BIRDING

BIRDING
Audubon bird countsto be held in the Valley
From beginning birder to seasoned ornithologist, all are welcome to participate in the 103rd Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Locally, the Mahoning County count will be Dec. 14, and the Trumbull County event will be held Dec. 15.
Participants must do their counting within a designated 15-mile CBC circle on the given count day. To find the CBC closest to you, go to http://map.birdsource.org/Mapper/startCBCCompID.html and enter your town name in the space provided.
Participants 18 and under can participate for free. All others are asked to pay $5 to help Audubon cover CBC program costs (such as database/Web development costs and the publication of the CBC results summary).
More than 50,000 observers participate each year in this all-day census of early-winter bird populations. The results of their efforts are compiled into the longest running database in ornithology, representing over a century of unbroken data on trends of early-winter bird populations across the Americas.
OHIO
Late fall is nesting timefor state's bald eagles
OAK HARBOR -- The nation's symbol continues to fly high above the Buckeye State, and wildlife biologists are asking Ohio residents to report bald eagle nesting activity they may observe in their communities.
Ohio's resident bald eagles are busy this time of year as they carry out nest maintenance chores in preparation for next spring's nesting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
Anyone who observes bald eagles actively building a nest, or discovers a large nest that they think may be an eagle's nest, should contact an ODNR Division of Wildlife district office or county wildlife officer. Wildlife biologists caution anyone who discovers a nest against approaching the area. Bald eagles are sensitive to human disturbances, which may result in abandonment of a nest.
Ohio's nesting bald eagle population has gone from only four active nesting pairs along southwestern Lake Erie in 1979 to a modern record 79 nesting pairs in 28 counties recorded during the 2002 nesting season. This year, Ohio's eagles fledged 107 young, one more than last year's record number.
Eagle nests in Ohio are located from the shores of Lake Erie south to Chillicothe and from Mercer County, which borders Indiana to Mahoning County along the Pennsylvania border.
Each fall, adult eagle pairs perform routine repairs by adding sticks, twigs and grasses to established nests. Some eagles may rebuild nests that were destroyed due to storms, while others may be re-establishing their nests at new locations. Young eagles reaching maturity are building their first nests as they scout breeding territories for their first nesting season.
Successful nesting seasons with record numbers of eaglets raised in Ohio over the past decade are producing a snowball effect. Increasing numbers of new nests are popping up each year, as bald eagles are inclined to establish nesting territories in areas where they were reared. Eagles reach breeding maturity at 3 to 4 years of age.
Active nests are currently recorded in the following Ohio counties: Coshocton (1); Crawford (1); Delaware (1); Erie (7); Geauga (2); Guernsey (3); Hancock (1); Henry (1); Holmes (1); Huron (2); Knox (2); Licking (1); Lorain (2); Lucas (5); Mahoning (3); Marion (1); Mercer (1); Noble (1); Ottawa (11); Portage (2); Ross (1); Sandusky (11); Seneca (4); Stark (1); Trumbull (6); Wayne (1); Wood (2); and Wyandot (5).
Shop for giftsat ohiodnr.com
Giving holiday gifts of outdoor fun is easier than ever this year with Ohio State Parks' online catalog.
Visit ohiodnr.com and shop for friends and family without leaving the warmth and convenience of your own home.
Aside from the popular Ohio State Parks gift certificates, the online catalog also offers a wide selection of men's, women's and children's clothing; stuffed toys; books; and other novelty items with Ohio outdoor themes. Gift certificates (available in any denomination) can be used to purchase overnight stays in any of eight Ohio State Parks resort lodges, more than 500 cottages or 57 family campgrounds statewide. Gift certificates can also purchase a boat rental at a park marina; a round of golf at a state park golf course; or any item from a state park gift shop.
Camping enthusiasts will benefit from memberships in Ohio State Parks Cardinal Camper Club. Each $25 membership brings one year of discounts on state park camping fees. Members receive a 15 percent discount off campsite fees from April through October and a 20 percent discount on fees from November to March. Ohio State Parks gift certificates and Cardinal Camper Club memberships are also available by calling (614) 265-6561.