Big Birding Weekend Severe Weather Alternate Schedule

Please read carefully as safety is our first priority while also providing an enjoyable experience. 

First Aid Kit for Your Hike: Be Prepared on the Trails

Location: Mosquito Lake Amphitheater Cancelled DUE TO WEATHER
Time: 12:00 PM May 16, 2026
Registration Link

Before you lace up your hiking boots and grab your binoculars, make sure you’re ready for whatever nature brings! This quick and practical session will show you how to build a simple, effective first aid kit tailored for birders and hikers.

Learn what essential items to pack, how to handle common outdoor injuries, and tips for staying safe and comfortable during your birding adventures—whether you're on a short trail or a longer backcountry hike.

Effective 1:00 PM – End of Day

Due to thunderstorms and lightning moving into the area, all afternoon and evening outdoor programs are being adjusted for safety. All pontoon boat rides and kayaking excursions are canceled. Outdoor hikes and walks will be canceled or moved indoors when possible. 

Canceled Due to Weather

The following programs should be canceled due to lightning/thunderstorm risk:

All Pontoon Boat Birding Excursions
Canceled for the rest of the day.

All Kayaking Birding Excursions
Canceled for the rest of the day.

Outdoor Guided Bird Hikes after 1:00 PM
Canceled unless leaders choose to offer informal indoor birding discussion at one of the alternate locations.

Mosquito Lake’s Bluebirds: Conservation in Action Walks
Outdoor bluebird box walks canceled. 

ABC Scavenger Hunt: Birding Through the Alphabet at 3:00 PM
Location: Storybook Trail / Imagination Station Cancelled due to weather 

All of the following programs have been moved to: Trumbull County Agricultural & Family Education Center

1:00 PM

Build a Bird Feeder for Your Backyard Friends
Moved/Remains at: Trumbull County Agricultural & Family Education Center
This family-friendly program will continue indoors as scheduled.

2:00 PM

Eastern Bluebird House Building & Conservation
Moved from: Mosquito Lake Amphitheater
Moved to: Trumbull County Agricultural & Family Education Center
Heather Harris will present on bluebird box maintenance and the importance of native cavity-nesting conservation. Bluebird boxes will still be raffled to participating attendees.

2:30 PM

Backyard Conservation Series: Ecology Exploration Lab
Moved/Remains at: Trumbull County Agricultural & Family Education Center
This hands-on conservation activity will continue indoors as scheduled.

3:30 PM

First Aid Kit for Your Hike: Be Prepared on the Trails
Moved from: Mosquito Lake Amphitheater
Moved to: Trumbull County Agricultural & Family Education Center
This practical safety program will move indoors.

5:00 PM

Eastern Bluebird House Building & Conservation — Second Session
Moved from: Mosquito Lake Amphitheater
Moved to: Trumbull County Agricultural & Family Education Center
This second bluebird conservation session will continue indoors.

Country Porch Winery

2:00 PM

Prothonotary Warbler: Golden Gems of the Wetlands
Moved from: Campground Boat Launch Parking Lot
Moved to: Country Porch Winery
Loyd Marshall and Steve Craiger’s Prothonotary Warbler program will move indoors.

4:00 PM

Prothonotary Warbler: Golden Gems of the Wetlands — Second Session
Moved from: Campground Boat Launch Parking Lot
Moved to: Country Porch Winery
Second indoor session.

6:00 PM

The Largest Swallow of North America: Purple Martins
Moved from: Lakeview Recreation Area
Moved to: Country Porch Winery
This program will become an indoor presentation on Purple Martins, nesting, migration, and conservation.

7:30 PM

End of Day Birder Social
Remains at: Country Porch Winery
Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged.

8:00 PM

Owls of Ohio
Remains at: Country Porch Winery
This evening program will continue as scheduled indoors.

Canceled Due to Weather

The following programs should be canceled due to lightning/thunderstorm risk:

All Pontoon Boat Birding Excursions
Canceled for the rest of the day.

All Kayaking Birding Excursions
Canceled for the rest of the day.

Outdoor Guided Bird Hikes after 1:00 PM
Canceled unless leaders choose to offer informal indoor birding discussion at one of the alternate locations.

Mosquito Lake’s Bluebirds: Conservation in Action Walks
Outdoor bluebird box walks canceled. Bluebird conservation content will be covered during the indoor bluebird program at the Trumbull County Agricultural & Family Education Center.

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Sunday Schedule by Time

8:00 AM

Sunday Morning Birding at Shenango Wildlife Area

Location: Meet at Milligan Road Parking Area
Time: 8:00 AM
Admission: Free | Registration Encouraged
Registration Link

Start your Sunday immersed in one of Ohio’s most beautiful birding hotspots!

Join staff from the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves and the Division of Wildlife for a morning of birding at the Shenango Wildlife Area, an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area surrounding the Pymatuning Creek Wild & Scenic River.

This special hike offers an incredible opportunity to observe and photograph a wide variety of migratory birds during their spring journey. You'll be walking through diverse habitats—so wear sturdy footwear for trails, wet areas, and light brush.

Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras. A few extra binoculars will be available for use if needed.

The event will be held rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

A perfect way to explore the natural beauty and rich biodiversity of one of Ohio’s treasured birding areas!

Final Guided Bird Hike

Location: Hoagland Blackstub Road
Time: 8:00 AM
Registration Link

Wrap up Big Birding Weekend with one final guided bird hike at Mosquito Lake State Park. Join Amanda and Matt Sloan along with Larry Richardson for a special Sunday morning outing as we take one last look for migrating birds and enjoy the beauty of the park together.

Whether you are an experienced birder or just getting started, this hike offers a wonderful opportunity to learn from skilled birders, sharpen your identification skills, and end the weekend surrounded by great birds and great company.

9:00 AM

Feeder Watch Party

Location: Nature Center
Time: 9:00 AM
Registration Link

Join Naturalist Jason Lee and local birder Kathleen Wallace for a relaxing morning by the feeders as we watch to see what birds stop by. This welcoming program is perfect for birders of all experience levels and offers a great opportunity to sharpen your bird identification skills, compare sightings, and enjoy the simple fun of watching birds up close.

Free coffee and doughnuts will be available while supplies last. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair if possible, though a limited number of chairs will also be available on site. Whether you are new to birding or a longtime enthusiast, this is a wonderful way to start the day with good company and great birds.

Self-Guided Birding Adventures

No registration required

Prefer to blaze your own trail? We’ve got Self-Guided Birding Adventures all weekend long across some of the region’s top birding hotspots—no registration required! Bring your binoculars, a good pair of boots, and discover the incredible diversity of birds around Mosquito Lake. (PLEASE NOTE ALL RESTRICTED AREAS DURING YOUR SELF GUIDED HIKES)

Dunkerton Road

Location: 41.4435, -80.8683
Slow drive or take a walk. Great for Hawks, Horned Larks, Sandhill Cranes, Warblers, Cuckoos, and Sparrows.
Please note: No parking or restrooms, but low traffic.

Penniman Road

Location: 41.4387, -80.8401
Grassy fields, wooded areas, and ponds—perfect for Cerulean Warblers, Sedge Wrens, Eagles, and more.
Please note: Limited parking, no restrooms.

North Park

Location: 41.4294, -80.8108
A mix of open fields and edge habitats—look for Bobolinks, Sparrows, and Wrens.
Please note: Avoid posted restricted areas. Multiple parking spots available.

Western Reserve Greenway Bike Path

Location: 41.4434, -80.8491
Woods, marsh, and water—a birder’s paradise with Thrushes, Rails, Flycatchers, and Indigo Buntings.
Please note: No designated parking, no restrooms.

Bridle Trail

Location: 41.3399, -80.7791
Diverse habitats with great sightings of Woodpeckers, Thrushes, and Vireos.
Please note: Ample parking, no restrooms.

Causeway

Location: 41.3898, -80.7534
Open water birding with Eagles, Herons, Osprey, and Terns.
Please note: Parking and restrooms nearby (SE corner lot).

Grand River Wildlife Area - Norton Lane Ponds

Location: 41.2605, -80.53182
Mix ponds and open fields.  (Sparrows, hawks and shorebirds.)
Please note: Parking available. No restroom. Hunting area. 

Mark your calendars for next year

May 21st–23rd, 2027