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Volume III Issue II LUCAS COUNTY CHAPTER March 2011

In This Issue:

Bird Biology Study

Thousand Canker

Disease of Walnut

Nesting Eagles

Volunteer Opps

Wildflower Walk

Raptor Photography

Workshop

Hello, Sorry this is a bit late. It was a busy month! Thanks to Jeannie Holzscheiter, Roberta Ott-Hobbs, and Mary Steinhauser for volunteering at the Home and Gar-den Show and for presenting at the Show. There are lots of exciting events and opportunities com-ing up this spring! Read through the newsletter and enjoy. Roberta, Lori Anteau, Paul Wibbeler, and I are going to the OCVN State Conference this weekend. I can’t believe that it’s April already! Two dates to mark in your calendar: July 22, 2011……..The Woods in My Backyard with

Kathy Smith

August 15, 2011……….Bats with Marne Titchenell

More info to come on those. We are working on scheduling speakers for the 2011 class. Fortunately Marne and Kathy are both able to be here. If you know of anyone that is interested please have them contact me. Have a terrific spring, send me pics from your outings and keep me informed of new programs. Lee

OSU Extension

Urban Horticulture

Lucas County

Editor

Lee Richter

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A Home Study Course

in Bird Biology This is a course that I’m working on now and it absolutely fabulous. Previous experience with birds or birding is not required – it’s for anyone with a deep interest in birds or learning more about them. I highly recommend this program. This college-level course is from the renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology and is a correspondence course where you proceed at your own rate. There are graded quizzes and instructor support if you have any questions. Topics include birds in history, migration, physiology, bird behavior, conservation, ecology, bird environment, identification tips, bird evolution, and much more. The book that comes with the course is written in a very readable style with excellent illustrations. The course price is $200 for lab non-members and the book is worth that alone. The fee covers the book, all exams, and included CDs. The book is currently being revised and will be published in early 2011 and I’d recommend waiting for it as the price for a used on an Amazon is outrageous. Cornell doesn’t offer college credit for the class, but its possible local colleges might – which is a bonus! Completion time is 4-6 months, or whatever your schedule is. For more information and a look at some sample pages of the text, see http://www.birds.cornell.edu/homestudy/. I’ve always been interested in birds, but having taught myself I was aware I was missing a lot. This course has given me a new appreciation of birds and their place in our environment and has really increased my enjoyment of them at feeders and out in the woods. If you’d like to see the book and one of the exams, just let me know. Eileen

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April 29 - May 1, 2011

The Flora-Quest Story...

Established in 2007, Flora-Quest is a hand’s-on learning adventure focusing on wild plants. Centered at the beautiful Shawnee State Park resort in the middle of Ohio’s largest contiguous forest, the 65,000-acre Shawnee State Forest, a mind-boggling array of plants is at our fingertips. Roughing it is hardly necessary; facilities at the lodge are top-notch and good hotels are within 25 minutes in the city of Portsmouth. Just to the west of Shawnee is the sprawling Edge of Appalachia preserve. Filled with unusual habitats and possessing one of the state’s highest concentrations of rare plants, the Edge is a botanical paradise. Flora-Quest trips are split between Shawnee and the Edge, and these packages offer participants the greatest botanical adventure to be had in Ohio, at the best time of year to explore this region. Upwards of 1,000 species of native plants are found in this area – there are only about 1,900 natives in all of Ohio. In addition to learning about common plants, most of which we’ll see in profusion, Flora-Quest participants will also have the opportunity to observe a number of great rarities. Particularly noteworthy are the Appalachian plants found no further north than Shawnee. Newcomers are often amazed to see southerners like umbrella magnolia, pinxter-flower azaleas, and early stoneroot in the forest. We are fortunate to have some of Ohio’s most gifted botanists and naturalists leading Flora-Quest expeditions. All of them know the area well, and are very familiar with the plant life of the region. Their leadership is invaluable, as first- timers (even second, third, and fourth!) are often overwhelmed by the vastness of Shawnee and the Edge, and scarcely know where to begin. Most of our guides are also well-versed in other facets of natural history, such as birds, butterflies, geology, etc. which only adds to the enjoyment of the trips. May is a time of rebirth in the natural world, and there is no better place to be than in the wildlands of Adams and Scioto counties to experience spring. We hope to see you at future Flora-Quest!

MORE INFORMATION AT: http://www.flora-quest.com/

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Biggest Week In American Birding May 5-15, 2011

“The Black Swamp/Magee Marsh/Crane Creek/Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge area

of Northwest Ohio is my FAVORITE birding spot in all of North America in May! I

cannot wait. This is going to be so much fun!”

~ Greg Miller

Birder portrayed in the best selling book and

upcoming Hollywood movie, The Big Year.

http://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/default.htm

http://www.eeco-online.org/conferences/Announcement.htm

44th Annual EECO Conference

When: April 14 - 17, 2011

Where: Maumee Bay State Park

Charting a Course for the Future in Environmental Education During the conference, participants can:

· Explore new ways of thinking through workplace interactions and technology · Discover new and rediscover little used resources at both the local and state level · Map out ways to partner with other organizations to combine educational opportunities

Information regarding the recruitment of leadership for concurrent sessions is forthcoming. Please think of ways YOU can bring a learning opportunity to the conference as a presenter. Our best teachers come from within our organization!

Our annual conference brings together all environmental education (EE) stakeholders to initiate collaboration and to celebrate Progress. At EECO it is our mission to be a leader in the promotion and facilitation of environmental Education, and to nurture knowledge, ideas and engagement that meet the needs of practitioners and audiences. Additionally EECO fosters the development of partnerships among EE individuals, organizations, agencies and districts.

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http://www.mohicanwildlifeweekend.com/

Arc of Appalachia Wildflower Pilgrimage Friday Evening through Sunday

April 15, 16, & 17 2011

http://highlandssanctuary.org/Wildflower/Pilgrimage.htm

http:/woodlandstewards.osu.edu/articles/files/Landscaping%20for%20Wildlife%20brochure.pdf

Landscaping for Wildlife

Wildlife viewing is becoming one of the top outdoor recreational activities and who would not want to do it in their own backyard? Attracting wildlife, such as birds and butterflies, to your backyard is easier than you might think. By select-ing wildlife friendly plants and planting them in the right place, as well as add-ing a few key elements, your backyard could soon be teeming with singing birds, colorful butterflies, and beautiful blooming plants. We will discuss what plants to plant, how to ID visiting butterflies and birds, and ways to protect your landscape from the wildlife that like to munch on your beautiful blooms, such as choosing plants that are still beautiful but aren�t fa-vorites of deer and rabbits. Registration fee: $10

April 20, 2011 Registration closes April 15, 2011

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Thousand Canker Disease of Walnut Kathy Smith, OSU Extension Program Director – Forestry Within the last decade researchers in the west have noticed an unusual decline in black walnut. Until recently it seemed to be a phenomenon of only the black walnut out west – a result of Thousand Canker Disease. However, this past summer this disease was discovered in Knoxville, TN. Many eastern states are now working on quarantines to try to minimize the spread of this disease. There is much to learn about this disease but what we do know is that it is caused by a newly identified fungus, This fungus is transmitted by the walnut twig beetle which is native to Arizona, California and New Mexico but has invaded into western states where walnuts have been widely planted. The adult beetles are reddish brown in color and about 1/16 of an inch in length. The early symptoms to look for include upper crowns that contain yellowing and ultimately wilting foliage. This is followed by branches that die. The fungus causes thousands of tiny cankers to form under the bark with the twig beetles' galleries (hence the name Thousand Canker Disease). What should you do? For right now it is more of an awareness issue. Right now visually looking for dieback is the best survey tool we have. For more information on this disease you can check out Missouri's Department of Agriculture website Here you will find links to pest alerts and slide shows that were presented at a conference on this disease last November. Stay tuned as we all learn more about this disease.

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Wood County Park District

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Date: Time: Event: Location:

Monday, April 11, 2011 1:30-3:30 p.m. Greenhouse Help Reuthinger Preserve

Saturday, April 16, 2011 10:00 a.m. - Noon Park Clean-Up Otsego Park

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:30-8:00 p.m. Green House Help Reuthinger Preserve

Thursday, April 28, 2011 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Adopt-A-Park Informa-

tional Meeting Park District Headquarters

Saturday, April 30, 2011 10:00 a.m. - Noon Garlic Mustard Removal Fuller Preserve

Thursday, May 5, 2011 6:00-7:30 p.m. Native Nursery Bed Help Reuthinger Preserve

Saturday, May 7, 2011 1:00-3:00 p.m. Join Hands Day Of Service Historical Center

Thursday, May 12, 2011 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Adopt-A-Garden Informa-

tional Meeting Park District Headquarters

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 6:00-7:30 p.m. Plant Natives in the Park W.W. Knight Preserve

Saturday, May 21, 2011 10:00 a.m. - Noon Plant Natives in the Park Otsego Park

Saturday, May 21, 2011 1:00-3:00 p.m. Flood Plain Cleanup Otsego Park

Thursday, May 26, 2011 6:00-7:30 p.m. Planting Natives William Henry Harrison Park

Thursday, June 2, 2011 6:00-7:30 p.m. Native Nursery Bed Help Reuthinger Preserve

Saturday, June 11, 2011 10:00 a.m. - Noon Park Clean-Up W.W. Knight Preserve

Thursday, June 16, 2011 6:00-7:30 p.m. Native Nursery Bed Help Reuthinger Preserve

Saturday, June 18, 2011 1:00-3:00 p.m. Stream Quality Monitoring Otsego Park

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 6:00-7:30 p.m. Park Clean-Up William Henry Harrison Park

Saturday, June 25, 2011 10:00 a.m. - Noon Park Clean-Up Cedar Creeks Preserve

Please sign up online at www.wcparks.org or call 419-353-1897.

Questions about the volunteer program?

Contact Lori Anteau, Volunteer Services Administrator,

at stewardship@wcparks.org or call 419-661-5113.

OHIO RARE PLANT GALLERY http://www.ohio-nature.com/ohio-rare-plants.html

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ODNR PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2011

Nesting Eagles at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Closes Trail OAK HARBOR, OH - A pair of bald eagles have built a nest behind the Sportsmen’s Migratory Bird Center at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. To protect the birds and the nest, one loop of the Walking Trail will be closed beginning Febru-ary 1, 2011 until further notice. This will eliminate human activity near the nest and give the ea-gles a good chance of successful nesting. There will be signs and barricades posted at the trailheads. The other loop of the Walking Trail will remain open from the Bird Center to the Ob-servation blind. Currently there is an eagle nest at Magee Marsh near Turtle Creek and several years ago an-other pair attempted to nest at Magee near the boardwalk but was unsuccessful. Bald eagle eggs take a little over a Migratory Bird Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 am until 4:30 pm. The trails are open during daylight hours. For further information Contact: Patrick Baranowsk Magee Marsh Wildlife Area 419-898-0960 #30

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles The Raptor Resource Project (www.raptorresource.org) brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa.

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Walleye Walk The walleye may be running, but we will enjoy a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Maumee River and learn how this massive watershed has influenced life along its banks for thousands of years. Nature and history mingle at this fascinating program. Sunday, April 24, 2 to 3 p.m. Side Cut, Riverview parking lot

METROPARK NEWS

Blue Weekend Take an opportunity to visit several sites in the Oak Openings Region and learn more about the rare species that inhabit this unique ecosystem. CoHsponsored by The Nature Conservancy, The Olander Park System, Toledo Zoo, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Green Ribbon Initiative. Visit MetroparksToledo.com or OakOpenings.org for an event schedule. For further information, call 419-407-9707. Saturday, May 14- Sunday, May 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Various locations

NEW! Identification, Please Spring in northwest Ohio can be breathtaking. Today we explore Secor Metropark in search of early spring wildflowers. Learn the folklore behind some of the unusual plant names in your own backyard and be sure to save time before or after the program to tour the National Center for Nature Photography to see how the nation’s finest photographers capture nature’s most majestic, but fleeting moments. Sunday, April 10, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Secor Metropark, National Center for Nature Photography

NEW! Green With Heron Envy Often overshadowed by the Great Blue Heron, today the smaller Green Heron finally gets the recognition it deserves. We will do our best to find the elusive bird on our walk, but even if he escapes us there is plenty to see at the Blue Creek Conservation Area. Nature’s Nursery will be on-hand with live animals and Lucas County Soil & Water Conservation District will be digging in the large vegetable garden. Bring the family out to Whitehouse and spend the day. Sunday, May 8, 2 to 3 p.m. Blue Creek Conservation Area, White Barn on Schadel Road

Birders Bonanza Today marks the end of the biggest week in American Birding. What better finale to this amazing migration mania than to spend an afternoon at one of the area’s emerging birding locations. Join Metroparks avian experts on this guided walk and be amazed at the variety of birds you find when you know where to look. Sunday, May 15, 2 to 3 p.m. Pearson, PackerHHammersmith Center Porch

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NEW! Mysterious Mussels Of The Maumee You can’t earn the name Mighty Maumee, unless you’re full of mussels. Today we learn about this mysterious river dweller and then wade into the water to take some samples to see what’s living in the river. Please register if you plan to attend and wear shoes/clothes that can get wet. Sunday, June 26, 2 to 3 p.m. Side Cut, Riverview parking lot Reservations

Birders Of A Feather All meetings start with an informational presentation focused on that month’s specific bird. Then participants have the opportunity to hike the site as a group in search of birds. Bring your binoculars and field guides to test your new knowledge. FirstHtimers and experienced birders will love these monthly avian explorations. Fee: $2 | Reservations

Woodcocks & Snipes Spring evenings are the best time to observe courtship activities for these fascinating birds. We discuss territorial calling and courtship before a hike at the Girdham Road sand dunes. Saturday, April 9, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oak Openings Preserve, Buehner Center

Thrushes & Blue Jays Some familiar birds will get the attention they deserve as we discuss and observe robins, wood thrushes and blue jays just arriving from their spring migration. Saturday, May 14, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Pearson, PackerHHammersmith Center

Birds Of The River, Gulls, Osprey & Herons Hang out with these fascinating fish specialists who eye the Maumee River in search of their next meal. Saturday, June 11, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Providence, Dam Shelter

On Call for Frogs Identify northwest Ohio frogs by their calls as we venture into prime habitat on an opportune frog listening night. Call 419H407H9706, to learn where we will meet and to register for this unique program. Friday, April 15- Saturday, April 30, 8 to 9:30 p.m. OffHSite Fee: $5 (Metroparks Members $4) Reservations

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Full Moon Walk The full moon sheds all the light we need on this special, naturalistHled night hike. Track nocturnal wildlife, listen for the early frog chorus and look for stars. No dogs permitted. Sunday, April 17, 8:30 to 10 p.m. Secor, NCNP parking lot Free | Reservations

Land Stewardship Work Day: Lupine Seed Collecting Lupine is the host plant for the endangered Karner blue butterfly and an important nectar source for other native insects. Assist with continued land restoration efforts in the Oak Openings by lending a hand collecting lupine for future projects. Adults and youth ages 13 and older welcome. Reservations needed. Saturday, June 11, 2 to 4 p.m. Oak Openings Preserve, Lodge parking lot Free | Reservations

Land Stewardship Work Day: The Great Barberry Hunt & Removal Barberry is an invasive shrub that is quickly spreading in the Oak Openings Region. Barberry is removed with just a few minutes of digging, and your hard work will quickly help improve the quality of Wildwood’s woodland. Bring a shovel, long pants, work boots and work gloves to help Metroparks and Wild Ones Oak Openings Region members get the job done. Adults and youth ages 13 and older. Wildwood Preserve, Metz Visitor Center

Saturday, April 30, 9 to 11 :30 a.m.

Free | Reservations

Friends Of Secor: Oak Openings Native Plant Sale Our Oak Openings region is home to some of the most stunning plants in the country. See what the area has to offer at this native plant sale. Secor, Secor Room Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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OCVN potluck & meeting 3/5/11 minutes Today’s potluck went really well with lots of good food, some interesting books brought to share, and a meeting after the meal. Eileen is offering her apartment for future meetings and events. We ran over on time during the meeting portion and people had to leave, so if you have something else you’d like the group to discuss, news of an upcoming event, or anything else please email the whole group. Present: Lee Richter from the OSU Extension office, Kim High and Trish Hausknecht from the Metroparks. Twelve OCVN members came: Jill Hawkins, Roberta Hobbs, Betsy Doyle, Becky Good-rich, Dennis Mortimer, Lee Cerny, Eileen Sawyer, Karen Wood, Bill Siebenaler, Lori Anteau, and Mark Gentry. Also present as a special guest was Kroozer the (descented) skunk! Lee Cerny brought his pet skunk to the potluck and shared information on how he got him, skunks in general, Kroozer’s life-style, and let him scuttle around a little bit. For the most part Kroozer just snuggled in Lee’s lap.

Training and Learning opportunities (just past or coming up), and other items of note: Lee Richter & Lori Anteau went to the Ohio Woodlands Stewards Program held on March 1st in Mansfield. The price of the conference included a binder with notes from every presentation, which is quite unusual. This one-day conference may be one to book-mark for next year’s continuing education requirement. (Google “Ohio Woodland Stewards”). They gave us an overview of the sessions they attended: A wind farm presentation and the studies of songbird mortality, The big problem with the feral swine population increasing in Ohio, Bear sightings throughout Ohio over the last several years (including one in Lucas county),

The news that a new fungus is attacking and killing the very invasive the Ailanthus trees from Asia (Tree of Heaven). The fungus is not in Ohio yet.

Certified Interpretive Guide Training (CIG) Kim High and Liz Hartman will be running a certification program planned for April 18-19 and 25-26. This is a program by the National Association of Interpretation (NAI) and is very useful for anyone who inter-prets anything (literally – oranges to nature to history etc). The program cost will be substantially re-duced as Kim is donating her time. You can learn more about the organization at interpnet.com, and about the CIG program under their certification link. Contact Kim High at 419-407-9706 for more in-formation.

3. National Association for Interpretation regional conference March 21-25, 2011. NAI, noted above, will be having their spring conference in French Lick Indiana this year. If you’d like to learn more about nature, history, tourism, how to teach particular topics, or a host of other things, this conference is superb! General information about the coming event can be seen at the NAI re-gion 4 link at http://www.nairegions.org/4/ or you can talk to Eileen who has gone to a half dozen of their conferences.

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Lee: I won this nature walk by John Jaeger and Professor Lloyd Jones. I get to take 14 folks along. Could you get the word out to OCVN and MG and have them e-mail me at kewood@accesstoledo.com to see if I can get 14. It was done by Black Swamp Conservancy last year and I hear the wildflowers on this land were amazing. I won it from BSC at their auction. The date is May 7 and we can carpool. There is another email I have to send you too with more info. Ex-cited, I am! karen wood

Hi Karen- May 7th works for me. Forrest Woods is a relict Black Swamp woods and floodplain along Marie DeLarme Creek. It has unique wildflowers which should be at peak around May 7th. It will also be around the time of the spring bird migration, and so some neat warblers and thrushes may be seen moving through the woods and along the creek. Bring binoculars! The wildflowers include, blue-eyed mary, trilliums, violets, jack-in-the-pulpit, mayapples and a number of others. The trail will be wet in spots, so the group will need to have boots or old sneakers and having a spare change of shoes and socks might be in order. Frogs and toads will probably be in abundance in the vernal pools, and we will look for some salamanders. Marie DeLarme, for whom the creek is named, traces her history back to the time of Johnny Apple-seed, and legend has it that she once saved Johnny from the wrath of the Indians when he stole some food from one of their campfires. She intervened for him with the Indians and he was saved. The site is also a dedicated Ohio Nature Preserve under the Ohio Department of Natural Resources nature preserve system. It is one of the last remaining, and one of the most pristine natural areas in the Maumee River Watershed. Hope this helps- John Jaeger

Mayapple Large-flowered Trillium

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