The Friends, in partnership with Preservation Parks of Delaware County, were excited to host famed naturalist and Ohio birding legend Kenn Kaufman on October 17, 2024 and October 18, 2024. Kenn burst onto the birding scene as a teenager in the 1970s, hitchhiking all over North America in pursuit of birds—an adventure later chronicled in his cult-classic book Kingbird Highway. After several years as a leader of birding tours worldwide, he transitioned to a career as a writer, editor, and  illustrator. His energy currently goes into book projects, 14 books to date, and painting bird portraits. Kenn is a field editor for the National Audubon Society, a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society, and the only person to have received the American Birding Association’s Lifetime Achievement.

On Thursday evening, Kenn discussed & signed his new book "The Birds That Audubon Missed" at the Liberty Branch Library.

The next day, Kenn guided participants on a beautiful morning bird walk at Deer Haven Park.

The attendees for both events were given a rare glimpse inside the mind of a truly wonderful birding expert.  What a treat to have access to someone with his kind of knowledge to guide us all on our next nature hike.  We weren't the only ones that enjoyed ourselves though.  Below is an excerpt from Kenn's Facebook post after the event:

“To my fellow authors: if you get an invitation to speak at the Delaware County District Library (Ohio), go for it! I gave a program about my book, The Birds That Audubon Missed, at their beautiful new Liberty branch (in Powell, OH) on Thursday night, and it was a great experience.
I hope the citizens of Delaware County, Ohio, realize how lucky they are to have such an excellent library system and parks system. I felt lucky to be invited there, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit.”