Hi all, For the fourth year now, the Ohio Ornithological Society and the Wilds are hosting a mid-winter field trip to the tundra-like landscape of the Wilds. Our focus is raptors, and species like Golden Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, and Northern Harrier are to be expected. Northern Shrike is a possibility - one has already been seen this winter - and who knows what else. The Wilds graciously has agreed to open their visitor's center atop the hill for lunch, and we will be treated to a lunchtime program about the Wilds by staffer Troy Burch. Should be a great time and a good chance to see some interesting birds, study raptors, and meet many of your fellow birders. All the details are below - hope to see you there! The 4th Annual Wilds Winter Raptor Extravaganza Saturday, January 17th, 2009 Mark your calendars and pull out your fleece! The OOS and the Wilds again are hosting our mid-winter foray to the fabulous winter birding Mecca in Muskingum County. Raptors converge in great numbers at the Wilds to take advantage of the abundant bounty of Meadow Voles that inhabit the 10,000 acres of grassland. We expect Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Short-eared Owls, along with a number of other species of meat-eating predators. Kings of the sky are Golden Eagles, several of which have over-wintered at the Wilds for at least nine years. Last year, every participant got to see at least one, some close enough without binoculars. Also possible is a recurring Northern Shrike, and this is also the locale where a Prairie Falcon spent two winters. Arctic-like temperatures and icy blasts of air don't deter the birds, and in years past the weather hasn't deterred the birders either. Last year, about 130 people showed up and a good time was had by all. Free Registration * Even though this trip is a free, open-to-all, giveback to the Ohio birding community, we need to know who will be coming. * Please send an email to [log in to unmask] to reserve your space at this OOS Tradition - Winter at the Wilds. Full details, maps, etc. will be emailed back to you for proper preparation. The details are also on the OOS homepage at: http://www.ohiobirds.org/ Jim McCormac Columbus, Ohio Like nature? Visit my blog: http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/ Like birds? Join the Ohio Ornithological Society: http://www.ohiobirds.org ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]