Mosquito Lake State Park in Bazetta will host a Big Birding Weekend Friday evening through Sunday with various events and activities planned showcasing the many different types of birds found in the park. One program will be on birding boxes, which include bluebirds. Volunteers Theresa Craiger of Bristol, left, Heather Harris of Southington and Loyd Marshall of Gustavus check on one of the bluebird boxes that had rare white eggs when most bluebird eggs are blue. The three will conduct talks and programs for the public.
Staff photo / Bob Coupland
BAZETTA — For those wanting to learn more about Mosquito Lake’s many fine feathered friends, Big Birding Weekend is the place to be.
Many activities and programs are planned to focus on area birds.
“Mosquito Lake is one of the busiest state parks in Ohio,” Larry Richardson, a retired state park manager, said. “This park has a very diverse species of birds. There are some of the best wildlife nurseries found here in all of northeastern Ohio.”
The weekend includes bird hikes, pontoon excursions, photography programs, live bird exhibits and more for any level of birder.
A 20-member committee has been busy planning for the events. Many from the committee will be the speakers and lead people on bird hikes and nature excursions.
Jason Lee, park naturalist, said the weekend is designed to offer birding opportunities to new birders and get people to the park.
“I have met local people who have never been to Mosquito Lake State Park. Some students have not been here until they come here on field trips,” Lee said.
ENJOYABLE
Richardson recalled how people enjoyed bird watching at the parks he worked for over the years, including Deer Creek State Park, Cowan Lake State Park and Madison Lake State Park, all in southern Ohio.
This weekend, he will lead people on bird hiking trips at Mosquito.
“When I am out walking the roads in the park surveying for birds, more people stop me to see what I am doing and ask questions. There is a lot of interest out there,” Richardson said.
Steve Craiger, a committee member, said he and Len Blass will lead nature photography classes at the event. The two are local photographers of birds who will present an overview of photography pointers and hacks to help beginners all the way up to professionals.
“We will promote all the local wildlife, mainly birds, and show people how to take photos. This park is an amazing place to photograph birds. There are so many waterfowl, migrating birds and warblers. It’s a goldmine. There will be a couple of classes offered,” Craiger said.
He said he will show people good places at the park to take photos throughout the summer.
Rich Urchek, a committee member, said his family — which includes parents, Don and Martha, and brother, Mike — will help throughout the weekend, including during the pontoon boat excursion, owl prowl hike and birdhouse building.
Josie McKenna, park manager, said the event allows the park staff to showcase all that Mosquito Lake has to offer when it comes to birding opportunities.
“We are really a hidden gem. People don’t realize the phenomenal opportunities here and the types of birds they can see will shock them,” she said.
BLUEBIRDS
Special programs will be given on the bluebird nests in the park, led by Cathy Poponak and Theresa Craiger, and other birding programs by Heather Harris and Loyd Marshall.
The park has people who monitor a bluebird trail to collect data and monitor the bird boxes. A display of pictures, books and a view inside of a bluebird box will be shown.
Craiger said recently a bluebird’s nest had four white eggs, which is rare because they are usually blue.
Marshall said the white eggs for the bluebirds are “a quirk of nature” happening in only 5 percent of the birds.
Harris said a female bluebird that has white eggs is lacking a pigmentation for blue.
Marshall said there are also nests for tree swallows, house wrens, and black capped chickadees. He said he will do programs on prothonotary warblers and purple martins.
“This will be a fun weekend,” Craiger said.
Schedule of events
The Big Birding Weekend will be Friday to Sunday at Mosquito Lake State Park with a variety of activities and programs planned.
Friday
6 p.m. — Program signups at campground office parking lot
6:30 p.m. — Meet and greet social at amphitheater
7:30 p.m. — “Tales from a Beginning Birder” at amphitheater
8:30 p.m. — “Introduction to Photography” at Mosquito Lake at amphitheater
Saturday
7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. — Warbler walk at Lakeview Recreation Area
7 and 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. — Ornithological hike (90 minutes) at Turkey Run Trail
8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. — Pontoon birding excursion (2 hours, register on Friday)
9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. — Kayaking birding excursions at Mahan Denman Road ramp
10 a.m. and noon — Prothonotary program at Lakeview Recreation observation platform
10 a.m. — Feed the birds: Make hummingbird and pine cone feeders at Trumbull County Agricultural and Family Education Center
11 a.m. — “Backyard Birding” youth program at the meeting room at Trumbull County Agricultural and Family Education Center
Noon — “Build Your Garden for the Birds” at Trumbull County Agricultural and Family Education Center
1 p.m. — Photography 101 at Trumbull County Agricultural Family Education Center
1 p.m. — Purple Martins nest check at Lakeview Recreation Area
1 p.m. and 6 p.m. — Bluebird program near archery range
2 p.m. — Bird box building at campground boat ramp parking lot
2 and 4 p.m. — Raptor live bird program at campground amphitheater
3 and 5 p.m. — Injured wildlife: Reporting and rehabilitation at campground amphitheater
7 p.m. — Eurasian eagle owl and owl pellet dissection at campground amphitheater
9 p.m. — “The Big Year,” a birder’s movie night at campground amphitheater
9 p.m. — Owl prowl night hike at Beaver Trail
Sunday
7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. — Ornithological hike on Turkey Run Trail (90 minutes)
