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By David Dvorak Jr.
As
we continue into the Year
of the Frog, a worldwide effort to spread
awareness of loss of species, we would like to highlight the joy
of and concerns about our winged visitors. Beginning at the end
of February, our regional spring bird migration occurs in waves,
peaking in early May with the neotropical songbirds. But, reminiscent
of the warnings of Silent Spring, many of these birds, including
common birds that nest in our region, are threatened by human actions
once again.
Studies by the Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
and other organizations have pointed to a marked decline in many
species of migratory birds. Birds flying into broadcasting and
cell phone towers and buildings take a tremendous toll on migrants
into the millions every year. Studies have shown that birds such
as the cerulean warbler and wood thrush are in serious decline.
Loss of habitat also plays an important part in birds declining
in numbers. Development of forest and grassland areas to urbanization
and farming are taking land from birds and other wildlife. Unfortunately
many of the migratory birds need specific habitats. If these habitats
are lost, so are the birds and other living organisms that dwell
in these habitats. For example, the greater prairie chicken once
lived in Ohio. Loss of prairie habitat and overhunting led to this
species’ extirpation from the state.
Through the Audubon Ohio website, under the Bird Science and Conservation
menu, you can find ways to help protect Ohio’s birds: www.audubonohio.org/bsc/.
To enjoy these spring visitors and summer residents, in the next
few paragraphs a chronology of migration will aid in your discoveries.
Places to go that will practically ensure your being able to
view these birds up close with binoculars are listed at the end
of this article, as well as organized outings with skilled birders.
The first birds to start north come through in late February and
early March. These birds are mainly waterfowl. Ducks such as redheads
and greater and lesser scaup begin to appear in large numbers,
as well as canvasbacks and gadwall. Tundra swans are often heard
cackling as they fly north over our area. Some stop to refuel in
Ohio wetlands. Trumpeter swans have been reintroduced to the Midwest
and a few even stay to nest. Many geese such as snow geese, brants,
Ross’s geese, and Richardson’s Canada geese are heading
north at that time also and can be seen if they stop over to feed.
These geese all nest far to the north along the arctic tundra.
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Some of our songbirds arrive early and stay with us such as the
red-winged blackbird and common grackle. Others such as the fox
sparrow and yellow-bellied sapsuckers just pass through. As spring
progresses, birds from the north that wintered here migrate such
as juncos, tree sparrows, redpolls, and snow buntings. Long-eared,
short-eared, and saw-whet owls that spent the winter here migrate
north and west to their respective nesting grounds. By mid-April,
many of our sparrows come back from the south such as chipping,
white-throated, and Lincoln’s. Also one of our nesting hawks
comes back from Central and South America to nest in Ohio forests,
the broad-winged hawk.
The last big wave of migration comes at the end of April through
the first three weeks of May. These are the neotropical migratory
songbirds that are returning from the tropics to nest in our area
and further north. These birds often sport bright tropical colors
such as the blackburnian and northern parula warblers, scarlet
tanagers, and Baltimore and orchard orioles. Joining these are
ruby-throated hummingbirds, red-eyed and warbling vireos, blue-gray
gnatcatchers, thrushes, and yellow-billed and black-billed cuckoos.
In May, we are at the peak of the neotropical migration, and in
June and into July, our resident and migratory birds will be nesting
and raising their young.
Many of these beautiful birds can be seen by going on hikes led
by expert birders in our park systems. The Cleveland Metroparks
Emerald Necklace newsletter lists times and locations of weekend
bird walks. Also our local Audubon Societies list outings in
their newsletters or online. The Emerald Necklace newsletter
can be picked up at nature centers and other locations throughout
the park system. The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland’s
website is www.clevelandaudubon.com and the Western Cuyahoga’s
website is www.wcasohio.org.
If you would like to visit birding hotspots on your own, here are
some places to visit. A good place to start is walking the towpath
trail from the Station Road parking area off of Riverview Road
in Brecksville. Walk north or south on the towpath trail throughout
the migration season to see a wide range of birds from waterfowl
to warblers. Another great spot is the lake trail around Hinckley
Lake in Hinckley Reservation. A variety of birds can be seen
here including migrating osprey and herons. Crane Creek Wildlife
Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge along Lake Erie off
of Route 2 in Ottawa County are world-renowned birding hotspots.
Sierra Club contact:
David
Dvorak, Executive Committee Chair, Naturalist with the Cleveland
Metroparks, and year-round birder.
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The City of Cleveland's 
Do you know of a local environmental issue in need
of attention? Do you have inside information on what's
going on in your city or township? With over 5,000
members in Northeast Ohio we count on you to be the
Club's eyes and ears of the region. While the Federal
government and large corporations continue to wreak
havoc on our environment, it is more important than
ever before to act as watchdogs in our own backyards.
For those new to
calling state or federal representatives, it's easier and
less confrontational than it sounds. You will never
speak directly with your rep or senator - an aide
will answer the phone, take brief notes plus your name and city (sometimes), and that's it.