BEAVER CREEK
BIRDING BONANZA
MAY 2 - 4, 2025
Why come birding in Columbiana County?
Columbiana County has many different habitats. From our fields, rivers, lakes, streams, valleys and dense forest, Columbiana County has many different bird species that pass through or breed right here in the county.
And it is a place to find some species not found in other parts of the state: Kentucky Warblers, Worm-eating Warblers, Prairie Warblers, Yellow-brested Chats and Cerulean Warblers all breed here.
Field birds like Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolink and Henslow Sparrow breed here.
Other Warblers and Spring Migrants are here a couple weeks before they reach places like Magee Marsh.
So now I ask you the question, why haven’t you visited Columbiana County yet?
Well now you can and show off your birding skill with our 24 hour birding challenge. The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center presents, The Beaver Creek Birding Bonanza Weekend.
A full weekend of birding and education!
Join us Friday, May 2nd through Sunday, May 4th.
The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center will be hosting a 24 hour birding competition that takes place from 5pm Friday May 2nd to 5pm on Saturday May 3rd and will take place entirely within the boundaries of Beaver Creek State Park and Beaver Creek State Forest. This competition is open to all birders from beginners to experts. The goal is to have fun, see birds and make or strengthen friendships.
With 3,844 combined acres, Beaver Creek State Park and Forest stretches along the tributaries of the Little Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River. This area is nestled in rugged sandstone cliffs, cascading streams, and many hemlock-laden hillsides and gorges. In May 2007, the lower portion of the Little Beaver Creek Watershed was dedicated as one of Audubon Ohio’s Important Bird Areas.
There have been 23 species of warbler recorded here in summer. Vireos, Flycatchers, Tanagers, Merganser, Thrushes and Grosbeaks all call this place home for the summer.
We will also have other events all weekend long like bird walks, educational programs, a famous bird show from Raptor Hollow, a bird themed raffle and much more.
Plus you can visit one of Ohio’s best Wildlife Education Centers, Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center. Come see our impressive displays and the famous Ohio Room.
So let me ask you the question again.
Are you a birder who is looking for some of those hard to get species? Are you a top birder in the state that thinks Columbiana County doesn’t have many birds? Are you a nature lover who enjoys being surrounded by beautiful scenery?
Then why haven’t you visited Columbiana County?
We hope to see you the first weekend in May!!
Registration Form for the Birding Bonanza:
Columbiana County has many different habitats. From our fields, rivers, lakes, streams, valleys and dense forest, Columbiana County has many different bird species that pass through or breed right here in the county.
And it is a place to find some species not found in other parts of the state: Kentucky Warblers, Worm-eating Warblers, Prairie Warblers, Yellow-brested Chats and Cerulean Warblers all breed here.
Field birds like Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolink and Henslow Sparrow breed here.
Other Warblers and Spring Migrants are here a couple weeks before they reach places like Magee Marsh.
So now I ask you the question, why haven’t you visited Columbiana County yet?
Well now you can and show off your birding skill with our 24 hour birding challenge. The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center presents, The Beaver Creek Birding Bonanza Weekend.
A full weekend of birding and education!
Join us Friday, May 2nd through Sunday, May 4th.
The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center will be hosting a 24 hour birding competition that takes place from 5pm Friday May 2nd to 5pm on Saturday May 3rd and will take place entirely within the boundaries of Beaver Creek State Park and Beaver Creek State Forest. This competition is open to all birders from beginners to experts. The goal is to have fun, see birds and make or strengthen friendships.
With 3,844 combined acres, Beaver Creek State Park and Forest stretches along the tributaries of the Little Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River. This area is nestled in rugged sandstone cliffs, cascading streams, and many hemlock-laden hillsides and gorges. In May 2007, the lower portion of the Little Beaver Creek Watershed was dedicated as one of Audubon Ohio’s Important Bird Areas.
There have been 23 species of warbler recorded here in summer. Vireos, Flycatchers, Tanagers, Merganser, Thrushes and Grosbeaks all call this place home for the summer.
We will also have other events all weekend long like bird walks, educational programs, a famous bird show from Raptor Hollow, a bird themed raffle and much more.
Plus you can visit one of Ohio’s best Wildlife Education Centers, Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center. Come see our impressive displays and the famous Ohio Room.
So let me ask you the question again.
Are you a birder who is looking for some of those hard to get species? Are you a top birder in the state that thinks Columbiana County doesn’t have many birds? Are you a nature lover who enjoys being surrounded by beautiful scenery?
Then why haven’t you visited Columbiana County?
We hope to see you the first weekend in May!!
Registration Form for the Birding Bonanza:
| registration_form_2025_bcwec_birding_bonanza.docx |
| registration_form_2025_bcwec_birding_bonanza.pdf |
Rules for the Birding Bonanza:
| birding_bonanza_rules.pdf |
| birding_bonanza_rules.docx |
1. American Birding Code of Ethicshttps://www.aba.org/aba-code-of-birding-ethics/
2. This is a family friendly team event, and all participants must act accordingly. All birders at any skill level are welcome to participate. All teams must have at least one member who is 18 or older.
Honor System is key. Please do not cheat to win. Set a good example for those watching.
3. Each team must have a team name and must register at least two people, no more than 5. The team must appoint one Captain. They will collect the info and money and register the team. No individual registration will be had.
4. The competition will be held entirely within the Beaver Creek State Park & Beaver Creek State Forest properties. A map will be provided with registration.
5. The contest starts at 5pm on Friday May 2nd, 2025 and ends on Saturday May 3rd, 2025 at 5pm.
All teams must check in with final tally by 5:30 at The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center pavilion. Dinner will be served as the final tally is being counted.
A high card pull from a deck of cards will provide as a tie breaker if needed.
Winning team will have their team name engraved on an in house trophy located at the wildlife center. Each team member will receive a plaque with team name engraved by mail after the winning team has been declared.
6. The winning team is the team that finds the most species of birds. Not individuals. Once a species has been found, any other finding of that species will not count toward your over all tally.
For example, you see a flock of European Starlings, that counts as seeing ONE species of bird and that species will be added to your over all tally and will not count again, except for personal use.
7. Early registration will be held from 4pm to 5pm on Friday May 2nd.
Regular registration will be held from 5:30am to 6:30am on Saturday May 3rd. Donuts & Coffee will be served.
Both registrations will be held at the pavilion at Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center.
Participants will be handed their T-shirts, swag bag, official competition tally sheet, official rules, official map of Beaver Creek State Park and will have their team photo taken.
If you cannot make early registration, you may still start at 5pm on Friday. But you must be present at the Saturday morning registration. Please try to have all team members present at registration.
8. A special pass will be presented with your registration papers that allow you to go birding on certain park property at night. All other properties will be off limits unless otherwise stated by official signs. You must keep the pass with you at all times at night and also have one on each vehicle present.
If you are camping at the park campground, any bird heard by 75 percent of your team may be counted to your total.
An Owl Walk will be held on Friday night by The Division of Natural Areas and Preserves on Park property if you would like to join. Info will be with your itinerary.
9. A rare bird will require some sort of proof to be counted, via a photo or sound recording. Rare birds will be listed on your tally sheet or in the eBird app.
10. Team members need not remain together for the 24-hour period. One or more registered team members can leave or join at anytime during the event, as long as 2 team members remain at all times, but departed team members cannot apply any found birds to their teams total in their absence.
11. All birds counted must be observed while teams are physically located within Beaver Creek State Park or Beaver Creek State Forest. For example, if you are standing in Beaver Creek State Park but observe a bird soaring the sky over the border of the park, you may still count that bird.
12. Team members must remain at distances that permit direct voice contact at all times while birding, Teams may not split up to simultaneously cover different areas or trails.
13. All birds counted must be conclusively identified by sight or sound. Teams may use field guides or apps to aid in the identification of a species.
14. Birds counted must be alive, wild, and unrestrained. Nests, eggs, feathers, pellets or other artifacts do not count as birds.
15. All birds counted must be observed by 75% of team members present. For example, in a team of 2, both members would need to see or hear the bird to count it for their list, in a team of 4, at least 3 team members would need to see the bird. Registered team members who have yet to join their team or those who have already left the team are not included, only those team members who are actively birding at the time of observation.
16. Teams may go birding anywhere within Beaver Creek State Park or Beaver Creek State Forest as long as it is open to the public. PLEASE respect all homeowners & private property that may fall within park boundaries. Do not point binoculars, scopes or cameras at private homes or property. Do not use or block driveways.
17. Each team must submit a final checklist of birds observed using an official Bird Bonanza checklist in order to be eligible for any awards. Final check-in on the second day of the event concludes at 5:30pm.
18. Drivers should drive and pay attention to road conditions, speed limits and other safety considerations. Let the passengers look for birds.
19. Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or substances, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited at this event and in the park.
20. All participants must practice common sense health and safety measures throughout the event. Call 911 in case of emergency.
Have FUN!
Any questions or concerns contact Jason Short at [email protected] or 330-565-9784
Outline of rules borrowed from Stark County Bird Quest. Check them out here: https://cantonaudubon.org/stark-county-bird-quest/
2. This is a family friendly team event, and all participants must act accordingly. All birders at any skill level are welcome to participate. All teams must have at least one member who is 18 or older.
Honor System is key. Please do not cheat to win. Set a good example for those watching.
3. Each team must have a team name and must register at least two people, no more than 5. The team must appoint one Captain. They will collect the info and money and register the team. No individual registration will be had.
4. The competition will be held entirely within the Beaver Creek State Park & Beaver Creek State Forest properties. A map will be provided with registration.
5. The contest starts at 5pm on Friday May 2nd, 2025 and ends on Saturday May 3rd, 2025 at 5pm.
All teams must check in with final tally by 5:30 at The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center pavilion. Dinner will be served as the final tally is being counted.
A high card pull from a deck of cards will provide as a tie breaker if needed.
Winning team will have their team name engraved on an in house trophy located at the wildlife center. Each team member will receive a plaque with team name engraved by mail after the winning team has been declared.
6. The winning team is the team that finds the most species of birds. Not individuals. Once a species has been found, any other finding of that species will not count toward your over all tally.
For example, you see a flock of European Starlings, that counts as seeing ONE species of bird and that species will be added to your over all tally and will not count again, except for personal use.
7. Early registration will be held from 4pm to 5pm on Friday May 2nd.
Regular registration will be held from 5:30am to 6:30am on Saturday May 3rd. Donuts & Coffee will be served.
Both registrations will be held at the pavilion at Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center.
Participants will be handed their T-shirts, swag bag, official competition tally sheet, official rules, official map of Beaver Creek State Park and will have their team photo taken.
If you cannot make early registration, you may still start at 5pm on Friday. But you must be present at the Saturday morning registration. Please try to have all team members present at registration.
8. A special pass will be presented with your registration papers that allow you to go birding on certain park property at night. All other properties will be off limits unless otherwise stated by official signs. You must keep the pass with you at all times at night and also have one on each vehicle present.
If you are camping at the park campground, any bird heard by 75 percent of your team may be counted to your total.
An Owl Walk will be held on Friday night by The Division of Natural Areas and Preserves on Park property if you would like to join. Info will be with your itinerary.
9. A rare bird will require some sort of proof to be counted, via a photo or sound recording. Rare birds will be listed on your tally sheet or in the eBird app.
10. Team members need not remain together for the 24-hour period. One or more registered team members can leave or join at anytime during the event, as long as 2 team members remain at all times, but departed team members cannot apply any found birds to their teams total in their absence.
11. All birds counted must be observed while teams are physically located within Beaver Creek State Park or Beaver Creek State Forest. For example, if you are standing in Beaver Creek State Park but observe a bird soaring the sky over the border of the park, you may still count that bird.
12. Team members must remain at distances that permit direct voice contact at all times while birding, Teams may not split up to simultaneously cover different areas or trails.
13. All birds counted must be conclusively identified by sight or sound. Teams may use field guides or apps to aid in the identification of a species.
14. Birds counted must be alive, wild, and unrestrained. Nests, eggs, feathers, pellets or other artifacts do not count as birds.
15. All birds counted must be observed by 75% of team members present. For example, in a team of 2, both members would need to see or hear the bird to count it for their list, in a team of 4, at least 3 team members would need to see the bird. Registered team members who have yet to join their team or those who have already left the team are not included, only those team members who are actively birding at the time of observation.
16. Teams may go birding anywhere within Beaver Creek State Park or Beaver Creek State Forest as long as it is open to the public. PLEASE respect all homeowners & private property that may fall within park boundaries. Do not point binoculars, scopes or cameras at private homes or property. Do not use or block driveways.
17. Each team must submit a final checklist of birds observed using an official Bird Bonanza checklist in order to be eligible for any awards. Final check-in on the second day of the event concludes at 5:30pm.
18. Drivers should drive and pay attention to road conditions, speed limits and other safety considerations. Let the passengers look for birds.
19. Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or substances, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited at this event and in the park.
20. All participants must practice common sense health and safety measures throughout the event. Call 911 in case of emergency.
Have FUN!
Any questions or concerns contact Jason Short at [email protected] or 330-565-9784
Outline of rules borrowed from Stark County Bird Quest. Check them out here: https://cantonaudubon.org/stark-county-bird-quest/
Birding Bonanza Agenda:
| birding_bonanza_agenda.docx |
| birding_bonanza_agenda.pdf |
1st Annual Beaver Creek Birding Bonanza Agenda
Friday May 2, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Early Birding Competition Sign-in.
Participants receive T-shirt, swag bag, official competition tally sheet, official rules official map of Beaver Creek State Park, team photo.
5:00 PM Friday – 5:00 PM Saturday – Birding competition – Registration required.
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk
Saturday May 3, 2025
5:30 AM – 6:30 AM Official Birding Competition Sign-in.
Participants receive T-shirt, swag bag, official competition tally sheet, official rules official map of Beaver Creek State Park, team photo. Coffee and Donuts for Birding participants.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center open to visitors.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Lunch for visitors, volunteers, and participants while supplies last.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Raffle baskets tickets for sale.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Raptor Hallow Program.
5:00 PM – Birding Competition Ends.
5:30 PM – Dinner for the participants and volunteers.
5:30 PM – All birding participants meet at the Wildlife Center for dinner and awards.
Sunday May 4, 2025
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Bird walk - Meet at the YMCA Camp and hike to the Little Beaver Creek State Nature Preserve
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center open to visitors
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Raffle baskets tickets for sale
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Owls of Ohio program by Jason Lee
4:00 PM – The Ohio Bluebird Society presentation
5:00 PM – Raffle Ticket Drawing
Friday May 2, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Early Birding Competition Sign-in.
Participants receive T-shirt, swag bag, official competition tally sheet, official rules official map of Beaver Creek State Park, team photo.
5:00 PM Friday – 5:00 PM Saturday – Birding competition – Registration required.
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk
Saturday May 3, 2025
5:30 AM – 6:30 AM Official Birding Competition Sign-in.
Participants receive T-shirt, swag bag, official competition tally sheet, official rules official map of Beaver Creek State Park, team photo. Coffee and Donuts for Birding participants.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center open to visitors.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Lunch for visitors, volunteers, and participants while supplies last.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Raffle baskets tickets for sale.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Raptor Hallow Program.
5:00 PM – Birding Competition Ends.
5:30 PM – Dinner for the participants and volunteers.
5:30 PM – All birding participants meet at the Wildlife Center for dinner and awards.
Sunday May 4, 2025
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Bird walk - Meet at the YMCA Camp and hike to the Little Beaver Creek State Nature Preserve
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center open to visitors
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Raffle baskets tickets for sale
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Owls of Ohio program by Jason Lee
4:00 PM – The Ohio Bluebird Society presentation
5:00 PM – Raffle Ticket Drawing
Lodging options for the Birding Bonanza:
| lodging_options.pdf |
| lodging_options.docx |
Lodging Options
Camping:
Beaver Creek State Park Campground
https://reserveohio.com/OhioCampWeb/
Search Beaver Creek State Park
Hotels:
Quality Inn Calcutta
15860 St Clair Ave, East Liverpool, OH 43920
https://www.choicehotels.com/ohio/east-liverpool/quality-inn-hotels/oh387?mc=llgoxxpx
Days Inn by Wyndham
40952 OH-154, Lisbon, OH 44432
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/lisbon-ohio/days-inn-lisbon/overview?CID=LC:iqv0j1dklijly45:10333&iata=00093796
Cabins:
Postcard Cabins Beaver Creek
45529 Middle Beaver Rd, Lisbon, OH 44432
https://postcardcabins.com/pittsburgh-cleveland/
Camping:
Beaver Creek State Park Campground
https://reserveohio.com/OhioCampWeb/
Search Beaver Creek State Park
Hotels:
Quality Inn Calcutta
15860 St Clair Ave, East Liverpool, OH 43920
https://www.choicehotels.com/ohio/east-liverpool/quality-inn-hotels/oh387?mc=llgoxxpx
Days Inn by Wyndham
40952 OH-154, Lisbon, OH 44432
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/lisbon-ohio/days-inn-lisbon/overview?CID=LC:iqv0j1dklijly45:10333&iata=00093796
Cabins:
Postcard Cabins Beaver Creek
45529 Middle Beaver Rd, Lisbon, OH 44432
https://postcardcabins.com/pittsburgh-cleveland/