Breeding Bird Program offered at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on June 8

Yellow-breasted chat at our 2017 Breeding Bird Program

Spring is a busy time in the woods, and some of the most active and colorful inhabitants are the multitude of breeding birds. These species have impressive life histories, and they utilize every nook and cranny of our woodlands in southeastern Ohio. Join us on June 8 at the Vinton Furnace State forest near McArthur for an opportunity to learn about this diverse assemblage of feathered creatures. Program attendees will have the opportunity to:

Observe a variety of forest birds by sight and song
Experience mist netting and understand the important information gained with birds in-hand
Learn about ongoing research on the important role that birds have in our oak forests; from blue jays assisting with oak regeneration to forest birds serving as important indicators of forest health and succession conditions.
Explore many other fascinating aspects of bird community interactions from nest predation to the unique aspects of nocturnal Eastern Whip-poor-wills.
Spend a day in the woods with experienced birders
Understand the habitat requirements of many woodland birds

Featured presenters include Kelly Williams, Ohio University; Laura Kearns, ODNR-Division of Wildlife, Mark Wiley ODNR-Division of Wildlife, Katrina Schultes, USDA Forest Service – Wayne National Forest, Bryce Adams, The Ohio State University and Stephen Matthews, The Ohio State University.

The program starts at 8:00 AM (earlier than usual to enhance bird view opportunities) and ends at 3:00 PM. A registration fee of $12 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials. Please RSVP by calling OSU Extension Vinton County at 740-596-5212, or email Dave Apsley at apsley.1@osu.edu by June 4^th.

“A DAY in the WOOD” and the “2^nd Friday Series” are sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest. The principal partners in this effort include Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton County Soil and Water Conservation District, National Wild Turkey Federation, Glatfelter, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, The Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, the Ruffed Grouse Society, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.