Did you know that The Dawes Arboretum is considered a hot spot for birding? With nearly 2,000 acres of lush green space compared to the urban environments that surround it, The Arboretum is the perfect place to start one’s birding journey.
Director of Science & Research Holly Latteman is The Arboretum’s resident bird expert. Latteman grew up spending her summers birdwatching with her grandmother, which catapulted her educational and professional career.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Zoology, Sociology/Anthropology, and Environmental Studies from Ohio Wesleyan University and her Master of Science in Environmental Studies from Ohio University, where her research focused on black vulture range expansion and human-wildlife conflict.
The hobby of ‘birding’ is defined as “the hobby of watching wild birds in their natural environment” by Cambridge Dictionary, but to Latteman and many of the younger generation re-discovering the hobby, it is much more than that.
“Birding is a way to challenge yourself in different habitats, situations and species,” Latteman said. “Birdwatching has become a gamified hobby that brings satisfaction when watchers achieve different objectives, like seeing different birds in different areas.”
Additionally, in an extremely tech-driven society, birding takes people outside, she said.
“People’s lives must be connected to technology in some way, so people want an excuse to do something that’s not so connected. This hobby is something people can choose to do with or without technology. With how busy the world feels, people can find peace, joy and quiet amongst the birds.”
Latteman also says that birding is extremely accessible. People can bring a phone or birding book with them anywhere. Or they can bring the birds closer to their home with a bird feeder.
It can also be financially accessible as an easy, entry-level hobby that can be learned by reading books, apps or reaching out to experts at places like Dawes.
Ohio is a part of the Mississippi Flyaway, which means that about 40% of migrants go through this patch of land, which invites interesting species to view through the wind.
How-to bird watch at The Arboretum
If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide on how to go birdwatching at The Arboretum, then look no further!
- If you want an extra reference guide, bird books can be valuable if the book has a species range map.
- Bring binoculars, or a device like a phone or camera if you want to capture the moment.
- Use apps like Merlin ID or EBird through Cornell University as a starting tool.
- Listen to bird songs and enjoy yourself!
Visitors can bird watch anywhere at Dawes, but a few key places that Latteman recommends to start are the Appalachian Garden, the Bird Watching Garden, the walnut trees near the North Loop, Red Barn Reserve and Holly Hill in the winter because of the picturesque berries.
In addition to her educational accolades, Latteman possesses a vast and multi-faceted range of research experience, including analysis of feather-degrading bacteria in common yard birds, bacterial load and monitoring of avian nest boxes, diet and paternity studies in captive bird species, reforestation research, restoration research, right-of-way vegetation and wildlife presence and phenology tracking across various taxa.
If birding has taught Latteman anything, it’s patience and dedication. “Being able to see them and appreciate them is really rewarding,” she said. “If you’re dedicated to finding the bird, you’ll find it. Patience is key too – things take time to see everything.”