Birding Challenge Submission Form - Five Rivers MetroParks

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A) Birder's choice: Select a bird you’ve never seen using a field guide or a site like e-Bird. Try to find this bird by the end of the challenge. For more difficulty, try to find one of the following: American Bittern, Great Horned Owl, Blue Grosbeak, or an American Kestrel.

B) Ohio is a wonderful place to bird! Find 10 species of birds that can commonly be found in Ohio. Use the list in the Birding Challenge Guide as a reference.

C) Germantown MetroPark is an Important Birding Area. All seven of Ohio’s woodpecker species can be found there. Visit the park and see how many you can find. Try for at least three different species. Many of these can be found at the Twin Valley Welcome Center, an accessible Best Birding Area.

D) Spring and fall are abundant with warblers in Ohio. Go on an adventure trying to find as many species of warblers as you can. Try to see or hear at least five. Tip: use Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Warblers of Ohio Field Guide to prepare.

E) Choose a bird species you saw in the spring and try to find it again in the fall. Sometimes the same species of bird will look different depending on its age and whether it’s breeding season. Notice their different plumage. Why do you think this happens?

A) Read the Birding Challenge Guide provided online.

B) Choose a birding tool and learn how to use it. Examples include: field guides, binoculars, e-Bird, apps like Merlin, and spotting scopes.

C) Learn how to identify birds by sound. Each bird has a unique song. Try identifying a bird in the wild by only using your ears.

D) Learn more about birds and birding. Read a conservation article, look up the history of the Audubon Society or check out a book from your local library.

E) Go birding in four different habitats. Make a list of the birds you find in each one, then think about why you saw different birds in different places.

A) Update the habitat in your backyard. Use the “Backyard Makeover” activity in the Birding Challenge Guide as a reference.

B) Birds are often caught in fishing line near ponds and lakes and have a difficult time getting unstuck. Find a fishing area and pick up trash to prevent this from happening.

C) Go birding at Possum Creek MetroPark and document how many birds you find. Submit an e-Bird checklist using the Possum Creek MetroPark hotspot or fill out the Possum Creek Birding Checklist form on the Challenge home page.

D) Help us learn more about the birds in Five Rivers MetroParks. Submit an e-Bird checklist to one of the following hotspots: Wesleyan MetroPark, Sunrise MetroPark or Island MetroPark.

E) Participate in a citizen science activity such as NestWatch, Ohio Lights Out or another conservation initiative. By involving community members, citizen science connects researchers directly with the public.

A) Birding provides a way to reconnect with nature. Challenge yourself to go birding at least once without using your phone. Just listen and observe the birds. How did this change your experience?

B) Complete one of the “Birding for Wellness” activities listed in the Birding Challenge Guide.

C) Birds have interesting behaviors. Find a bird or a nest and watch it for a few minutes. Consider the following questions: What is the bird eating? What is it looking at? Does it make any noise? Fun observations may include an adult feeding its young or a killdeer faking an injury.

D) Choose a location and visit it three times throughout the challenge. What birds did you hear when visiting? How did they change each time you went back?

E) For centuries, birds have inspired artists and writers, now it’s your turn to be creative. Complete one of the artmaking activities described in the Birding Challenge Guide.

A) Attend a Five Rivers MetroParks birding program. Check out all offerings online.

B) Birding can be a great social activity. Take a friend birding with you.

C) Volunteer for Five Rivers MetroParks at a conservation or park maintenance opportunity! Remove invasive species or maintain trails at Adopt-A-Park or an upcoming Service Saturday. Volunteering connects you with other nature lovers while helping birds and their habitats.

D) Host your own birdwatching party. Play bird games, make bird-themed crafts, eat bird-themed food. Use the activities in our Birding Challenge Guide as inspiration!

E) Help us spread the word about MetroParks Birding Challenge. Make a public social media post about something cool you’ve seen during the challenge and tag Five Rivers MetroParks on Facebook and Instagram.

A) You can bird almost anywhere! Pick a place you’ve never been and go birding there.

B) Complete an activity from the “Five Fun Ways to Learn About Birds” list in the Birding Challenge Guide. Activities can be done solo or in a group. They make great party games, too!

C) Visit one of the Best Birding Areas within MetroParks. Pick an easy one or challenge yourself with one of the more difficult locations. Accessible locations are noted, as well. Find the list on the Birding Challenge webpage or in the Birding Challenge Guide.

D) Birding often provides awe-inspiring ways to connect with nature. To experience this yourself, attend a MetroParks program, such as Night Hike, Owl Prowl or Woodcock Watch.

E) Go birding while you recreate in your MetroParks. See what you can find while paddling, hiking or fishing. You can even bird while completing MetroParks Trails Challenge! Don’t forget to Leave No Trace.

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