The Biggest Week
Tour Company Partners
are a vital part of the 2012 Biggest Week.
Visit their websites to learn more about the fabulous talent they'll be sending to NW Ohio to help us make sure
everyone has fun and sees LOADS of birds!

For up-to-the-minute bird sightings fresh from the field, 
follow The Biggest Week on Twitter!
Just click the bird! 
   

For migration predictions and detailed information on what
birds are being seen in the area, follow BSBO's Birding Blog, updated frequently by Kenn Kaufman and the BSBO staff!
 

 
Check out these very special bird-related opportunities
brought to you by our community partners!

Go cheer on the world-famous Toledo Mud Hens during the month of May and help support Black Swamp Bird Observatory with this special BIRDS coupon.  See their awesome flyer HERE!  (If ordering tickets online, you MUST type BIRDS, in all caps). Visit the team's WEBSITE for directions to the ballpark and more  information about the Hens. 

Visit the special FOR THE BIRDS exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art! Inspired by The Biggest Week, this exhibit features the rich diversity of avian art in the TMA permanent collection. Hear about the exhibit HERE or read more about the exhibit HERE.

Click HERE to watch television coverage of the exhibit hosted by our favorite reporter, Kristin Emery, and our friends at 13 ABC! Kristin and 13 ABC have been supportive of Black Swamp Bird Observatory and The Biggest Week right from the start. Thanks, Kristin!
 

The Biggest Week joins forces with
BirdLog and eBird!
This year we hope to enter the sightings from all the Biggest Week field trips into eBird, to help support this valuable database. There's a new smartphone app, BirdLog, that allows you to enter sightings directly into eBird from the field. Developed by the folks at BirdsEye, the bird finding app, BirdLog is wholeheartedly endorsed by the team at eBird.  Many of our Biggest Week field trip drivers, leaders, and tour guide partners will be using BirdLog. BirdLog is available for Android and iPhone. The iPhone version also runs on iPad and iPod Touch.  Learn more about BirdsEye and BirdLog HERE.
 

Don't forget to put the Birding Socials on your event calendar!

A Taste of the Region
This special evening for Biggest Week participants
features fun, food, music, and more!

Date: Tuesday, May 8
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center
Fee:  FREE to festival attendees - Just show your Biggest Week
name badge to get in

This special event will take place in the Lodge’s beautiful lounge
and lobby area. Featuring “A Taste of the Region,” local restaurants will share samples of their tastiest dishes and drinks.
Live music (something appropriate – not too heavy!) will
help create the perfect atmosphere for this lovely evening!
Attendees can also browse the Birders’ Marketplace
and bid on their favorite Conservation Auction items!


Birds & Beers with the BirdChick!
Hosted by the BirdChick, Sharon Stiteler

Date: Thursday, May 10
Time: 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Mango Mama’s
40 Madison Street
Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
419 732-1830
Fee: No Cover Charge
Birds and Beers is open to everyone.
You do not need to be registered for the festival to attend.  
The public is welcome.

Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders of all skill levels–if you’re interested in birds, you’re invited. You can meet other birders–maybe find a carpool buddy, ask about where to find target birds, share cool research projects you might be working on, ask a bird feeding question, share life lists, share some digiscoping tips, promote your blog–the sky’s the limit. It’s low key and it’s fun. 


18th Century Naturalists' Living History:
An Expedition on Behalf of King Louis XV
and the Academie Royale des Sciences

Presented by MacFarlanes' Company
Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center Lobby
Fee:  FREE

The Company will be in the area of Fort Sandaske collecting and documenting the region's flora, fauna, geography, and geology for the Academie. This naturalist's party is primarily Scottish gentlemen, their traveling companions and staff.  A local frontiersman will accompany them as guide and hunter. The party is especially interested in the birds known to migrate in this season, and in the plants and animals that inhabit the south shore of the Lake. Geographical and weather information will be gathered as well as a general geological survey and basic mapping. King Louis has provided a water-colorist and sketch artist from his entourage. The Academie represents a broad range of Scientific interests. Specimens both live and prepared will be gathered. The Company will work with a variety of scientific instruments, surveying equipment, charts, gathering & shooting equipment.