The March walk started off with a gorgeous pair of Red-shouldered Hawks soaring directly above, low enough to have a great view of all their distinct feathers. This was followed shortly after by a soaring immature Bald Eagle, again, directly above us. It was a good day for Raptors with Cooper's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures added to the list. ~ Bill Deininger

We had, as expected for February, a low count on the bird list. It was a cold morning with temperatures starting at 23 degrees and ended at 26 degrees. 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.

We had a group of 14 House Finch perched in a small area. Three Bluebirds, impressed us by feeding low to the ground, glowing with their blue feathers in the sun shine. Several Goldfinch, in their dull winter yellow plumage, also put on a nice viewing. A Red-tallied Hawk flew near the group, landed and basked in the sun, showing off his red tail. - Report by Bill Deininger.

It was a great day of birding. The sun was shining the entire walk and the temperature reached 81 degrees. We had 10 observers on the walk. We tallied 43 species. There were several highlights that amazed our group. Our local Red-tailed Hawk flew very close by, perched on a low branch, and sat for us to all get good looks. A Barred Owl was perched in the pine trees for all to see. A Scarlet Tanager gave a great show for several minutes. ​

The July 2nd Sat bird walk started with a sprinkle of rain, but ended with the sun shining. There were seven observers, obeying all COVID protocols. We tallied forty species. Highlights were a Red-tailed Hawk being "mobbed" by Red-eyed Vireos, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and an American Redstart.

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?

We watched the Heron for several minutes before the Heron swallowed the fish. Later down the trail we watched a Red-tailed Hawk capture a Fox Squirrel. After several minutes, on the ground, the Hawk flew, with the squirrel in its talons, landed on an unobstructed perch, sat for several minutes before flying away with its prey dangling from its talons. ​

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.​

"It was a slow day for birding. Weather was cold and windy. We had 6 observers. 38 species were observed. The warblers were disappointing, with only 2 species, the Northern Waterthrush and the Nashville Warbler. We had good looks at the White-throated Sparrow, 20 were counted in several locations. Highlight was a first-of-year Great Crested Flycatcher." ~ Bill Deininger, Bird Walk Leader

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

"We had 38 species. Highlights were a fly over bald Eagle, both Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, our resident Barred Owl and a nice look at a female Pintail." ~ Bill Deininger, Bird Walk Leader

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." ~ Bill Deininger, Bird Walk Leader

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.