Top Ten Reasons to Attend the 2013 Midwest Birding Symposium

OK, bird people! Listen up!

Please look at your calendar right now and check the third weekend in September, 2013. Specifically, look at September 19 through 22. How's it look? Clear? Then grab a pen (not a pencil) and write the following in LARGE BLOCK LETTERS over those dates: MIDWEST BIRDING SYMPOSIUM.

Here are 10 reasons why you really need to attend this year's MBS.

10. The MBS only happens every other year, so it's always minty fresh, never stale.

9. We work really hard to make sure that it's The World's Friendliest Birding Event—everyone is welcome, even non-birders! Beginners, especially, are encouraged to come.

We've declared Saturday, September 21, 2013 to be Young Birder's Day—all young birders get in free! Details and registration form are here:

8. We love making connections between bird watchers. Since the 2009 MBS more than 375 marriages have happened as a result of the event. [Not really, but that sounds impressive doesn't it?] Seriously though, everyone makes new friends at the MBS. We guarantee it! If you attend and leave without making at least one new friend, we'll refund your money (please see Reason #1 below).


7. We've arranged for another appearance in 2013 by a Kirtland's warbler. You can see a photo of the Kirtland's that joined us in 2009 here. If the Kirtland's does not make the scene, we've got an passenger pigeon flock on speed dial.

6. Our list of speakers is incredible! We have lots of speakers who will be able to teach you things. And we have even more speakers who will tickle your funny bone and make you laugh, including Al Batt, John Acorn, Alvaro Jaramillo, Julie Zickefoose, John and Cathy Sill, Sharon Stiteler, and George Armistead.


5. Three words: Sunset Boat Cruise! Plus other exciting extra activities.

4. Our Birder's Marketplace features more than 60 vendors, selling everything a bird watcher could possibly want. And then some.

3. Our Conservation Raffle will raise funds for bird habitat acquisition and other worthy conservation causes. The Ohio Ornithological Society has promised to match this funding, up to $5,000! Wow! Items in the raffle include high-end optics, birding festival passes, discounted trips to amazing places like The Canopy Tower in Panama!


2. Being on Lake Erie, on the charming grounds of Lakeside in September is incredibly beautiful —just like being in Tuscany, but with better birding and no language barrier.

1. It only costs $125 to attend the Midwest Birding Symposium. Your last speeding ticket or dinner out was more expensive and less enjoyable. Don't fight the urge. Come join us!