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Thursday, September 29, 2022
Woody Species Control at Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 980 Woodburn Road, Urbana Champaign County Cedar Bog has been referred to as "The Crown Jewel of Natural Areas in Ohio." While there are many crown jewel nature preserves in Ohio, this special preserve is located in southern Champaign County in the Mad River Valley between the Farmersville and Springfield moraines. The moraines were left behind when the Wisconsin Glaciers receded 10,000-15,000 years ago. Cedar Bog is actually a fen (not a bog), with a constant source of alkaline water flowing through it. Cedar Bog has the highest biodiversity index of any preserve in the state and is home to many rare, threatened and endangered animal species.
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Photo by Ian Adams.
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ONAPA volunteers will be helping DNAP and the Cedar Bog Association remove white cedars and other invasive species in several locations. The stems will be cut and treated with herbicide in most locations and the woody stems removed from the meadows.
Directions: Cedar Bog is located off of US 68 at 980 Woodburn Road, about 3 miles south of Urbana and 1 mile north of the Clark/Champaign County line.
What to bring: Water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellant, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by trained staff or trained ONAPA volunteers. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: If you would like to attend, please REGISTER. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.
Directions: Cedar Bog is located off of US 68 at 980 Woodburn Road, about 3 miles south of Urbana and 1 mile north of the Clark/Champaign County line.
What to bring: Water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellant, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by trained staff or trained ONAPA volunteers. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: If you would like to attend, please REGISTER. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.
Warbler migration is starting - beginning birders may want to use helpful guide
Story and photos by John Watts
The annual migration calendar has flipped, and soon we will see a number of species migrating south from their breeding grounds in the north. As we noted last month, shorebird migration begins in July and peaks in late August and early September. By September, the first large groups of swallows have also moved south, and Common Nighthawks will be seen in the late afternoon and evening with groups passing through during the first week or so of the month. They are followed by the passerines, including the wood warblers. A small number of warblers begin to appear in the northern part of Ohio during the last week or so of August; however, the first large groups will begin to appear during the second week of September. Areas such as Sheldon’s Marsh and Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserves are excellent areas to see these birds as they arrive and move south.
While learning the spring warblers is generally considered a challenge for birders–and can be overwhelming for beginners–fall warblers take even more time, patience, and careful observation. In the fall, many species of warblers look similar to their bright spring breeding plumages with faded colors or less extensive markings on the head or throat. Others, however, look completely different and have lost nearly all of their breeding plumage. Compounding the issue is that many of these birds are young-of-the-year and have yet to obtain many, if any, of the adult markings. Learning these species can be a rewarding challenge and provides a great reason to get out and enjoy Ohio’s autumn mornings. The Warbler Guide, by Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle, is an excellent guide for learning fall warblers with its many comparison photos.
The annual migration calendar has flipped, and soon we will see a number of species migrating south from their breeding grounds in the north. As we noted last month, shorebird migration begins in July and peaks in late August and early September. By September, the first large groups of swallows have also moved south, and Common Nighthawks will be seen in the late afternoon and evening with groups passing through during the first week or so of the month. They are followed by the passerines, including the wood warblers. A small number of warblers begin to appear in the northern part of Ohio during the last week or so of August; however, the first large groups will begin to appear during the second week of September. Areas such as Sheldon’s Marsh and Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserves are excellent areas to see these birds as they arrive and move south.
While learning the spring warblers is generally considered a challenge for birders–and can be overwhelming for beginners–fall warblers take even more time, patience, and careful observation. In the fall, many species of warblers look similar to their bright spring breeding plumages with faded colors or less extensive markings on the head or throat. Others, however, look completely different and have lost nearly all of their breeding plumage. Compounding the issue is that many of these birds are young-of-the-year and have yet to obtain many, if any, of the adult markings. Learning these species can be a rewarding challenge and provides a great reason to get out and enjoy Ohio’s autumn mornings. The Warbler Guide, by Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle, is an excellent guide for learning fall warblers with its many comparison photos.
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Cape May Warbler
Passing through in good numbers in the fall, Cape May Warblers can be found by watching evergreens, especially spruce trees. Gone is the brilliant chestnut cheek and face patch contrasting with the bright yellow to orange head and breast. The fine breast and flank streaks are still present along with a reduced wing bar or panel. The cheek patch is very light chestnut to gray. The dark eye line is generally present but is faded. Bay-breasted Warbler Early arrivals and some adult males still possess some of the chestnut color on the flanks, but the striking contrast between the black crown and chestnut throat and breast are greatly reduced to nearly gone in most individuals. The head and nape of neck vary from dark faded chestnut to yellow-green in color with visible streaking on the upper back or mantle. A good feature to look for are the dark legs and feet. This will help distinguish it from a Blackpoll Warbler. Blackpoll Warbler A complete change from the black cap, white cheek, and throat and flank black streaking in the spring, fall Blackpolls appear with greenish-yellow-olive tones to gray with faint streaking on the sides of the breast, flanks, and upper back. Pay particular attention to the legs and feet–which are pink or flesh colored–to distinguish them from the Bay-breasted. Blackpoll Warblers generally pass through Ohio in fewer numbers than Bay-breasted in the fall. |
Cape May Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
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Final ONAPA guided tour of Johnson Woods is September 24
Join naturalist Gordon Maupin for an easy walk along the mile-long boardwalk at Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve. Maupin is the retired Executive Director of The
Johnson Woods (Photo by Beth Sanderson)
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Wilderness Center and on the board of the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association. He is a conservation biologist. Saturday, September 24, starting at 10 am, is the last of his three walks scheduled with ONAPA this year.
Johnson Woods is an amazing old growth forest. The towering trees never cease to inspire every visitor. Johnson Woods has forested wetlands with vernal pools and native wildflowers in all seasons. On the walks, Maupin will address the many features that make Johnson Woods amazing in all seasons. Johnson Woods is managed by the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, a state agency charged with preserving Ohio’s “crown jewels of nature.” Johnson Woods is located a few miles north of Orrville on Fox Lake Road between Highways 57 and 94. Please register with your chosen field trip date, name, email and cell phone at gmmaupin@icloud.com so you can be reached with any changes due to weather or other unforeseen issues. |
OIPC Annual Meeting September 30 at Highbanks Metro Park Nature Center
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This year's meeting offers 4 speakers on a variety of topics including OIPC accomplishments, OIPC Assessment Protocol, ecological restoration including invasive plant control, and the Crooked River CWMA. Refreshments and lunch are provided as part of the registration cost.
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Friday, September 30
10:00 am - 3:00 pm 9466 Columbus Pike Lewis Center, OH 43035 Registration includes lunch |
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ONAPA 2022 Annual Meeting & Social
October 29, 10 am - 5 pm Eagleview Lodge at Blacklick Woods Metro Park Golf Course Reynoldsburg Visit our 2022 Annual Meeting page for more information about this event, including speakers and field trips. Online registration begins September 10 at Eventbrite, or print out and mail a registration found HERE. |
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Stewardship projects benefit preserves
North Bog
Herrick Fen
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August was another busy month for our stewardship program with six projects at North Bend Bog (August 9), Cedar Bog (August 11), Brinkhaven Oak Barrens (August 16), Herrick Fen (August 18), Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area (August 23), and Jackson Bog (August 30).
We also had several field trips for the stewardship assistants to Tucker Preserve in Blacklick Woods Metro Park, Singer Lake, and some Adams County prairies. Most of our stewardship projects were with other partners such as the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cedar Bog Association, Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, and the Division of Wildlife, besides DNAP. We worked on woody species control at North Bend Bog, Cedar Bog, Herrick Fen, and Meilke Road Savanna. At Jackson Bog, we controlled purple loosestrife and cattails. Three of our stewardship assistants returned to college in August, but we still have Maddie and Lydia working with us through the fall. The new fall schedule is posted HERE with projects scheduled for most Tuesdays and Thursdays. 
Jackson Bog
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July busy stewardship month
The ONAPA stewardship team had a busy July, finishing up prairie fringed orchid surveys in early July at Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area. Since then, we have worked at North Pond on Kelleys Island (July 7), Trillium Trails in Great Parks (July 12), Crabill Fen (July 13), Jackson Bog (July 14), Owens Fen (July 19), Herrick Fen (July 21), and Clifton Gorge (July 26).
At North Pond, we were removing frogbit, a nasty aquatic plant that has invaded the open water. We are helping Great Parks of Hamilton County with some of their dedicated preserves, so at Trillium Trails we helped with Amur bush honeysuckle removal. In the four fens, we removed woody species and vines (e.g., Asiatic bittersweet), cattails, and teasel and Canada thistle (at Owens Fen). At Clifton Gorge, we worked on the scientific side removing invading bush honeysuckle, privet, and other woody invasives. We continue to have 10-20 people on our projects, including partners and volunteers. We are especially thankful for our five stewardship assistants and loyal volunteers. We are always looking for new volunteers, so please join us! |
ONAPA, DNAP and Great Parks groups at Trillium Trails
Jackson Bog
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Tour of Denny's Prairie in peak bloom beats storm
Photos by Terry Duncan & Jan Kennedy
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Groups of 15 to 20 led by Guy Denny, Jennifer Windus, Dick Moseley and John Watts managed to beat the July storm that drenched Guy’s tall-grass prairie July 23. The tour leaders shared great information about the forbs and grasses during their two-hour walk before the rains hit.
Members and friends toured the gently rolling landscape in peak bloom: compass plants, royal catchfly, coneflowers, cup plants, and so much more hosted a gathering of butterflies, bees and other pollinators, much to the delight of the several photographers in attendance. The prairie was created on 20-plus acres of once-cultivated farmland and also features two ponds with native hibiscus, gentians and other natives that thrive in wetter conditions.
Members and friends toured the gently rolling landscape in peak bloom: compass plants, royal catchfly, coneflowers, cup plants, and so much more hosted a gathering of butterflies, bees and other pollinators, much to the delight of the several photographers in attendance. The prairie was created on 20-plus acres of once-cultivated farmland and also features two ponds with native hibiscus, gentians and other natives that thrive in wetter conditions.
(Left to right): Lydia Radcliffe, Peter Zimmermann, Rachael Patterson, Edison Cigany, and Maddie Brown.
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Stewardship assistants key to ONAPA mission
ONAPA is very proud of our stewardship assistant team this year, our first year with five stewardship assistants! Three are returning: Maddie Brown, Lydia Radcliffe, and Rachael Patterson.
Our two new assistants are Edison Cigany, a college student at The Ohio State University with a major in plant biosciences, and Peter Zimmermann, a college student at Oberlin College with majors in biology and geology. We are pleased to have them with us this season, working alongside our loyal and dedicated volunteers. |
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Stewardship volunteers and assistants lend a hand in many ways
The stewardship program has been super busy from mid-June through early July. This included counting showy lady's-slippers at Cedar Bog on June 16, helping with downed trees at Knox Woods on June 22 and 28 (due to the storms), another day at Daughmer Savanna working on teasel and woody species on July 2, and surveying for Eastern prairie fringed orchids at elevent sites over four days. The prairie fringed orchid surveys were conducted in cooperation with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, DNAP, and the Division of Wildlife. We now have five stewardship assistants on board, so combined with our loyal and hardy volunteers, we have a great crew this season! Come out and join us in the field soon.
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Cedar Bog rare plants counted, Knox County downed trees cleared and rare orchids surveyed
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Several projects continue to focus on herbaceous invasives in May and June
ONAPA finished up May and started into June with four stewardship projects. We worked at Irwin Prairie in Lucas County on May 24 with seven people pulling garlic mustard in the north woods, hauling out several bags of this invasive plant. On May 31, six people worked at Milford Center Prairie digging out common teasel, pulling sweet-clover and Canada thistle, as well as cutting woody species in the prairie. Smooth rose was in full bloom at this time. Nine volunteers worked together at Brinkhaven Oak Barrens on June 7 to pull garlic mustard and Dame's rocket in the woods, as well as assessing the oak barrens for upcoming projects later in the season. The two oak barrens are looking good after the last several years of woody species control projects there. On June 9, seven people from ONAPA worked with Kyle Bailey from Crawford County Park District at Daughmer Savanna to remove common teasel (very little this year) and other herbaceous invasives, plus woody species that are present in the savanna. |
Smooth rose at Milford Center Prairie
Tim Lavey (left) and Randy Carmel with pulled garlic mustard and Dame's rocket. Randy is president of the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust which owns Brinkhaven Oak Barrens.
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Volunteers go into the woods after garlic mustard and other invasive plants in May
May continued to keep our stewardship team busy in the woods with garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, and butterweed. Photographer and stewardship projects leader Jennifer Windus captured some action shots at Davey Woods (top row) and Fowler Woods (bottom row).
On May 10, seven ONAPA volunteers worked with one DNAP staff person at Davey Woods and pulled 20 bags of garlic mustard and Dame's rocket. The woods was beautiful with spring wildflowers and we had a nice hike after pulling.
On May 11, a small group of five worked at Hueston Woods to remove garlic mustard in the Big Woods. On May 12, ten ONAPA volunteers and two DNAP staff worked at Fowler Woods, pulling garlic mustard and butterweed. Butterweed continues to invade the wet areas of the preserve, so we made a concerted effort to reduce these populations. On May 19, eight ONAPA volunteers worked with preserve manager, Warren Dunegan to pull garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, and butterweed in the upland woods at Olsen Preserve.
On May 10, seven ONAPA volunteers worked with one DNAP staff person at Davey Woods and pulled 20 bags of garlic mustard and Dame's rocket. The woods was beautiful with spring wildflowers and we had a nice hike after pulling.
On May 11, a small group of five worked at Hueston Woods to remove garlic mustard in the Big Woods. On May 12, ten ONAPA volunteers and two DNAP staff worked at Fowler Woods, pulling garlic mustard and butterweed. Butterweed continues to invade the wet areas of the preserve, so we made a concerted effort to reduce these populations. On May 19, eight ONAPA volunteers worked with preserve manager, Warren Dunegan to pull garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, and butterweed in the upland woods at Olsen Preserve.
Volunteer Stewardship Project Reports
For the latest Stewardship Project Reports,
CLICK HERE. |
Member Activities
For the latest Member Activity Reports,
CLICK HERE, |
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Stewardship
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VOLUNTEERWe have many volunteer opportunities available throughout the year. Invasive control, preserve monitoring, etc.
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