To all shorebird seekers! I have attached a news release pertaining to shorebird research being conducted as we speak in the Lake Erie Marsh Region (LEMR). Any assistance that can be provided will be greatly appreciated. We know how important the LEMR is for shorebirds in both southward and northward migration but this study will hopefully add to our understanding of just how well they are doing while here, how long do individuals stay, and how well are we doing towards the conservation plan goals of providing the species needs while here. Getting information to the OSU student quickly is of utmost importance as the color-marking is providing real time movement information on habitat use and dispersal. Please feel free to use the attached pdf to also report your sightings. (If the pdf doesn't go through the list serve filters you can request it from Keith Norris or myself here at Black Swamp Bird Observatory) Color Marked Shorebirds Will Be in the Marshes This Fall A graduate student from Ohio State University will be working with local bird banders Tom Bartlett and Tom Kashmer this fall researching shorebird migration ecology. The research is aimed at understanding the contributions that the southwest Lake Erie marsh region has to the energy reserves of shorebirds during their migration. As part of the study, Graduate student Keith Norris will be marking the breasts on select shorebird species with color markers (Sharpie brand). The color marking will allow the researchers to see how birds move relative to where they were banded and what areas they forage in during their stopover. Birds will be marked across the breast with 1 or a combination of 2 colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Black, and White. If you see a marked bird, please record the Date, Time, Specific Location, Type of Habitat, GPS Coordinates (if available), Species, and Color Combination (top and bottom colors). A data sheet has been provided for collecting the necessary information. Please contact Keith Norris with all of the information via email ([log in to unmask]) or phone (217.855.6324). Mark Shieldcastle Research Director Black Swamp Bird Observatory 13551 W SR 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 419-898-4070 <http://www.bsbobird.org/> www.bsbobird.org <http://www.ohioyoungbirders.org/> www.ohioyoungbirders.org <http://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/> www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com Become a fan of BSBO & Ohio Young Birders Club on facebook at: <http://www.facebook.com/bsbobird> www.facebook.com/bsbobird www.facebook.com/ohioyoungbirders Follow BSBO on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bsbobird ______________________________________________________________________ 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]