A slight chill and foggy mist punctuate the dawn in the Clear Creek Valley just south of Lancaster. Here, as the first shafts of light filter through the treetops and burn through the mist, members of the Wild Birds Unlimited Sawmill team wait with anticipation for what is about to happen. Suddenly, a Barred Owl’s raucous calls incite a male wild turkey to gobble from its roost. There! Was that a Louisiana Waterthrush bursting boldly into song as a kingfisher flies down the creek with his rattling call? Wood Thrushes contribute their complex notes from the adjoining woods. Within minutes the magic of a dawn song give team members a lasting memory as hundreds of birds announce the arrival of the new day. Dawn breaking is equally exciting for the Slate Run Colored Juncos team at Columbus’ Slate Run Metro Park. Tanagers, warblers and thrushes have awakened, a Pileated Woodpecker drums and the calls of Sandhill Cranes reverberate through the air. Meanwhile, the Deckbirds team is celebrating the backyard visit of an Eastern Bluebird as they partake of a continental breakfast from their selected starting and ending point: the home and deck of their choosing. Teams of birders and nature enthusiasts organize in May to support Columbus Audubon through its annual Birdathon fundraiser. This event is a highlight of the spring birding season for many of our teams and their sponsors, as well as it being the main fundraiser for Columbus Audubon. The concept is simple. Join or form a team, collect donations and count all the bird species your team identifies in your chosen participation category on any day between May 1 and May 31. You don’t even have to stay in Ohio. Be creative: bird anywhere in the world, or in your own backyard. If you enjoy the outdoors, watching birds, camaraderie and competition for a good cause, why not consider joining us for a Birdathon adventure? The CA Birdathon is open to everyone of all ages and skill levels, and there is no limit to the number of teams with which you can participate. How about putting together a family team, a workplace team, or a school team? Columbus Audubon makes it easy to participate. We can help you form a team, find a team looking for members or to sponsor a team. Your level of participation is entirely up to you. Log on to www.columbusaudubon.org/birdathon and we’ll take you through the process of forming, joining or sponsoring a team. We’ll also guide you through deciding on one of the participation categories and provide tips on fundraising for your team. Our goal this year is to raise at least $10,000. Proceeds will help fund Columbus Audubon programs including conservation projects, public programs and youth scholarships. You don’t need to join a team to participate. Sponsors are just as important to the Columbus Audubon Birdathon as our team members. If you would like to sponsor a team, please contact a team member to make a donation or look for the team roster posted on www.columbusaudubon.org/birdathon, and sponsor your favorite team online! If you have This program will cover common lawn issues including: insects/pests, disease, weeds, lawn exposure (sun & shade) and soil concerns. For each lawn problem, natural and non-toxic solutions will be discussed. The program will also include an explanation of proper cultural practices (mowing and watering), and how that affects the grass plant and can improve or worsen the current issue(s). So what are you waiting for? Join us for Columbus Audubon’s 2016 Birdathon, and let the fun begin! Tom Sheley