BIRDS

BIRDS
Backyard count to start
The seventh annual Great Backyard Bird Count, set for Friday through Feb. 16, will create a continent-wide "snapshot" of which bird species are where and in what numbers -- information critical to monitoring the health of their populations.
Developed and managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon, with sponsorship in part from Wild Birds Unlimited stores and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (a division of the USDA), the GBBC will help researchers understand the status of birds all over North America.
Participants simply keep track of the birds they see on any or all of the count days, then log their sightings into the BirdSource database at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. Because the event is Internet-based, researchers and participants alike can see which birds are being reported where, all across the continent.
Participation instructions can be found at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. There's no fee or registration. Those who would like to participate but aren't online can try their local library, Internet caf & eacute;, or other public online location.
Individuals, businesses, Scout troops, and other community groups interested in promoting the GBBC can contact Cornell at (800) 843-2473 (outside the U.S., call (607) 254-2473), 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850, or e-mail cornellbirds@cornell.edu. For Audubon, call (215) 355-9588, ext. 16, write to Audubon Science Office, 545 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, Pa., 18974, or e-mail citizenscience@ audubon.org.
EVENTS
Boat show ends today
The 18th annual Penn-Ohio Boat Show ends today at the Eastwood Mall Expo Center. Hours for the show are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12. For information call (330) 799-3111.
Fly-fishing information
A fly-fishing seminar will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Howland Scope Center, 8273 High St.
Information and demonstrations of fly-fishing will be provided by local fly angler Bill Lewis.
Discussion on beginning a local fly fishing club will also be held.
Art auction to aid wildlife
The Moraine Preservation Fund will hold an auction of fine art Friday at the Garden Gate Restaurant U.S. Route 422 in Prospect, Pa.
Art preview is from 7 to 8 p.m., and the auction begins at 8 p.m. The auction will be presented by Ross Galleries, and proceeds will benefit the fund and its barn owl reintroduction program. All artwork is custom framed and matted.
Admission is $10 per person or $15 per couple. For tickets and information call (724) 368-9185.
OHIO
Licenses on sale Feb. 15
Anglers and hunters can purchase their 2004-05 fishing and hunting licenses beginning Feb. 15.
To make license buying more convenient, the ODNR Division of Wildlife will also offer Internet license sales, effective March 1 with any type of license or permit available at ohiodnr.com.
There are some changes in fees and license types this year, including a reduced-cost license for Ohio residents born on or after Jan. 1, 1938 (those who begin turning 66 in 2004). Ohio seniors who were born on or before Dec. 31, 1937, are eligible to get free hunting and fishing licenses and permits.
Regular adult Ohio hunting and fishing licenses are $19; youth hunting licenses cost $10. The one-day Ohio fishing license costs $11, and that amount can later be applied to the purchase of an annual license.
Beginning this license year, non-resident youth hunters (age 15 and under) may purchase a hunting license at the same cost as resident youth hunters. Deer and turkey permits for all youth hunters are now half the cost ($12) of the permits for adults.