the Adams County Nature Society presents the 

Adams County Bird Symposium

Celebrating birds and bird‐watching in Adams County, Ohio since 2004.

Registration Opens November 15, 2027!

The Adams County Bird Symposium is an annual gathering that brings together bird enthusiasts from across the region – both Amish and “English” – to celebrate the joy of birds and birdwatching. It started as an idea in 2004 by Cincinnati Museum Center’s Edge of Appalachia Preserve and local Amish bird watchers to bring birding to the Adams County Wheat Ridge Amish Community. The symposium has grown from its humble beginnings in the basement of an Amish farmhouse into an annual sold-out event. Originally hosted by the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Adams County Travel Bureau, a new organization was formed dedicated to organizing nature events in Adams County. As of 2026, the Bird Symposium will be hosted by the Adams County Nature Society, Inc.  

The  Adams County Bird Symposium, hosted by the Adams County Nature Society, Inc.,  tales place on the first Saturday of March. Join us on March 6, 2027.


Registration:

  • Attendees, Vendors & Exhibitor registration will open November 15, 2026  and will remain open until the event is full.   Once open, registration is first-come, first-served – so be sure to sign up early, as the symposium typically sells out within a few weeks. We have added more chairs so that more of our nature friends can join us! 
  • The $55.00 registration fee includes:
  • Access to all vendors and speaker presentations throughout the one day event
  • An optional guided birding hike to Adams Lake
  • Morning coffee and donuts for breakfast
  • A delicious lunch provided by the local Amish community
  • Live birds of prey presented by Raptor, Inc.
  • Children under 18 are free with an adult.
  • Subscribe  to join our email list. The registration link will be sent to everyone on the email list before we open to the public. 


Location: Wheat Ridge Community Building, 3735 Wheat Ridge Road, West Union, OH


Agenda:

  • Registration opens at 9:15 am.
  • Featured presentations morning and afternoon.
  • Lunch is served between noon - 1:00 pm.
  • Symposium ends at 3:30 pm with an optional  trip to nearby Adams Lake led by local birders.
  • Shop and visit symposium vendors all day.
  • A special display with wild birds of prey by Raptor, Inc., a rehabilitation center located in Milford, OH.


Speakers: Here is the lineup of the symposium's fabulous 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, researched and birding expert specializing in the Amazon rainforest, particularly the Tambopata region. He was worked with the Tambopata Macaws Project and the World Wildlife Fund. Perus is a premier briding destination with over 1,870 recorded species offering biodiveristy ranging from coastal desert, marine life, the raing 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 an 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 are, Bill will give you tips on how to find, locate and enjoy Owls.

  • Joseph Raber,  Symposium Chair, Updates from the Adams County Wheat Ridge Birders Community

Vendors & Exhibitors

The following vendors and exhibitors have participated in recent symposiums. We will update this list to reflect the current participating vendors when registration opens.

If you are interested in being a vendor or exhibitor at a future event, please note that space is limited and tends to sell out quickly. The date and links for registration for vendors and attendees will be announced by email in the Fall of 2026.  For more information, contact whocooksforyou@gmail.com.


  • Ann Geise Art – Ann Geise is a landscape, wildlife, and nature artist from the Cincinnati, OH area who works in oils and watercolors.
  • Red Oaks Forest School
  • Adams County Art Council
  • Adams County Travel & Visitor Bureau
  • Bill Dreger Art – Handmade, unique rustic birdhouses.
  • High Adventures Wilderness School – Nest and bird boxes.
  • Feather Inc.
  • Ohio Elderberry – Specializes in elderberry products.
  • Ohiyo Jewelry
  • OOS – Ohio Ornithological Society – Ohio’s statewide birding network and organization for bird enthusiasts.
  • Raptor, Inc. – Raptor rehabilitators and educators in southwest Ohio.
  • Ride the Wind Wild Bird Rehab Center (New Richmond, OH) – Wildlife rehabilitators specializing in birds; connect with them on Facebook.
  • Rob Liptak Art – Hand-carved bird sculptures.
  • The Nature Conservancy of Ohio – Conservation organization preserving lands and waters across Ohio (local chapter of TNC Adams County).
  • Edge of Appalachia Preserve System (Adams County) – A network of nature preserves in Adams County managed for conservation and education.
  • Time & Optics – Binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, and accessories. A family business for 43 years supplying birders and nature enthusiasts with high-quality optics. Buy from the people who know their product!


Symposium Supporters

Thank you to our Supporters!

None of these annual events would have been possible without the support of our sponsors and the help of local organizations and individuals. A special thank you to the following for their support.

  • Adams County Nature Society, Inc. - hosting the event
  • Adams County Travelers & Visitors Bureau
  • Wheat Ridge Amish Community
  • Murphin Ridge Inn
  • The Ohio Nature Conservancy (TNC)
  • Edge of Appalachia Preserve System: Cincinnati Museum Center
  • Midwest Native Plant Society, Inc.
  • Pennington Products
  • Time N' Optics
  • Yoder's Furniture and Bakery
  • Mary Ann Keim and Family
  • Jay and Joanne Smale

A list of all donors and sponsors will be displayed at the event.

ABS Symposium Team in alphabetical order:


  • Tom Cross, Adams County Travel Bureau 
  • Marty Dermody
  • Ann Geise
  • Jennie Hefren
  • Ned Keller
  • Martin McAllister, Ohio TNC
  • Kathy McDonald
  • Linda Richey
  • Joseph Raber, Chair
  • Tammy Stanley
  • Mary Tenoever


Interested in helping with the symposium?
The Bird Symposium is always looking for new people who are interested in the natural world in Adams County to help with events, lead trips, and more! Join us! Email the team for more information at whocooksforyou@gmail.com.