Photo: Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) by Tom Fishburn.

Mid-September is a terrific time of year for hawk migration through the upper mid-west. While eastern North American raptors migrate through the area between late August right through early winter, the dates we have chosen give us the best opportunity to see large kettles of Broad-winged Hawks. In addition, good numbers of American Kestrels and Sharp-shinned Hawks should be on the move as well as a few other raptors and some songbirds such as Cedar Waxwings and Blue Jays.

Walking toward the open fields, we began hearing (if not seeing) several breeding birds including two Willow Flycatchers that managed to stay hidden except for a few brief moments. Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats were vocal along the path in areas of wet, successional growth and ever present Tree Swallows flew acrobatically, keeping us company throughout the morning. ~ Bird Walk Leader, Tim Colborn

Mid-June is prime nesting time for grassland birds. Leader Tim Colborn will take us to grassland hotspots in Northeast Ohio. Where? Leader's choice, depending best opportunities to see these birds based on current conditions and sightings.

Photo: Merlin (Falco columbarius) by Craig Caldwell, Gulls and Wintering Birds Hotspots Field Trip Saturday, January 26, 2019, Wendy Park, 2800 Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland, OH 44102​.

As we were pulling up 2 other birders were walking toward the parking area, so I asked if they had seen the Merlin and they had. So our group jumped out of our cars and walked to the pine trees where we had great views of the the Merlin for several minutes before we left for Scranton Flats.

Photo: Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) by Chuck Slusarczyk Jr. at Wendy Park, 2800 Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland, OH 44102.

January can be a terrific month for gull-watching along the Lake Erie shore. We’ll brave the frigid temperatures and strong winds to see if we can find both the common and rarer gull species, as well as other wintering birds like ducks, grebes, loons, and raptors. 

This is a good date for maximizing migrant, resident and wintering waterfowl including geese, swans, dabbling ducks and divers. 

Photo: Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) by Kathy Murphy

Join us for Hotspot Birding! Early migrant shorebirds such as Least, Semipalmated, Pectoral, Stilt, Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitcher and both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and of course, any rarities that might be around northeast Ohio! 

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