A tale of two warblers…

This fall, on October 3, our banding research team recaptured a Blackpoll Warbler almost a year to the day that they originally banded and aged it as a hatching-year. If we average out where this bird hatched (Blackpolls breed throughout most of Canada and Alaska) and where it wintered (northern South America), since hatching in 2024, we estimate that this bird had already flown more than 11,000 miles! All in the first year and a half of this small bird’s life.

Blackpoll Warbler banded October 2, 2024 Recaptured October 3, 2025Astonishing enough that the story could end right there, right? But it doesn’t. In fact, it reminds us of another time and another extraordinary little bird with its own remarkable story to tell. 

Read more HERE.

BSBO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

All donations are secure through PayPal

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General Donation

Unrestricted funds for operating costs are the most difficult funds for a nonprofit to come by. ​Your general donation is incredibly helpful for BSBO.  You may also send a check to BSBO *13551 West St. Rt. 2* Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

​Join our Frequent Flier Program! Monthly giving through our Frequent Flier Program is a great way to support BSBO.  
This option will donate your chosen amount every month until you decide to cancel the payments. Please use the drop-down menu through the button to select your amount, and then click the PayPal button.

Education Center

​The generosity of BSBO members and donors helped make the building possible. We're still raising funds to purchase equipment to help us reach its full potential. 

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BSBO Memberships
& Gift Memberships

Joining the BSBO team by becoming a member is a great way to support BSBO's work and stay in touch with our mission. In return, we offer our members the reward of knowing that you're supporting a good cause, plus the following membership perks for YOU:

• Discounts in our gift shop
• FREE registration for our wonderful Birds at Home Virtual Learning Series (including exclusive access to all of the archived program videos!)
• Discounted Biggest Week In American Birding registration
• and more! 

​Honorary Donations

An honorary gift and the beautiful vote of confidence they represent, give everyone at BSBO powerful motivation and inspiration. A lovely card will be sent to the family notifying them of your honorary gift. 

***Please enter the name of the person being honored (this field is located just under the donation amount, circled in the image to the right) as you proceed through PayPal.*** ​

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​Memorial Donations

​BSBO Legacy Society

Memorial gifts, and the beautiful vote of confidence they represent, give everyone at BSBO powerful motivation and inspiration. A lovely card will be sent to the family notifying them of your memorial gift. 

***Please enter the name of the person being honored (this field is located just under the donation amount, circled in the image to the right) as you proceed through PayPal.*** ​

You can help ensure the future or the Observatory's work by including us in your will and estate planning. Bequests of any size are gratefully accepted. You will help us continue to help birds and conserve their habitats when you name BSBO to receive:  

• A specific dollar amount
  
• Charitable gifts of stock
  
• A percentage of your estate's value
  
• All or part of the remainder of your estate in your will or trust
  
• All or part of the proceeds of a Life Insurance policy or Retirement Plan 

Before completing your bequest to Black Swamp Bird Observatory, please contact us to ensure that your philanthropic goals will be met. Please call Kimberly Kaufman at 419-898-4070 ext. 201 for more information.

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Sponsor A Mist Net

BSBO's biggest research expense is the mist nets that are a vital tool in our bird banding projects. You can help continue this valuable monitoring project by Sponsoring A Mist Net! You can support our work by covering the full price of a mist net, half, or a custom amount.

​You may also fill out THIS FORM and send along with a check to BSBO * 13551 West St. Rt. 2* Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449.

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BSBO's Morning Flight Count

From August 15 through November 15, every day for the first six hours after sunrise, this project records actively migrating birds at the Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area. The data we collect is used for BSBO migration research, and the count itself is open to the public with visitation encouraged. Come out and watch some migration with us!​

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Kroger Rewards

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 83396. 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! ​​

Employer Gift Matching

Many employers will match your donation to the Observatory through a matching gift program. Matching your gift is easy, simply donate to BSBO and check and see if your company has a matching gift program.

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