Operation Bluebird

03/19/2026

Native habitats are critical to biodiversity and bird species. Are you ready to plant something local locally?

In her book “Plant This, Not That,” Elise Howard offers more than 200 substitution ideas for invasive plants.

03/19/2026

Did you know? Carolina Wrens like to build their nests in all sorts of nooks and crannies! Keep an eye out at the spring progress - you might just find a Carolina Wren nesting in your mailbox, under and overturned flowerpot, or even in boots left outside!
Learn more: https://nestwatch.org/learn/focal-species/carolina-wren/

📷: Rosemary Pfaffengut

03/19/2026

Well said, well done TLT.

Wetland restoration along Rainbow Run is helping restore natural water systems and support wildlife

03/19/2026

What’s the “temperature” of your goldfinches right now? This is the time of year when American Goldfinches start to brighten up. As they molt their body feathers over the course of a few weeks, they transform from olive brown to brilliant yellow. We look forward to the sight of these changes at the feeder every year, they let us know spring and summer are just around the corner.

(Note all of these are males except the bottom left).

02/12/2026

It’s that time of the year again!

🐦🌤️ Let’s Go Birding at Cemex Reserve! 🌤️🐦

Join Beaver Creek Wetlands Association for a birding walk at Cemex Reserve led by Bethany Gray, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist and Greene & Clark County contact for the Ohio Bluebird Society!

We’ll be tracking the number of bird species we observe and submitting our findings to the Great Backyard Bird Count — a global citizen science tradition that helps scientists better understand bird populations around the world. 🌎🪶

And here’s some good news… the forecast shows the sun should come out in the afternoon! ☀️ Perfect timing for a walk in the wetlands!

📍 Meet: Cemex Reserve Parking Lot
1100 Sanctuary Dr, Fairborn, OH 45324

📍Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 at 1pm

👟 Dress for the weather.
❄️ Event will be cancelled in the event of severe rain or snow.

Whether you're a seasoned birder or just bird-curious, come enjoy fresh air, good company, and the sights and sounds of winter wildlife in YOUR Beaver Creek Wetlands.

We hope to see you there! 🐤💚 RSVP at the link in the comments!

04/10/2025

A Saturday crane count if you’re interested! We often see the Sandhill Cranes flying over the farm. This year we saw several flocks early in the season. Never ceases to amaze me!

👀 Crane Count Volunteers Needed 🤩
📅 You can support the fifth annual Midwest Crane Count on the morning of Saturday, April 12. We are collaborating with the International Crane Foundation and Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative to conduct the survey.
🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/scuK50Vsp8b

01/20/2025

This post comes to PBS Nature from World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Views and opinions expressed in blog posts are those of the individuals expressing...

09/27/2024

Time to turn off your lights!

!MIGRATION ALERT! Tonight, BirdCast predicts that more than 500 MILLION birds will be migrating under the cover of darkness. Sadly, birds can be disoriented by light pollution, contributing to the hundreds of millions of birds estimated to die in building collisions in the U.S. every year. To help migrating birds, be sure to turn off nonessential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly, and make glass safer. Just remember: Dim lights at night. Treat glass by day. Find out more at https://birdcast.info/science-to-action/lights-out/

[Image description: a colorful map of the contiguous United States with brighter colors indicating higher amounts of migrating birds predicted for tonight. Gray colors indicate areas of precipitation. Text: Migration Alert. Night of September 27, 2024. Friday Night: 509 million birds predicted. Saturday Night: 463 million birds predicted. Sunday Night: 330 million birds predicted. Generated 27 Sept 2024 at 06:00 UTC (27 Sept at 02:00 ET) Bird migration forecast Van Doren and Horton 2023.]

09/05/2024

Something to look into. A new NRCS program for the birds! Let's add even more biodiversity to Xarifa Farm!

“Honestly, my favorite part of this process is that there are professionals that are out there that can help walk you through this. I never felt like I was doing it by myself. That was my initial concern, that I'm signing up for this program and I don't know if I can handle it,” said Bryan Schmeiser, Indiana landowner and NRCS program participant.

After buying 80 acres, Bryan Schmeiser and his family enrolled in Indiana’s Classified Forest and Wildlands program where they were also introduced to NRCS. Their first contract through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program focused on timber stand improvement and invasive species treatment. Then that work blossomed into participation in the Conservation Stewardship Program and enhancing the forestland for forest songbird habitat through Forestry for the Birds.

Forestry for the Birds is an innovative program designed by the Sam Shine Foundation and The Nature Conservancy to provide landowners with the tools they need to enhance habitat for forest dependent songbirds experiencing population declines. The program provides management recommendations that facilitate and simplify the management of bird-friendly forests. Pairing Forestry for the Birds with NRCS programs, like EQIP and the CSP, becomes a powerful conservation option for landowners.

Managing forests is not a short-term commitment and landowners committed to improving their forest should have a long-term vision. Bryan's property has transformed, with native trees and shrubs flourishing where invasive species once dominated. The bird populations are responding positively to the forest management, showcasing the program's effectiveness and the landowner’s commitment to conservation.

Looking ahead, Bryan hopes his children and future generations will continue to cherish and care for the land. He envisions a future where his family can enjoy the beauty and biodiversity of the forest, creating lasting memories and continuing the conservation legacy he has begun.

“I can't save the world, but I can save these 80 acres, you know, and that's kind of the way I've been thinking about it,” said Bryan.

Read the full story at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/indiana/news/from-dream-to-reality-bryan-schmeisers

📷Bryan Schmeiser in his forest managed for forest health and wildlife, particularly songbirds. USDA NRCS Indiana.

07/24/2024

Just a little action this year at Xarifa Farm to support native cavity nesters, and we’re still counting and going strong! 4 active nests just today, including 2 Eastern Bluebird nests and 2 House Wren nests.

07/24/2024

Helpful local info to read. Some easy changes that can make a real difference.

Dr. Ronald Canterbury has been researching bird populations for more than 30 years. He says some species are down as much as 60% to 70% in recent years.

05/27/2024

Do you have questions about nests and baby birds? Robyn Bailey and Holly Faulkner talk about nesting birds and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's NestWatch citizen-science project and answer audience questions.