Adams County Bird Symposium

The Adams County Bird Symposium brings together bird enthusiasts from near and far to celebrate their shared love of birds and birdwatching.

Founded in 2004 through a collaboration between Cincinnati Museum Center’s Edge of Appalachia Preserve and local Amish birdwatchers, the symposium has grown from a gathering in the basement of an Amish farmhouse into a popular, often sold-out annual event. For more than 15 years, the symposium was hosted by the Adams County Travel & Visitors Bureau. Beginning in 2026, the Adams County Nature Society, Inc. assumed responsibility for carrying on this cherished tradition and continuing its celebration of birds, nature, and the unique natural heritage of Adams County.

Registration: $55

Per adult · Under 18 free with an adult

Opens Nov. 15, 2026

Registration is first-come, first-served and typically fills within a few weeks.

Your registration includes

• All speaker presentations and vendor exhibits
• Morning coffee and donuts
• Lunch prepared by the local Amish community
• Live birds of prey presented by Raptor, Inc. and Ride the Wind Wildlife Rehab Center
• Optional guided birding trip to Adams Lake

Subscribe to the email list for early access to the registration link.

Location

Wheat Ridge Community Building

3735 Wheat Ridge Road

West Union, Ohio

Event Schedule

• 9:15 AM – Registration opens
  
• Morning & Afternoon – Featured speaker presentations
  
• Noon–1:00 PM – Lunch
  
• 3:30 PM – Symposium concludes, followed by an optional guided birding trip to nearby Adams Lake
  
• Throughout the Day: Browse vendor exhibits, shop, and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts.
  

Speakers

• Jamey Emmert, Birding the Ohio River: A Trail Takes Flight
  Ohio is a premier birding destination, attracting thousands of birders each year to its diverse habitats, from the shores of Lake Erie to the rolling hills of Appalachia. Now, birders have a new way to explore the state's southern frontier through the Ohio River Birding Trail. Join Jamey Emmert, Avian Education Coordinator with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, to discover what makes the Ohio River region so special for birds and birders alike.
  
• Robert Hershberger, Optics for Birding
  Robert Hershberger, owner of Time & Optics, will give an informative presentation on birding optics. He’ll share practical advice on choosing the right binoculars and other optics for your birding needs, along with tips for getting the most from them in the field.
  
• Richard Amable, Birding Peru.
  Richard Amable is a highly experienced naturalist guide, researcher and birding expert, specializing in the Amazon rainforest, particularly the Tambopata region. He has worked with the Tambopata Macaws Project and the World Wildlife Fund. Peru is a premier birding destination with over 1,870 recorded species offering biodiversity ranging from coastal desert to marine life, the rain forest and the high Andes.
  
• Bill Gordon, Finding Owls
  Naturalist Bill Gordon will talk about his successes as a 'nature detective' to detect the presence of owls. Ohio is home to many owl species that are all around us and often overlooked. We will learn about their habitats and the obvious signs that owls are living nearby, often in plain sight. Whether you live in an urban or rural area, Bill will give you tips on how to find, locate and enjoy owls.