What’s Going on with the Birds? Mysterious Illness Affecting Ohio Birds

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Recently, there have been reports of sick or dying birds found around Ohio and in nearby states. These birds often have swollen eyes, discharge from their eyes that may appear crusted, or a lack of clarity to the eyes. Affected birds may also exhibit neurological signs, for example their head may hang to one side then flop to the other side. In the above photo, taken last week by Kristi Anderson and posted to the Preservation Parks of Delaware County Facebook page, an American robin is displaying symptoms of the illness.

In late May of this year, wildlife biologists in Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia began received reports of sick and dying birds. Since then, reports have surfaced in additional states, including Ohio. Ohio counties experiencing the bulk of the outbreak so far include Brown, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Delaware, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Warren counties. 

 

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Proposed Coyote Trapping Changes Put on Hold

 

– Matt Reese, Ohio’s Country Journal editor (Previously published in Ohio’s Country Journal: Febuary 19, 2020)

When coyote predation becomes a problem for a livestock operation, it can be a major issue that requires extensive measures to address. For this reason, an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife proposal to designated coyotes as furbearers generated concerns from Ohio’s agriculture and hunters and trappers.

There are concerns about the ability to control predation of livestock by coyotes

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Into the Woods

 

Related imageGather the kids and join the Knox County OSU Extension and Knox County Park District Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists, Jean and Tim Tahyi as they lead hands-on activities teaching kids about mammals, reptiles, trees, birds and other things that might be found in the woods. The program is for children ages 5 and up, being held at the Centerburg Public Library from 1pm-2pm  This program will begin March 3 and will occur the first Saturday in March, April and May.

Small/New Farm College

Are you a small farm landowner wondering what to do with your acreage?  Are you interested in exploring options for land uses but not sure where to turn or how to begin?  Have you considered adding an agricultural or horticultural enterprise but you just aren’t sure of what is required, from an equipment, labor, and/or management perspective?  Are you looking for someplace to get some basic farm information?  If you or someone you know answered yes to any of these questions, then the Ohio State University New and Small Farm College program may be just what you are looking for.

 

The Ohio State University New and Small Farm College is an 8 session short course that will be held one night a week.  The 2018 Ohio New and Small Farm College program will be held in two locations across the state including:

 

The Butler County location will be held at the OSU Extension Butler County office, 1802 Princeton Road Hamilton, Oh.  Classes will be held on Thursdays beginning January 18 and concluding March 8, 2018. A farm tour will be held Saturday March 10, 2018. Inclement weather makeup date will be March 15. Contact the Butler County Extension Office at 513-887-3722. You can register online at http://go.osu.edu/ButlerCollege.

 

The Scioto County area will be held at the Shawnee State University Massie Hall, 940 Second Street Portsmouth, Oh.  Classes will be held on Mondays beginning January 29 and concluding March 19, 2018. A farm tour will be held Saturday, March 31, 2018.

Inclement weather makeup date: March 26. For more information, contact Scioto County Extension at 740-354-7879. You can register online at http://go.osu.edu/SciotoCollege.

 

All colleges will start each evening at 6:00 PM with a light dinner with the nightly presentations beginning at 6:30 Pm and concluding at 9:00PM.

 

Topics that will be covered in the Small Farm College course include: Getting Started (goal setting, resource inventory, business planning), Appropriate Land Use -Walking The Farm, Where to Get Assistance, (identifying various agencies, organizations, and groups), Natural Resource Management including soils, ponds, woodlands and wildlife, Legal Issues, Insurance, Business Structure, Finances & Record Keeping, and Marketing Alternatives, Crop and Horticultural Production Options, Animal Production Options,

 

The cost of the course is $150 per person, $100 for an additional family member.  Each participating family will receive a small farm college notebook full of the information presented in each class session plus additional materials.  Registrations are now being accepted. For more details about the course and/or a registration form, contact Tony Nye, Small Farm Program Coordinator 937-382-0901 or email at nye.1@osu.edu.

Hunter Education Course

Source: Agricultural Safety and Health Program

The infamous culinary event of the year, Thanksgiving, is also the beginning of spotting hunter orange in the fields for many. If you plan to hunt this fall or bring a new young hunter along, take a look at the Division of Wildlife hunter certification course offerings at http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/education-and-outdoor-discovery/hunter-and-trapper-education.