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Past Events	The Wilds - Inaugural Field Trip
Fall Warblers Magee	Fall Warblers Northeast
Gull Symposium	2005 Annual Meeting
Shorebird Symposium	Raptor Symposium

A Symposium on Raptors and Owls of Ohio Grasslands, December 3, 2005
By Judy Kolo-Rose
Photos by Jen Sauter, Judy Kolo-Rose and Hugh Rose, and Jim McCormac

On December 3rd, a gathering of cold, but enthusiastic, birders descended upon the Holiday Inn in Zanesville, to learn about the reclaimed coal strip mines in and around The Wilds and AEP Recreation Lands which have become prime grassland habitat for the region’s wintering and resident raptors and owls.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the group enjoying the presentations.

Organized by the Ohio Ornithological Society (OOS), over 200 members and guests were treated to presentations by bird experts Jim McCormac of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and President of OOS, Bill Thompson III, Editor of Birdwatcher’s Digest and author of numerous books on birding, and Julie Zickefoose, a legendary writer and artist. They were joined by emcee Dr. Bernard Master, Vice- Chairman of The Nature Conservancy, world-renowned birder and one of only 20 American members of the International Rare Bird Club. The audience enjoyed informative and intriguing presentations on the ecology and uniqueness of the grassland habitat created by reclaimed lands, key behavioral and physical characteristics of how to identify diurnal raptors, and an exceptional audio and visual presentation on owls, their nocturnal counterparts.

MC Bernie Master watching Laura Busby of the Wilds deliver a welcome.

Speaker Jim McCormac poses with Laura Kammermeier and Lisa Casamatta.

Speaker Bill Thompson – informative and funny!

Julie Zickefoose. Her program on owls was stunning!

At the break, Carl Slater was the lucky winner of a copy of Brian Wheeler’s book, Raptors of Eastern North America. Not only had Mr. Wheeler autographed the book, he had also drawn a gorgeous sketch of an adult Peregrine Falcon inside the cover.

Bill Thompson and Bernie Master with book winner Carl Slater.

The attendees were also treated to live raptor demonstrations by the Ohio Wildlife Center and Black Swamp Raptor Rehabilitation Center, the opportunity to closely examine numerous raptor and owls skins on display, courtesy of Ohio State University’s Museum of Biological Diversity, and informative exhibitions by the OOS, Julie Zickefoose and her beautiful bird paintings and drawings, Birdwatcher’s Digest, and the Wilds.

A view down into the atrium, where there were many displays and exhibits.

Yes, that’s a real Barn Owl perched on the OWC’s display!

Following the presentations and lunch, the entire group headed over to The Wilds for a ribbon-cutting Dedication Ceremony of The Birding Station at Jeffrey Point. The Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW), in partnership with the Wilds, provided funding for the observation deck which overlooks one of the most productive tracts of grassland for both breeding birds and wintering raptors. With over 175 dedicated birders present to witness this spectacular event and showcase their support, Dr. Bernie Master, along with Steve Gray, Chief of ODW, and Dr. Evan Blumer, Director of The Wilds, acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved in realizing the fruition of this exquisite observation deck. “We are very glad that the Ohio birding community was able to participate and show their support for this effort,” stated Jim McCormac, president of OOS. “This group sends a strong message to ODW, the Wilds, and surrounding businesses that birders are a strong voice and an economic boon to communities throughout the region”, McCormac concluded.

Birders – about 175 of them – packing the new observation deck for the dedication ceremony.

Bernie Master snipping the ribbon, while the Wilds Director Evan Blumer (left) and Division of Wildlife Chief Steve Gray assist.

Following the dedication ceremony, the assembly broke into smaller groups that drove around 63,000 acres to 10 pre-selected field stations, each stationed by a pair of experienced birders. Hoping to put their new-found knowledge to the test, participants eagerly searched the skies, fields, trees, telephone lines and numerous ponds for sightings of Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, Short-eared Owls, Merlin, Kestrel, Northern Harriers, as well as song birds and waterfowl. On a scouting trip a day earlier, an unusual visitor to this area, a Long-tailed Duck, appeared on one of the ponds along Zion Ridge Road; however by Saturday it had moved on. Many of the birders did see a Golden Eagle, a species that has become a repeat winter visitor to The Wilds. The complete list of birds seen on Friday and Saturday appears at the end of this summary.

A group in the field, scanning for Golden Eagles.

Dusk coming on, but this group is still looking for Short-eared Owls.

OOS, ODW and The Wilds were very pleased with the turnout and success of the Raptors & Owls of Ohio Grasslands Symposium, and hope that future collaborative endeavors will ensue. The Wilds graciously opened their facilities for restroom breaks, hot beverages, and gift purchases, as well as spectacular views from their location atop a scenic overlook.

OOS would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped make this event the great success that it was… without your help events such as this could never come to fruition.

The always wacky Paul Kammermeier, Bill Thompson, and Steve McCarthy.

A very warm ‘Thank you’ to:

Speakers and Emcee:

Dr. Bernie Master
Jim McCormac
Bill Thompson III
Julie Zickefoose

Event organizer Jen Sauter with an American Kestrel.

OOS Team:

Jen Sauter
Jason Larson
Bob Placier
Su Snyder
Karen Menard
Mike Flynn
Cheryl Harner
Darlene Sillick
Peter King
Laura Kammermeier
Ned Keller
Steve Landes
Judy Kolo-Rose
Hugh Rose

ODNR Team:

Steve Gray
Dave Graham
Ron

The Wilds Team:

Evan Blumer
Laura Busby
Rob McBurney
Wendy Wharff
Nicole Cavendar
(and all who helped with transportation)

Live Bird Displays:

Ohio Wildlife Center: Darlene Sillick, Dave Weston & Nayda Bennett Black Swamp Raptor Rehibiliation Center: Ron Bowerman & his dedication team.

Bird Specimens: John Condit, OSU Curator of Ornithology

Birds Sighted Friday, December 2 and Saturday December 3, 2005:

Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan-introduced
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Long-tailed Duck--Friday
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk--Friday
Red-shouldered Hawk--Friday
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Kestrel
Merlin--reported by the Rowes & Downs
Prairie Falcon--reported by the Powlicks
American Coot
Killdeer
Wilson's Snipe
Mourning Dove
Short-eared Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northern Shrike--Friday
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin ~5000
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Snow Bunting
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow