PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 13, 2019
Join the Spring Migration Birding Challenge
Whether you’re an expert birder or just thinking about spreading your wings and giving it a try, the Spring Migration Birding Challenge is an opportunity for nature enthusiasts of all levels to add to the body of scientific research on our fine feathered friends.
Neotropical songbirds have already begun migrating from their winter homes in South America to their summer nesting sites in Canada. Many of them stop in Medina County along the way to eat and rest.
During the peak of migration season from May 6-19, Medina County Park District invites park visitors to keep track of the birds they see and to log their sightings on eBird -- a database managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and touted as the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project.
To participate, pick up a Spring Migration Birding Challenge form from the park district or print one from www.MedinaCountyParks.com. Then create a free account at https://ebird.org and begin recording bird sightings at eight specific parks. Submit the completed form to the park district via email or to Wolf Creek Environmental Center by May 31, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for some fun prizes.
If you’re new to birding and don’t know a warbler from a waxwing, download Cornell’s free bird I.D. app, Merlin. Just plug in a few of the bird’s key features, and Merlin helps identify it for you.
Working on a crowd-sourcing model, eBird not only offers a platform for birders to keep track of their own checklists, it adds their findings to the more than 100 million sightings eBird contributors log each year. Users can follow real-time maps of migration progress and even create alerts to let them know when a particular bird species is in the area.
“As naturalists, we’re often asked questions like, ‘When should I put my hummingbird feeder out?’ ” said Naturalist Nichole Schill. “On eBird, you can watch their progress and know right when they arrive.”
Interested? Have questions? Medina County Park District is providing two opportunities to learn more. At 11 a.m. on April 20 at Wolf Creek, veteran local birder Ken Ostermiller presents, “What is eBird?” -- an overview of how to use this powerful online tool. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 27, stop by the Medina County Earth Day Festival at Buffalo Creek Retreat, where Naturalist Natalie Moore will offer information on various park district citizen science projects, including the Spring Migration Birding Challenge.
“Our hope is to open the world to new birders who were, otherwise, maybe a little intimidated to try it,” said Schill. “And it offers a challenge for more experienced birders who can contribute helpful data.”
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Updated 2-21-19
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Nov. 29, 2018
All Advisories Lifted for Chippewa Lake
Following two consecutive weeks of water test results showing algal toxins below the 6 parts per billion threshold, all public health advisories have been lifted for Chippewa Lake.
Test results from water samples taken on Nov. 26 show algal toxin levels of 2.67 ppb. This represents a decrease from 4.16 ppb on Nov. 19. Per Ohio’s Harmful Algal Bloom Response Strategy for Recreational Waters, a Recreational Public Health Advisory is issued when toxin levels reach 6 ppb. It warns vulnerable persons as well as pets to avoid contact with the water. When toxin levels reach 20 ppb, an Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory is issued, warning all persons and pets to avoid all contact with the water. Warnings remain in effect until two consecutive tests taken at least one week apart show levels have dropped below these thresholds.
Medina County Park District will continue to monitor Chippewa Lake water conditions as needed. For updates, please visit www.MedinaCountyParks.
Past test results:
Sample dates--Test results--Action
May 2018
May 3--4.06 ppb--No action taken
May 15--12.6 ppb--Public Health Advisory issued
May 29--21.2 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory issued
June 2018
June 5--11.7 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
June 12--18.1 ppb--Warning downgraded to Recreational Public Health Advisory
June 19--22.3 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory issued
June 26--2.02 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
July 2018
July 2--2.61 ppb--All advisories lifted
July 10--1.60 ppb--No advisories in place
July 17--7.40 ppb--Public Health Advisory issued
July 24--11 ppb--Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
July 31--8.58 ppb--Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
August 2018
August 7--12.9 ppb--Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
August 14--19.4 ppb--Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
August 21-- 22.4 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory issued
August 27--38.36 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
September 2018
September 4--19 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
September 11-- 9.18 ppb-- Advisory downgraded to Recreational Public Health Advisory
September 18--37 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory issued
September 25--12.1 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 2018
October 2-- 28.6 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 9--19.2 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 16--25.6 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 23--35.3 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 30--22 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
November 2018
November 5--16.7 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
November 13--10.5 ppb--Advisory downgraded to Recreational Public Health Advisory
November 19--4.16 ppb--Recreational Public Public Health Advisory remains
November 26--2.67 ppb--All advisories lifted
December 2018 -- 0.22 ppb--No advisories in place
2019
January 2019 --<0.14 ppb--No advisories in place
February 2019 --<0.14 ppb--No advisories in place
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