Kathleen Bradley at the WCAS tent and display. Photo by Nancy Howell

Western Cuyahoga Audubon had the opportunity to have a display and information at the Cleveland Metroparks Backyard Nature Bash on Saturday, August 13. The event ran from 12 noon to 4 PM and within that 4 hour time over 100 visitors stopped by the display. Visitors were primarily families, but there were plenty of couples, dog-walkers, and small groups that dropped by. 

June’s walk had the most participants that I can recall with 15 people taking part in the walk. A few were new, which makes it even more fun to share this walk. Forty-one species were tallied, not bad for a hot day. - Report by Nancy Howell, photos by Shaun Missig

Palm Warbler by Michelle Brosius

Finally, WCAS members and guests can gather in-person for the WCAS Picnic, Plant Exchange and Bird Walk.

Downy woodpecker by Michelle Brosius

No matter what, these evening walks are a nice way to observe birds and the beauty of nature at a different time of the day. ​

What a lovely morning. Rain earlier in the morning seemed to refresh everything. Cool, crisp, breezy, and mostly clear, then clouds then clear again. A great group of people and some nice bird sightings. Eight participants joined this month’s walk and 44 species of birds were reported. - Report by Nancy Howell, photos by Shaun Missig

Photo: Bruce Buckingham holding a banded juvenile Herring Gull

The Herring Gull population in the Great Lakes has been declining in recent years so current data is needed to determine critical factors that affect their population. ​Learn more on May 3!

Last month’s write-up ended with the line, “... we were glad that the walk was ending as we were all a bit chilly and wet. Let’s hope for good weather soon!” April’s walk started off cool but quickly heated up to summertime temperatures and layers of clothing needed to be peeled off. Eight participants joined the April 23 Tremont Urban Bird Walk with 42 species of birds sighted.

​Quarterly stories, reports, news and announcements dedicated to birding and environmental conservation activities in northern Ohio USA. ​

The March Tremont Urban Bird Walk also had Kirtland Bird Club members join us. Thirteen participants came together on Saturday, we were hoping for more, but the weather was not cooperative in having lots of people come out. Temperatures were in the low 30s, a light dusting of snow had fallen overnight and continued in fits and spurts during the walk. It was tough to bundle up at the end of March. The birds bundled up to some degree, either puffing up to insulate better or keeping a low profile. - Report by Nancy Howell

Tufted titmouse by Michelle Brosius

Learn about the birds at the University of Akron Field Station

The group had 29 species. There were several highlights, including our resident Barred Owl. Three Pileated Woodpeckers were observed. We had our first of the year Eastern Phoebe, actively feeding. There were 35 estimated American Robins feeding and flying in several locations. My favorite bird was a Fox Sparrow that was at the Nature Center feeding station. The Fox Sparrow was within one foot of the building. We had great, unobstructed. extremely close views. - Report by Bill Deininger

Scarlet Tanager by Tom Fishburn

​The series is one of the oldest community science partnerships between Northeast Ohio park systems, Audubon groups, and other organizations now in its 89th 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. 

American Woodcock photo courtesy of Tom Fishburn

Since this event takes place in the evening, be prepared to do more listening than seeing as the sun sets quickly. ​

Just can’t get enough of the urban birding along the Towpath. Seven participants had a terrific time enjoying the sights and birds on February’s walk. The day was sunny, skies were clear and it was not terribly cold. A couple of inches of light, fluffy snow had fallen early in the morning which was perfect to enhance the sometimes “gritty” architecture of the Flats. - Report by Nancy Howell

Lark Bunting by Tim Colburn

After deciding to retire in late 2017 from a 31-year career in banking, Tim Colborn knew that he wanted to do, more birding travel!

House finch by Michelle Brosius

​Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society is back in 2022 offering a series of bird walks to encourage an appreciation for the birds and wildlife that also call the Tremont neighborhood their home.

Unfortunately the trails were very icy and we had a limited walk. We tried to walk on the all purpose trail, but had multiple patches of black ice. We then went to the nature center and watched the bird feeders. Highlight was a nice Pileated Woodpecker. Also we had 20 Mourning Doves feeding under the bird feeders. - Report by Bill Deininger.

In 2020, woodpeckers were seen throughout the trail. We had a Bald Eagle fly over. The best bird was a Barred Owl tucked in a pine tree.

Tufted Titmouse at Bradley Woods Reservation by Tom Fishburn

Field trip participants visit a pre-selected location throughout a given month and then report back to leader Michelle Brosius with bird lists, journaling, and photographs regarding the visit. These items are then compiled into a scrapbook that is shared during a virtual meetup the second Wednesday following the field trip month.

White-throated Sparrow by Lisa Gerbec

​Did you know that a bird’s eyesight is more than  seven times keener than yours? Birds experience the sights,  sounds, and smells of the world in a radically different way than  we do. Learn about some of the amazing ways birds make sense  of their environment.

​Quarterly stories, reports, news and announcements dedicated to birding and environmental conservation activities in northern Ohio USA. 

Photo: January 2020 Thaw Birders by Penny O'Connor.

Winter can be a rewarding time with woodpeckers, sparrows, brown creepers. Sometimes the redpolls appear. Worth a walk in the woods! 

This program will present and discuss examples of how animals and plants mislead and deceive in order to survive in nature. Revealing patterns, coloration, behavior, and much more will attest to the astounding world of Nature! Be prepared to test your observational skills!

Highlights were numerous with nice looks at a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. We had three Brown Creepers. There were at least eight Carolina Wrens, calling and crawling in the brush. Two Barred Owls were seen in two different locations. The best highlight for the day and for the year was a Red-tailed Hawk. - Report by Bill Deininger.

Photo: WCAS Second Saturday Birders December 2019 by Michelle Brosius.

M​onthly Second Saturday walks are a great opportunity for birders of all skill levels to enjoy the woods and wetlands around the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Nature Center.