LONDON, Ohio – Wildlife viewing around the homestead is becoming a popular hobby and visitors to Ohio State University's Farm Science Review can learn how to attract and monitor various species on their property.
Marne Titchenell, an Ohio State University Extension wildlife program specialist, will present two sessions at the Gwynne Conservation Area to offer attendees tips and resources for monitoring wildlife and increasing species diversity in and around their wooded areas.
"How to Monitor Wildlife on Your Property" will be held Sept. 21 from noon until 1 p.m. and Sept. 23 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. "Don't Forget the Simple Things…Nest Boxes for Wildlife" will be held Sept. 23 from noon until 12:30 p.m. Farm Science Review will take place Sept. 21-23 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.
"Are you curious about the wildlife that is in your woods or visiting your property? A great tool to use is a trail camera," said Titchenell. "You can capture wildlife on camera and get a good idea of what is out there. If you are interested in watching wildlife, this is one way to do it."
Trail cameras, of which there are many styles with a variety of features, have traditionally been used by the hunting community. But they are quickly becoming popular for other recreational uses.
Titchenell will discuss which cameras are the best, those features one can't live without, proper placement, and tips to increase viewing.
Identifying wildlife on one's property is just one step to better land management. Homeowners can make their property more attractive to some wildlife by setting up nesting boxes for such species as bats, owls, flying squirrels and bluebirds.
Titchenell will demonstrate how to build nest boxes and install them on a homeowner's property.
"Nest boxes are a great way to increase wildlife habitat in your woods and around your home. These species are looking for older trees with cavities in them to build their nests," said Titchenell. "If you don't have that on your property you can create that missing habitat with nest boxes."
Titchenell said that building nest boxes is a fun hobby and a great activity that the whole family can enjoy.
"It's a great activity to do with the kids," said Titchenell. "Then you can aim a trail camera at the nest box and sit back while you capture the mysterious lives of wildlife on film."
Titchenell's presentations are just a few of the 25 educational sessions taking place at the Gwynne Conservation Area during Farm Science Review. For a complete schedule, log on to http://fsr.osu.edu/schedulegwynne.html.
Farm Science Review is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. It attracts upwards of 140,000 visitors from all over the country and Canada, who come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and learn the latest in agricultural research, conservation, family and nutrition, and gardening and landscape.
Farm Science Review pre-show tickets are now on sale for $5 at all OSU Extension county offices. Tickets will also be available at local agribusinesses. Tickets are $8 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21-22 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23.
For more information, log on to http://fsr.osu.edu. For the latest news and updates, follow Farm Science Review on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/OhioStateFSR), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/FarmScienceReview), and Ning (http://fsrosu.ning.com).