We had 25 birders who braved the 27 degree temperature, including a birder from Alaska. The second surprise was a Rough-legged Hawk who did a fly over directly above our heads. We ended up with 28 species, including a fly over Bald Eagle and a very tough to see Barred Owl.

Photo: Chimney Swift overhead by Jim McCulloch.

Aerial insectivores, birds that catch insects on the wing, such as the Chimney Swift are declining and there may be several reasons for the decline.

In October 2017, two Bald Eagles flew overhead and there were great views of two Pileated Woodpeckers and two Eastern Bluebirds. Fall migration reached a point when the only warblers to be seen were Yellow-rumped Warblers. What will we see in 2018?

Seven Magnolia Warblers were among the six warbler species on this walk in 2016. ​What will we see in 2018?

Photo: Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) by Keith-Williams Flickr CC (BY-NC 2.0)

The Backyard Nature Bash event is supported by a partnership between Cleveland Metroparks, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, and West Creek Conservancy.

We had 25 observers Saturday morning, with a mix of experienced birders and many new birders. Sunny, with a slight breeze. Our 3 hour walk turned up 44 species. We did have 2 Bald Eagles fly over, one immature and one adult. Our best bird was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The Cuckoo was very cooperative. He stayed close enough for all to see and at one moment we watched as he consumed a large caterpillar.

Above: Eastern Phoebe ( Sayornis phoebe) by John Benson (Flickr: Flycatcher) [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"Seeing a Philadelphia Vireo is a real treat! The bird was in a group with an Eastern Phoebe and a Great Crested Flycatcher. Over the dipping pond Belted Kingfishers put on an aerial display, rattling loudly." - Second Saturday Bird Walk August 12, 2017 at Rocky River Nature Center Report

Photo: Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), female, Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, Quebec, Canada. By Cephas [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

Midsummer can be a slow time for birding, but not on this pleasant sunny day. A highlight among the 52 species observed was a Red-breasted Nuthatch singing high in a tree. Other avian treasures were four species of thrush and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. - July 2017

A singing Veery, pairs of Wood Thrushes and Yellow Warblers feeding their young, and an Acadian Flycatcher on the nest were just a few of the rewards for walking through a cloudburst. The final attraction was a Belted Kingfisher toiling mightily to swallow a large fish. ​

In 2017, we saw an Acadian Flycatcher and a Cedar Waxwing on their nests plus singing Veeries highlighted this perfect June day. A slightly downy juvenile Barred Owl was another great find. A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers excavated holes in an old tree. Being summer, flycatchers are back, five species seen. What will we see in 2018?

Tim Jasinski spotted a number of warbler species in the ravine behind the center, a good start toward the total of 12 warbler species for the evening. The resident Barred Owls called and sat obligingly where all could have a great view. Gray Catbirds and brilliant orange and black Baltimore Orioles sang at many locations. 

Most of the birders would say our best bird of the day was an immature Barred Owl. It was on a tree branch about 15 feet high and five feet from the trail. Everyone had unobstructed views of the owlet. Down the trail we then saw one of the parent Barred owls hanging around watching out for the owlet. It was a great day for birding. Many species, many great views, many birds singing. 

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

Bird collisions are one of the top three human-related causes of bird deaths and injuries. What can be done to solve the problem, or, at least, reduce the number of deaths? 

A Barred Owl was located high up in a pine tree. Everyone was able to see the Owl before it flew off. Cardinals were everywhere. Many gorgeous male Cardinals singing in many, many locations through out the entire walk. One Pine Siskin was spotted up high, but few of us were able to put binoculars on the elusive bird. Four Bald Eagles were spotted flying high overhead. 

In 2017, a Pileated Woodpecker was just what one birder needed for his Ohio list on this 20-degree morning. The Brown Creeper was another nice addition for the seven who made the walk. What will we see this year?

The Nature Preserve on the Lake Erie coastline of Cleveland is an Audubon Important Bird Area and a natural area for many plants and animals. This Matching Challenge will fund the restoration of a half-acre site replacing invasive species with native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers along the public trail. Improvements will include a memorial to Barbara Martin and an interpretive educational sign for students and visitors.

​Volunteer for the 118th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count-Lakewood Circle 2017, and Christmas Bird Count Volunteer "Thank You" Dinner. Bring your best public outreach, data management, and customer service skills to this Northeast Ohio citizen scientist network!

​Western Cuyahoga Audubon hosts two Bird Walks in the West Creek Reservation and staffs a welcome table with educational handout materials for visitors.

Seeing a Philadelphia Vireo is a real treat! The bird was in a group with an Eastern Phoebe and a Great Crested Flycatcher. Over the dipping pond Belted Kingfishers put on an aerial display, rattling loudly. ​

Above: Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis). By Cephas (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Midsummer can be a slow time for birding, but not on this pleasant sunny day. A highlight among the 52 species observed was a Red-breasted Nuthatch singing high in a tree. Other avian treasures were four species of thrush and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

The monthly 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.

New to birding? You will be amazed how much you can learn in this friendly group.

The final meeting of the 2016-2017 year is the Western Cuyahoga Audubon picnic and plant exchange. Bring your dinner (grill will be available for cooking), your family or friends AND bring any plants, seeds, bulbs that need homes. ​​

Wendy Weirich will lead this walk at Acacia Reservation, a 155-acre former golf course returning to a natural state. ​