Photo: American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) by Earl Peck at the Second Saturday Bird Walk July 13, 2019, Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks, 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070.

The July 2019 Second Saturday bird walk "included 24 observers. It was sunny with the temperature starting at 74 degrees and ending at 82 degrees. We had 44 species and one unidentified gull. A well marked Red-tailed Hawk flew over." What will we see in 2020?

Photo: Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) by Michelle Lindsey at Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks, 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070.

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.​

Photo: Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area Wayne County, OH, May 27, 2017 by Tom Fishburn.

What will we see in 2020? "In 2019, the 2nd Saturday of the month bird walk had over 50 observers. We chased down 69 species on a cool, sunny morning. We had 15 warbler species, in several "waves", in several locations.  The Pileated Woodpecker was making several trips to his nesting location." ~ Bill Deininger, Leader

Photo: Kirby's Mill with Cricket's Corner on the right. At Richfield Heritage Preserve, Crowell Hilaka, the former Girl Scout camp, and the former property of inventor James Kirby. Photo by Tom Fishburn on October 23, 2016.

Richfield Heritage Preserve, formerly Girl Scout camp Julia Crowell Hilaka, was once home to pioneers, inventors, agriculturalists, and campers before becoming a beautiful community park for everyone to enjoy. Join us to learn more about this hidden treasure tucked away in Richfield, Ohio.

Above: Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) at Second Saturday Bird Walk April 13, 2019 by Martin J. Calabrese.

What will we see in 2020? ​"We had a surprising number of birders on this 2nd Saturday of the month bird walk for April 2019. We counted over 60 observers. We tallied 52 species. First of the year Solitary Sandpiper, Palm warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Blue Gray Gnatcatcher."

Photo: Hooded Mergansers at Clague Park, Westlake - November 10, 2019 by Tom Fishburn.

We ended up with 31 species. Highlights were a Fox Sparrow kicking up leaves. A Red-shouldered Hawk called as he flew by. Three Red-tailed Hawks soared above us in some sort of mating ritual. First of year Cowbirds were in several locations. The best highlight was a pair of Hooded Mergansers. The pair swam toward us, brightly lit by the sun, before flying off. - Report by Bill Deininger.

Above: Barred Owl (Strix varia) by Bridgette Seebacher at Cleveland Metroparks, Rocky River Reservation, March 2019.

What will we see in 2020? “The March 2019 Second Saturday bird walk started with sunny skies and twenty five observers. The walk lasted over two and a half hours. Highlights were a Barred Owl, female Purple Finch, Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-tailed Hawks and 5 Coopers Hawks. At least a dozen Cardinals were spotted with many singing on their territorial perches.” 

"We had 18 observers on a very warm walk on the first January of the new decade.  The weather started at 58 degrees and ended at 62 degrees. It was windy, but the rain held off until the end of the walk, with only a brief drizzle. We were treated with 26 species. We started in the parking lot with a fly over Bald Eagle." ~ Bill Deininger, Leader

Photo: Second Saturday Bird Walk at Rocky River Reservation by Marty Calabrese.

​Last year 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. What will we see this year?

Above: Purple Martins (Progne subis) at Magee Marsh by Tom Fishburn.

Purple Martins are the largest swallow in Ohio. Nesting in colonies, usually martin boxes or gourds supplied by people, the birds are a sound of the summer. As the martins ready themselves for migration to Brazil, they will gather by the thousands around lakes and wetland habitats. Portage Lakes in Summit County is one of the areas in which the birds congregate. This program shares information about the life history of the martins as well as the importance of the habitats the birds need prior to migration as well as in South America.

Above: White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) at Rocky River Reservation by Tom Fishburn.

In 2017, we saw a ​Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk who perched on a broken tree top and gulped a “critter” down. We had an unobstructed view at a very close range. What will we see in 2019?

Sub-freezing temperatures did not deter 26 birders for the November 2017 Second Saturday walk. Ice had formed on the ponds. Eastern Bluebirds and Pileated Woodpeckers came in threes. Birders enjoyed American Tree Sparrows. What will we see in 2019?

Photo by Betsey O'Hagan.

Join us for an evening of conversations, research reporting, and sharing stories to help us all grow a sustainable future by working together in collaborations and partnerships for birds and habitat conservation. Plan to attend the pre-program Supper and Book Signing with guest celebrity David Lindo, author of "How To Be an Urban Birder" and program speaker, Joseph Lautenbach. 

Photo: White-breasted Nuthatch by Kathy Murphy.

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society hosts a Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation IBA Bird Walk for the public and in honor of special visitor, David Lindo, The Urban Birder.

Photo: Canada Geese and Mallard at the Second Saturday Bird Walk October 2018 by Kaoru Tsubone.

Summer is ending and we may see a hint of the start of fall migration. 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. We meet at the Rocky River Nature Center parking lot.

It was a sunny morning with the temperature in the low 70's. It was a typical August walk with many of the expected birds. The highlight of the morning were the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. ​

Summer is ending and we may see a hint of the start of fall migration. 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. We meet at the Rocky River Nature Center parking lot.

Photo: American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) by Earl Peck at Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks, 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070.

The Second Saturday bird walk included 24 observers. It was sunny with the temperature starting at 74 degrees and ending at 82 degrees. We had 44 species and one unidentified gull. A well marked Red-tailed Hawk flew over. We all had a good look at a male Scarlet Tanager as he sat for several minutes preening his red-orange and black feathers. We also had a close look at 4 Eastern Phoebes waiting for a parent to bring an insect. And our Barred Owl was tucked in the top of a pine tree for all to see. - Report by Bill Deininger.

Summer is ending and we may see a hint of the start of fall migration. 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. We meet at the Rocky River Nature Center parking lot.

The morning started off with a great view of a Great Crested Flycatcher perched on a leafless branch above the meeting area. 46 observers attended. We had 48 species on a sunny warm morning. Highlights of the walk included the Barred Owl who was present for all to see. A female Scarlet Tanager was on her nest, probably on eggs, while the elusive male Tanager was spotted lurking close by. We found a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers building their nest. Along the trail we enjoyed the songs of 6 Acadian Flycatchers and 5 Eastern Wood Peewees. - Report by Bill Deininger.

Above: Forget-Me-Not by Penny O'Connor

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 Second Saturday of the month Bird Walk had over 50 observers. We chased down 69 species on a cool, sunny morning. We had 15 warbler species, in several "waves", in several locations. The Pileated Woodpecker was making several trips to his nesting location. A pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers made a grand appearance and hopefully the pair will stay and nest. The Barred owl was observed high up a pine tree, visible to all. The Scarlet Tanager and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak looked radiant as their colorful feathers flashed in the bright sunlight. The Veery made several close appearances, once only about 10 feet away. - Report by Bill Deininger.

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.​

One of the biggest success stories in conservation was the reintroduction of the Peregrine Falcon to the eastern U.S. In Ohio, cities, such as Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland and other “urban mountains” became the stronghold of the falcons. Chad and Chris Saladin have been falcon watchers and trackers for a long time and know the history of many of the pairs of birds in and around northeast Ohio. Find out how the falcons are faring on the bridges and buildings of the urban canyons. ​​

We had a surprising number of birders on this 2nd Saturday of the month bird walk for April 2019. We counted over 60 observers. We tallied 52 species. First of the year Solitary Sandpiper was bouncing around only 10 yards in front of us. Also first of the year Palm warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Blue Gray Gnatcatcher were hopping around. We both heard the call of the Barred Owl and then later we were able to locate the Owl. Tree Swallow and Northern Rough-winged swallow also are back on their nesting grounds. - Report by Bill Deininger.