OHIO

OHIO
Eagle Creek event setfor next Saturday
COLUMBUS -- Guided wildflower and bird hikes will be held next Saturday at Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve, as part of the Natural Areas Discovery Series, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Natural Areas Discovery Series.
The Portage County preserve will begin its "Birds and Blooms" guided hikes at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon. The 8 a.m. hike along the Beaver Run Trail focuses on the birds of Eagle Creek in a rarely visited area of the preserve. The 10 a.m. and noon hikes will feature the variety of spring blooms seen along the preserve's trails. The trails are rated easy to moderate and range from three-fourths of a mile to 2.5 miles in length.
More than 70 wildflower species bloom throughout Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve in early May, including white and red trillium, 13 species of violets, yellow and white trout lilies, squirrel corn, Dutchman's breeches and Virginia bluebells. Looking to the skies, visitors can admire wood warblers and other nesting birds such as northern orioles, scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks and indigo buntings.
The Natural Areas Discovery Series kicked off in April and each month through October features scheduled hikes and interpretive activities at selected state nature preserves. The monthly programs are free and open to the public. The ODNR Division of Natural Areas & amp; Preserves sponsors the series.
For more information about the Discovery Series visit ohiodnr.com, or, for specific information about the May 6 event at Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve, call (330) 527-5118.
Migratory Bird Dayto be celebrated May 13
COLUMBUS -- Live raptor displays, songbird banding demonstrations, and roving bird guides are a few of the naturalist programs that will highlight International Migratory Bird Day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 13 at Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area in Ottawa County.
In addition to bird watching opportunities at one of the nation's top-ranked birding locations, visitors also will have access to marsh wagon tours, decoy and songbird carving demonstrations, nest box displays and an exhibit on bird optics.
Wildlife enthusiasts can view a wide range of birds from their automobiles or while walking nearly two miles of paths and boardwalks. Additionally, they can walk the one-mile "Partnership Trail," that connects Magee Marsh to the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
Beginning in front of the Magee Marsh Bird Center, visitors can follow the trail as it passes through a variety of coastal habitats before ending at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge office. Birders can also take advantage of an observation tower overlooking the marsh. Additionally, the area features a warbler exhibit, as well as interpretive and birding identification signs.
Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area has received national attention in Birder's World and Wild Bird magazines, each ranking the Ottawa County site as a "Top 10" best birding location in North America. It is also designated as an Audubon Important Bird Area.
The Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area is 17 miles west of Port Clinton on State Route 2 between State Routes 19 and 590. It is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. The Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday year-round. The center is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from March through November. Call (419) 898-0960, Ext. 31, for more information.
Wildlife show
MENTOR -- Wildlife artist Robert Bateman plans a major exhibition of his works Friday at Gallery One, 7003 Center Street.
PENNSYLVANIA
One-day powerboat course
ESPYVILLE, Pa. -- A one-day course for powerboaters will be offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on May 13 at the North Shenango Community Center, state Route 285 between Pymatuning Lake and Conneaut Lake.
Mandatory boater education is required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, who will operate a powerboat greater than 10 horsepower in Ohio and 25 horsepower in Pennsylvania.
Registration closes April 15, and preregistration is required. The class will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m.
For more information, call Brooks Wright at (440) 645-3567; Ed Straub at (330) 727-3005; Ray Calzo at (330) 799-8744; Jerry Crowe at (330) 534-1123; or George Davis at (330) 337-7742.