MANSFIELD, Ohio – Ohio Bird Sanctuary visitors are enjoying the first summer in four years without construction dotting the landscape, now that renovations are completed at this unique attraction about 100 miles west of Youngstown.
A brand-new Avian Encounters Area lets visitors experience the sanctuary’s ambassador animals in a new way as they meet at least three of the most popular animals up close during Saturday shows that take place at 11 a.m. and noon through Aug. 30. Reservations are required and can be booked for $5 at OhioBirdSanctuary.com.
The 90-acre preserve provides important habitat for 52 species of breeding birds and migratory species, as well as hospital and rehabilitation care for raptors and other injured birds, with the goal of returning them to the wild. It also offers educational programs, tours, hands-on experiences and special events that foster a passion for caring for nature.
An expanded visitors center now welcomes guests, introducing them to the sanctuary’s many wild experiences and features, including the popular 3,200-square-foot songbird aviary, which houses an array of songbirds and grassland species.
Its boardwalk gives visitors easy access, while enhanced habitat provides refuge for the birds in its trees and recirculating stream. Guests love feeding the friendly blue jays, doves and other birds their special diet. The food is sold for 25 cents in the visitors center, which also has a gift shop.
The sanctuary’s living museum is home to more than 30 species of native songbirds and raptors that, due to injury, can no longer survive in the wild. Fast becoming a favorite of all visitors is the new Avian Encounters, where guests get a close-quarters meet-up with vultures, Edgar the crow, owls, fruit-eating cedar waxwings and a bald eagle. These and other birds can be seen in 16 large enclosures in a wooded area. A massive octagon flight cage helps birds rehab and spread their wings. For the bird’s health and safety, their rehabilitation takes place in secluded areas outside of public view.
In addition to its three main buildings, a wheelchair-accessible treehouse classroom has been added. This unique classroom space, and the nearby Apollo’s Hideaway field classroom, host school field trips, special public programs and camps.
The sanctuary also has 4 miles of trails winding through 90 acres of meadow, and riparian and old growth forest. A portion of Wood Duck Trail, the sanctuary’s optimum birding habitat, is also wheelchair accessible.
There is also a children’s Nature Scape play area and outdoor picnic areas where families can enjoy lunches that they bring.
Ohio Bird Sanctuary is open from 10.a.m. to 4.p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. All live bird displays are outside and wheelchair and stroller accessible. Entrance to the bird display area is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3 to 16, $3 for members of the military and guests from assisted care centers. Pets are allowed on the trails but are not allowed near bird enclosures or in buildings and must be leashed and controlled by their owners at all times.
For a free visitors guide that details other nearby attractions, go to DestinationMansfield.com.
Pictured at top: Children get a close look at an owl demonstrated by a guide at Ohio Bird Sanctuary.