Things to do this September

Hard to believe that summer is coming to an end, but that certainly doesn't mean that there is any less to do outdoors. Plenty of work is needed in my garden right now to collect seeds, mulch beds, and all that stuff that comes with the joy of gardening for wildlife. I want to be sure that I have plenty of food, shelter and water for migrating butterflies and birds that are beginning to move through our area right now. Isn't this why most of us plant native plants? To attract insects that in turn, bring us beautiful butterflies and birds to enjoy?

Speaking of birds, on the weekend of September 15 to 18, 2011, hundreds of bird watchers will gather at Lakeside, Ohio, on the south shore of Lake Erie for what will surely be the highlight of the birding year. Hosted by Bird Watcher's Digest, The Ohio Ornithological Society, and the Lakeside Association, the 2011 Midwest Birding Symposium (MBS) is generating a lot of buzz and interest. Space for attendees, vendors, and sponsors is quickly filling up!More information can be found on the website at: https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/mwb2011/mbs2011-about-symposium.php.

On September 24, Saturday, please join us for a Butterfly ID workshop at Oxbow, Inc. Please RSVP to whocooksforyou@gmail.com. Join us in the field with trip leader and butterfly expert, Bob Nuhn. 1:00 pm at the entrance to Oxbow, Inc. (www.oxbowinc.org ).

On September 25, Sunday, 10 am, join the Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society for Wildflowers and Wildlife Along (and in!) the Whitewater River, Hamilton County, Ohio.

When other local parks are parched from drought, the Whitewater River corridor is green and alive. Starting at Campbell Lakes Preserve, our walk goes along and at times into the Whitewater, exploring the shore and the sandbars loaded with unusual plants, butterflies, dragonflies, and other insects. We’ll also see herptiles, fish, and lots of birds—maybe even the eagles that nest there. Our guides, Wayne Wauligman and Denis Conover, will take us through water up to 18 inches deep in search of wildlife, so participants must be prepared to get wet. We hope to see the host plant for the Dainty Sulphur, Carpetweed, that grows where the water recedes.

Directions: Take I-74 to Dry Fork Rd. exit #3, turn left (south), cross over the highway, turn right on Harrison Avenue. Turn left on Kilby Road, right on Campbell Road to park entrance on left. Meet in the Campbell Lakes parking lot. The address is 10431 Campbell Road, Harrison, OH45030. Map link online at www.cincywildflower.org