The Toledo Naturalists Homepage

5:30 p.m. - Bird hike around the grounds of the Anderson Complex led by Chuck Anderson.

6:30 p.m. - Barbecue provided by TJ's Cookout and Catering - BBQ Chicken, Baked Beans, Redskin Potato Salad, Drinks & Desserts.

After Dinner - 13th Annual TNA Puzzler (A fun and interesting challenge for "kids" of all ages by Eric Durbin)

Friday, May 4, 8:00 p.m. - Springtime at Irwin Prairie SNP - Join leader Elliot Tramer to find shorebirds and amphibians at “the finest remaining sedge meadow in the state.” We will walk the boardwalk, listening to the calls of Spring Peepers and Swamp Sparrows, until the loud trills of Tree Frogs drown them out. As the sun goes down, we will return to the open meadow to watch and listen for Woodcocks and possibly a Snipe or two as they display and call in the setting sun. Meet at the Bancroft St. parking lot ¼ mile west of Irwin Rd at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 5, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Spring Bird Walk at Woodlawn Cemetery w/Tim Haney - Join Woodlawn’s premier bird guide, Tim Haney as he unfolds the magic of the annual spring migration. The inherent tranquility of Woodlawn makes the cemetery a popular place for more than 208 confirmed varieties of birds found in the Toledo area, which Tim has personally documented.

Friday, May 18, 9:00 p.m. to Saturday, May 19, 9:00 p.m. - North Coast Open - Why not get one last BIG blast of spring migration? To many people's surprise, late May has just as many if not more neotrpoical migrants than earlier in the month! Most of the warblers are still coming through (THE best time for Mourning and Connecticut) in great numbers, and other families like flycatchers, vireos and many shorebirds are peaking. Instead of hanging up the binoculars after the Biggest Week and IMBD, join the TNA in their annual birding big day event. The friendly competition is for birders of all skill levels and will again cover Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, Sandusky and Erie Counties. Planning a route is half the fun, and places like the Oak Openings, Magee Marsh, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Pickerel Creek are all part of the geography and are among the very best birding locations in the entire state. Start at 9:00 p.m. Friday evening, or start at whenever you want with 2 or 3 of your best birding buddies and beat the bushes until 9:00 p.m. Saturday, finding and identifying (by sight or sound) as many bird species as you can. Those less competitive birders can still enjoy the fun by entering a team in the Freestyle Division. All interested parties are welcome to join the teams at the official countdown at Blackberry Corners at 9:00 p.m. See your TNA bulletin or the TNA website for further details.

Saturday, May 26, 8:00 a.m. - Late Neotropic Migrants with Rick Nirschl - Warblers should still be quite common and some of the later migrants will be targeted. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and cuckoos can be expected, and perhaps an Olive-sided Flycatcher will put in an appearance. A check of the beach should produce Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings, and maybe even a Red Knot. Meet trip leader Rick Nirschl at the west entrance of the boardwalk at Magee Marsh at 8:00 a.m.

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2011 Toledo Area Birding Checklist (MS Excel)
by Tom Kemp

TNA Bird Checklist

2011 Toledo Area Butterfly Checklist (MS Word)
by Jan Dixon (with assistance from Tom Carr and Steve Smith)

TNA Butterfly Checklist

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2012 TNA Mammal Checklist (MS Excel)
by Elliot Tramer

Mammal_Checklist

Toledo

Congratulations to the Toledo Christmas Bird Count participants! Birders on Sunday, December 18 Toledo CBC crushed the former all-time high Ohio CBC species count. The former record of 99 (set here in Toledo last year) was whacked pretty seriously by this year’s CBC participants who tallied a rather amazing 108 species.

Good weather on Sunday, mild to-date December conditions, excellent count circle coverage, and – more than anything – a large contingent of top-notch birders led to the record-breaking result. For the first time ever, the open waters of Maumee Bay were covered (by a couple of foolhardy souls!), and our list was rewarded.

-Dickcissel – first-ever Toledo CBC record (Pearson Metropark Window on Wildlife)
-Great egret (2) – first-ever Toledo CBC record (two locations)
-Black scoter – third-ever Toledo CBC record (open waters of Maumee Bay)
-Surf scoter (2) – third-ever Toledo CBC record (open waters of Maumee Bay)
-Long-tailed duck (12) – highest-ever Toledo CBC count
-Wilson’s snipe (3) – second-ever Toledo CBC Record (Pearson Metropark North)
-Sandhill crane – second-ever Toledo CBC record (flyover @ Bayshore Power Plant)

Other good birds on the list included Snow goose, Cackling goose, Horned grebe, Red-shouldered hawk, Rough-legged hawk, Merlin, Dunlin, Glaucous gull, Northern saw-whet owl, Red-headed woodpecker, Northern shrike, Marsh wren, Gray catbird, Lincoln’s sparrow, an Eastern meadowlark. More than 3,000 Tundra swans were tallied – the vast majority at Little Cedar Point NWR. - Matt Anderson

Grand Rapids/Waterville

For the 5th consecutive year, the Grand Rapids-Waterville Christmas counters found at least 80 species. Yesterday's total, an even 80, was highlighted by the count's first ever Long-tailed duck and Horned grebe. Hot on the heels of these birds was the 2nd ever Palm warbler. Other noteworthy finds included Cackling geese, bobwhite, Peregrine falcon, Glaucous gull, N. Saw-whet owl, and Chipping sparrow. Thanks to the cadre of dedicated observers who withstood the occasional bouts of rain and special thanks to Terri and Chuck for hosting the always delicious and delightful countdown. - Tom Kemp

The TNA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that we are are currently selling copies of the "Birds of the Toledo Area" by Matt Anderson, Eric Durbin, Tom Kemp, and Steve Lauer. This book, published in 2002 is the updated work of Lou Campbell (1968), which in turn is an update of Campbell's 1940 "Birds of Lucas County".

The book contains species accounts for all birds recorded in the Toledo Area giving status, habitat, migration timing, record early and late dates, high numbers recorded, etc. This newest version also contains bar graphs indicating seasonal occurrence and abundance.

The books are being sold for $18.50 for members and $22.50 for non-members. Books purchased in person at monthly meetings remain at $16.00 for members and $20.00 for non-members.

Books may be purchased through Elliot Tramer by calling 419.877.2756, writing to 11342 Birch Pointe Dr., Whitehouse, OH 43571 or emailing to etramer at sbcglobal.net.

Punch in access code 86701#
You are able to leave a message just like the old number after the recording.

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Members of the TNA Board are interested in hearing from you!

Click HERE to fill out a survey and let us know what you think!

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Are you a visitor but not a member?

Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the Toledo Naturalists' Association.

TNA is on Facebook! Check us out!

With the latest craze of social networking, the TNA Facebook Page is the perfect place for TNA members and nature enthusiasts to connect and network with other likewise individuals. You will find information on field trips, events, programs, and sightings all around the Toledo area. View photos of field trips and/or share your own nature related photos/photography.

The Toledo Naturalists' Association was formed in 1933 when the Toledo Nature Study Society and the Toledo Field Naturalists' Association merged. TNA has been the official compiler for the Toledo Audubon Christmas Count since its inception. Many of the early TNA members created the first local bird book, written by Lou Campbell, and first published in 1940. Members receive bulletins and an annual yearbook. In addition, there are approximately eight presentations given by local naturalists, an annual spring chicken barbecue and fall banquet, and numerous field trips specializing in birding, insects, and botany. TNA welcomes you to explore its Web Site.