The bird observatory that helped bring 50,000 birders to Ottawa County last spring for the Biggest Week In American Birding is planning a weekend to celebrate butterflies and birds. This weekend-long event begins at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at the Observatory headquarters, 13551 W. Ohio 2, Oak Harbor. Join in for “Moth Madness; the butterflies of the night,” a field program with the Ohio Lepidopterists. Get this: there are approximately 750 species of butterflies in North America but there are more than 11,000 species of moths. We’ll use moth bait (yes, there is such a thing), and specialized lights to lure in moths and other nocturnal insects for close views. Bring your camera.

COLUMBUS — More than 370 permits are available to hunters wishing to hunt ducks and geese from a blind at an Ohio State Park lake this waterfowl hunting season. A lottery drawing for the permits will be held at 17 state parks and two wildlife areas the morning of Saturday, Aug. 21.

Winous Point Marsh Conservancy and the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District hosted 38 youth in and around Ottawa County for the first “A Day on the Wild Side” event. Those attending had the opportunity to: learn about invasive species, trapping, marsh management and the importance of habitat. They also had a chance to do various hands on activities such as: building a wood duck box, bird banding and releasing, shooting, archery, going out in a “punt” boat (used for hunting) and water quality testing. A special treat was when Fred Zink from Zink Calls dropped by to teach the kids how to use a duck call, which each participant received.

COLUMBUS — The Castalia State Fish Hatchery is closed to visitors and tour groups through Sept. 11, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The closure is necessary to ensure public safety during the construction phase of a new trout production building, which will increase trout rearing capacity at the facility.