RESOURCES FOR NEW BIRDERS
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Saturday, April 26, 2025 (preview) 3-5 PM - see box to right
Saturday, May 3, 2025 (bird walk) 9-11 AM Euclid Creek Reservation - Wildwood and Villa Angela Location: 16975 Wildwood Ln, Cleveland, OH 44119 Meeting place: South section of Wildwood Marina parking lot Leaders: KBC Club Members Kirtland Bird Club and Friends of Euclid Creek have come together to create these events with new birders in mind. The first event, described in the box in the lower right, will provide new birders with some knowledge and skills. During our second event, a birdwalk, we will be looking for spring migrants in a variety of habitats and we will help new birders see birds. We will scan the marina area, then look down toward the beach for gulls, shorebirds, and waterfowl. As we cross the bridge over to Villa Angela, we will check the tangled shrubs and open woods. After we return to the parking area we will check the creek and the grassy areas on either side of the creek. Among the birds we expect will be swallows, big wading birds like Great Blue Heron, noisy birds like Red-Winged Blackbirds, and a Belted Kingfisher or two, and a few of the warbler species. There should be lots to see! Native trees, creek edges, and marshy wetlands are other habitats we will explore to find a wide variety of birds. Join us for as long or short a time as you'd like.
Binoculars are not necessary, but bring them if you have them. We will have a limited number of binoculars to loan - bring a driver's license or ID for us to hold. Click HERE for information from BirdingHotspots.org about this location - most parts of our walk are accessible for wheelchairs, and those that aren't are easily skipped. Click HERE for the Bar chart showing what birds are typically found in the park in late April and early May. Be patient as the page can take 30 seconds or so to load. |
Belted Kingfisher (male) - photo by Jim Heflich
Special Preview Session for New Birders
Saturday, April 26, 2024, 3-5 PM New Birder Orientation Location: Memorial-Nottingham Library 17109 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland Speaker: Matt Valencic Matt will go over all the basics needed to begin identifying birds: what to look and listen for, how apps like Merlin can help, and photos of birds we're likely to see on our May 3rd walk. No reservation needed. Do you have kids? Friends of Euclid Creek will host a nature activity for children under 12 at the library during Matt's talk! Register at Friends of Euclid Creek's site.
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Questions? Just email us: [email protected]
Where to Bird:
In Cuyahoga County
Favorite Places to Bird in Northern Ohio
Birding in Ohio
Birdcam - live video from more than a dozen bird feeding stations and nests around the world
What to Wear, What to Bring, and What to Expect when Birding:
- Binoculars!
- Wear Layers - it can be cold & rainy early on Spring mornings, but 75 or higher later in the morning
- Wear comfortable shoes or boots that can get muddy or wet
- Dress more warmly than you think you'll need to dress - birdwatching involves a lot of slow walking and stationary activity
- Sunscreen, water, snacks (optional), gloves, raincoat or umbrella, waist pack or back pack for carrying a few items, insect repellant (only needed occasionally), extra pair of socks or shoes (optional)
- Cell phone - to use with Merlin app
- Field guide - field guide books with pictures can be helpful for beginning birders
- Small notebook if you want to keep a list what you see - checklists are provided on some field trips and are available at some parks and nature centers
- Camera (not recommended) - better to see the birds than try to photograph them - it's harder than it looks and takes away from time that is better spent seeing more birds!
- Many birders are open to showing you what they're seeing - or helping you identify what you're seeing - don't hesitate to ask!
About Binoculars:
Audubon Society's Binocular Guide
2020 Review of Binoculars
Time & Optics - a well-stocked shop for binoculars & spotting scopes - in Millersburg, Ohio
WEBSITES & LINKS FOR NEW BIRDERS:
22 Tips for Aspiring Black Birders - from Earth In Color
All About Birds - Online Guide to Birds and Birdwatching - from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Bird Academy - from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Birding by Ear - from Audubon Great Lakes
Larkwire - an app for learning bird songs!
Kirtland Bird Club Bird Identification Videos - series of six 90 minute videos by experienced birders that guides you through all aspects of identifying birds
“7 Tips for Watching Birds During The Spring Lockdown – Here are some principles you can apply to any form of nature study”, by David Sibley:
Audubon Great Lakes Region - includes activities for kids
Christian Cooper and Amy Tan Discuss How Birding Brings Them Joy - Video from NY Times series Go Birding with The Times - focus is on becoming a birder
BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS:
Beginning Birding and Finding community, by Noah Stricker
Keep Looking Up - Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching, by Tammah Watts
BEST FIELD GUIDES FOR BEGINNERS:
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern & Central North America, Seventh Edition
Sibley Birds East - The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America
BEST PHONE APPS:
Merlin app (for bird ID - including bird songs, chips, and calls) - Free
Sibley Birds v2 app (for bird ID) - $20 in the app store
Peterson Birds of North America app (for bird ID)
iBird app (for bird ID) - $4.99
eBird app - more advanced, includes checklist uploads, info on bird trends, citizen science etc. - Free
How to eBird - a powerpoint by an Ohio Young Bgirder to get you started!
AUDIO RECORDINGS FOR NEW BIRDERS:
Backyard Birding 101
LEARNING BIRD SONG:
Minnesota Bird Songs - with images - we get almost all of these birds in Northeast Ohio
Birding by Ear - from Audubon
Birding by Ear - Peterson audio guide - step by step, adding new birds as you go
NEW BIRDER VIDEOS FOR KIDS:
Monica Marshall's Boys & Girls Club's Cyber Club videos:
Go Wild Adventure Club: July 13, 2020: "Get ready for your adventure"
Go Wild Adventure Club: May 18, 2020: "What will we see?"
NEW BIRDER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS:
Nature Quests - Indoors and Outdoors (from Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Backyard Safari - activity for kids K-5