Greater Akron Audubon Society

Monthly Meetings

Page last updated February 1, 2012

The chapter holds meetings once a month on the 4th Tuesday of the month, except for December (the Bird Count Dinner), June (annual picnic), July (no meeting) and August (no meeting.) The meetings are held at the Mingo Shelter in the Sand Run MetroPark in the Merriman Valley UNLESS otherwise noted. The entrance is off of Sand Run Parkway, east of the ford and east of the Shady Hollow Pavilion. You can get information on directions and maps at Mingo Shelter Maps. The doors open at 6:30 and the meeting starts at 7:00. Typically the meeting starts with a short business meeting including announcements of interest to the members (or at least of interest to the person making the announcement!) The main part of the meeting consists of an invited speaker giving a presentation on a topic of interest to the members. Meetings are open to the public.

Schedule for the 2011-2012 meetings (a work in progress!):

 

  • Feb 28 – Dan Herms, Professor, OSU OARDC, speaking on phenology (the science of climate influences on annual natural phenomena such as bird migrations).
  • Mar 27  –"GAAS Film (Photo) Festival"  Anybody is free to volunteer to do about 10 minutes on a recent travel or other suitable topic.   If interested, contact us at info@akronaudubon.org.
  • Apr 24 – Jay Mager, Assoc. Professor, Biological & Allied Health Sciences, Ohio Northern University, “Acoustic Communication in Birds (mate attraction, male/male competition and signal 'honesty').”
  • May 22 – Jamey Graham, Wildlife Communications Specialist, ODNR, Div of Wildlife, "Comeback Critters and the Conservation Movement”,   The talk will focus on wildlife management techniques and how species have recovered thanks to reintroduction efforts. 
  • June 26 – Annual GAAS Picnic at the Bath Nature Preserve Biology Field Station, 6:30, Matt Shawkey, University of Akron, “On Coloration in Mallards.”

 

 Recent speakers and their topics include

  • Jan 24, 2012 – Susan Schmidt, Schmidt Family Farms, “Documented Health Risks of Genetically Modified Food.”
  • Dec 18, 2011 – Annual Christmas Bird Count followed by the Chili Dinner, 4:30-6:30, Mingo Shelter.
  • Nov 22, 2011 – Pat Rydquist and Megan Doran, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, “Classifying Bird Song by Sonograms.”
  • Oct 25, 2011 –  Richard Dolbeer, Bird Strike Committee USA, “Sharing the Skies: Advancing the Science of Ornithology and Aviation Safety.”
  • Sept 27, 2011 – Lisa Petit, CVNP, “From Basketball to Bobolinks: The Real ‘Miracle of Richfield.’ ”
  • June 28, 2011 - Annual GAAS Picnic at the Bath Nature Preserve Biology Field Station, 6:30 – Dr. Todd Blackledge, Biology Dept., The University of Akron, topic tba.

BNP, owned by Bath Township, consists of over 400 acres, and contains a variety of habitats, including grasslands (with good populations of Bobolinks and Meadowlarks), wetlands, scrubland, deciduous forests, riparian corridors, ponds, and a remnant tamarack bog. UA has an agreement with the township for using the preserve for research and teaching. In addition, UA is responsible for the preserve management plan. There will no formal nature walk, but we encourage interested parties to bring their binoculars and go for a walk.

The potluck picnic will be at about 6:30pm, so there should be time for a walk beforehand or possibly after the picnic. For the picnic, GAAS will provide beverages and accessories (plates, cups, napkins, etc). Attendees only need to bring a potluck dish for sharing. To get to the Field Station, just drive past the first parking lot and continue on the road until it ends.

  • May 24, 2011 – Skunk Haven, animal rehabilitation center specializing in skunks, topic to be determined.
  • Apr 26, 2011 - Fred Groeger and Jane Allen, “All Eyes on the Gulf Expedition,” brief description at All Eyes on the Gulf.
  • Mar 22, 2011 – Eddie Dengg, Vice President at Western Reserve Land Conservancy, “Creating a ribbon of Green: Land Conservation in Northeast Ohio”.
  • Feb 22, 2011 – Clyde Witt & Susan Jones, ”Birds, and More, of Cuba.”
  • Jan 25, 2011 – NEW LOCATION: West Room of Goodyear Heights Metro Park. Dan Kramer, ODNR, “Status of Bobcats in Ohio.”
  • Dec 19, 2010 – Annual Christmas Bird Count followed by the Chili Dinner, 4:30-6:30, Mingo Shelter.
  • Nov 23, 2010 - Ronald Schaefer, photographer, “Eagles.”
  • Oct 26, 2010 - Jay Mager, Asst. Professor, Biological & Allied Health Sciences, Ohio Northern University, “Loons.”
  • Sept 28, 2010 - Gary Meszaros, photographer and author, "Songbirds of Ohio."
  • June 22, 2010 – Annual GAAS Picnic at the Bath Nature Preserve Biology Field Station – Lynn Garrity, trail planner for CVNP, will talk about plans for trails in the park - 6:30 pm (see map )
    BNP, owned by Bath Township, consists of over 400 acres, and contains a variety of habitats, including grasslands (with good populations of Bobolinks and Meadowlarks), wetlands, scrubland, deciduous forests, riparian corridors, ponds, and a remnant tamarack bog. UA has an agreement with the township for using the preserve for research and teaching. In addition, UA is responsible for the preserve management plan. There will no formal nature walk, but we encourage interested parties to bring their binoculars and go for a walk.

The potluck picnic will be at about 6:30pm, so there should be time for a walk beforehand or possibly after the picnic. For the picnic, GAAS will provide beverages and accessories (plates, cups, napkins, etc). Attendees only need to bring a potluck dish for sharing. To get to the Field Station, just drive past the first parking lot and continue on the road until it ends.

  • May 25, 2010 – Dr. Gary Riggs, veterinarian who works with Akron Zoo, ODNR, and Wild4Ever (non-profit organization doing international conservation work).  "Wild4Ever:  birth of a local conservation foundation."
  • Apr 27, 2010 – James Cole, Bird Conservation Manager for The Nature Conservancy of Ohio, "Conserving Important Stopover Locations for Migrant Birds in Western Lake Erie."
  • Mar 23, 2010 – Kim Hinkle, author, “Flying Squirrels.”
  • Feb 23, 2010 –"GAAS Film (Photo) Festival"  Anybody is free to volunteer to do about 10 minutes on a recent travel or other suitable topic.   If interested, contact us at info@akronaudubon.org.
  • Jan 26, 2010 – Lisa Rainsong, Cleveland Institute of Music, "Musical ear training technique as a tool for bird song identification".     
  • Dec 20, 2009 – Annual Christmas Bird Count Chili Dinner, 4:30-6:30.
  • Nov 24, 2009 – Forrest Smith, Emeritus Professor of Biology, The University of Akron, "Using Soils, Plants, and Water to Take a Deep Look at Nature."
  • Oct 27, 2009 – Rick Gardner, “Cedar Glades: Islands of Biodiversity”
  • Sept 22, 2009 – Damon Greer, ODNR Div. of Wildlife, “Peregrine Falcons - Then and Now.”
  • June 23, 2009 – annual picnic at Bath Nature Preserve – Dr. Bruce Cushing, University of Akron Biology Department - 6:30 pm (see map )
    BNP, owned by Bath Township, consists of over 400 acres, and contains a variety of habitats, including grasslands (with good populations of Bobolinks and Meadowlarks), wetlands, scrubland, deciduous forests, riparian corridors, ponds, and a remnant tamarack bog. UA has an agreement with the township for using the preserve for research and teaching. In addition, UA is responsible for the preserve management plan. There will no formal nature walk, but we encourage interested parties to bring their binoculars and go for a walk. The potluck picnic will be at about 6:30pm, so there should be time for a walk beforehand or possibly after the picnic. Canton Audubon Society members have been invited to our picnic and, in turn, Greater Akron Audubon Society members are invited to the Canton Audubon pre-summer picnic on June 17, 2009.
  • May 26, 2009 – Metro Parks naturalists Maureen McGinty, Pat Rydquist, and Meghan Doran will talk about their favorite birding locales within the Metro Parks.
  • Apr 28, 2009 –  (Shady Hollow Pavilion)    Lauren Hierl, Alaska Policy Associate for National Audubon Society, “Alaska”.
  • Mar 24, 2009 –  (Shady Hollow Pavilion)   Wild Ones - native plants
  • Feb 24, 2009 – Bridget McDaniel, Audubon Ohio Grassroots Coordinator, “ Great Lakes initiatives & Global Warming”
  • Jan 27 , 2009 – Ann and Dwight Chasar, ""Birding Central Kenya"
  • December 14, 2008 – Annual Christmas Bird Count Chili Dinner – Coventry Oaks Pavilion, Firestone MetroPark, Coventry Township, 4:30-6:30
  • Nov 25, 2008 – Professor Keith Tarvin, Dept of Biology at Oberlin College,  “Why Are Goldfinch Bills So Colorful?”
  • Oct 28, 2008 – Dr. Andy Jones, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, “Splitting and Joining of Bird Species”
  • Sept 23, 2008 – Rich Ruggles, Aurora Astronomical Society, "Shedding Light on Light Pollution"
  • June 24, 2008 – Annual Picnic hosted by Portage Lakes Purple Martin Association – details:

Who

A joint event for GAAS and Portage Lakes Purple Martin Association (PLPMA).    Canton Audubon will also be invited. 

 

When: 

Tuesday, June 24.     Fun with Purple Martins starting at about 6pm;  potluck picnic starting at about 7pm

 

Where:  

Martins:   Portage Lakes State Park, North Reservoir Boat Launch, on State Mill Road, just off of Manchester Road.  

Picnic:    Kiwanis Civic Center, 725 Portage Lake Drive.   (a very short drive from the martin site) 

There is plenty of parking at both locations.  

See map for more detailed information.

 

What

First, we'll do some feeding of the adult birds -- flipping scrambled egg bits into the sky for the swarming birds to nab.   Then, we'll lower some nest boxes, observe the eggs & chicks, and kidnap some of them for banding, which will be done by Tom Henry of ODNR.  

 

We'll then drive over to the potluck picnic site.    All attendees should bring a food item to share.    Larry is going to provide ham & buns.    GAAS will provide plates, napkins, utensils, cups, beverages, and ice. As dinner winds down, we can discuss Audubon business, if any, and Larry Hunter will address any questions about martins and PLPMA.    The picnic site is indoors, with a kitchen, electricity, & bathrooms. 

  • May 27, 2008- Matt Shawkey, Univ. of Akron, “Sexual selection in birds as a function of feather color”
  • Apr 22, 2008- Mark Shieldcastle, Ohio Division of Wildlife, "Spring Bird Migration"
  • Mar 25, 2008- Dr. Todd Blackledge, University of Akron Department of Biology, "Research on Spiders"
  • Feb 26, 2008- Clyde Witt & Susan Jones, "Trinidad & Tobago"
  • Jan 22, 2008- Larry Rosche, "Dragonflies & Damselflies"
  • Dec. 16, 2007 - Annual Christmas Bird Count Chili Dinner, 4:30-7 pm
  • Nov 27, 2007- Dr. Adil Wadia, University of Akron's Wayne Campus, "Birds and Dinosaurs"
  • Oct 23, 2007- Greg Miller, "The Big Year"
  • Sep 25, 2007- Andy Jones, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, "Ornithology at the Museum"
  • June 26, 2007 - Annual Picnic at BNP - Greg Smith (Univ. of Akron) - Kestrels - 6:30 pm (see map )
    BNP, owned by Bath Township, consists of over 400 acres, and contains a variety of habitats, including grasslands (with good populations of Bobolinks and Meadowlarks), wetlands, scrubland, deciduous forests, riparian corridors, ponds, and a remnant tamarack bog. UA has an agreement with the township for using the preserve for research and teaching. In addition, UA is responsible for the preserve management plan. There will no formal nature walk, but we encourage interested parties to bring their binoculars and go for a walk. The potluck picnic will be at about 6:30pm, so there should be time for a walk beforehand or possibly after the picnic.
  • May 22, 2007 - Dwight Chasar - "History of northeast Ohio ornithologists" (originally scheduled for April)
  • Apr. 24, 2007 - Mark Purdy - "Adventures in Namibia" (originally scheduled for May)
  • Mar. 27, 2007 - Ann McClain Roher - "Mr. Picky and Me: Lessons from a Master Chickadee"
  • Feb. 27, 2007 - Jen Brumfield - "What Birds Have Taught Me"
  • Jan. 23, 2007 - Mark Shieldcastle of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Wind turbines and birds
  • Dec. 17, 2006 - Christmas Bird Count and Chili Dinner (Seiberling NatuRealm)
  • Nov. 28, 2006 - Jim McCormac, President of Ohio Ornithological Society - Ohio's Birding Hotspots
  • Oct. 24, 2006 - Tim Krynak of Cleveland Metro Parks - Bats
  • Sept. 26, 2006 - Leo Boes - Leo's Ark
  • June 27, 2006 - Annual Picnic - Bath Nature Preserve Field Station - bird walk at 5:30; potluck dinner around 7; Speakers: Dr. Brian Bagatto and graduate student Misty Ayers speaking on how oxygen levels affect fish development; rain or shine. For directions, see map
  • May 23, 2006 - Dan Petit - "Keeping spring from becoming silent: How Ohioans are putting their birding skills to good use"
  • Apr. 25, 2006 - Damon Greer, Division of Wildlife - "Black Bears in Ohio, Something's a Bruin"
  • Mar. 28, 2006 - Tom Henry, Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Bald Eagles
  • Feb. 28, 2006 - Dave Swanson, ODNR - Ohio's breeding birds
  • Jan. 24, 2006 - Fran Kitchen,Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation - Wildlife Rehabilitation
  • Dec. 18, 2005 - Christmas Bird Count followed by Chili Dinner in Seiberling Naturealm
  • Nov. 22, 2005 - Chris and Chad Saladin, Medina Raptor Rehab Center - Peregrine Falcons
  • Oct. 25, 2005 - Cynthia Drukenbrode, Conservatory Manager at Cleveland Botanical Gardens - Praying Mantis
  • Sept. 27, 2005 - Jim McCormac, Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio Ornithological Society - Carnivorous Plants -- Important news: This meeting will be held at the Seiberling NatuRealm
  • June 28, 2005 - picnic at Univ. of Akron's new field station in Bath Nature Preserve - 6:30 pm (see map )
    BNP, owned by Bath Township, consists of over 400 acres, and contains a variety of habitats, including grasslands (with good populations of Bobolinks and Meadowlarks), wetlands, scrubland, deciduous forests, riparian corridors, ponds, and a remnant tamarack bog. UA has an agreement with the township for using the preserve for research and teaching. In addition, UA is responsible for the preserve management plan.

Members of the UA biology department (faculty and/or graduate students) will provide a tour of their facility and give a presentation on their research activities at the preserve.

There will no formal nature walk, but we encourage interested parties to bring their binoculars and go for a walk. The potluck picnic will be at about 6:30pm, so there should be time for a walk beforehand or possibly after the picnic.

For the picnic, GAAS will provide beverages and accessories (plates, cups, napkins, etc). Attendees only need to bring a potluck dish for sharing.

  • May 24, 2005 - (Change in Schedule) Joyce Pelz - Spring Bird Calls
  • April 26, 2005 - Mark Purdy - Galapagos
  • March 22, 2005 - Dr. Todd Blackledge - Spider webs and evolution
  • February 22, 2005 - Wendy Weirich - Winter Survival
  • January 25, 2005 - Casey Tucker - Audubon at Home
  • December 19, 2004 - Christmas Bird Count and Chili Dinner
  • November 23, 2004 - Jim McCormac - Neotropical Birds of Ohio
  • October 26, 2004 - Tom Henry - Barn Owls
  • September 28, 2004 - Ben Fambrough - Thrush Migration and night monitoring
    If you are interested in using the links that Ben mentioned in his presentation, they are:
    Intellicast.com
    Radar Ornithology
    Oldbird.org
  • June 6, 2004 - Annual Picnic - our annual picnic will be a joint activity with Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society at the Horseshoe Pond area of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Horseshoe Pond is located on Major Road, 0.7 miles west of Riverview Road. The nearest major intersection is Riverview Road and Rte 303. For more information on the site, check at CVNP. We will start at 8am with a morning bird walk, followed by a brunch/lunch at the pavilion. Each participant should bring a food item to share with the group, plus their own accessories (beverage, plates, forks, napkins, etc.) There is a grill on site; charcoal and grill utensils will be available. Additional activities will include a plant exchange and short talks about what the two chapters have been doing recently.
  • May 25, 2004 - Dr. Lauchlan Fraser - University of Akron research activity at Bath Nature Preserve
  • April 27, 2004 - Stanley Stine - The new MetroPark in northeast Summit County
  • March 23, 2004 - Laura Jordan - Medina Raptor Center
  • February 24, 2004 - Damon Greer - Coyotes in Ohio
  • January 27, 2004 - Shannon Ehlers - Adventures in Ghana
  • December 14, 2003 - No meeting but we will have the Christmas Bird Count followed by our Chili Dinner at the Mingo Shelter - details to follow.
  • November 25, 2003 - Mark Purdy - Birding in Chile
  • October 28, 2003 - Larry Hunter - Purple Martins in the Portage Lakes
  • September 23, 2003 - Ohio Bird Sanctuary - 'Guess Hoo's coming to dinner?', a presentation on owls
  • June 24, 2003 - Annual Picnic and Chapter Elections to be held at Wolf Creek Winery on Cleveland-Massillon Road. Bring your own food or call a local restaurant to have food delivered there. Meeting starts at 6:30.
  • May 27, 2003 - We will have a bird walk through the Sand Run Park and a short meeting with refreshments afterwards. We will meet at the Shady Hollow Pavilion starting at 6:30 and split into groups. Groups will leave until roughly 7:00. Bring your binocular
  • Apr. 22, 2003 - Larry Rosche - dragonflies & damselflies.
  • Mar. 25, 2003 - Beth and Steve Cagan - a presentation on their trip to Venezuela in conjunction with a conservation project involving the Cleveland Zoo.
  • Feb. 25, 2003 - Julie Zickefoose - nature artist & writer - creating a wildlife paradise in your own yard (artwork for sale also)
  • Jan. 28, 2003 - Dwight & Ann Chasar - nests and nest habits of birds
  • Dec. 15, 2002 - Christmas Bird Count & Chili Dinner (Mingo Shelter)
  • Nov. 26, 2002 - Steve Frantz, Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists - Snakes of Ohio
  • Oct. 22, 2002 - Michael Johnson, Davey Resource Group - Bats!
  • Sept. 24, 2002 - Jim White, Executive Director of Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan -- status, threats, & plans for the Cuyahoga, impact of urbanization, local activism, what we can all do.
  • June 25, 2002 Annual Picnic and Chapter Elections to be held at Wolf Creek Winery on Cleveland-Massillon Road. Bring your own food or call a local restaurant to have food delivered there. Meeting starts at 6:30.
  • May 28, 2002 William Rich of the University of Akron will give the presentation "Images of Nature in National Parks". Mr. Rich is an accomplished nature photographer.
  • April 23, 2002 Dr. Courtenay Willis and one of her interns will discuss her on-going avian research which is partially funded by Greater Akron Audubon Society.
  • March 26, 2002 Dr. Peter Niewiarowski of the University of Akron will talk about salamanders and his research at the Bath Nature Preserve.
  • February 26, 2002 Mark and Claire Purdy will give a presentation entitled " Birding at the Center of the Earth -- Ecuador."
  • January 22, 2001 - Clyde Witt and Susan Jones will give a presentation on the Kapiti Island Nature Preserve in New Zealand.
  • December 16, 2001 - Christmas Bird Count followed by Chili Dinner. The dinner will be held at the Mingo Shelter in the Sand Run Park starting at 4:30 and continuing until 7:00. You can find more information about the MetroParks Serving Summit County including maps and directions by going to MetroParks
  • November 27, 2001 - Tom Henry, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, will give a presentation on Wild Turkeys and other Ohio Game Birds.
  • October 23, 2001 - Jeff Wenstrup, Associate Professor of Neurobiology at NEOUCOM, will present "Listening in the Dark: Bats and Sonar."
  • September 25, 2001 - Fran Kitchen of Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. will talk about wildlife rehabilitation and also present some of the residents in her facility.
  • June 26, 2001 - Chapter picnic starting at 6:30 at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center. See the newsletter for details and directions.
  • May 22, 2001 - Dr. Londraville of The University of Akron Biology Department will speak on sharks and his research on the Great White Shark.
  • April 24, 2001 - Margy Siebert and Alice Phillips will present "Butterflies for Birdwatchers" with additional slides from chapter member and photographer Trudy Beal.
  • March 27, 2001 - Dr. Courtenay Willis and one of her interns will discuss her on-going avian research which is partially funded by Greater Akron Audubon Society.
  • February 27, 2001 - Mark and Claire Purdy will make a presentation on Iceland, concentrating on seabirds, with additional information on other birds and geography.
  • January 23, 2001 - Wendy Weirich, a naturalist with the Cleveland Metroparks, will present "Panama, the Land Between the Seas."
  • December 17, 2000 - after the Christmas Bird Count, we will have our annual Chili Dinner at the Mingo Shelter of Sand Run Park starting at 4:30.
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Greater Akron Audubon Society