Trip Leader: Randy Morgan

As spring approaches and nature brings back new life to our landscapes, most of us will be ready for a hike or two. Two wildflower preserves have been restored by the Western Wildlife Corridor, an organization with a mission to protect, restore and preserve natural habitats. We could see Cut Leaved Toothwort, Sessile and Drooping Trillium. Wild Ginger, Woodland Poppy, Blue-Eyed Mary, Greek Valerian, Dutchman’s Breeches, Wild Hyacinth, Miami Mist, Fernleaf Phacelia and many more. In addition to wildflower, our native trees and shrubs will be leafing out among an abundance of wildlife. You may even spot a migrating warbler or two!

Delshire Preserve is a 13.4 acre wildflower preserve created in 1996 and owned by the Western Wildlife Corridor – home to some of the most spectacular wildflowers in the WWC network of preserves.

Bender Mountain Nature Preserve is more than 130 contiguous acres of protected nature preserve between Bender and Hillside Avenue. It has over 3 miles officing trails, some with fantastic views of the Ohio River. It has been described as the “best place in Hamilton County to observe native wildflowers” by Dr Denis Conover, botanist with the University of Cincinnati. We will travel to Bender Mountain after the Delshire Preserve walk is finished. Parking at the dead end of Delhi Ave (east side of the preserve) gives easy access to the Sister’s Hill Trail. Park at the guard rail barricade and be sure not to block adjacent driveway

We will meet at the Delshire Preserve at 10AM.

Destination Location:
Delshire Preserve
202 Felicia Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45238 United States
Google Map link

Primary access is from the corner of Felicia Drive and Feist Manor Drive near the Delhi Swim Club. Reach Felicia from Mt Alverno by turning south onto old Avenue and then left onto Felicia.

The Preserve is bound by Cloverhill Terrace on the North, Hillside Ave. on the South, the cul-de-sac of Eagle Point, Redstar and Fairdale on the East and Fiest Manor, Rose and Delhi Swim Club on the West.

PARKING IS LIMITED, SO CAR POOLING IS ENCOURAGED.

Carpool information
If you would like to carpool to the location with us, we will meet at 8:30AM in the TJ Maxx parking lot in Oxford.

Trip Leader:  Denis Conover, UC Botanist

Chances are good that early signs of spring will be present, if not abundant.  Some species of plants are beginning to bud at this season and according to our  trip leader, Denis Conover, there should be a few species of spring flowers popping up. 

Denis will take us through the beautiful cemetery grounds and point out the diverse botanical community and seasonal birds found at Spring Grove Cemetery.  Denis will point out the tremendous diversity of trees, shrubs and other plants that can be found here and expound on their ecology.  He will also point out our native flora, invasive species, and ornamental plantings as well as show us some of the champions trees here.  He will also identify the birds and other fauna we are sure to see.

Participants should be prepared for several hours of steady walking, most of which will be on flat terrain and pavement, but there will be some off pavement walking on trails or wet grass (possibly snow this time of year).  We suggest wearing good waterproof footwear and dress for cold conditions.  Restrooms are available at the cemetery office.

All are welcome on AMV field trips. Please join us even if you are not an experienced birder. Good walking shoes, personal water supply, insect repellent and sun screen are recommended for the terrain we may encounter on these outings.

We will be meeting at Spring Grove’s Customer Service Center at 10:00 am. A full grounds map of Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum can be found here

Destination Address:
Spring Grove Cemetery  - Customer Service Center
4521 Spring Grove Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45232
See map below

If you have questions, email AMV field trip coordinator Neil Poppendeck at npoppendeck@gmail.com

Presenter - Luke Thies

NOTE THAT OUR MONTHLY PROGRAMS ARE NOW HELD IN A NEW LOCATION!

Location
Oxford Senior Center
922 Tollgate Drive
Oxford, OH 45056

Toot Toot Toot goes the call of the Northern Saw-whet Owl, where does this secretive migratory bird go throughout the year and how do we know? Project Owlnet might have that answer! Come out to find out all about the life history and habits of this migratory marvel!

Luke Thies is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Naturalist at Fernald Preserve in southwest Ohio. Spending much of his time in the outdoors, Luke has a penchant for all things nature, from birds to bugs Luke thinks a connection with nature is important for all walks of life. While at the University of Cincinnati Luke worked with Professor Ron Canterbury to become a subpermitee bird-bander working with song birds, and in 2023 started working on a Northern Saw-whet Owl station at Fernald Preserve.

Clean up and restoration programs have been underway for almost 30 years at this 1,050 acre preserve. Today, an extensive network of ponds and wetlands provides excellent habitat for migrating waterfowl and March is a peak month to see these birds resting here on their way north.

From February 7, 2026 through February 14, 2026, Fernald Preserve will sponsor the “Winter Bird Fest”. Activities will include classes and speakers about the many interesting species, and hikes to explore the beautiful winter migration destination. A “Family Day” will be held with activities for all ages.

On Saturday February 14, at 8AM in the visitor center, Audubon Miami Valley will join Jim McCormac for a presentation on winter birds, specifically winter sparrows, A bird walk led by Jim McCormac will follow the presentation. Jim McCormac has worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for 31 years and has authored or co-authored six books. He is an exceptional wildlife photographer with hundreds of photographs published in a wide array of forums.

For a complete itinerary of the Bird Fest, visit this web site.

We will be meeting at the Visitor Center at 9:00 am.

Destination Location
Fernald Preserve Visitor Center
7400 Wiley Road
Hamilton, Ohio 45013

Fernald Preserve Visitors Center - Google Maps

Presenter - Kimberley (Kim) Medley

NOTE THAT OUR MONTHLY PROGRAMS ARE NOW HELD IN A NEW LOCATION!

Location
Oxford Senior Center
922 Tollgate Drive
Oxford, OH 45056

Kim is a Professor of Geography Emeritus at Miami University

 For this presentation, Kim will share a lifetime love of the “wild” and nearly 50 years of scholarship and service focused on resource (mostly forest) conservation.  The talk will show how her teaching and studies in Ohio and abroad have tried to untangle physical-environmental and human-historical influences on geographic patterns of vegetation types, gained local interpretations of human-resource relations, and looked for ways to promote positive change. At times, she found herself on the ‘wrong side’ of what was supported as conservation practice for what may be the right or wrong reasons.

Join us for AMV's Annual Christmas Bird Count

This the largest citizen science project in the world. The data collected from this count, combined with other surveys, provide a picture of how bird populations have changed over the years. Local trends can provide strategies for protecting birds and their habitats.

Participants will be assigned areas to hike & count and may meet directly at their designated area. Volunteers who joined us in the past will be given preference to cover the same areas they had last year. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of experience. New participants can join groups led by experts covering a portion of the count area. Anyone wishing to participate in the count should contact Larry Gersbach at 513-310-0195 or larrygers@aol.com

We are also asking those who do not wish to venture out that day to observe the bird activity around their home bird feeders and yards. This information can be forwarded to Larry Gersbach at larrygers@aol.com and would be greatly appreciated.

Please consider joining us for this important citizen science event. No matter if you are a beginner or an accomplished birder, an enjoyable walk outside with nature looking for birds will refresh the soul.

Join us for a potluck luncheon at 12:30pm after the morning count.  It will be held at the Miami University Ecological Center located at 5806 Somerville Road in Oxford.

Presenter - Brian Jorg

Location: In-person at Lebanon Citizens National Bank (LCNB)

Bowyer Farm consists of 600+ acres and includes wetland restoration, native plant sales and propagation, beekeeping, animal feed harvesting, cheetah run area, sun and sheep farming. The wetland is a place to find hundreds of native plants and learn about the importance of wetland ecosystems, along with bird watching.

Brian Jorg is a passionate horticulturist and manager of Cincinnati Zoo's Native Plant Program at Bowyer Farm. During this program, Brian will share details about the day-to-day operations and accomplishments made at Bowyer Farm.

Ornithologist Dr. David Russell will once again lead us on a birding tour of the Brookville Reservoir area between Liberty and Brookville, Indiana, visiting a number of good spots around Brookville Lake as well as Whitewater State Park, looking for migrating ducks, geese, gulls, sandhill cranes and other species.

The destination location is the Dunlapsville Boat Ramp parking area at Brookville Reservoir. Please arrive at 8:00 am. Travel time from Oxford is approximately 30 minutes. Please bring a personal lunch if you would like to join us for an informal picnic mid-day.

All are welcome on AMV field trips. Please join us even if you are not an experienced birder. Good walking shoes, personal water supply, insect repellent and sun screen are recommended for the terrain we may encounter on these outings.

Destination Address:
Brookville Lake Area - Dunlapsville Boat Ramp
3170 South Old Dunlapsville Road
Liberty, IN, 47353

If you have questions, email AMV field trip coordinator Neil Poppendeck at npoppendeck@gmail.com

Presenter: Casey Tucker

Location: In-person at Lebanon Citizens National Bank (LCNB)

Traveling on country roads can be a great way to relax and escape the hustle and bustle and chaos of traffic, politics, and life in general, at least for a little while. Country roads can also be a great place to seek birds to photograph. This presentation will explore some of the birds Casey has encountered along quiet country roads, and sometimes not-so-quiet country roads.

Casey Tucker is a full-time instructor for the Ohio State University—Newark Campus and a part-time instructor for Otterbein University, in Westerville. He teaches courses like introductory biology, conservation biology, and birds. In his free time, he likes to de-stress by spending time with his wife and dogs and occasionally attempts to take pictures of birds, other wildlife, and the occasional plant.

Presenter - Professor Dave Russell

Location: In-person at Lebanon Citizens National Bank (LCNB)

Ecuador is a birders paradise—1800 plus species in a country the size of Colorado; it is worth the visit for the biodiversity alone, but how are the fate of these distant species linked to “our” birds' success? Our evening’s journey will highlight fabulous birds, remote, yet accessible, cloud forests, and unexpected links to our research in Hueston Woods as we explore our connections with neighbors to the south.

Dave Russell is an Associate Teaching Professor in Miami University’s Department of Biology and co-founder of the Avian Research and Education Institute. He’s also a master bird bander, which means he can work with federally protected birds and train others to become bird banders.

Trip Leader: Pyramid Hill Staff

Cost: Pyramid Hill charges an admission fee that AMV WILL PAY (participants will be admitted free)

Registration: Limited to 25 participants, Register by emailing Neil Poppendeck at npoppendeck@gmail.com Please include your name and phone number in the email.

Pyramid Hills’s 470-acre park is home to over 70 outdoor sculptures, an ancient antiquities collection, rotating contemporary exhibits, and the iconic Pyramid House. In addition, Pyramid Hill’s beautiful setting of lakes, meadows, forests, hiking trails and creeks is scattered across 300 acres of rolling hills. The Park is set in an oak-hickory forest with over 206 species of plants in 58 families. Key tree and shrub species include:

• Red, Black, Scarlet, White, and Chestnut Oaks

• Pignut, Bitternut, and Shagbark Hickory

• Flowering Dogwood

• Hawthorn Trees

• Sugar Maple Trees

• Walnut Trees

• Buckeye Trees

  A Native Plant garden provides habitat for birds, fish, mammals, and insects nestled next to a creek and the Pioneer House. The park is home to several other gardens, including:

  • The Walled Garden,

  • The Pavilion Garden

  • Ancient Sculpture Museum Courtyard.

The Pyramid House and Gallery Museum are open at Noon and can be visited by all participants. The staff leader will provide a guided tour of the park. Meet at the location (listed below) at 10AM

Meeting Location:
Visitor Center (1st main building upon entering the park)
1763 Hamilton Cleves Road
Hamilton, Ohio 45013
Let the gatehouse staff know who you are and that you are with AMV.

Attract the birds you love to your yard year-round and support our organization at the same time! This year’s sale features Nyjer thistle, suet cakes, woodpecker blend, cardinal mix, fruit and berry mix and more! We will be mailing seed order forms and making them available on our website within the next few weeks. See our website at audubonmv.org for more information.

Seed Pickup
Friday, October 3 from 4 pm to 6 pm
Saturday, October 4 from 9 am to 12 pm
Shademakers Nursery & Landscape
304 West Collins Street
Oxford, Ohio 45056

AMV volunteers will be present and will load seed into your vehicle. Look for the AMV flags on the North side of the parking lot. 

The event will feature door prizes and customers will receive 10% discount on gift items at Shademakers during pickup hours. If you are unable to pick up your seed on one of these dates, contact Marlene Hoffman at mfhoffman36@yahoo.com to make other arrangements.

Attract the birds you love to your yard year-round and support our organization at the same time! This year’s sale features Nyjer thistle, suet cakes, woodpecker blend, cardinal mix, fruit and berry mix and more! We will be mailing seed order forms and making them available on our website within the next few weeks. See our website at audubonmv.org for more information.

Seed Pickup
Friday, October 3 from 4 pm to 6 pm
Saturday, October 4 from 9 am to 12 pm
Shademakers Nursery & Landscape
304 West Collins Street
Oxford, Ohio 45056

AMV volunteers will be present and will load seed into your vehicle. Look for the AMV flags on the North side of the parking lot. 

The event will feature door prizes and customers will receive 10% discount on gift items at Shademakers during pickup hours. If you are unable to pick up your seed on one of these dates, contact Marlene Hoffman at mfhoffman36@yahoo.com to make other arrangements.

Trip Leader: Brian Jorg –Cincinnati Zoo curator of the native plant farm

Bowyer Farm was willed to the zoo in 1995. At the time, the 529-acre farm was given with the guideline that it could never be developed unless it is to further the mission of the Zoo.

The farm is now 600+ acres and includes: wetland restoration, native plant sales and propagation, beekeeping, animal feed harvesting, cheetah run area, sun and sheep farming. The farm grows many species of native plants and hosts annual plant sales, along with offering “The Zoos Best Plans for Pollinators” line that can be purchased from various nurseries.

The wetland is a place to find hundreds of native plants and learn about the importance of wetland ecosystems, along with bird watching. Brian Jorg will present an informal presentation during the tour. Attendees need to bring water and be prepared for physical activity and check the weather and be prepared for the outdoor activity.

We will meet at picnic shelter overlooking the wetland by the barn at 10AM

Meeting Location:
2210 Mason Montgomery Road
Mason, OH 45040
Meet at picnic shelter overlooking the wetland by the barn.

Trip Leader: Larry Gersbach – County Commissioner of Butler County MetroParks

Fall bird migration will be in full swing when we visit Gilmore Ponds. Located amidst business and commercial development, 268 acre Gilmore Ponds MetroPark is a nature lovers’ paradise. Abundant wildlife calls this preserve home, giving visitors using the miles of hiking trails, the newest extension of the Miami 2 Miami paved trail, plenty of opportunities for nature observation and study. Seasonal flooding of much of the acreage provides for the wetland character of much of this preserve, which has long been a popular destination for area birders. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has designated this park as one of its “Watchable Wildlife” viewing sites and has been names as an “Important Birding Area”. There are three loop trails as well as an observation tower and two raised decks that provide good vantage points for nature watching in any season.

We will meet in the parking lot of Gilmore Ponds. Please arrive at 8AM. Please bring a personal lunch if you would like to join us for an informal picnic.

The destination address is:
7950 North Gilmore Road
Hamilton, Ohio 45015
7950 N Gilmore Rd - Google Maps

All are welcome on AMV field trips. Please join us even if you are not an experienced birder. Good walking shoes, personal water supply, insect repellent and sun screen are recommended for the terrain we may encounter on these outings.

Presenter: Lisa Portwood

Location: In-person at Lebanon Citizens National Bank (LCNB)

Lisa will introduce the group to Nature Journaling by sharing what it is and why you might want to start one.  She will share the benefits of keeping one, show some examples and provide some ideas to help folks get started.  She will also share the simple tools you’ll need and provide some resources for folks to explore after the talk if they want to learn more.

Lisa Portwood is a self-taught artist, an avid birder, and advocate for nature.  She has had a passion for nature and art since she was a child growing up in rural Indiana.  In 2020, when she discovered nature journaling and the work of John Muir Laws, she was thrilled to find something that combined these two things.  Her passion for nature led to her to complete the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist program in spring of 2022 and achieving certification.  In June of 2023, she was an invited artist and scholarship recipient at the Northern Rockies Nature Journaling Conference in Charlo, Montana.  She is also a member of Audubon Miami Valley, Naturalists with Brushes, and the Nature Journal Club.  She seeks to inspire others to appreciate the beauty of nature through curiosity and observing the world around us.

The Hike-a-Thon is a wonderful family event for all ages with different levels of hikes, activities, and displays from environmental groups. The event celebrates the outdoors and will show off the exciting progress of the Oxford and Miami Trail systems. AMV is excited to participate in this community event once again. We will have multiple trail routes ranging from 1, 3, and 5 miles in length and those routes will be on both paved and unpaved surfaces. We will have binoculars for your use along with an experienced birder in the bird blind to help identify birds.

Event Details
Saturday, September 6, 2025
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
DeWitt Cabin Trailhead:
4831 Oxford Trenton Road
Oxford, OH 45056

Presenters: Jim & Sarah Michael

Location: In-person at Lebanon Citizens National Bank (LCNB)

In October of 2024, Jim and Sarah Michael joined a two-week birding trip to Eastern Australia.  They journeyed from Cairns in the north to Bruny Island, Tasmania, in the south, and visited amazing locations in between. The final bird list for the trip includes 317 bird species, plus 21 mammals and nine reptiles. They will give us a glimpse of their experience birding down-under.

Jim Michael is a retired Butler County attorney, while Sarah Michael is a retired teacher of Latin and French. They enjoy traveling to locations near and far to observe birds, as well as other species of fauna and flora, in their native habitats.

Trees, Shrubs and Birds

The mission of Boone County Arboretum is “to create a living museum that enriches the quality of life by providing a place for the appreciation and study of plants and the preservation of the natural environment.” There are currently over 3600 trees and shrubs in the collection on over 121 acres, a variety of annual and perennial flower displays, all connected by a paved 2.2 mile multi-use trail. A 3 acre native Kentucky grassland surrounds a bird blind, which overlooks a small wetland area.

May is a beautiful time to see the many flowering trees and shrubs in addition to many bird migrants.

We will meet at the Abroretum at 9AM.

Meeting Location:
Boone County Arboretum
9190 Camp Ernst Road
Union KY 41091

Carpool information
If you would like to carpool to the location with us, we will meet at 7:30AM in the TJ Maxx parking lot in Oxford.

Celebrate Earth Day at EarthFest, a free festival featuring games, interactive booths and workshops, live music, Oxford Farmer's Market and more. Several organization from Oxford and Miami University will have educational booths and lead interactive activities during this community event.

EarthFest is a collaborative effort between Miami University and the community to come together and promote efforts to teach how natural environments function and how human beings can manage behavior and ecosystems to live sustainably. In addition, the event will spotlight green businesses in the community. Over 15 student groups and Oxford organizations will be there to interact with the community and have fun activities for all ages.

The event promotes a fun, welcoming environment with music, games, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive learning. The event is free to attend!

The event is hosted by: Environmental Professionals Association, EcoReps, GreenHawks Media, Global Education Outreach for Diversifying the Earth Sciences, Leaders of Environmental Awareness and Protection (LEAP), Zero Waste Oxford, and Zoology & Biology Club.

Event Details
Saturday, April 26 from 11am – 1pm
Oxford Memorial Park
 2 East High Street
Oxford, OH 45056

Sharon Edwards spent years creating the EMU Environmental Mobile Unit and bringing lessons that promoted environmental education to children in our local schools. I'll never forget her walking into a Kindergarten classroom wearing her Trash-o-saurus costume! Sharon made learning fun.

She also started the Earth Clubs after-school program in several local grade schools. These clubs engaged children with activities learning about our natural world, getting them outside to plant trees and pollinator gardens, to hike and build birdhouses. 

Our Audubon Miami Valley chapter supported her dedicated work financially and with many volunteers.

Sharon recently passed away, therefore we wanted to acknowledge and honor her decades of dedication to environmental education in the local public schools.

Join us in honoring her memory by the planting of a Swamp Oak tree at the Oxford Community Park (OCP). The dedication will take place April 25th at noon at the OCP. Please join us to honor Sharon.

Event Details
Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Time: 12pm - 1pm
Location: Oxford Community Park
6801 Fairfield Road
Oxford, OH 45056

Presenter:  Dr. Amanda Brymer

Location: In-person at Lebanon Citizens National Bank (LCNB)

The Silvoor Biological Sanctuary is a 2.5-acre tract of land donated in 1978 to the University by Dr. Robert A. Hefner. Dr. Hefner and his wife, Ilo, spent many years converting this former town dump into a beautiful sanctuary.

Dr. Brymer will discuss the establishment of the Silvoor Biological Sanctuary and the management challenges that it presents . She will also discuss recent projects that are driving the compilation of comprehensive Silvoor dataset. Dr. Brymer will also highlight restoration opportunities, including new wildflower plantings with help from Campus Compact EnviroCorps.

Amanda Bentley Brymer is an interdisciplinary collaborator working to improve natural resource management, food system stewardship, and rural community well-being amidst rapid environmental and landscape change.

As Assistant Director of the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability at Miami University, Amanda recruits clients and advises graduate student teams for their Master's level Professional Service Projects; she coordinates activities to support student engagement at the Miami University Farm; and she connects with a diverse range of departments and offices across Miami's campus to design interdisciplinary programs that solve environmental problems and promote a more sustainable society. To this role Amanda brings relationships built through a decade of work on environmental problems in southwest Ohio, plus a decade of experience in academic research across the United States.

At home, Amanda volunteers with Miami University Natural Areas as Curator for Silvoor Biological Sanctuary. This five-acre wildflower preserve comprises a mosaic of university and privately-owned properties that require a unique approach to collaborative management, including partnerships with local organizations like Three Valley Conservation Trust and Butler County Soil & Water Conservation District. Amanda enjoys working with local landowners and communities to conserve and sustain healthy waterways, woodland habitat, and working landscapes.

The City of Oxford is bringing the community together to celebrate our pollinator pals with a full day of fun, music, and activities! The event will feature local vendors, educational displays, and family-friendly fun. Bring your picnic blankets and your love for nature. View http://www.oxfordbeefestival.com for more details.

Event Details
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Oxford Memorial Park
1 North Main Street
Oxford, Ohio

THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE FORECASTED SEVERE WEATHER.

Spring Wildflower Walk - As spring approaches and nature brings back new life to our landscapes, most of us will be ready for a hike or two. Two wildflower preserves have been restored by the Western Wildlife Corridor, an organization with a mission to protect, restore and preserve natural habitats. We could see Cut Leaved Toothwort, Sessile and Drooping Trillium. Wild Ginger, Woodland Poppy, Blue-Eyed Mary, Greek Valerian, Dutchman’s Breeches, Wild Hyacinth, Miami Mist, Fernleaf Phacelia and many more. In addition to wildflower, our native trees and shrubs will be leafing out among an abundance of wildlife. You may even spot a migrating warbler or two!

Delshire Preserve is a 13.4 acre wildflower preserve created in 1996 and owned by the Western Wildlife Corridor – home to some of the most spectacular wildflowers in the WWC network of preserves.

We will meet at the Delshire Preserve at 10AM.

Meeting Location:
Delshire Preserve
202 Felicia Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45238 United States
Google Map link

Primary access is from the corner of Felicia Drive and Feist Manor Drive near the Delhi Swim Club. Reach Felicia from Mt Alverno by turning south onto old Avenue and then left onto Felicia. PARKING IS LIMITED, SO CAR POOLING IS ENCOURAGED.

Carpool information
If you would like to carpool to the location with us, we will meet at 8:30AM in the TJ Maxx parking lot in Oxford.

We will travel to Bender Mountain after the Delshire Preserve walk is finished. Parking at the dead end of Delhi Ave (east side of the preserve) gives easy access to the Sister’s Hill Trail. Park at the guard rail barricade and be sure not to block adjacent driveway

Bender Mountain Nature Preserve is more than 130 contiguous acres of protected nature preserve between Bender and Hillside Avenue. It has over 3 miles officing trails, some with fantastic views of the Ohio River. It has been described as the “best place in Hamilton County to observe native wildflowers” by Dr Denis Conover, botanist with the University of Cincinnati.

Spring Waterfowl Migration

March in the Oxbow means ducks, as spring waterfowl migration peaks during this month. The Oxbow has historically been a magnet for migrating birds, but especially for waterfowl. Other species of birds will also be seen but it would be difficult to ignore the waterfowl during any March visit to the Oxbow area.

At least 34 species of waterfowl have been recorded in the Oxbow over the years and about 25 of those occur regularly. Many other signs of spring should be noticeable. It has become common to see Bald Eagles in the Oxbow area during any month of the year and on any given day. That said, March still represents the peak of spring migration for Bald Eagles. Sandhill Cranes and large concentrations of gulls could also be seen. When you add these migrants with lingering winter visitors and the local residents, a great diversity of species, some in large numbers, can be found during this month.

Our plan will probably be to move around to several locations in the Oxbow area to better our chances of finding a wide variety of species. March also brings rain and potential flooding to the Oxbow bottoms, so some areas can be inaccessible. However, flood waters open up new and temporary areas where waterfowl and other water birds can forage, so we will adjust plans on the day of the trip. Expect a little driving from spot to spot interspersed with some light walking.

Dress for late winter and expect some mud on your shoes. This morning trip that will end around noon. There are no restrooms available in the Oxbow but there are many nearby businesses open to the public.

We will meet at the Oxbow at 8AM

Where to meet
Upper parking lot at the main entrance to the Oxbow
17160 Reardon Drive
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

You can search for “Oxbow Nature Conservancy” on Google maps (or other navigation application) for directions.

Carpool information
If you would like to carpool to the location with us, we will meet at 6:30AM in the TJ Maxx parking lot in Oxford.

Audubon Miami Valley’s 11th Annual Bird Art Exhibition and Festival

Our Annual Bird Exhibition and Festival seeks to educate students on birds of the Midwest, birds of the Mississippi Flyway and how Climate Change is affecting bird populations and behaviors. In addition to artwork, there will be hands-on children’s activities, refreshments, and a naturalist from Hueston Woods State Park will have live birds.

We welcome young artists and birders to enter art works for the exhibition. Artists submitting work will receive a gift and all submissions will be exhibited.

Artwork Submission Rules:

• Students are required to research one bird species (eating habits, habitats, vocalization, colors, size, nesting, etc.)

• The submitted artwork can be either a realistic or graphic representation of the bird.

• The artwork may be made using any 2-dimensional art material.

• Those submitting artwork must be in grades K-12 and from a school district within a 30 mile radius of Oxford.

Event Details

• The main event will run from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Family, artists, friends and the general public are invited to attend.

• The event will take place at:
  Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC)
  10 South College Ave.
  Oxford, Ohio

• Students, parents and friends, art teachers, community officials and leaders are invited to view the exhibition which will be installed at the Oxford Community Arts Center from Saturday March 15 at 10:00am through March 21, 2025.

• Art work will be displayed in the north parlor at the Oxford Community Arts Center.

How to Participate

• Those interested in participating should contact Libby Birch at ebirch479@gmail.com

• Teachers can print artwork labels here

Artwork Drop off
Artwork can be dropped off at the Art Ed. Room of the Oxford Community Arts Center on the following dates:
March 8 from 11:00am - 2:00pm
March 10 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Artwork Pick up
Artwork can be picked up at the Oxford Community Arts Center on the following dates:
March 22 from 11:00am - 2:00pm
March 24 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Arrangements can be made for other times if necessary.