PAST KIRTLAND BIRD CLUB FIELD TRIPS & REPORTS
Click HERE to see future field trips
Scroll down and/or Click HERE to see additional past field trip reports
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Geauga County Backroads
Saturday, January 10 @ 9AM 16004 Hayes Rd, Middlefield, OH 44062 Location: Swine Creek Lodge, 16004 Hayes Rd, Middlefield, OH 44062 Meeting place: Swine Creek Lodge at 9:00 AM - Upon entering the main entrance at Swine Creek Reservation, take an immediate left-hand turn to go to the lodge parking lot. Leaders: Matt Valencic and Kelly Stanek Itinerary:
This event is free and open to all! Please register so we can notify you if the event is canceled due to weather. |
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Rocky River Park & Westside Lakefront
Saturday, November 15 @ 9AM 20250 Beach Cliff Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116 Meeting place: observation deck at Rocky River Park Leaders: Paula Lozano From Rocky River Park's observation deck atop a 50-foot bluff, we'll scan Lake Erie from the mouth of the Rocky River to Bradstreet's Landing. Our next stop is Bradstreet's Landing, where we will bird from the 600-foot handicap-accessible fishing pier. If time permits, we may also stop at Cahoon Memorial Park West and Huntington Reservation. Spotting scopes are helpful. This event is free and open to all! Please register so we can notify you if the event is canceled due to weather. |
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Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve
Saturday, October 11 @ 9AM 8365 Harbor Dr, Mentor, OH 44060 Meeting place: entrance to the trailhead off the parking lot Leaders: Anna Kozlenko Mentor’s 230-acre nature preserve includes 1.5 miles of shoreline with rare dune plants, a riverine marsh, and mature oaks on the bluff. Located on the western boundary of the 691-acre Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve, the property contains the greatest di- versity of wetland communities within the marsh's basin, and serves as an important breeding and nursery area for fish and wa- terfowl and an extremely popular resting place for birds and butter- flies as they migrate each year. This event is free and open to all! Please register so we can notify you if the event is canceled due to weather. |
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Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area
Saturday, September 27 @ 9AM 12235 Bono Rd, Curtice, OH 43412 Meeting place: follow the entrance road to the end. Park and walk up on the dike. Leaders: Paula Lozano We will join Gautam Apte, our September speaker and Black Swamp Bird Observatory's morning flight counter at Metzger Marsh. After spending time with Gautam, we will bird the parking areas along the entrance road and end at Howard Marsh, a nearby Toledo Metropark. Plan on lunch at Blackberry Corners Tavern. This event is free and open to all! Please register so we can notify you if the event is canceled due to weather. |
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Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
Saturday, September 13 @ 9AM 8701 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44108 Meeting place: north end of the parking lot Leaders: KBC members September is the peak of the fall songbird migration! More than 280 bird species have been recorded on this 88 acre preserve; its location and abundant food supply attract birds looking to rest and refuel. As we wind through the preserve, we'll look for lingering nesting species and fall migrants, and take advantage of great opportunities to study 'confusing fall' warblers, vireos, thrushes, and sparrows. This event is free and open to all! Please register so we can notify you if the event is canceled due to weather. |
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Wednesday, June 4th at 6:00 PM
Annual KBC Picnic and Bird Walk Open to all! Forest Ridge Reserve - Lang Pavilion 3800 Chagrin River Road Moreland Hills, OH 44022 |
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Join Kirtland Bird Club for an evening outdoors with friends, food, and birds at our annual summer picnic!
🧺 Picnic: bring your own food and drink. Feel free to bring a small side or something to share with others - contributions are always welcome but are not required! The picnic will be from 6-7PM.
🥾 Bird walk: following dinner, we'll go on a walk around the Metroparks polo field and along the Chagrin River. We'll definitely see some fun birds!
🧺 Picnic: bring your own food and drink. Feel free to bring a small side or something to share with others - contributions are always welcome but are not required! The picnic will be from 6-7PM.
🥾 Bird walk: following dinner, we'll go on a walk around the Metroparks polo field and along the Chagrin River. We'll definitely see some fun birds!
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Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 8:30 AM
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Location: 13229 State Route 2 Oak Harbor, OH (click HERE for a Google Map) Meeting place: West End of the Magee Marsh Boardwalk (Follow the entrance road to its end.) Leaders: Patty Kellner & Paula Lozano |
Blackburnian Warbler is one of the 36 species of warblers that can be seen at Magee Marsh - photo by Jim Heflich
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Magee Marsh, a 2000 acre wetland situated on the edge of Lake Erie, is one of the top ten bird-watching sites in the country. Several trails are open for birding, with the Magee Marsh Bird Trail, also known as "the Boardwalk" being the most popular. Visitors can stop at the Visitor Center on the entrance road to pick up a checklist or map and find out what birds have been seen recently. A giant checklist sits on the deck outside the Visitor Center. Pull-off areas for viewing are along the entrance road beyond the Visitor Center.
Magee Marsh Boardwalk – 1.2 miles
You may use the eBird hotspot to report birds you see on the Boardwalk itself or along the wood edge on the south side of the parking lot adjacent to the Boardwalk.
From Birding Hotspots:
https://birdinghotspots.org/group/G369756919
Bar Charts: March-May, 2014-2024
https://ebird.org/barchart?byr=2014&eyr=2024&bmo=3&emo=5&r=US-OH-095
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Saturday, May 3, 2025 (bird walk) 9-11 AM
Especially for new birders! Other birders welcome too! Euclid Creek Reservation - Wildwood and Villa Angela Location: 16975 Wildwood Ln, Cleveland, OH Meeting place: Wildwood Marina parking lot - see map HERE Leaders: Matt Valencic and 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 Click HERE to register for this program. 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. Kids are invited too! Friends of Euclid Creek will host a nature activity for children under 12 at the library during Matt's talk so accompanying adults can join Matt's talk! Click HERE to register kids (and the accompanying adults) on Friends of Euclid Creek's website. |
Questions? Just email us: [email protected]
Tree Swallow at Frohring Meadows in April 2024
by Michelle Brosius |
Frohring Meadows is a 298-acre park that offers trails through prairie, wet sedge meadow, and woodland habitats.
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New date: Sunday, March 23, 2025, 9:00 AM
Sandy Ridge Reservation Location: 6195 Otten Road North Ridgeville, OH (Click HERE for a Google Map) Meeting place: Parking lot at the Johnson Wetland Center Leader: Fred Dinkelbach |
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We will walk the 2-mile trail through the woodlot and around the marsh impoundments, looking for migrating waterfowl, early spring songbird migrants, and year round residents of the marsh. The trail is flat and smooth. There are steps to a lookout over the marsh, but that is not part of the trail.
From Birding Hotspots:
From ebird:
From Birding Hotspots:
From ebird:
- Recent sightings at Sandy Ridge
- Bar Chart for Sandy Ridge - can take up to 30 seconds or so to load
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Saturday, February 22, 2025
Geauga County Backroads Meeting place: LaDue Reservoir 17759 Valley Road Auburn Township (click HERE for Google Maps) Leader: Matt Valencic |
>>>>>>>>>> Rough-legged Hawk, Light Morph <<<<<<<<<< Photo by Matt Valencic
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Saturday, February 8, 2025
Rocky River Reservation Location: Rocky River Nature Center 24000 Valley Parkway North Olmsted, OH 44017 (click HERE for Google Maps) Meeting place: Between the upper and lower parking lots of the Rocky River Nature Center Leaders: Bill Deininger, Dave Graskemper & Al Rand |
>>>>> Eastern Bluebird at Rocky River Reservation <<<<< Photo by Anna Kozlenko
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We joined Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society's second Saturday of the month bird walk at Rocky River Nature Center and looked for a variety of birds wintering along the trails.
Click HERE to view 2024 eBird field trip report.
Click HERE to view Rocky River Reservation's trails.
Click HERE to view eBird's bar chart for Rocky River Nature Center.
Click HERE to view 2024 eBird field trip report.
Click HERE to view Rocky River Reservation's trails.
Click HERE to view eBird's bar chart for Rocky River Nature Center.
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Saturday, November 9, 2024
Rocky River Park & West Side Lakefront locations Leader: Paula Lozano Meeting place: Rocky River Park parking lot 20250 Beach Cliff Boulevard, Rocky River Click HERE for our ebird checklist More Information about this area: birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L233664 birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L623674 birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L317923 |
>>>>>>> One of two Barred Owls seen during the field trip <<<<<<<
Photo by Eileen Kenney
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Trip Report: Our field trip started at Rocky River Park with twelve participants. Much to our delight, the weather was seasonable, with temperatures in the 40s, mostly sunny skies, and not too windy. From the observation deck, we tallied seventeen species, with only two species of ducks - Mallard and Bufflehead and one merganser species - Red-breasted. Everyone enjoyed the satisfying looks of the Horned Grebe, Common Loon, and Double-crested Cormorant. An immature Bald Eagle was a fly -over. At Bradstreet's Landing, we only had three species - nothing new. However, one of them was a mature Bald Eagle, which is always a good sighting. Our trip list added Lesser Scaup and Surf Scoter from the bluff at Cahoon Memorial Park West in Bay Village, where another trip participant caught up with the group. We saw more Horned Grebe, Common Loon, and Doublecrested Cormorant there. A few folks heard two Pine Siskins flying overhead. We saw eleven species at our two stops in the Huntington Reservation, the Water Tower and the Wolf Picnic Area. One of the morning's highlights was a pair of Barred Owls roosting high in a conifer. Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch, and Dark-eyed Junco completed our trip list. Finally, nine of us had lunch at Aristo Bistro, a Chinese restaurant in Westlake, where we enjoyed sharing the morning's sightings and the food.
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Saturday, October 19, 2024
Field Trip to Sandy Ridge Reservation 6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville, OH 22 birders, 47 species + 3 other taxa Our ebird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S199504418 More information: birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L213276 Bar chart bird observations: ebird.org/barchart?byr=1900&eyr=2024&bmo=1&emo=12&r=L213276 |
Some of what we saw!
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Saturday, September 14, 2024
Euclid Creek Reservation - Wildwood and Villa Angela Leader: Christi Carlson We met in the parking lot at Wildwood Marina (see map) in the North Collinwood area of Cleveland. After scanning the marina area, we walked over the bridge to Villa Angela. We looked for fall migrants in the stands of trees, bushes, and overgrown fields. We also scanned the beach for gulls, shorebirds, and waterfowl. On our way back to the parking lot, we birded the trail that follows the shore of Euclid Creek. After the walk. A total of 36 species were observed. Click HERE to see our ebird checklist from that morning. Click HERE for more information from BirdingHotspots.org Click HERE for Bar chart bird observations |
Belted Kingfisher (male) - photo by Jim Heflich
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Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Bird Walk and Picnic at Squire Valleevue Farm*
Location: 37125 Fairmount Boulevard, Hunting Valley, OH (map)
Bird Walk and Picnic at Squire Valleevue Farm*
Location: 37125 Fairmount Boulevard, Hunting Valley, OH (map)
Bobolink - photo by Anna Kozlenko
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KBC members and guests gathered for a picnic on this beautiful 400 acre former estate with meadows, fields, ponds, and woodland edges. Among the species see were Bobolinks! * site made available courtesy of a CWRU-affiliated KBC member |
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Saturday, June 1, 2023
Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Station Road Bridge Meeting place: Parking lot at Station Road (map) Leader: Fred Dinkelbach Click HERE to read about the Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Station Road Towpath Trail Click HERE to see a map of the area. |
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Our group identified 52 species of birds. Highlights included White-eyed Vireos, Cedar Waxwings, Indigo Buntings, and six species of flycatchers.
Click HERE for an eBird report on this field trip!
Click HERE for an eBird report on this field trip!
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May 7, 2024
Field Trip to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Address: 13229 State Route 2, Oak Harbor Leaders: Patty Kellner & Paula Lozano Magee Marsh is 2000 acres of wetlands situated on Lake Erie. It has been named none of the top ten bird watching sites in the country. Four trails are open for birding, with the Magee Marsh Bird Trail or Boardwalk the most popular. |
Blackburnian Warbler - photo by Jim Heflich
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May 4, 2024, 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM
Field Trip to Richfield Heritage Preserve Please note updated address Address: 4225 Oviatt Road, Richfield Summer Barn Entrance 1/4 mile north of Rt 303 Leader: Fred Dinkelbach |
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In Richfield Township, just over the Summit County line south of Brecksville, lies the Richfield Heritage Preserve: a 336-acre mostly-forested park with hiking and bridle trails. Beginning as an estate of the Kirby family, it was sold to the Cleveland Girl Scout Council in 1937 when it became known as Crowell Hilaka, which it remained until 2011. In 2014 Richfield Village and Richfield Township voters approved jointly purchasing the property and in 2016 it became the Richfield Heritage Preserve.
Click HERE for information about Richfield Heritage Preserve.
Click HERE for information about the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve.
Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for the Richfield Heritage Preserve.
Click HERE for information about Richfield Heritage Preserve.
Click HERE for information about the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve.
Click HERE for an eBird Bar Chart for the Richfield Heritage Preserve.
Savannah Sparrow - photo credit: Michelle Brosius
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Saturday, April 20, 2024, 8:00 am
Field Trip to Frohring Meadows Address: 16780 Savage Road, Chagrin Falls, Ohio Leaders: Michelle Brosius & Bob Opper 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 led this trip with her uncle Bob Opper, her long time birding mentor. They have been amazed at the variety of species they've found in April, including Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebird, Tree Swallow, Brown Thrasher, Killdeer, Virginia Rail, Wilson's Snipe, and Sora. |
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Field Trip to Huntington Reservation and Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
Field Trip to Huntington Reservation and Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
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Water Tower, 28492-28648 Lake Road, Bay Village, 44140
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Rd, Bay Village, 44140 Huntington Reservation, the 102-acre Cleveland Metroparks site, includes nearly a half-mile of Lake Erie shoreline, most of which is sand beach. Five breakwalls extend up to 350 feet into Lake Erie and serve to protect the beach from erosion. A steep bluff overlooks the beach and lake, and provides a good lake-watch vista. From the Water Tower location, we scanned for waterfowl and took a short walk in the Wolf Picnic Area to look for Barred Owl. |
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Tim Jasinski with Short-eared Owl
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After we looked for birds on the lakefront, we regrouped at 1:00 PM at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. Wildlife rehabilitation specialist Tim Jasinski told us about the work he does there - rehabbing birds that people find injured or in some other way incapacitated, including birds injured in collisions with buildings during migration. He works closely with Lights Out Cleveland and updated us on the coming spring.
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Saturday, February 10, 2024
Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks
Leaders: Bill Deininger, Dave Graskemper, and Al Rand
Location: Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, OH
On Saturday, February 10, 2024, Kirtland Bird Club
members joined the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society's Second Saturday walk at the Rocky River Nature Center. There were 34 participants, including the leaders. The
species tally at the end of the morning was 31.
The weather was better than expected, with temperatures in the upper 40's and low 50's and only a few minutes of rain and a dash of graupel. Highlights included pairs of Red-tailed Hawks and Pileated Woodpeckers, a Barred Owl, and at least nine singing Carolina Wrens. Three Eastern Bluebirds added a welcome dash of color to the morning. After the walk, nine KBC members met at the Big Egg on Lorain Road in North Olmsted and enjoyed a late breakfast.
Rough-legged Hawk, light morph, by Matt Valencic
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Saturday, January 6, 2024
Backroads of Geauga County Leader: Matt Valencic 
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Our first stop was LaDue Boathouse, 17759 Valley Road, Auburn Township, OH 44023, https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L7046971.
Our second stop was the west end of Soltis Road 1.3 south of SR-422, Parkman, Ohio, near the intersection of SR-88 and Soltis Road, https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L4168725.
There were several other back road stops plus a stop at the Market Express store in Parkman for bathrooms, hot/cold drinks, pizza, pepperoni rolls, etc.
Click HERE for Matt Valencic's ebird report from the field trip. It will include species counts, a description of our trip, and photos of some of our sightings!
Our second stop was the west end of Soltis Road 1.3 south of SR-422, Parkman, Ohio, near the intersection of SR-88 and Soltis Road, https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L4168725.
There were several other back road stops plus a stop at the Market Express store in Parkman for bathrooms, hot/cold drinks, pizza, pepperoni rolls, etc.
Click HERE for Matt Valencic's ebird report from the field trip. It will include species counts, a description of our trip, and photos of some of our sightings!
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Thursday, December 21, 2023 at dusk
Geauga County Short-Eared Owls Our Solstice trip to look for these magnificent birds was productive! Though we had pretty much lost hope of seeing Short-eared Owls as the dusk turned to darkness on the winter solstice, those of us who were slow to leave were treated to some incredibly poor (but somewhat satisfying) looks at a barely visible owl flying back and forth across the far reaches of the field we had staked out. Our bird list also contained a male and female American Kestrel, a Rough-legged Hawk, a Red-tailed Hawk, Tree Sparrows, and several Meadowlarks. |
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Saturday, November 11, 2023 Cleveland Lakefront Reservation, Edgewater Park (Perkins Beach Overlook) Leaders: Paula Lozano & Anna Kozlenko Meeting Place: the Perkins Overlook parking lot - first left turn on the Upper Edgewater Road |
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We scanned Lake Erie from the Perkins Beach Overlook for gulls, terns, and waterfowl. We then went east to Wendy Park and the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. Best bird seen was a Harlequin Duck, but lots of other birds were seen! Our last stop was lunch at The Harp, an Irish Pub nearby.
From Birding Hotspots: From ebird:
From Birding Hotspots: From ebird:
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Sunday, October 15, 2023
Sandy Ridge Reservation 6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville Leaders: Fred Dinkelbach Meeting Place: the Johnson Wetland Center We birded the 2-mile trail through the woodlot and around the marsh impoundments, looking for passerines (songbirds), sparrows, and waterfowl. We saw 52 species and submitted our list to ebird. The most unusual bird was a Cackling Goose. Click HERE to view the list of birds seen. |
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From Birding Hotspots:
From ebird:
From ebird:
- Recent sightings at Sandy Ridge
- Bar Chart for Sandy Ridge - can take up to 30 seconds or so to load
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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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.
