Yellow-rumped Warbler by Michelle Brosius

​Spring Bird Walk Series 2024

​The Series of Spring Bird Walks is one of the oldest community science partnerships between Northeast Ohio park systems, Audubon chapters, and other organizations now in its 91st year. It is also a celebration of migratory birds, some remaining to breed in the many habitats of northeast Ohio, while others using the habitats as a stopover as they travel north to breeding areas. Walks are led by experienced birders and will be held on Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, and May 5, 12 and 19 at 7:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Walks hosted by WCAS are:

Big Creek Reservation - Lake Isaac, southern terminus of the Lake-to-Lake Trail, Cleveland Metroparks Big Creek Parkway, Middleburg Heights. Contact: [email protected]  Terrain: natural surface, some off trail, short boardwalks, footing can be rough, muddy, and slippery. 2 miles.

Brecksville Reservation - Parking area at Station Rd. Bridge Trailhead, off Riverview Rd. south of Route 82, Brecksville. 330-467-3664. Terrain: varies 3 or more routes.

Rocky River Reservation - Rocky River Nature Center parking lot, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted. 216-924-0188. Terrain: Some all-purpose trail, some crushed stone surfaces which could be uneven. 2 miles.

The following locations are participating in the series:

Aurora Sanctuary - Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland Sanctuary, parking lot east of Page Rd. on E. Pioneer Trail, east of routes 306 and 43, Aurora. 216-337-2202. Terrain: 2.5 miles, packed soil with some hills and MUD! Boots highly suggested.

Bedford Reservation - Hemlock Creek Picnic Area, off Button Rd., Bedford. 330-715-6300 Terrain: natural surface, may be muddy and uneven footing. 2 miles with an additional (optional) 3 mile spur.

Gates Mills - Various locations. Takes place rain or shine. Children with adults are welcome. Call 440-463-5944 for details.

• April 14 - Hach-Otis Sanctuary at the End of Skyline Drive (Off of River Rd.), Willoughby Hills, OH and continue at Hach-Otis John & Carol Lillich Meadows, 2685 Dodd Road, Willoughby Hills, OH
  
• April 21- Orchard Hills Park - 11340 Caves Road, Chester Township, (north of Mulberry)
• April 28 - Frohring Meadows - 16780 Savage Road, Bainbridge Township
• May 5 - Squire Valleevue Farm, CWRU, 37125 Fairmount Blvd., Hunting Valley, OH 44022 Use entrance on Fairmount Rd.
• May 12 - White North Property - 3160 Chagrin River Road (Corner of River Road and Shaker Blvd.) Park next to garages on right side of property
• May 19 - Squire Valleevue Farm, CWRU, 37125 Fairmount Blvd., Hunting Valley, OH 44022. Use entrance on Fairmount Rd.

Geauga Park District - Various locations in Geauga County, see list below. Contact [email protected] or 440-286-9516 for details.

• April 14 - Burton Wetlands – 15681 Old Rider Rd, Burton OH 44021
  
• April 28 - Frohring Meadows – 16780 Savage Rd, Chagrin Falls OH 44023
  
• April 28 - The Rookery – 10110 Cedar Rd, Chesterland OH 44026
  
• May 5 - Eldon Russell Park – 16315 Rapids Rd, Troy Township, OH 44021
• May 12 Big Creek Park – 9160 Robinson Rd, Chardon, OH 44024
  
• May 19 - Swine Creek Reservation – 16004 Hayes Rd, Middlefield OH 44062

Hinckley Reservation - Bridge at the south end of Hinckley Lake, on State Rd., Hinckley. Terrain: varies 3 routes. Contact: [email protected]

Hiram - James H. Barrow Field Station (Hiram College), 11305 Wheeler Road, Hiram. 330-569-5787. Terrain: natural surface, may be muddy. 2.5 miles.

Holden Arboretum - Corning Visitor Center, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland. Registration is required. The bird walks are free for members. For nonmembers the Arboretum admission is $20. 440-946-4400. Terrain: Combination of paved and unpaved pathways.
Often muddy in portions. 4 miles

Lake Metroparks - Lake Erie Bluffs, 3301 Lane Rd., Perry Township. For information contact 440-256-1404, ext. 2118. Terrain: 2 miles.

Lorain County Metro Parks

• Elywood Park - 556 Washington Ave. Elyria, OH 44035. Meet at the Pavilion. Note: Walks begin at 8:30 AM! Terrain: Easy to moderate terrain depending on the weather. For information visit the Lorain County Metroparks.
• Vermilion River Reservation - Bacon Woods. Note: Walks begin at 8:30 AM! Drive to the back of the park to meet at the trailhead at the far northern lot. Walk includes the beginning sections of the parking lot and the red and blue trails. Terrain: crushed gravel, short boardwalks, and sometimes mud on the grass trail. Approx 2 miles. Contact: 440-787-7736

Mentor Marsh - parking at Shipman Pond parking lot, 9600 Headlands Rd., Mentor. 440-257-0777. Terrain: 1.3 miles.

North Chagrin Reservation – North Chagrin Nature Center parking lot, 401 Buttermilk Falls Parkway, Mayfield Village. 440-473-3370. Terrain: 2.5 miles.

Novak Sanctuary - Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland Sanctuary, parking lot north of Rt. 82 on Aurora Town Line Rd., Aurora. 330-388-9279. Terrain: 1.5 miles.

Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation - CanalWay Center, 4524 E. 49th Street, Cuyahoga Hts. 216-206-1000. Terrain: 2.3 miles.

Shaker Lakes - The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes parking lot, 2600 South Park Blvd., Shaker Heights. 216-321-5935 Tuesday - Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM) . Terrain: Mix of all purpose trail, asphalt and dirt, 2 miles. Registration is appreciated but not required www.shakerlakes.org - Events/Programs, Programs, Birding Programs

River Styx Park - Medina County Park District, 8200 River Styx Rd., Guilford Twp., Wadsworth. Will have walks on Saturdays, April 13 through May 18 at 7:30 AM. 330-722-9364

Don’t miss the migration!

Cosponsored by Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, Blackbrook Audubon Society, Black River Audubon Society, Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Gates Mills Birders, Geauga Park District, Hiram College, Holden Arboretum, Lake Metroparks, Lorain County Metro Parks, Medina County Park District, Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, and Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society.