Birds at Home Public Recordings

Thank you to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife for further enriching BSBO's Birds at Home Virtual Learning Series. This exciting new partnership not only highlights the incredible work of the division, but also adds another level of expertise to our amazing lineup of presenters and topics.

From Renovation to Education: Unpacking BSBO's Future Plans

Presented by BSBO Executive Director Kimberly Kaufman

Northwest Ohio Birding Hotspots

Presented by BSBO Board Member Rob Ripma of Sabrewing Nature Tours

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration

Presented by Coralie Rossbach

The Biggest Week In American Birding: Celebrating 15 Years of Birding at its Best!

Presented by Black Swamp Bird Observatory Executive Director Kimberly Kaufman, BSBO Communications Director and Festival Coordinator Tyler Ficker, and BSBO Outreach Director Jasmine Cupp

Waves of Spring Migration

Presented by Ryan Jacob

Spring migration… a series of random arrivals or a predictable cycle? In this presentation, Ryan will reveal the underlying science behind spring songbird migration and what makes Northwest Ohio the “Warbler Capital of the World.” Magical and seemingly mysterious, migration only becomes more intriguing with every layer that’s unveiled.

With over 30 years of bird banding data from Ohio’s Lake Erie Marsh Region, BSBO’s research team has pioneered the “wave theory” and transformed birding strategies along the lake shore. The “waves” of Neotropical migrants will be brought to life through vibrant imagery and informative graphs (who doesn’t love graphs!), with the timing of their passage through this region mapped out with surprising accuracy. If you have a nemesis, one species, or a whole family that’s special to you, this is your chance to uncover their scheduled arrival.

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About The Biggest Week In American Birding

Presented by Kimberly Kaufman, Jasmine Cupp, and Tyler Ficker

Join Black Swamp Bird Observatory staff Kimberly Kaufman, Jasmine Cupp, and Tyler Ficker for this Birds at Home Virtual Learning Series program about The Biggest Week In American Birding.

The Biggest Week In American Birding is a 10-day birding festival that celebrates spring migration in northwest Ohio - The Warbler Capital of the World! This program will cover the history of Biggest Week, its importance to northwest Ohio, memories of Biggest Week's past, and sneak peeks at the upcoming 2024 festival!

Mental Health and the Restorative Power of Nature

Presented by Jasmine Cupp

Getting fresh air, feeling the sun, and listening to birds seems to lift our spirits. It’s no accident that humans can feel refreshed by being immersed in nature. Join Black Swamp Bird Observatory’s Jasmine Cupp for a candid talk about mental health and the restorative power of nature. Learn about nature therapy and the science behind what it does to our minds and bodies.

Tick Talk

Tim McDermott of OSU Extension

Ohio is on the front lines of tick and tick-vectored disease expansion going from one tick of medical importance to humans, companion animals, and livestock twenty years ago to five now, including adding two new ticks in the past few years. Come learn the state of ticks in Ohio and how you can keep yourself, your family, and your animals tick safe.

Tim McDermott has been with OSU Extension for the past 8 years after twenty years in veterinary private practice medicine and surgery. He lectures from locally to internationally on ticks, tick-vectored disease and how you can keep yourself, your family, and your animals tick-safe.

Please CLICK HERE take this short survey about Tim's presentation when you complete the video!

Costa Rica: Volcanic Highlands and Caribbean Lowlands

Join BSBO Education Director Becca Mathews and BSBO Communications Specialist and Sabrewing Nature Tour Guide Tyler Ficker as they take you on a virtual tour of Costa Rica and its birds!

Becca represented BSBO on a Sabrewing Nature Tours FAM trip alongside Tyler who also guides part-time for Sabrewing. Short for Familiarization, FAM trips in the tourism industry represent an opportunity for individuals to experience firsthand how a tour company operates their trips. This trip specifically was focused on highlighting Sabrewings Fundraising Tours for not-for-profit organizations. These trips provide the opportunity for organizations to host a wonderful birding trip while raising money for their mission.

Hammer Heads: The Wonderful World of Woodpeckers

Observant, bold, and personable, woodpeckers are one of the first group of birds to enter our lives and inhabit our yards. Woodpeckers often begin our journey into bird identification with their recognizable shape and behavior, and their resident nature keeps them close to our homes for year-round observation (sometimes a little too close!)

In this workshop we'll explore the woodpeckers that call the Midwest home, offering identification tips, clarification on some of those odd names, and ways to attract these charismatic birds to your yard.

Indigenous Connections to the Birds

Alyssa Bardy will give a presentation on some Haudenosaunee teachings of the birds and the interconnectedness between birds and culture. She will share stories of birds from her nation and describe how the birds have offered her a link to reconnect with her Indigenous roots.

Alyssa is a Cayuga woman currently residing in Kenhte:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) with her children and partner. Alyssa is rarely found without her children, binoculars, dogs and camera. Examples of her work can be found in Canadian Geographic, The 400 Years Project, and the Center for Humans and Nature among many others.

In Owl Seriousness:
Let's Talk About Owls

Join Ryan Jacob, BSBO Staff Ornithologist, and Jasmine Cupp, Outreach Director, for a talk all about owls - What makes owls unique, owl identification, and owl ethics!

Click here to be directed to downloadable free owl sounds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Macaulay Library.

Exploring Fall Warblers

Silently streaming across the landscape in subtle garb, the passage of fall warblers can often be an overlooked and underappreciated experience. In contrast to the flashy and frenetic excitement of spring, fall is the perfect time to slow down and spend some quality time with this exquisite group of birds as they journey south. Fall warblers may present some challenges, but with a bit of patience and identification tips, you may find a whole other season to fall in love with warblers.

The Crown Jewel of Birding: History of the Magee Marsh Boardwalk

Presented by BSBO Research Director Mark Shieldcastle

Every spring and fall, millions of feathered marvels and tens of thousands of human followers migrate to the shores of Lake Erie. Here they gravitate to a small seven-acre span of old beach ridge to stage an annual gathering that has continued for millennia for the feathered avian hordes and decades for their followers. This presentation will delve into the history of the area, why it has become the epicenter of birding in the region, and its ecological niche both locally and continentally. Join us as we take a look from the bird’s perspective and our own curiosity of our environment and the joy it brings us.

Sandhill Crane Recovery and Current Status in Ohio with Laura Kearns of the Ohio Division of Wildlife

Sandhill Cranes, currently listed as state threatened, have made a tremendous recovery in Ohio, and the region, since they returned to the state as breeders in 1987. This talk will include an overview of Sandhill Crane biology and life history, and provide an update of the current population status and extent in Ohio.

Getting to Know the Bats of Ohio with Keith Lott of the US Fish and Wildlife Service

This talk is a review of the bat species that occur in Ohio and some of the research that is being conducted within the state. In addition, we’ll be discussing acoustic monitoring, community science opportunities, and what the public can do to support bats.

Northern Bobwhite: Life on the Edge with Joseph Lautenbach of the Ohio Division of Wildlife

The Northern Bobwhite is a charismatic upland bird and appreciated by many Americans. This species relies on grasslands, shrublands, and savannahs throughout the eastern United States. Learn about the biology, management, and conservation of the Northern Bobwhite, with a focus on bobwhite in the Midwest.

Native Landscaping for Birds and Other Wildlife Species with Jamey Emmert of the Ohio Division of Wildlife

Would you like to make your yard more attractive to birds through natural means? Then join the Ohio Division of Wildlife for a virtual presentation by Jamey Emmert, ODNR Division of Wildlife Communication Specialist. Participants will learn which native plants are most inviting to birds and other wildlife but also suitable for your space and needs. Jamey will also share a few landscaping tips that will help promote sustainable habitat for a variety of species.

Ecology and Conservation of Grassland Birds with Joseph Lautenbach of the Ohio Division of Wildlife

A grassland bird is a species that relies on extensive open, upland habitat. Birds dependent on grassland systems are extremely varied and include raptors, shorebirds, and many passerines. Unfortunately, grassland birds have experienced extensive declines throughout North America. Learn about the ecology and conservation of this unique suite of species.