BEAVER CREEK
BIRDING BONANZA
MAY 1 - 3, 2026
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 1st through Sunday, May 3rd.
The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center will be hosting a 24 hour birding competition that takes place from 5pm Friday May 1st to 5pm on Saturday May 2nd and will take place at Beaver Creek State Park, Beaver Creek State Forest, Guilford Lake State Park, Firestone Yeagley Wildlife Area, Hellbender Bluff County Park and Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve.
This competition is open to all birders from beginners to experts. The goal is to have fun, see birds and make or strengthen friendships.
The Highlighted area 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.
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 1st through Sunday, May 3rd.
The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center will be hosting a 24 hour birding competition that takes place from 5pm Friday May 1st to 5pm on Saturday May 2nd and will take place at Beaver Creek State Park, Beaver Creek State Forest, Guilford Lake State Park, Firestone Yeagley Wildlife Area, Hellbender Bluff County Park and Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve.
This competition is open to all birders from beginners to experts. The goal is to have fun, see birds and make or strengthen friendships.
The Highlighted area 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.
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_2026.docx |
| registration_form_2026.pdf |
Rules for the Birding Bonanza:
| rules_2026.docx |
| rules_2026.pdf |
1. American Birding Code of Ethics
https://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 within Beaver Creek State Park including Lusk Lock and Grimms Bridge areas, Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve, Guilford Lake State Park, Firestone -Yeagley Wildlife Area and Hellbender Bluff County Park. A map will be provided with registration.
5. The contest starts at 5pm on Friday May 1st, 2026 and ends on Saturday May 2nd, 2026 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. All teams must register online by April 17 and then check in at the Wildlife Education Center in person at the times listed below:
Early check-in will be held from 4pm to 5pm on Friday May 1st. Regular check-in will be held from 5:30am to 6:30am on Saturday May 2nd. Donuts & Coffee will be served. Both check-ins will be held at the pavilion at the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center. Participants will be handed their T-shirts, swag bag, official competition tally sheet, official rules, official map of Birding Areas and will have their team photo taken. If you cannot make early check-in, you may still start at 5pm on Friday. But you must be present at the Saturday morning check-in. Please try to have all team members present at check-in.
8. All properties will be off limits at night unless otherwise stated by official signs.
If you are camping at Beaver Creek or Guilford campground, any bird heard by 75 percent of your team may be counted to your total.
Two Owl Walks will be held on Friday night within the competition areas of you would like to attend those.
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 with a special code behind the birds name. Make sure to go over these codes with your team.
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 the assigned birding areas. 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 simaltaneously 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 the assigned birding areas as long as it is open to the public. PLEASE respect all homeowners & private property that may fall within these 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 or in the parks.
20. All participants must practice common sense health and safety measures throughout the event. Call 911 in case of emergency.
21. If you are a single individual and would like to participate, get ahold of me. I most likely can find a team for you to join.
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_schedule_of_events_2026.docx |
| birding_bonanza_schedule_of_events_2026.pdf |
2nd Annual Beaver Creek Birding Bonanza Schedule
Friday May 1, 2026
Early Birding Competition Sign-in from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Participants receive T-shirt, swag bag, official competition tally sheet, official rules, official maps of areas for competition, team photo. Participants must register online first, then in person Saturday morning, May 2.
5:00 PM Friday – 5:00 PM Saturday – Birding competition times – Registration required.
Friday, May 1 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk #1. Join Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson for an owl walk at Hellbender Bluff. LIMITED TO 25 PARTICIPANTS. Please email [email protected] to register. Make sure you identify which walk you would like to attend and how many in your party. Meeting place information will be emailed after acceptance of registration. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring a flashlight and insect repellent.
Friday, May 1 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk #2. Join Jason Short, Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley President, for an owl walk on Logan’s Loop at the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center. LIMITED TO 25 PARTICIPANTS. Please email [email protected] to register. Make sure you identify which walk you would like to attend and how many in your party. Meeting place information will be emailed after acceptance of registration. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring a flashlight and insect repellent.
Saturday May 2, 2026
Official Birding Competition Sign-in from 5:30 AM – 6:30 AM
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.
Participants must register online first, then in person weekend of.
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.
Saturday, May 2 from 2:00 – 3:00 – Raptor Hallow. Volunteers from Raptor Hallow will be in the yard at the Wildlife Center with some live birds of prey. They will talk about the birds and visitors can take pictures and watch them fly. Come out for an enjoyable program at the Wildlife Education Center!!
5:00 PM – Birding Competition Ends.
5:30 PM – All birding competition participants meet at the Wildlife Center for dinner and awards.
Saturday, May 2 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk #3. Details being finalized.
Saturday, May 2 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk #4. Join Jennifer Balsinger, President of Butler Bird Club, at the Beaver Creek State Park Campground for an owl walk. LIMITED TO 25 PARTICIPANTS. Please email [email protected] to register. Make sure you identify which walk you would like to attend and how many in your party. Meeting place info will be emailed after acceptance of registration. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring a flashlight and insect repellent.
Sunday May 3, 2026
Sunday, May 3 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Migration Bird walk. Join Matthew Smith and Ryan Moss from Division of Natural Areas & Preserves of Ohio, and Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley President Jason Short at Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve along North Fork Little Beaver Creek State Wild & National Scenic River. We will walk the rail bed and look for spring migrants. Parking is limited so carpool if possible. Please park in the small parking areas by bridge and underpass until filled up. Then start parking along Jackman Road, the lane west of the iron bridge. Please do not block any roads or lanes. We will meet by the iron bridge around 8:45.
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
Sunday, May 3 from 2:00 – 3:00 – 250 Years of Birds in America. Join Wildlife Center volunteer Jason Short, President of the Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley under the pavilion as he talks about birding in America over the past 250 years. He will discuss their history, uses, extinction, conservation, symbolism, and how American culture has made the hobby of birdwatching into a billion dollar industry.
(C) Sunday, May 3 from 4:00 – 5:00 – Hawks of Ohio. Join Jason Lee, Naturalist for ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft at Mosquito Lake State Park under the pavilion for a program with live hawks that are found in Ohio. People can get a close look at these beautiful birds and take pictures. Birds provided by BobKat’s Lil’ Critters.
5:00 PM – Raffle Ticket Drawing
Friday May 1, 2026
Early Birding Competition Sign-in from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Participants receive T-shirt, swag bag, official competition tally sheet, official rules, official maps of areas for competition, team photo. Participants must register online first, then in person Saturday morning, May 2.
5:00 PM Friday – 5:00 PM Saturday – Birding competition times – Registration required.
Friday, May 1 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk #1. Join Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson for an owl walk at Hellbender Bluff. LIMITED TO 25 PARTICIPANTS. Please email [email protected] to register. Make sure you identify which walk you would like to attend and how many in your party. Meeting place information will be emailed after acceptance of registration. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring a flashlight and insect repellent.
Friday, May 1 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk #2. Join Jason Short, Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley President, for an owl walk on Logan’s Loop at the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center. LIMITED TO 25 PARTICIPANTS. Please email [email protected] to register. Make sure you identify which walk you would like to attend and how many in your party. Meeting place information will be emailed after acceptance of registration. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring a flashlight and insect repellent.
Saturday May 2, 2026
Official Birding Competition Sign-in from 5:30 AM – 6:30 AM
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.
Participants must register online first, then in person weekend of.
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.
Saturday, May 2 from 2:00 – 3:00 – Raptor Hallow. Volunteers from Raptor Hallow will be in the yard at the Wildlife Center with some live birds of prey. They will talk about the birds and visitors can take pictures and watch them fly. Come out for an enjoyable program at the Wildlife Education Center!!
5:00 PM – Birding Competition Ends.
5:30 PM – All birding competition participants meet at the Wildlife Center for dinner and awards.
Saturday, May 2 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk #3. Details being finalized.
Saturday, May 2 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Owl Walk #4. Join Jennifer Balsinger, President of Butler Bird Club, at the Beaver Creek State Park Campground for an owl walk. LIMITED TO 25 PARTICIPANTS. Please email [email protected] to register. Make sure you identify which walk you would like to attend and how many in your party. Meeting place info will be emailed after acceptance of registration. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring a flashlight and insect repellent.
Sunday May 3, 2026
Sunday, May 3 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Migration Bird walk. Join Matthew Smith and Ryan Moss from Division of Natural Areas & Preserves of Ohio, and Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley President Jason Short at Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve along North Fork Little Beaver Creek State Wild & National Scenic River. We will walk the rail bed and look for spring migrants. Parking is limited so carpool if possible. Please park in the small parking areas by bridge and underpass until filled up. Then start parking along Jackman Road, the lane west of the iron bridge. Please do not block any roads or lanes. We will meet by the iron bridge around 8:45.
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
Sunday, May 3 from 2:00 – 3:00 – 250 Years of Birds in America. Join Wildlife Center volunteer Jason Short, President of the Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley under the pavilion as he talks about birding in America over the past 250 years. He will discuss their history, uses, extinction, conservation, symbolism, and how American culture has made the hobby of birdwatching into a billion dollar industry.
(C) Sunday, May 3 from 4:00 – 5:00 – Hawks of Ohio. Join Jason Lee, Naturalist for ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft at Mosquito Lake State Park under the pavilion for a program with live hawks that are found in Ohio. People can get a close look at these beautiful birds and take pictures. Birds provided by BobKat’s Lil’ Critters.
5:00 PM – Raffle Ticket Drawing
Lodging options for the Birding Bonanza:
| lodging_options_2026.docx |
| lodging_options_2026.pdf |
Lodging Options
Camping:
Beaver Creek State Park Campground
https://reserveohio.com/OhioCampWeb/
Search Beaver Creek State Park
Guilford Lake State Park
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/guilford-lake-state-park-campground
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
Guilford Lake State Park
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/guilford-lake-state-park-campground
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/