Greetings Birders!

For those of you who have visited the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
recently, you may have noticed some pretty neat changes that have been
taking place this year at the refuge and surrounding areas. Have you noticed
more auto tours? 

I can't help but give a shout out and big thanks to Jason Lewis, the refuge
manager (and birder), for implementing these changes that benefits birders
and other wildlife enthusiasts. I have had the pleasure of birding with
Jason, and he is a great person, who is willing to take the extra steps to
get birders access to some of the productive birding areas within the refuge
property. The rest of the staff, including Rebecca Hinkle, have also been
accommodating and deserve a big thanks!

Early this spring, the Crane Creek Estuary trail opened between Magee Marsh
and Ottawa. The trail is a walking loop that starts at the west end of the
parking lot at Magee and continues west from the beach area back to the
estuary, where hundreds of shorebirds have been foraging for the last two
months. On International Migratory Bird Day in May, the trail hosted a
gorgeous female Kirtland's Warbler for everyone's viewing pleasure and
hundreds of happy birders were able to see her. This trail has been a
hotspot this season and continues to produce some good bird sightings!

Another project Ottawa NWR has worked on this summer is removing the old
barn on Benton-Carroll Road and installing a gravel parking area. Recently,
the Toledo Naturalists' Association donated a large sum of money for decking
materials for an elevated observation platform that will overlook the entire
unit allowing point blank views of shorebirds during spring migration. 

ONWR and TNA are asking for your help with this project by hosting a
Volunteer Work Day. In appreciation, we are asking for volunteers to help
construct the deck on Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m.  You don't need construction experience to join in the fun. Please
bring gloves and safety glasses. We also need extra cordless drills with a
Phillips head and extra batteries if you have one to share. If you can help,
please let us know by September 10, 2012 by calling the ONWR Visitor Center
at 419-898-0014.  Lunch will be provided!  Rain date will be Sunday,
September 16, 2012.

Lets work together on this awesome project! Many of us will be using this
observation deck during the spring, and what better way to show your support
and appreciation, than to be part of the construction process and later be
able to tell your friends and family that you help built it!

Cheers!

Sherrie Duris
Vice President
Toledo Naturalists' Association
www.toledonaturalist.org

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