Firelands Aububon Meetings:
Our monthly meetings run September through May. They are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, usually at 7PM.
The meetings are conducted in the large classroom at the Roger Johnson Nature Center at Osborn Metropark (unless stated otherwise).
Our meetings are filled with information, photographs, and wonderful speakers, all in a welcoming environment.
Bay-breasted Warbler
2025-2026 Program Year:
Guest Speaker: Jan Ferrell
The Amazing Life of P85
October 28, 7-8pm
In 2008, two eaglets survived a 60-foot fall from their nest near Clear Fork Reservoir. With help from the Ohio Division of Wildlife, the Ohio Bird Sanctuary, and many volunteers, a platform was built as a replacement "nest", and the eaglets were banded, P85 and P86.
...and that's only the beginning!
This is the story of one of those magnificent birds, told by one of the people who made it possible.
Jan Ferrell worked for 30 years as a naturalist at the Gorman Nature Center and for 25 years as a naturalist and bird handler at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary.
Guest Speaker: Richard Dolbeer
What can we learn about birds from the National Wildlife Strike Database?
November 25, 7-8pm
The National Wildlife Strike Database documents over 330,000 collisions (strikes) between civil aircraft and wildlife (96% birds) in the USA, 1990-2025. Under an interagency agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration, the NWSD was developed and is managed by the Wildlife Services program of U.S. Department of Agriculture at the NASA Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Erie County, Ohio. The NWSD is used worldwide as a scientific foundation for mitigating the risk of bird strikes and creating safer skies for all who fly, birds and people!
This talk will answer questions from the audience such as: How many species of birds, bats, terrestrial mammals, and reptiles have been struck by aircraft? What are the most frequently struck bird and mammal species. How many turkeys have been struck on Thanksgiving Day? What is the greatest height above ground level for a bird strike? How can deer remains be found in an aircraft engine after a strike at 3,000 feet AGL? How can a white-tailed jackrabbit destroy an aircraft engine? Bring your questions for a lively discussion about birds, aircraft, and aviation safety!
Richard Dolbeer, PhD, Science Adviser, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife
Services Program, Huron, OH
Potluck and Slideshow Safari
January 27, 6-8pm
Slideshow Safari: Share your travel photos and nature sightings!
Bring a dish to share for the dinner, as well as some of your favorite photos and stories from the past year (or so). A laptop and TV screen will be available to use. Feel free to bring photos on an SD card or a USB drive, or you can connect to the screen using an HDMI output.
Guest Speaker: TBA
February 24, 7-8pm
Guest Speaker: Dave Wilkins and Kelly Schott
Birding at Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area
March 24, 7-8pm
Dave Wilkins is the president of Green Creek Marsh Conservancy, where he oversees the installation and monitoring of secondary nesting cavities for Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and Purple Martins. He serves as Sandusky County’s coordinator for the annual Sandhill Crane survey and is the eBird Reviewer for both Sandusky and Wood Counties, ensuring the accuracy of birding records in the region. A dedicated birder, Dave has birded all 88 counties of Ohio and 49 U.S. states, reflecting a lifelong passion for avian conservation and field observation.
Kelly Schott works for the Ohio Division of Wildlife at the Magee Marsh Visitor Center. She oversees the center and coordinates public events on the area including spring birding. Kelly also supports many statewide programs for the division like writing for Wild Ohio magazine, teaching shotgun and archery at events, and is a hunter ed instructor. Her husband and her are avid hunters and have raised two adult children primarily on wild game, walleye, and perch. She
also enjoys birding, hiking, camping, and fishing.
Guest Speaker: TBA
April 28, 7-8pm
Annual Meeting
Guest Speaker: TBA