PAST KIRTLAND BIRD CLUB FIELD TRIPS & REPORTS
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
8701 Lakeshore Boulevard, Cleveland
Leaders: Christi Carlson & Patty Kellner
Meeting Place: north end of the parking lot
A rainy morning greeted the 22 birders who met to walk at the Preserve. More than 228 bird species have been recorded on this 88 acre preserve that is owned and managed by the Cleveland Cuyahoga County Port Authority. We will wind through the preserve, looking for lingering nesting species, as well as fall migrants. Expect to see Monarch butterflies, too.
From Birding Hotspots:
From ebird:
Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
8701 Lakeshore Boulevard, Cleveland
Leaders: Christi Carlson & Patty Kellner
Meeting Place: north end of the parking lot
A rainy morning greeted the 22 birders who met to walk at the Preserve. More than 228 bird species have been recorded on this 88 acre preserve that is owned and managed by the Cleveland Cuyahoga County Port Authority. We will wind through the preserve, looking for lingering nesting species, as well as fall migrants. Expect to see Monarch butterflies, too.
From Birding Hotspots:
From ebird:
Bobolink - photo by Anna Kozlenko
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Wednesday, June 7, 2023 Bird Walk and Picnic at Squire Vallevue Farm Case Western Reserve University Farm (available for use only by members of the Case community and their guests) 37125 Fairmount Boulevard, Hunting Valley, OH Club members and guests gathered for a picnic under a covered pavilion on this beautiful 400 acre former estate and with meadows, ponds, and woodland edges. We feasted on dinner then took a walk to look for some of the site's resident species. Using our eyes, our ears, and Merlin we recorded 36 species and posted our list to ebird. |
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Saturday, May 6, 2023
Birding with David Lindo Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve 8701 Lakeshore Boulevard, Cleveland Leaders: David Lindo, Bill Deininger, Dave Graskemper, and Al Rand |
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Kirtland Bird Club and Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society joined David Lindo, the Urban Birder, on Saturday, May 6, 2023, to look for spring migrants at the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. (Think warblers!) Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society is planning the day's events, and one is a late afternoon walk that is open to the public. This will be a great opportunity to meet or reconnect with David, who is well known around the globe. It's a great honor and pleasure to have him back in our patch!
Read more about David Lindo HERE.
View a bar chart that shows which species are seen when at the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve HERE.
Read more about David Lindo HERE.
View a bar chart that shows which species are seen when at the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve HERE.
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Saturday, April 22, 2023, 8:00 am
KBC Field Trip to Frohring Meadows Address: 16780 Savage Road, Chagrin Falls, Ohio Meeting place: the end of the 2nd parking area by Katydid Lodge Leaders: Michelle Brosius & Robert Opper Unfortunately, this trip was rained out! |
Frohring Meadows, a 298-acre park in Geauga County, offers trails through prairie, wet sedge meadow, and woodland habitats. Michelle Brosius, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society's field trip coordinator and Robert Opper, her uncle and experienced birder, will lead this joint field trip with the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society to search for the 36 species they tallied there last April, including Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebird, Tree Swallow, Brown Thrasher, Killdeer, Virginia Rail, Wilson’s Snipe, and Sora.
Click HERE to for a trail map of Frohring Meadows
Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for Frohring Meadows
Click HERE to see future field trips
Click HERE to see past field trip reports
Click HERE to for a trail map of Frohring Meadows
Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for Frohring Meadows
Click HERE to see future field trips
Click HERE to see past field trip reports
Ring-necked Ducks - photo by Jim Heflich
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Sunday, March 26, 2023b
Sandy Ridge Reservation, Lorain Metroparks Leader: Tyler McClain Click HERE to view the KBC field trip's ebird report and more photos. The weather was perfect, sunny with seasonal temperatures, and almost no wind. Our leader for the morning was naturalist Tyler McClain, who shared his knowledge of the area as well as his spotting scope. |
The two mile walk started at the Johnson Wetland Center, wound through a wet woodland, and continued around the ponds. Highlights were a flock of over 100 Rusty Blackbirds, a Canada Goose sitting on 4 eggs along the path, two bald eagles, a red-tailed hawk kiting, one sandhill crane, two great egrets, and a dozen species of ducks - Wood, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, American Black, Ring-necked, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, and Ruddy Duck. At the end of the walk, a trip list was compiled and shared with everyone.
Click HERE to read about Sandy Ridge Reservation.
Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for Sandy Ridge.
Click HERE to read about Sandy Ridge Reservation.
Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for Sandy Ridge.
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Saturday, February 11th
Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks Leaders: Bill Deininger & Dave Graskemper Location: Rocky River Nature Center, North Olmsted, OH We joined the second Saturday of the month bird walk at Rocky River Nature Center and saw a variety of birds in a variety of habitats. Highlights were singing Carolina Wrens and a Brown Creeper as well as good looks at Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks. The presence of Red-winged Blackbirds heralded Spring. Click HERE to view KBC's ebird field trip report. Click HERE to view Rocky River Reservation's trails Click HERE to view ebird's bar chart for Rocky River Reservation. |
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Saturday, January 7, 2023
Backroads of Geauga County Meeting place: Soltis Road near Parkman, OH Leader: Matt Valencic For people who would like to do this trip independently on another day, click HERE for the route directions. |
We birded back roads in Geauga County, starting near Parkman, and had a great time!
Click HERE for the ebird report from our trip. It includes species counts, a description of our trip, and photos of some of our sightings! Thanks to Matt Valencic for this report!
Click HERE for the ebird report from our trip. It includes species counts, a description of our trip, and photos of some of our sightings! Thanks to Matt Valencic for this report!
Common Goldeneye - by Jim Heflich
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Saturday, November 19, 2022
Rocky River Park & West Side Lakefront Locations Meeting place: 20250 Beach Cliff Boulevard, Rocky River Leader: Paula Lozano Rocky River Park provides public access to the lakefront on the West Side. From its observation decks birders can see from the mouth of the Rocky River to Bradstreet’s Landing. We continued birding along the lake to other locations. Target species included loons, grebes, and waterfowl, including all three species of scoters. Click HERE to read about Rocky River Park. Click HERE for eBird observations. |
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Western Section of Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve
Western Section of Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve
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Leader: Becky Donaldson - Naturalist Mentor March Nature Center
Meeting place:
We walked on the gated utility road . We looked for migrating sparrows, raptors and late warblers. In addition, we birded on the nearby boardwalk at the Wake Robin Trail. Click HERE to read about Wake Robin trail area. Click HERE for fall eBird observations. |
Sora by Jim Heflich
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Saturday, September 17, 2022
Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
Blackpoll Warbler by Matt Valencic
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Leaders: Anna Kozlenko & Paula Lozano
Meeting place: 8701 Lakeshore Boulevard, Cleveland September is the peak of the fall songbird migration. The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve is one of the best places in Northeast Ohio to find many bird species. Its location and abundant food supply attract birds looking to rest and refuel. There were great opportunities to study "confusing fall" warblers, as well as vireos, thrushes and sparrows. Click HERE to read about Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. Click HERE for fall eBird observations. |
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Friday, September 9 - Saturday, September 10, 2022
Chagrin River Bird Quest The Kirtland Bird Club entered a team of six birders in the 8th annual Chagrin River Bird Quest and that team found a total of 60 species of birds. In addition, there were KBC members on at least two other teams. The winning team found a record-breaking 83 species! Collectively participants found a total of 116 species. Participants were treated to a celebration with food, prizes, and awards at the West Woods Nature Center in Novelty when the Quest ended. |
The Chagrin River Bird Quest is an annual birding event that supports the Chagrin River IBA - Important Bird Area. It challenges individuals and teams to identify as many bird species as possible in 24 hours. The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland organizes the even with the help of sponsors Blackbrook Audubon Society and Geauga Park District. The data collected during the event comprise a citizen science project and are reported every year to document the diversity of birds in this IBA.
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Wednesday, June 2, 2022
Kirtland Bird Club Walk & Picnic Squire Valleevue Farm (the Case Western farm) 37125 Fairmount Boulevard Hunting Valley (or Chagrin Falls), OH 
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We picnicked and then watched Eastern Meadowlarks, Cedar Waxwings, Bobolinks, Field Sparrows, Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Phoebes, Indigo Buntings, and Song Sparrows who were busy singing, building nests, and feeding young.
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During Spring migration, upwards of 21 species of warblers have been recorded in a single day, along with hordes of thrushes, vireos, flycatchers, kinglets, sparrows, and more. Nesting birds include the rare Cerulean, Prothonotary and Yellow-throated Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-headed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Brown Creeper and Bald Eagle
Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for Spring Migration at this location 2019-2021
Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for Spring Migration at this location 2019-2021
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Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 9:00 am
Cleveland Lakefront Reservation: Scranton Flats/Peninsula Meeting Place: Cleveland Metroparks Towpath Public Parking Lot West 13th Place & Abbey Road, Cleveland Leader: Nancy Howell Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for Spring Migration 2019-2022 Click HERE for Scranton Road Peninsula map Click HERE to read about Scranton Flats. |
Photo by Chuck Slucarczyk - reproduced with permission
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We will follow the towpath trail, walking down into the valley and along the river, making a loop around Carter Road or crossing to Merwin Street, and returning to the parking lot. Target birds are lingering winter waterfowl and gulls and early spring migrants.
Click HERE soon to read the field trip report
Click HERE soon to read the field trip report
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Back Roads of Geauga County by Car Caravan! Saturday, February 19, 2022 Leader: Matt Valencic Target birds: Ring-necked Pheasant, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Horned Lark, Common Redpoll, Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting, Eastern Meadowlark and birds at feeders along route. Click HERE to read the field trip report |
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Rocky River Nature Center
Saturday, January 8, 2022, 9:00 am - Noon
24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, OH
Meeting place: Parking lot of the Rocky River Nature Center
Leaders: Bill Deininger and Dave Graskemper, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
Rocky River Nature Center is a great starting point to see first of the year birds in a variety of habitats including woodland, wet and dry meadows, and cattail marsh.
Link to Rocky River Reservation's Nature Trails: HERE
Link to eBird Bar Chart: HERE
Click HERE to read the field trip report and see additional photos from the trip.
Saturday, January 8, 2022, 9:00 am - Noon
24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, OH
Meeting place: Parking lot of the Rocky River Nature Center
Leaders: Bill Deininger and Dave Graskemper, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
Rocky River Nature Center is a great starting point to see first of the year birds in a variety of habitats including woodland, wet and dry meadows, and cattail marsh.
Link to Rocky River Reservation's Nature Trails: HERE
Link to eBird Bar Chart: HERE
Click HERE to read the field trip report and see additional photos from the trip.
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Rocky River Park
Saturday, November 13, 2021 Meeting Place: 20250 Beachcliff Blvd, Rocky River Leader: Paula Lozano In November Rocky River Park is a good place to see a variety of gulls, ducks, loons, and grebes. Spotting scopes are useful for seeing these waterfowl. Click HERE to see eBird Bar Chart for Rocky River Park. Click HERE to read a report from the trip. |
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Sandy Ridge Reservation, a Lorain County Metro Park Saturday, October 16, 2021 & Monday, October 18, 2021 Meeting place: Johnson Wetland Center, 6195 Otten Road North Ridgeville Leader: Paula Lozano In October Sandy Ridge Reservation provides habitat for wading birds, waterfowl and sparrows. Bald Eagles and Sandhill Cranes are often seen, too, as well as other fall migrants. Spotting scopes are useful but not necessary. There are restrooms at the Johnson Wetland Center. Click HERE soon to see the list of species seen on each day. Click HERE to read about Sandy Ridge Reservation. Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for Sandy Ridge. |
Trumpeter swan family (foreground), Sandhill Cranes (background)
Photo by Fred Dinkenbach
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Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
Saturday, September 18, 2021 8701 Lakeshore Boulevard, Cleveland Leader: Paula Lozano September is the peak of the fall songbird migration. The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve is one of the best locations to see many bird species. Its location and abundant food supply attract birds looking to rest and refuel. There are great opportunities to study "confusing fall" warblers, as well as vireos, thrushes and sparrows, at this time of year. Click HERE to read about Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for CLNP |
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Richfield Heritage Preserve
Saturday, June 12, 2021 Leader: Fred Dinkelbach OUR FIRST KBC FIELD TRIP SINCE MARCH 2020! Led by KBC member Fred Dinkelbach, we visited the newly opened Richfield Heritage Preserve. Fred surveys this area periodically and had reported it is rich with a variety of species of birds. Our trip there was no exception to that. There were 30+ species, but most of them were "heard" birds. It presented a great opportunity to work on identification through bird songs and chip notes! |
Sandy Ridge Reservation
6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville, Ohio
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Check March-April 2015-2019 eBird Link
Leader: Paula Lozano
Description: Sandy Ridge is a 310 acre wetland and wildlife preserve, divided almost equally between forest, meadow and marsh. It is a favorite birding spot, with over 100 bird species on its breeding list. Early March target species include waterfowl and nesting Bald Eagles. Scopes are useful but not necessary.
Trip to Castalia Pond and Nearby Areas with Black River Audubon Society
Leader: Paul Sherwood
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Meet at: Parking area on north end of Duck Pond at intersection of OH-101 and Lowell Street, Castalia Ohio
Ducks and waterfowl. More information at: https://ohiobirds.org/birding-at-castalia-pond/
Leader: Paul Sherwood
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Meet at: Parking area on north end of Duck Pond at intersection of OH-101 and Lowell Street, Castalia Ohio
Ducks and waterfowl. More information at: https://ohiobirds.org/birding-at-castalia-pond/
Merwin's Wharf and Scranton Flats, Cleveland, OH
January 26, 2020
Field Trip Report, click HERE.
Cleveland's Merwin's Wharf and Scranton Flats with Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Leader: Erik Bruder
Field Trip Report, click HERE.
In January the Cuyahoga River is a haven for waterfowl and gulls.
Meet at: Rivergate Park (Merwin's Wharf), 1785 Merwin Ave, Cleveland
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Leader: Erik Bruder
Field Trip Report, click HERE.
In January the Cuyahoga River is a haven for waterfowl and gulls.
Meet at: Rivergate Park (Merwin's Wharf), 1785 Merwin Ave, Cleveland
Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Coordinator: Andy Jones
The Kirtland Bird Club has a long tradition of supporting the Cleveland Christmas Bird Count. There are groups that cover
a variety of locations in parks, neighborhoods, and along the lakefront. Everyone is welcome to participate, including individuals who count birds at feeders in their yards. Read more about the Cleveland Circle's Christmas Bird Count HERE.
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Coordinator: Andy Jones
The Kirtland Bird Club has a long tradition of supporting the Cleveland Christmas Bird Count. There are groups that cover
a variety of locations in parks, neighborhoods, and along the lakefront. Everyone is welcome to participate, including individuals who count birds at feeders in their yards. Read more about the Cleveland Circle's Christmas Bird Count HERE.
Field trips with David Lindo
November 2 - November 9, 2019
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Rocky River Reservation IBA
Meet at: Frostville Museum, 24101 Cedar Point Rd, North Olmsted
Leaders: Bill Deininger, Dave Graskemper and Guest, David Lindo
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Urban Birding in the Flats
Meet at: Merwin's Wharf parking lot, 1785 Merwin Ave, Cleveland
Leaders: Tim Colborn, Liz McQuaid and Guest, David Lindo
Monday, November 4, 2019
Birding Cleveland Lakefront
Meet at: Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve parking lot, 8701 Lakeshore Boulevard
Leaders: Jen Brumfield, Nancy Howell, Jim McCarty, and Guest, David Lindo
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Birding Lake County Lakefront
Meet at: Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor
Leader: Rebecca Donaldson and Guest, David Lindo
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Urban Birding Neighborhood Walkabout
Meet at: Civilization, 2366 W 11th St, Cleveland
Leaders: Cleveland Residents and Guest, David Lindo
Friday, November 8, 2019
Birding at Sandy Ridge Reservation
Meet at: Johnson Wetland Center, 6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville
Leader: Tim Fairweather and Guest, David Lindo
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Grand Opening of the All People's Trail
Meet at: Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Boulevard, Shaker Heights
November 2 - November 9, 2019
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Rocky River Reservation IBA
Meet at: Frostville Museum, 24101 Cedar Point Rd, North Olmsted
Leaders: Bill Deininger, Dave Graskemper and Guest, David Lindo
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Urban Birding in the Flats
Meet at: Merwin's Wharf parking lot, 1785 Merwin Ave, Cleveland
Leaders: Tim Colborn, Liz McQuaid and Guest, David Lindo
Monday, November 4, 2019
Birding Cleveland Lakefront
Meet at: Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve parking lot, 8701 Lakeshore Boulevard
Leaders: Jen Brumfield, Nancy Howell, Jim McCarty, and Guest, David Lindo
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Birding Lake County Lakefront
Meet at: Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor
Leader: Rebecca Donaldson and Guest, David Lindo
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Urban Birding Neighborhood Walkabout
Meet at: Civilization, 2366 W 11th St, Cleveland
Leaders: Cleveland Residents and Guest, David Lindo
Friday, November 8, 2019
Birding at Sandy Ridge Reservation
Meet at: Johnson Wetland Center, 6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville
Leader: Tim Fairweather and Guest, David Lindo
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Grand Opening of the All People's Trail
Meet at: Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Boulevard, Shaker Heights
Shorebirds at Lorain Impoundment
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Lorain Impoundment, Lakeside Avenue, Lorain, Ohio
Leaders: Paula Lozano & Anna Kozlenko
Description:There's always something to see at the Lorain Impoundment. The focus will be on migrating shorebirds, including least, semipalmated, pectoral, stilt and spotted sandpipers, dowitchers and yellowlegs, Of course, there may be many more shorebirds, as well as gulls, terns, waterfowl, swallows, blackbirds, and neotropical migrants on their way south. Remember to bring your spotting scopes!
Directions: From I-90 East or I-90 West, take the Exit 151/ SR-611 and proceed north. Continue on SR-611/Colorado Avenue for 6 miles. Where SR-611 turns left, continue straight on Colorado Avenue through the light at SR-6/Lake Road to where Clorado Avenue ends at Lakeside Avenue. Turn left on Lakeside Avenue and immediately right into the Spitzer/Lakeside area. Come down the hill and park near the south entrance to the path around the impoundment.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Lorain Impoundment, Lakeside Avenue, Lorain, Ohio
Leaders: Paula Lozano & Anna Kozlenko
Description:There's always something to see at the Lorain Impoundment. The focus will be on migrating shorebirds, including least, semipalmated, pectoral, stilt and spotted sandpipers, dowitchers and yellowlegs, Of course, there may be many more shorebirds, as well as gulls, terns, waterfowl, swallows, blackbirds, and neotropical migrants on their way south. Remember to bring your spotting scopes!
Directions: From I-90 East or I-90 West, take the Exit 151/ SR-611 and proceed north. Continue on SR-611/Colorado Avenue for 6 miles. Where SR-611 turns left, continue straight on Colorado Avenue through the light at SR-6/Lake Road to where Clorado Avenue ends at Lakeside Avenue. Turn left on Lakeside Avenue and immediately right into the Spitzer/Lakeside area. Come down the hill and park near the south entrance to the path around the impoundment.
