COLUMBUS Ohio -- Spring is bird watching time in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts grab their binoculars and field guides and head for wetlands, lake shores and forests to catch a glimpse of the visiting migrants.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), spring is when dozens of songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl arrive in the state to nest or to rest on their way to breeding grounds in Canada and the Arctic. State parks, nature preserves and wildlife areas are among the best places to observe these colorful and interesting visitors.
"There's no better time to be an Ohio birder than in the spring," said Jim McCormac, avian education specialist with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. "Along Lake Erie, thousands of birds are 'stopping over' to feed and rest as they migrate north for the summer. In fact, Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area in Ottawa County has been named one of the top 10 birding destinations in North America by Birder's World and Wild Bird magazines."
Here's a list of places and events that will attract bird watchers in coming weeks to Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
For a complete listing of cool things in the outdoors from hunting and fishing to zipline tours and whitewater rafting, go online at www.herald-dispatch.com and click on Life, Entertainment or Sports, and then Outdoors.
West Virginia
May 8 - 10: 47th Annual West Virginia Wildflower Pilgrimage, Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis, Tucker County. The activities-packed weekend includes bird walks, wildflower tours, nature programs and beginner's wildflower and bird identification workshops. Pre-registration is suggested. Contact Blackwater Falls State Park, 304-259-5216, www.blackwaterfalls.com.
May 10: Spring Migration Bird Count at Pipestem Resort State Park, the Spring Migration Bird Count, Pipestem, Summers County. Join the search for 100 species of birds in one day. Call 304-466-1800, pipestem@hotmail.com, or visit www.pipestemresort.com.
May 10: The Migration Celebration at Three Rivers Avian Center, Little Beaver State Park. This family-friendly celebration of West Virginia birds and the state's natural heritage takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Activities include a live birds of prey display with a golden eagle and a peregrine falcon, photography workshop, kid's bug hunt, birding and nature walks, food, crafts and more. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. For more information, visit www.tracwv.org or call 304-466-4683.
May 11: Spring Bird Walk, Cathedral State Park, Aurora, Preston County. Starting at 8 a.m., the walk lead by a local bird expert looks at spring migrants. Call 304-735-3771 or visit www.cathedralstatepark.com.
May-30-June 1: Whistles, Wings and Wildflowers: Cass Railroad State Park, Cass, Pocahontas County. The thrill of a train ride, the trill of bird calls and the tranquil beauty of spring flowers are all packed into one delightful Whistles, Wings and Wildflowers Weekend. Call 304-456-4300, 1-800-CALL WVA or visit www. cassrailroad.com.
Ohio
May 9-11: Migratory Bird Weekend at Hocking Hills, Ohio. Special programs and birding trips and hikes. Call 740-385-6841.
May 10: A Migration Bird Walk, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10, at Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County). Meet at Hope Furnace parking lot for a hike to greet spring migrants. Call 740-596-5253.
May 10: Whip-poor-will Hike, 8-10 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Shawnee State Park (Scioto County). Meet at the park office for a night excursion. Call 740-858-6652.
May 17: Bird Walks at Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area (Ottawa County). Meet at 8:30 a.m. May 17, and 24, at the west end of the boardwalk. Updated information about birds visiting the marsh is available daily at 419-898-0960.
May 31, June 1, July 26-27: Birding by Kayak with Touch the Earth Adventures offers birding by kayak with Julie Davis, an Audubon guide. Kayaks provided. Paddle near Hocking Hills and Lake Hope. Call 740-592-3496.
Kentucky
May 10: An Early Bird Walk at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Franklin, Ky., 7-9:30 a.m. Get up early and take a walk with wildlife biologist Danny Watson to discover the breeding birds around Salato. He will explore different habitats and identify songbirds by sight and sound. Test your birdsong identification skills or fine tune your existing birding skills by joining us for an early bird walk! Registration and prepayment are required. Go online at www. fw.ky.gov.
May 9-10: Birding and Wildflower Weekend, Naturalists will be leading several walks on Saturday. Evening programs on Friday and Saturday night. Various topics will be covered from identification techniques to conservation. Call 606- 528-4121.
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