Hello Everyone, Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) is proud to host a Waterfowl Identification Workshop presented by world-renowned bird expert, Kenn Kaufman, on March 21st, from 10:00 - noon in Port Clinton, Ohio. This workshop is offered as a stand-alone option, or, as part of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory's Annual Banquet & Weekend Celebration package. Here's a link to the registration form with the price break down for the event. _http://www.bsbobird.org/events/pdf/2009_Annual_Celebration_Reservation_Form.p df_ (http://www.bsbobird.org/events/pdf/2009_Annual_Celebration_Reservation_Form.pdf) Please join Kenn for a world-class workshop on Saturday, or, join the Observatory for an entire weekend of celebrating birds, birding, and bird conservation. BSBO’s banquet is open to everyone, and we encourage you to join us! Our keynote speaker for Saturday night's banquet is Norman Smith, of Massachusetts Audubon. Norman will be talking about his long-term study of Snowy Owls at Boston's Logan Airport. His talk--lavishly illustrated with stunning photos--takes us on a journey that spans a lifetime of interaction with what is undoubtedly one of the world's most fascinating birds. I had the great fortune of seeing Norman's talk during the Cape May Autumn Weekend in 2008, and I immediately scheduled him to keynote our 2009 banquet. Working for BSBO, and attending birding festivals all over the world, I have been blessed with the opportunity to see many, many presentations about birds and natural history. And this is, quite simply, one of the best programs I have ever seen about birds. This year's banquet takes place in and around Port Clinton, Ohio; a really lovely town located within 30 minutes of birding hotspots such as Magee Marsh and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. BSBO has been working to form the BSBO Business Alliance, a partnership with many local businesses working together to promote this area's fabulous birding opportunities. Many of our business partners are involved with the banquet this year, and thanks to their support, most of our weekend activities take place within walking distance of the hotel where we have a block of rooms reserved for just $29.99 per night! The evening meal features local, organic ingredients, and, of course, shade-grown coffee! The Observatory has grown so much over the last few years. While our commitment to migratory bird research remains as strong as ever, BSBO’s public education and outreach programs have grown tremendously. We are providing a valuable service to the people of this area, and the community is responding with an outpouring of support. In a recent meeting with a local restaurant owner about the importance of serving shade-grown coffee in his restaurant, he offered me some advice about business operations at BSBO. When I thanked him for it, he smiled and said, “Hey, it's my Observatory too.” That's the kind of thing we'll be celebrating at this year's event. I hope you'll join us. For more information about this, or all the other exciting opportunities that BSBO offers birders, please visit: _www.bsbobird.org_ (http://www.bsbobird.org) Good Birding, Kimberly Kaufman Executive Director Black Swamp Bird Observatory 13551 West State Route 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 419-898-4070 _www.bsbobird.org_ (http://www.bsbobird.org) _www.ohioyoungbirders.org_ (http://www.ohioyoungbirders.org) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219671244x1201345076/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) ______________________________________________________________________ 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]