Each spring, our forests and fields come alive with the color and sound of migrating birds. Thousands of warblers, waders and waterfowl come to Butler County on their northward journey, joining the year-round avian residents of our area. Some of these new arrivals are just passing through to lands northward. Others will stick around through the summer, raising new families and contributing to the ecology of Southwest Ohio.

MetroParks of Butler County offers countless opportunities for the curious explorer to discover the beauty of birds close to home. Birding (or birdwatching) is a simple hobby for anyone to pursue. All you need to start are sharp eyes or ears, patience, and a little knowledge. Of course, binoculars and a field guide can be great tools to help, too!

Getting Started

Whether from your kitchen window or front porch, start by observing the birds in your yard and neighborhood. Once you’re familiar with how they look and sound, you’ll be more confident identifying birds out in the wild. You can compare an unfamiliar bird to one of your common ones, then use that knowledge to pinpoint an ID using a field guide (Peterson, Kaufman, and Sibley are great options) or a birding app, like Merlin or Audubon.

MetroParks of Butler County hosts some of the best birding locations in the area, with Voice of America MetroPark, the Great Miami River Trail, and Salamander Run MetroPark all in the top ten according to eBird. Of the 292 bird species ever reported in Butler County, 253 of them have been spotted at Gilmore MetroPark, a recognized Important Bird Area and one of the hottest birding spots in Greater Cincinnati.

Watch and Learn

Birding and other wildlife watching can be a great recreational pursuit. Aside from the physical activity of walking outside in beautiful natural areas, many birders find recreational value in keeping lists of birds they’ve seen. You can record your observations in a journal, check off species in a field guide, or contribute to citizen science efforts by logging your sightings online through eBird. Some people hone their photography skills by capturing stunning images of our feathered friends, while others translate their observations to an artist’s canvas, painting or drawing their impressions of the birds they encounter.

Many birders enjoy not only observing birds but also learning about their habits and habitats, as well as the valuable role that birds play in the environment. Fruit-eating species spread the seeds of trees and shrubs, while birds that eat insects help control backyard pests like mosquitoes. Jeweled hummingbirds pollinate native flowers and the many kinds of ducks balance the ecology of lakes and ponds.

Lending a Helping Wing

When you begin to notice the orioles and owls, the vultures and vireos around you a natural inclination is to ask “How can I help birds?” Step one is to be a bird brain – think like a bird! What would I need to survive if I weighed just a few ounces and flew thousands of miles each year?

Birds’ basic needs aren’t too different from our own: we all need food, water, and shelter. You can provide these elements in various ways. Bird feeders come in myriad styles, from seed hoppers to nectar tubes. Natural food sources such as native berry bushes and wildflowers can be even better for the birds and enhance the beauty of your yard. Water sources such as birdbaths, drippers, or small ponds allow birds to wash down the seeds and bugs they enjoy.

Want some new avian neighbors? Consider installing a nesting box or two, and the next time a tree struggles through a dry summer, think twice before cutting it down. As long as it doesn’t pose a safety hazard, standing dead snags provide amazing homes for woodpeckers, owls, and other cavity-nesting birds to raise the next generation of fearless feathered fliers.

On a broader scale, the conservation of important landscapes supports bird populations by providing natural sources of food, shelter, and breeding areas. MetroParks protects many critical habitats that attract birds, including the wetlands of Gilmore MetroPark, the prairies at Voice of America MetroPark and mature forests along Four Mile Creek MetroPark.

Resources

If you’re curious to know more about the identification and importance of birds, check out the following online resources:

• All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
• The Nature Conservancy
• American Bird Conservancy
• National Audubon Society

Prefer in-person learning? Join MetroParks’ FREE Big Week of Birding hikes May to learn from experts and see some amazing birds in the wild. This year’s hikes will be at Gilmore MetroPark on May 1 and Governor Bebb MetroPark on May 5. Visit our website for more information on both outings.

About the Author:

Zeb Acuff is the Director of Planning for MetroParks of Butler County. An avid birder for 25 years, Zeb has recorded bird sightings on three continents. His favorite part of birding is the chance that any species could show up anywhere at any time.