Meet at 7:30 am at Parking lot 1 by the Headlands Dunes Nature Preserve sign (east end of the park). Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk in sand. The leader will carry a spotting scope for the group.

Meet at 7:30 am in Parking lot 12 (west end of the park). Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk in sand.

Information for participants on meetup spot will be sent to you by email. A spotting scope is recommended, but not necessary. Long pants and sturdy footwear recommended. No bathrooms available at the site.

Meet in the picnic area near parking lot P-1 at the east end of Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor at the northern end of State Rt. 44. Bring your binoculars and a chair or blanket. Come when you can and stay as long as you like.

Meet at 10 am at Parking lot 1 by the Headlands Dunes Nature Preserve sign (east end of the park). Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk in sand.

Arrive at the Reeves Road parking lot, located at 3100 Reeves Road in Willoughby. Entrance is off of Reeves Road. We will begin at 10 am. Dress for the weather with comfortable shoes. Terrain is flat and partially paved. The program may go off groomed trail in some spots. Flush restrooms are available on site.

Information for participants on meetup spot will be sent to you by email. A spotting scope is recommended, but not necessary. Long pants and sturdy footwear recommended. No bathrooms available at the site.

By 1973 most of the swamp forest trees and marsh plants had died, and the 4-mile-long wetland basin was overtaken by reed grass (Phragmites australis), a 15’ to 24’ tall nonnative invasive plant from Eurasia. With Ohio’s largest Phragmites monoculture nearly gone, the pursuit is on to find and eradicate the last Phragmites plants standing. Native habitat restoration from the start has been focused on a “build it and they will come” goal: restore native plant structure that in turn attracts secretive marsh birds. That goal is becoming a reality as several species of Bitterns and Rails have been recently documented.

About the Speaker

David J. Kriska, Ph.D., Restoration Ecologist David joined the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in 2003 working for the Natural Areas Division, where he specializes in rare plant and animal surveys, community ecology, and habitat restoration. Since 2008 he’s helped acquire nearly 2,000 acres of critical habitat- the Museum currently has 66 scientific natural areas spread across 12,450 acres that contain unique natural communities, such as old growth forests, marshes, bogs, swamps and fens. These high-quality habitats- many are globally rare, together protect 260 different kinds of endangered, threatened, or rare plant and animal species, and represent the remarkable biological diversity that was once widespread throughout the region.

About the Speaker

Caleb Wright is a 15 year-old bird nerd from Geauga County, and currently a sophomore at West Geauga High School. He has been birding for about 3 years, as an extension of his love for nature and the outdoors. He is also a member of the Ohio Young Birders Club and 4-H Plantmasters group. When he’s not birding, you can find him on a soccer field, playing the trumpet or piano, or spending time with his family and dogs.

About the Speaker

Nick G Liadis is an avian conservation biologist based in Pittsburgh. His work takes him across the human landscape gradient into urban, suburban, and rural areas to better understand how birds coexist with humans. Trained as an architect, he became involved with bird conservation by studying bird-window collisions. He founded a non-profit called Bird Lab, dedicated to studying and implementing solutions to human-related sources of avian mortality, particularly within cities.

About the Speaker

Richard “Buster” Banish has been birding for 35+ years. He has been a Field Tech for Swarovski for over a dozen years. He started a Bird Nerd club at East Clark Elementary School 8 years ago and still loves all things birds!

About the Speaker

Dave Tomashefski co-founded Meadow City Native Plant Nursery in Cleveland in 2022. As education specialist, he is responsible for the nursery’s educational programs. Prior to Meadow City, Dave worked at the Soil, Water and Environmental Lab at Ohio State, where he also earned his master’s degree. He is a lifelong nature lover, having grown up birdwatching in Lakewood. His gift is finding the perfect plant for everyone!

About the Speaker

Sarah Preston is a lifelong educator who currently teaches chemistry at Lakeland Community College. Her passion for birding and eBirding was ignited when she took an ornithology course in 2012. Now she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm with others as a part-time guide for Birding Ecotours and a co-organizer of the Headlands Birding Festival.

Meet at 6 pm at Parking lot 1 by the Headlands Dunes Nature Preserve sign (east end of the park). Wear apropriate shoes and clothing. Be prepared to walk in sand.

Arrive at 2901 Clark Rd in Perry Township at 7:00 am near the parking lot. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes and water. Dress for the weather. This event requires climbing steps to the top of a 50 foot tall tower.

Meet at 7:30 am at Parking lot 1 by the Headlands Dunes Nature Preserve sign (east end of the park). Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk in sand. The leader will carry a spotting scope for the group.

Meet at 7:30 am Saturday in Parking lot 12 (west end of the park). Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk in sand.

Meet at 10am at Parking lot 1 by the Headlands Dunes Nature Preserve sign (east end of the park). Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk in sand.

Arrive at 5730 Hopkins Rd. in Mentor. Meet at the park parking lot near the picnic shelter. We will begin at 10 am. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. The terrain is flat and partially paved. Flush restrooms are available on site.

Long pants and sturdy footwear recommended. Bring binoculars. We’ll have several pairs to lend and a spotting scope as well.