This summer, the Kirtland Bird Club (together with Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society and Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland) will commence birding surveys at the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve (formerly known as Dike 14). This citizen science project will occur year-round with a greater focus during migration season. It is expected to last for at least 10 years. Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve (CLNP) first opened to the public less than a couple of years ago, yet it has been a place to see amazing lakefront migration since the 1970s. Since then, CNLP has become an important migration stop-over for our passerines. It remains in the possession of the Cleveland Port Authority - an institution which has graciously made this area open to the public to enjoy. However, at times, parks too are subject to development for various reasons - especially if the data proving their importance towards biodiversity remains non-existent. The Port Authority has granted us permission to install 16 T-posts in order to conduct point counts which will prove the importance of this significantly important birding area. Mark Shieldcastle from the Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) and Laura Gooch of Cleveland are responsible for organizing the protocol for the point counts at CLNP. It will closely reflect upon the protocol used at Navarre Marsh, Shaker Lakes, and other important bird areas throughout Ohio. This will allow us to compare the results from these various locations with a greater accuracy. BSBO has agreed to crunch the numbers and analyze the data we gather. This will come at no cost to us. The data and its analyses will be shared with us, the Port Authority, and the greater public. In the future, we may perhaps publish this data for further dispersal as well. It is very exciting to have the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society and Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland Partner with us. You do not have to be part of a birding organization in order to join and all are welcome. The Survey will consist of 16 points along the trail which runs through CNLP. It will take a total of two hours to walk the whole trail and hit all points. Most groups will not hit all the points, and will use a far shorter amount of time to conduct their part of the survey. Our first meeting to hear about the protocol and set up these posts will take place this Saturday May 31st 2014 at 9am in front of the Management Center at CLNP. Its address is 8701 Lakeshore Boulevard, Cleveland Ohio 44103. There, Mark Shieldcastle will present the protocol. Then, President of the Kirtland Bird Club, Lukas Padegimas will introduce Laura Gooch - The Project Coordinator of the Point Counts at CLNP. Finally, we will divide in groups and go on a short tour of the reserve and put the point markers in. The actual point counts are scheduled to start between mid-June and mid-July. If you are interested, or know anyone who is interested, please contact KBC President, Lukas Padegimas, at [log in to unmask] or Project Coordinator, Laura Gooch at [log in to unmask] . You can also look for updates on the KBC website: www.kirtlandbirdclub.org or and like the survey Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CitizenScienseDike14 . It is a wonderful opportunity to conduct a significantly worthwhile citizen science project, aid in the conservation effort, and have the perfect excuse to make frequent birding visits to this beautiful park. Everyone is welcome to join regardless of membership or affiliation with any of these organizations. Hope to see you there! Sincerely, Lukas Padegimas President of the Kirtland Bird Club ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]