Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that support aquatic AND terrestrial plants and animals.  They provide nesting habitat for many species in the summer and resting/feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl and passerines in spring and fall.  This presentation showcases iconic wetland species like Egrets, Herons, Ibis and Rails along with raptors, waterfowl, warblers and more.  There is even a bonus section presenting insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals that make their homes in wetlands. 

Matt Valencic has been interested in birds and other wildlife most of his life but did not start photographing them until 2006. He retired in 2015and shortly thereafter met some members of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland. He felt an immediate bond with them and their mission of education and land stewardship. His catalog of bird pictures soon became the content of several presentations about the birds of NE Ohio and their habitats.

Matt helps direct the education outreach of this chapter and is a member of the Sanctuary Committee and the Board of Trustees. His favorite pastime is pursuing and photographing birds in Geauga County, in the hope of better pictures for his talks. He and his wife Patti live on an 8 acre “hobby” farm in Geauga County with their two horses and a large vegetable garden. They have 3 adult children and 9 grandchildren, and he is always grooming those grandkids into future bird watchers, gardeners and nature nerds.

We only have two trail monitor meetings a year and one of them is our famous Fall Potluck Meeting! This year it is scheduled to be held on Sunday September 13th at 5:30 at a new location for us. It will be at Sandy Ridge Reservation's Johnson Wetland Meeting Room located at 6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville, Ohio 44039. (Hoping wifi will be better!) We will plan to be set up and ready to enjoy supper together by 6pm and then have our meeting from approx. 7-8pm. There will be plenty of time for any clean up and packing up take home boxes either before or after the meeting. It's always a wonderful meal! We will provide at least two entrees as well as plates, napkins, plasticware and several types of drinks (including coffee, soft drinks, water and iced tea) . If each of you will bring a favorite dish to share, our meal will be delicious! It could be any type of side dish or dessert or whatever is a favorite!

Please make sure you also bring your trail monitor's weekly notes to turn in for our Nestwatch entries and also bring the filled-out end of year trail summary which is attached to this email. If you have sparrow spookers that need repairs, please bring those too so we can work on them this winter and have them ready for next year's nesting season.

We will be discussing maintenance that has been done on the trials this year and will be planning for any needed fall maintenance that should be done. Each of you have walked your trails many times in the past 4-5 months so you know better than me which boxes might need to be moved because of heavy house wren or house sparrow competition, or because the area is getting too brushy or overgrown. Maybe you know of some nestboxes on your trails that are looking worn and cracked and need to be replaced before next spring. We have brand new boxes ready! Bring you ideas and thoughts about what you need /want to have done on your own trail so we can arrange to get it done while the fall weather is favorable.

This will also be a time to just talk about our trails- what was great, what was challenging and what paperwork or process could be tweaked or improved upon. Come with ideas! 

Lastly, I hope to get a group photo. These are always my favorite photos of the year and it will be a guaranteed entry in the next Bluebird newsletter!  Smile!

Please RSVP to my email or text message! I hope to see ALL of you at the meeting though! .

If you absolutely can't make it to the meeting, please contact me to make arrangements to give me your trail notes and trail summary sheet before the meeting date and also any of your needed trail improvement ideas.

Thanks for making this group the best in the state ( in my opinion!) 

Sincerely,

Penny and Fritz Brandau

BRAS bluebird program coordinators

Dr. Joe Blanda will present his exciting adventures from his 2016 birding journey that led to much more than a long list of birds. From this presentation you might learn about some interesting destinations and unusual birds but most importantly, you might gain a better appreciation for a mindful approach to birding.

Dr. Joe Blanda is a reecetly retired orthopedic surgeon. His interest in birds has led him to many exciting destinations and has made him an avid backyard birder. In addition to birding, he enjoys managing a pollinator garden in his yard and helping with a few bluebird trails. Dr. Blanda enjoys introducing marginalized populations to birding through a nature prescription program.

Tom Bartlett opens his banding sessions to the public. We thought it would be fun to go as a group.

The ferry’s last departure from Marblehead is 5:00 pm and from Kelly’s at 5:30 pm. Thus, in order to do owl banding (which is at night) you have to stay on the island. You will be responsible for your travel and lodging arrangements.

If you want to do songbird banding, you can come and go the same day. Those hours are 6:30am-2:00pm at Jones Preserve. We will likely meetup around 8:00 am. The owl banding is from sunset - ? as Tom put it. That is at Scheele Preserve.

Tom suggested to stay two nights (for owl banding) in case the first night brings bad weather.

If you plan to attend either of the days or all of them, let Gina know. She will coordinate with everyone that plans to attend. ginaswindell@roadrunner.com

This program will investigate the different types of nests & various locations that birds will use to make their homes to protect their young. Natural & man-made construction materials will be featured, as

Judy has spent more than 40 years chasing, observing, and marveling at the amazing natural history found in Ohio & other states. She is the founder of Chrysalis in Time‚ the first Ohio chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Judy also serves on the board of the Ohio Ornithological Society (Conservation Committee), Ohio Bluebird Society, ONAPA and the Ohio Biological Survey. She has co-authored two natural history guides, "Dragonflies & Damselflies of Northeast Ohio” and "Goldenrods of Northeast Ohio: A Field Guide to Identification & Natural History.” For more than 20 years, Judy was a Conservation Specialist in the Natural Areas Division of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. As a former Petroleum Geologist and science teacher, Judy loves to learn about and share her passion for the natural world through field trips, interpretive programs, and photography. Learn more about Judy’s latest adventures & offerings through her company, Nature Spark!

With rich, vibrant colors, beautiful and bizarre songs, intricate nests, and astonishing feats of migration, birds enrich our lives in a myriad of ways. In this lively and beautifully illustrated presentation, Kimberly Kaufman will explore a few of the reasons she believes birds captivate us beyond any other aspect of nature, and why natural areas are essential components of our quality of life.

Kimberly Kaufman is the Executive Director of Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) in northwest Ohio. She founded the Ohio Young Birders Club, and is also the co-founder of The Biggest Week In American Birding, the largest birding festival in the country. She is a contributing editor to Birds & Blooms Magazine, and co-author of the Kaufman Field Guides to Nature of New England and Nature of the Midwest. Kimberly’s work was recognized by the American Birding Association when she was presented with the prestigious Chandler Robbins Award, given to an individual who has made significant contributions to education and/or bird conservation. Kimberly and her husband Kenn make their home in Oak Harbor, Ohio.

Chance Raffle: Win and/or purchase tickets at the event for the chance to win one or more fabulous items (must be present)

Silent Auction: For those with a competitive spirit, bid on one or more offered silent auction items (must be present)

50/50 Raffle: Tickets go on sale on our website October 1st and will be available during the event (winner need not be present)

Members: $28.00 (Tickets go on sale on our website November 1st)

Non-members: $40.00 (membership can be purchased while purchasing event tickets. Membership includes your household)

Menu:

Swiss Steak, Lasagna, Chicken Paprikash

Scalloped Potatoes, Macaroni and Cheese

Green Beans Almondine, Vegetable Medley

Salad & Rolls

Water, Coffee, Tea, Punch

Darla was a 2025 recipient of the black River Audubon Society’s Hog Island Scholarship. This presentation will be based on her experience, focusing on the natural history of the Atlantic puffin while contextualizing the history of puffin conservation efforts within the deeper history of Hog Island Audubon Camp.

Dr. Darla French is a broadly trained biologist with a passion for nature, teaching and science education. Darla has been in higher education for 15 years and currently teaches in the Biology Department at Oberlin College, having previously taught at the University of Pikesville in KY. Past courses taught include introduction to Ecology, Ornithology, Botany, and Restoration Ecology, among many others. Darla grew up in the southern Lorain County, went to the College of Wooster (OH) for her undergraduate education in biology, and then received her master’s and PhD degrees in education and forestry/natural resources, respectively, from Purdue University (IN). In her personal time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three cats, birding, gardening, crocheting, hiking, studying Middle Eastern dance, and teaching women’s self defense.

This program will focus on the specific insects and other invertebrates that serve as vital food for our local bird species and ways to increase insect diversity for birds.

Chris is an Educator from Cincinnati, OH who attended Wittenberg University then worked as a Naturalist in Hamilton County. Wanting to learn more about insects, he attended The University of Tennessee where he obtained his master's degree in Entomology, followed by a PhD in Entomology from The Ohio State University. Chris taught Biology, Zoology, Natural History and Environmental Science at Baldwin Wallace University and the University of Mount Union for 21 years before returning to his roots as a Naturalist and informal Educator.

From dazzling aerial acrobatics to incredible long-distance migrations, hummingbirds are among the most extraordinary birds on Earth. Discover the fascinating lives of these tiny jewels as we explore their remarkable adaptations, surprising behaviors, and record-breaking feats of endurance. You'll also learn where and when you can observe hummingbirds around the world to experience these incredible birds up close.

Jamie Cunningham is a photography and birding guide for Sabrewing Nature Tours, leads tours on five continents, and greatly enjoys helping others connect with wildlife through birding and photography. Jamie’s passion for birds and wildlife led her from casual birding to an award-winning career in bird photography. Her images have appeared in numerous publications and have been featured in a solo gallery exhibit. Jamie loves to travel and explore new cultures, food, and destinations around the globe with her partner, Brian, and two children. 

Jamie is the Education Director at Black Swamp Bird Observatory, is the statewide coordinator for Black Swamp Bird Observatory's Ohio Young Birders Club, serves as speaker coordinator for The Biggest Week in American Birding, and organizes the festival’s accessible field trips. 

With ample slide from John’s lengthy experience with birds of prey, the biology of Ohio raptors will be detailed; along with an explanation of the sport of falconry in Ohio.

John Blakeman is a retired advanced placement biology teacher and an expert on both Ohio prairies and raptors. He was a state and federally licensed raptor bander and has studied raptors across North America. He helped form the Ohio Falconry Association and to enact Ohio’s falconry legislation. He has bred raptors in captivity and conducted raptor rehabilitation. John has advised authorities in New York City’s Central Park in dealing with Red-tailed hawk breeding and to interpret to the public what was being seen.

Learn what it is like to be a purple martin landlord. We will discuss the fascinating habits of purple martins, what nesting looks like for them, and why humans are so invested in their survival. The 2026 nesting statistics for the Lorain County Metro Parks colonies will be shared as well as our goals for the 2027 season.

Carolyn Barck is a native of Vermilion and has been working for the Lorain County Metro Parks in some capacity since 2015. She became the Assistant Park Manager of Wellington Reservation in March of 2020 after obtaining a degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management from Kent State University. She has been the Wellington Reservation purple martin landlord since 2021 and has been assisting Splash Zone with their new colony in 2026.

This program will describe and illustrate the important types and uses of bird beaks, from nesting to feeding & foraging and sensory adaptations. Photos showing beak types and their many uses will be discussed.

Conservation specialist, field biologist and naturalist Judy Semroc has 35+ years of experience offering hands-on exploration-based learning programs. As a former Petroleum Geologist and science teacher, Judy loves to learn about and share her passion for the natural world through hikes, interpretive programs, and photography.

Judy is the founder of Chrysalis in Time‚ the first Ohio chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Judy also serves on the board of the Ohio Bluebird Society & Ohio Ornithological Society (Conservation Committee). She has co-authored two natural history guides, “Dragonflies & Damselflies of Northeast Ohio” in 2008, and “Goldenrods of Northeast Ohio: A Field Guide to Identification & Natural History” in 2017.

In 2025, Tammy Martin assembled a group of birding friends to spend 16 days touring Uganda is one of the top birding countries in Africa (over 1100 species). Additionally, Uganda is an incredible place to see native wildlife, especially Mountain gorillas.  Safari drives in numerous national parks and boat trips along the Nil River, Lake Victoria and other lakes/channels produced a record number of species for the group. Join Tammy as she recounts her adventures.

Tammy Martin, of northwest Ohio, retired from Oberlin College as a library cataloger. She earned her BS and MS in Environmental Interpretation from The Ohio State University based on a deep love/interest in everything “natural” ….especially birds! During college, Tammy worked as a seasonal naturalist on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina for the National Park Service. She returned to academia for employment in the library field, during which time she and husband, Dn, raised twins Sarah and Andy. After their graduation, Tammy found time to revive her interest in birding and hasn’t looked back She led field trips for BRAS and now assists with Road Scholar birding groups in northern Ohio, focusing on spring and fall migration National and international birding is also hiking on her agenda, as well as road biding with Dan, and spending time with her  grandchildren Parker, Westin and Ruby.

Speaker: Harvey Webster- Ambassador Emeritus, Retired Chief Wildlife Office & Museum Ambassador Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Harvey Webster retired in 2020 after a 47-year career at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History where he served as Chief Wildlife Officer and Museum Ambassador. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Audubon Society of Great Cleveland, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy and Red Oak Camp. He presents programs on natural history and conservation throughout Ohio. He was inducted into Ohio Conservation Hall of Fame by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in 2025.

It has been over forty years since the Cleveland Museum of Natural History became the first institution in the world to breed the then-endangered Bald eagle in captivity by artificial insemination. The resulting eaglets were fostered into wild nests helping to bolster wild Ohio populations. This was just one of many efforts to save the national bird. What has happened to eagles since is nothing short of amazing- a grand conservation success story! But it is also a cautionary tale for the future. Join in the spirited exploration of the natural and cultural history of the Bald eagle, how it became endangered and the epic tale of its recovery.