BRAS 2021 Virtual Program Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 7pm Via Zoom

Hawks and Men by John Blakeman

John Blakeman, a retired high school biology teacher living in Perkins township, near Sandusky, is an expert on raptors. He began in the late 1960’s at Bowling Green State University where he trained and displayed the university's live falcon mascot and also conducted feeding and physiology experiments with American kestrels. Over many years he trapped, banded, and released dozens of native raptors. He has studied hawks from Maine to Alaska and did a major hawk survey in northern Nevada. In addition, he conducted one of the first raptor breeding projects.

One of Ohio's first licensed falconers, he attained the status of Master Falconer. Using his falconry red-tailed hawks, he and his birds successfully hunted cottontail rabbits. He was also one of Ohio's first raptor rehabilitators. He was a major participant in the Ohio Raptor Survey project, assessing the status of hawks and other raptors across the state.

Presently, in his work at NASA's plum Brook Station, he applies his knowledge of Ohio prairies in a program to restore up to 3,000 acres of the Firelands prairie inside that giant facility. Finally, he is an accomplished nature photographer and was a founder of the Firelands Audubon Society. Professionally, he designs native plant landscapes, featuring prairie grasses and wildflowers.

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John Blakeman with Savanna, the Red-tailed Hawk

(Photo courtesy of John Blakeman)