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IMPORTANT LINKS

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Black Swamp Bird Observatory &
​American Bird Conservancy
Statement on the 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.
Kimberly Kaufman, Executive Director for Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO), provides additional context: "While on the surface this decision by the OPSB appears to be a setback, we feel we can rely on the strength of the Avian and Bat Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Revised Stipulations to adequately protect the interests of birds and bats without imposing the default mitigation method of feathering. This presupposes a genuine faith in the administration of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to uphold the MOU and the Revised Stipulations, for which we hope we will not be disappointed."

Read the full statement HERE.

BSBO Statement on
​Painting Wind Turbine Blades 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. 

BSBO is proud to announce our ALL NEW
Birds at Home Virtual Learning Series! 

Although the way we gather has changed, we can still come together virtually to celebrate birds, birding, and bird conservation. Join BSBO and our outstanding lineup of speakers for fun, informative, interesting, and uplifting presentations and workshops - delivered to you in the comfort of your own home!

                                 Click HERE to learn more! 

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area update:

- To allow for controlled hunting, the Magee Marsh entrance road will periodically close past the Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center from September 28 - December 19. 
- Access to the beach and boardwalk areas will be available on Saturdays after 3 p.m. through sunset on Sundays with exceptions of October 3-4 and November 21-22. Those two weekends the road will remain closed past the Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center.
- The road will also open up on October 24 at 3 p.m. and remain open until November 1 around sunset.

BSBO SUBMITS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED TAKE PERMIT FOR OHIO WIND PROJECT

The BSBO Conservation Committee submitted detailed comments on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed Incidental Take Permit for the Hog Creek Wind Facility in Hardin County. Read our full comments, HERE. 

BALD EAGLE KILLED BY WIND TURBINE
​IN BOWLING GREEN, OHIO 

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.
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The death of the eagle occurred Jan. 17 at a four-turbine complex in Wood County in northwest Ohio, and remains under federal and state investigation. Eagles are strictly protected both by the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act as well as state laws.

Details HERE!

The BSBO team is thrilled to introduce a fun and exciting new online education series...

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Click the image and head on over to begin Birding at Home!
Each month, the BSBO research and education teams will hide several
bird images throughout various websites. 

Your job as a field assistant ​is to locate every bird, collect and record several data points, and submit your research for analysis.

VISIT COLOMBIA / HELP BSBO / GO BIRDING WITH KENN & KIMBERLY KAUMFAN AND SABRWING NATURE TOURS!

Colombia Adventure:
Santa Marta and Central Highlands Extension  with Kenn and Kim Kaufman

Main Tour: January 23 - 31, 2021
Extension: January 31 - February 6, 2021

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to explore Colombia
with the Kaufmans!
Go HERE for the detailed itinerary and more details! ​​
Colombia is one of the most exciting countries in South America for birding, and for this trip we have special guest leaders! Join Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman as we raise funds for Black Swamp Bird Observatory while visiting the incredible Santa Marta region of Colombia.

​ Throughout the tour, we’ll visit a variety of elevations and habitats which is sure to lead to a long and diverse list of species including many Colombian endemics.

TWO WAYS TO HELP BSBO
​WHILE YOU SHOP

If you shop in a 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! 
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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! 
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 in addition to postponing the Biggest Week until 2021, we've suspended our spring songbird research operation, and our Nature Store is closed until further notice. Please follow our Facebook page and subscribe to our monthly eNews for announcements about reopening our center and the Nature Store. ​