The open house will feature a guided hike at 8 a.m. for novice and expert birdwatchers alike. Colorful neotropical warblers, shorebirds and waterfowl will be the featured sights. Two hikes, at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., will give visitors an opportunity to see a long-standing remnant of Ohio's natural past-the state's largest American chestnut tree. Other activities include an 11 a.m. snake program featuring the Lake Erie Island Snake Lady, Kristin Stanford, and a noon beach cleanup along the preserve's shoreline.

Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve is located in Erie County along Lake Erie's southern shore. The water, shore and surrounding upland of this 463-acre site provide unique habitat for nearly 300 species of birds. Numbers are greatest in the spring and fall when migrating birds stop to rest before or after crossing Lake Erie. Birds often seen in the spring include yellow, yellow-rumped, yellow-throated and palm warblers, as well as blue-gray gnatcatchers, black-throated blues and American redstarts.

The preserve protects one of the last remaining barrier beaches in the Lake Erie region. The beach separates Lake Erie from East Sandusky Bay. For more information, call 419-433-4919.

Sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, the Natural Areas Discovery Series features scheduled hikes, interpretive activities and an opportunity for visitors to meet preserve and scenic river staff. Programs are held from April to October. The next event will be held October 11-12 at Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in Greene County.

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