goes Virtual

With so much uncertainty surrounding the status of travel and in order to ensure the safety of everyone involved,
the 2021 Biggest Week In American Birding is going virtual!

Is it what we hoped for? ------> No.
Is it going to be sensational? ------> YES!

Not only will we bring you the kind of outstanding workshops and keynotes you've come to expect during Biggest Week, we're also going to bring you virtual experiences at some of your favorite birding hotspots in northwest Ohio (NWO).

If you can't come to us, we'll bring NWO Birding to YOU! Read more over at the Biggest Week website.

Change in the Status of the Magee Marsh Boardwalk

From the Ohio Division of Wildlife, if you have questions contact ODOW

LIMITED Spots Available for Entry to Magee Marsh Boardwalk During Spring Migration

COLUMBUS, Ohio – With the help and support of the Toledo Zoo, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is providing access to the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area boardwalk for select dates during the spring bird migration in May. Online registration for this opportunity opens Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 10 a.m.

To promote safety and social distancing, the Magee Marsh boardwalk is closed from Saturday, April 17, to Monday, May 31, except to those who hold a permit. Permits to access the boardwalk are available Friday through Monday, from April 30 to May 17. Birding times will begin each hour from 8 a.m. to noon and last two hours. Times will be filled through online registration on a first come, first served basis. Guests are asked to sign up for only one date and time slot throughout the duration of this time period.

Read the full statement over on the Biggest Week In American Birding website.

Biggest Week Shirts are now available on Bonfire!

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New Projects

Birds At Home
Virtual Learning Series

Join BSBO and our lineup of speakers for fun, informative, interesting, and uplifting virtual presentations and workshops - delivered to you in the comfort of your own home!

Learn More >

Young Birders Network

The BSBO team is working alongside a group of young birders to build the Young Birders Network, a new social network and resource for young birders across the globe.

Learn More >

Bird Migration Profiles

The culmination of over 30 years of banding data, BSBO's Bird Migration Profiles feature 100+ species and include id tips, photos, and easy to interpret timing graphs.

Learn More >

Support BSBO While YOU Shop

BSBO is part of the Amazon Smile program! Please use this link when making purchases, and Amazon will give 0.5% of the purchase price to BSBO!

If you shop at Kroger in the Columbus area and/or northern Ohio (excluding Springfield), we ask that you (and your family and friends) link your Kroger Plus cards to BSBO’s Kroger Community Rewards account, number BG821. All of the dollars you spend with Kroger throughout the year will help us be eligible for a quarterly contribution through this program. Click HERE to register your Kroger Card for BSBO!

Latest From Our Blogs

Tips for Hummingbird & Oriole Feeding

As we eagerly await the return of hummingbirds and orioles, here are some tips and recommendations for the best, safest feeders, and accessories.

Read More >

BSBO Blogs

Outreach and Education Blog

Bird Bander's Blog

Kenn Kaufman's Crane Creek - Magee Birding Blog

Conservation News

Conservation is at the heart of BSBO's mission. All of our projects and programs are designed to raise awareness and appreciation for birds and the importance of habitat conservation. We believe that connecting people to the joys of birding is the first step in building support for conservation; people care more about the things they love.

BSBO & ABC Statement on Recent Icebreaker Decision

At issue was a condition of the project’s approval that required “feathering,” or turning off, turbines at night eight months of the year. The feathering requirement, which has now been removed, was required to protect birds from collisions with turbines, unless and until post-construction studies could show that impacts to wildlife are within acceptable limits. In the months since the project was approved, supporters have mounted a campaign to pressure OPSB to remove this condition.

Read the full statement HERE.

BSBO Statement on Painting Wind Turbines Black

The highly skilled scientists on the BSBO Conservation Committee did a detailed analysis of the recent study, published by Ecology and Evolution, on painting one turbine blade black to see if it would prevent bird collisions.

Read BSBO's full statement HERE.

Bald Eagle Killed By Wind Turbine
Bowling Green, OH

Ohio’s first known death of a bald eagle by collision with the blades of a large wind turbine, which occurred near Bowling Green in January, raises serious questions about potentially legalized killings of eagles, according to the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, of Oak Harbor.

Details HERE.

Special Announcements

BSBO Nature Store Closed Until Further Notice

We are all adapting our lives to protect ourselves AND to protect others. BSBO is adapting, too. Our staff is working from home and our Nature Store is closed for in-person visits until further notice. Please follow our Facebook page and subscribe to our monthly eNews for announcements about reopening our center and the Nature Store. Be sure to check out our online Swamp Shop for all things BSBO, your favorite field guides, and the best bird swag!

Upcoming Events

5-6 thru 5-10-2021 The Biggest Week In American Birding

See More and Register >

More From Birds At Home

7-6-2021
Birding and Nature Exploration with Families