By Seren Valehart
Last month, Unger Park transformed into a corridor of wings. Led by Christina Stump, Adult Program Coordinator at the Bucyrus Public Library, a local group identified a staggering 34 species in a single afternoon. It was a reminder that while we go about our daily lives, a massive, global migration is happening right in our backyards.
I sat down with Christina to talk about the “missed” birds that haunt her, the logic behind migration, and why she believes all birds—even the “pests”—are awesome.
Seren Valehart: You’ve mentioned that birding is almost a year-round event here. For someone who just bought their first pair of binoculars, where do they even start?
Christina Stump: If you are new to birding, focus on learning to identify the birds you see and hear every day. Learn common birds like American Robins and Northern Cardinals first, and then learn birds that look similar to them. Also, realize that except for a few weeks in the summer, bird migration is always happening. Learning which groups of birds migrate each month is a good way to narrow down what locations you should visit when birding. For example, ducks migrate in November and March, making these two months the best time to visit local reservoirs.
Seren: There’s often a negative stigma around certain birds—the “pests” of the bird world. How do you view them?
Christina: There are some birds that people believe are “just pests,” like House Sparrows and Pigeons. Although these birds can hurt native wildlife and are annoying when they nest in buildings or eat all the birdseed, they are just birds being birds. We can take steps to manage them without deciding that they are “bad” or “nasty” birds.
Creating a Haven at Home
While we talked, Christina emphasized that birding isn’t just about watching; it’s about hospitality. She suggests two major moves for Crawford County residents:
- Plant Native: Christina recommends using the library’s seed collection to plant native grasses and flowers. If city codes allow, she suggests letting a patch grow wild and only mowing it in late August to provide food and habitat.
- Safety First: To reduce mortality from window strikes—a leading cause of bird injury—she suggests placing feeders either very close to or very far from windows, or using stickers to help birds see the glass as a barrier.
Seren: Every birder has a “lifer”—a bird that stops them in their tracks. What’s been your most unexpected sighting in Ohio?
Christina: Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper (an Australian bird species) at Killdeer Plains in Marion/Wyandot County. I also once saw a Short-eared Owl sitting on an electrical wire at noon! Although this owl species is active sometimes during the day, it was not how I expected to see one!
Seren: Is there one that got away?
Christina: American Flamingo in 2023. Hurricanes displaced this species throughout the Northeast, but Ohio had only one bird on one day, and I missed it. I’ll see one in Florida… eventually.
Seren: You’ve been doing this since you were a child. What would you say to families who want to bring their kids along but are worried about the “quiet and still” nature of birding?
Christina: Go slowly! Many “experienced” birders rush past common birds in pursuit of rare or unusual species. Go slowly and pay attention to every bird, even the ones you see every day. All birds are awesome!
Get Involved
The Bucyrus Public Library offers Bird-Watching Kits for checkout, including binoculars, a bird identification book, and ODNR field guides.
Upcoming Events:
- Indoor Lesson: Thursday, May 14, 5 p.m. at the Library.
- Guided Bird Walk: Saturday, May 16, 2:30 p.m. at Friendship Bridge.
- Local Resources: Visit Lowe-Volk Park for their indoor bird-watching area or check out the Greater Mohican Audubon Society (gmasohio.com).
About The Author
