2018 The Year of the Bird 

May 2018 - July 2018
By Nancy Howell, Board Member, Western Cuyahoga Audubon 
Field Trips……... 2-3
“​Here are some simple ways to help protect birds in our area, perhaps your yard and
neighborhood and beyond, even the most remote and exotic places on the planet.​”
Maps and
Directions…….... 4 The ​Year of the Bird​ is being celebrated by four heavy-hitting organizations - The Cornell
Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, National Geographic and BirdLife
Fundraising & International - organizations that support research, conservation, and advocacy for birds,
Volunteers …….. 5 habitats and environmental concerns affecting birds.
Programs & So why celebrate birds? Well … birds live in or use nearly every habitat on the planet.
Events….………. 6 Birds can be seen in the most urbanized areas to the most remote. They inspire us with
song, color, flight and more. They are celebrated in art, music, dance, and literature. They
News………….... 7 ARE the barometers for the health of habitats, ecosystems, and environments.
 
We know many of the problems facing birds throughout the world. Let’s look at how all
> CONNECT 
of us can help birds. In this ​Year of the Bird​ - here are six ways to help protect birds in
WESTERN CUYAHOGA your yard, neighborhood, and Ohio.
AUDUBON SOCIETY
1. Become educated on Ohio’s birds. Join a field trip or attend a presentation.
4310 Bush Ave.
Western Cuyahoga Audubon hosts monthly trips and programs throughout the
Cleveland, OH 44109
year. The more we learn about native species, migrants, habitat and if
> ​(216) 741-2352
> ​info@wcaudubon.org populations are changing, then good personal choices can be made.
> ​www.wcaudubon.org 2. Learn about some of the local as well as global problems facing birds. Whether it
> FIND US ONLINE  is poor agricultural practices affecting land and water resources and habitats, to
buildings, windows and structures that impede birds on migration, to non-native
plant and animal species which change the biodiversity of an area.
  3. Advocate for birds and bird habitats. Western Cuyahoga Audubon’s website
often has petitions to lawmakers that you can simply add your name. WCAS also
has links to organizations that share similar environmental concerns. More of an
impact can be made by writing letters or sending messages electronically in your
own words. Make sure anything presented is accurate, research-based
information and cite information sources. Fake facts should not taint a great
letter. ​(Continued ​on page 2…)

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Photo: Bendy Pano by Alice Merkel at Sandy Ridge Reservation, ​6195 Otten Rd, North Ridgeville, OH 44039​.

4. Create habitat in your yard and neighborhood. Planting native plants, allowing parts of the yard to become natural
with wildflowers and grasses and “weeds”. Talk with neighbors about turning their yards native. There are plenty of
websites, including Western Cuyahoga Audubon, that have information on native plant species and where to get them.
Just as important, talk with plant nurseries and persuade them to carry native plants.
5. Become a better consumer. If your family eats meat, consider having a couple of meatless meals during the week.
Palm oil and most coffees are grown on plantations that strip native vegetation and heavily use pesticides and petroleum-
based fertilizers. Read labels and try not to use products containing palm oil or unsustainably grown coffee. Western
Cuyahoga Audubon has a coffee club that sells, bird-friendly, shade-grown and sustainable coffee. Purchase local fruits
and vegetables in season - asparagus in spring, beans and melons in the summer, apples and winter squash in the fall.
6. Keep pets, dogs, and cats, controlled in your yard. Roaming cats, even pet cats hunt birds and other small animals.
Dogs often chase animals and may disturb nests. Thickets, evergreen shelters and brush piles in a yard can help native
species hide from perceived and real predators.
These six simple things can help make 2018 a better year for birds. Celebrate the Year of the Bird in your yard or
neighborhood or community or with us at Western Cuyahoga Audubon. ​Read Online 

BIRD WALKS AND FIELD TRIPS >>>

 

Second Saturday Bird Walks at Rocky River Nature Center  

UPCOMING DATES: ​May 12, 2018​ / ​June 9, 2018​ / ​July 14, 2018 
Ken Gober, Dave Graskemper, and Bill Deininger lead walks on the second Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM on trails
around the Rocky River Reservation, home of the Rocky River Important Bird Area. New to birding? Grab some
binoculars and join us. You’ll be amazed how fast you can learn birds by sight and sound. Walks begin at the Rocky River
Nature Center parking lot, 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH.
 

85th Annual Series of Weekly Spring Bird Walks April 15 - May 20, 2018 
​Watch spring migrants return or travel to their summer breeding grounds Sundays, April 15 – May 20, 2018, at 7:30 AM.
Walks are led by experienced birders in Cuyahoga County and area locations co-sponsored by Cleveland Metroparks,
The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Geauga Park District, Lake
Metroparks, the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Blackbrook Audubon Society, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society,
Hiram College and Holden Arboretum. In addition, the Medina County Park District hosts walks on Saturdays, April 14 -
May 19 at River Styx Park at 7:30 AM. ​All levels of birders, from beginners to experts, are welcome.

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> Wednesday, May 16, 6:00 PM 

Early Evening Bird Walk at Lake Erie Nature 

and Science Center (LENSC) 
Date & Time: Wed May 16, 2018 at 6:00pm - 8:30pm   
Location: ​28728 Wolf Rd., Bay Village, OH  
Target Species: Migrating warblers, Red-headed 
Woodpeckers, Barred Owl 

Come after work for an early evening bird walk through

the woods and fields around Lake Erie Nature and Science Photo: Red-headed Woodpecker ​(​Melanerpes erythrocephalus​)​ by
Center. Warblers are migrating through northeast Ohio on David Lewis.
their way to nest in Canada. Barred Owls have nested
often in the ravine below LENSC. We may possibly see one
or more.

> Sunday, June 17, 8:00 AM  

Field Trip to CanalWay Center 

Date & Time: Sun June 17, 2018 at 8
​ :00am - ​11:30pm  
Location: ​CanalWay Center, 4524 E 49th St, Cleveland, OH  
Leader: Nancy Howell 
Target Species: Nesting Songbirds   Photo: Barred Owl (​Strix varia​) © Gustino J Lanese.

As the name of the Reservation says this is part of the Ohio

and Erie Canal. The Cuyahoga River, forests, fields and
industrial areas also make up portions of the park. Nature
has a way of softening the grittier, industrial parts and yet,
wildlife finds a home here. We’ll locate a variety of birds
within different habitats and perhaps find young birds
recently out of their nests.

> Saturday, July 14th, 7:00 AM 

Shorebird Hotspots Field Trip 

Photo: Red-breasted Nuthatch (​Sitta canadensis​) by Cephas.
Date & Time: Sat July 14, 2018 at 7:00am-11:30am 
Meet Location: North Olmsted RTA Park & Ride,  
5575 Great Northern Blvd, North Olmsted, OH at 7:00am 
Birding Location: TBD based on bird activity and sightings 
(e.g., Middleburg Hts, OH or Bellevue, OH) 
Leader: Tim Colborn 
Target Species: Early Migrant Shorebirds 
Description: Early migrant shorebirds such as Least,
Semipalmated, Pectoral, Stilt, Solitary and Spotted
Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitcher and both Greater and
Lesser Yellowlegs and of course, any rarities that might be
Photo: D​ouble-crested Cormorants​ (​Phalacrocorax auritus) ​by Chuck
around northeast Ohio! Slusarczyk Jr.

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MAPS AND DIRECTIONS >>>

 

CANALWAY CENTER M
​ AP  
Directions: We’ll meet at the CanalWay Center, 4524 E
49th St, Cleveland, OH in the Ohio and Erie Canal
Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. Take I-77 to the
Grant St. exit. Take Grant St. west to E 49 St. Turn left (or
South) on E 49 St to Whittlesey Way. Turn right onto
Whittlesey Way to parking lot. Walking will be relatively
easy on the all purpose and towpath trails. There is one
hill that will need to be navigated at the beginning and
end of the walk.

LAKE ERIE NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER 

MAP 
Directions: Meet at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center,
28728 Wolf Rd., Bay Village, OH. The Center is located on
Wolf Road, at the corner of Porter Creek Drive in the
Huntington Reservation Cleveland Metroparks.
From the West, via Interstate 90 East:  
● Exit 156, Crocker-Bassett Roads.
● Turn left on Crocker Road, which becomes Bassett
NORTH OLMSTED RTA PARK & RIDE ​MAP 
Rd at the railroad tracks. Directions: Take I-71 S to Clague Rd in North Olmsted.
● Turn right on Wolf Road. Entrance will be .7 miles Take exit 7 from I-480 W for 12 min (12.7 mi). Take
on the north (left) side of the road. Brookpark Rd and Columbia Rd to Great Northern Blvd for
From the East, via Interstate 90 West: 7 min (2.6 mi). Use the middle lane to turn left onto
● Exit 159, Columbia Road north. Clague Rd. Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto
● Turn right on Columbia Road. Brookpark Rd. Turn left onto Columbia Rd. Turn right onto
● Turn right on Wolf Road. Entrance will be 1.9 miles Butternut Ridge Rd. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto
on the left side of the road. Great Northern Blvd. Proceed to 5575 Great Northern
From the South, Interstate 480 East OR West: Blvd, North Olmsted, OH.
● Exit 3, Stearns Road. From 480 Eastbound, turn left/
From 480 Westbound, turn right onto Stearns.
Stearns will become Crocker Rd. After passing over
I-90 at the railroad tracks, Crocker will become
Bassett Road. Turn right on Wolf Road.
● The entrance will be .7 miles on the left side of the
road.
Photo: Cape May Warbler ​(​Setophaga tigrina)​ by David Lewis​.

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FUNDRAISING & VOLUNTEERS >>> 

Carbon Offset 
By Tim Colborn, Board Member, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
Western Cuyahoga Audubon’s Carbon Offset Project, begun several years ago modeled after an effort launched at the
2011 Midwest Birding Symposium, is a way for members to make contributions to offset their use of carbon while
participating in birding activities that require travel. Here is how it works: any time more than 100 miles of travel is
involved participants can voluntarily contribute to a fund based on mileage. Monies generated by the fund go to habitat
preservation, such as our Rocky River Important Bird Area. We offer a simple formula:
● Compact car: driver only - 10 cents per mile, additional passengers 5 cents each per mile. Multiply these amounts by the total
miles and divide by 10.
● Midsize car or small SUV: driver only - 20 cents per mile, additional passengers 10 cents per mile. Multiply these amounts by
the total miles and divide by 10.
● SUV, Truck or Van: driver only - 25 cents per mile, additional passengers 15 cents per mile. Multiply these amounts by the
total miles and divide by 10.​ Go to Article and Calculator 

The WCAS Web Fund Needs Your Help!

In the spring of 2015, the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society (WCAS) Board of Directors realized to fulfill our mission, the
chapter needed new volunteers and members to grow. There were signs of a gradual loss of activity due to people retiring.
Programs, bird walks, and the Christmas Bird Count were often headed by the same individuals. A consultant was hired
and WCAS now has a beautiful website with fantastic pictures, pertinent information, and memberships and donations can
be made online. Audiences have expanded and we’re fulfilling our mission. But we’re not where we need to be. If we drop
the ball, even if only temporarily, we’ll lose much of the audience we have so carefully built. Please ​Donate Online​ or send
donations to "Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society" in the name of the Fund to WCAS, ℅ Nancy Howell, Treasurer, 19340
Fowles Road, ​Cleveland, OH 44130.

Business Sponsor ‘All Kinds of Signs’ Donates Premium Posters 

All Kinds of Signs, producers, and distributors of signs & sign-related products, prints your choice of premium nature
poster(s) for WCAS Web Fund donations. Ask for Kurt Miske at All Kinds of Signs, 28045 Ranney Pkwy, Westlake, OH
44145. Ph: (440) 835-6700 ​Visit All Kinds of Signs Website

Thank You, Volunteers! 

Thanks to WCAS volunteers, many of the 600 attendees at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s, ​Wild and Scenic
Film Festival and EnviroFair​ couldn’t resist visiting the WCAS exhibit table to peruse educational materials and taste-test
bird-friendly ​Birds & Beans​ coffee. Thank you, volunteers Amanda Piccirillo, Brendan Barrington, Emily Brown, Jae Bridges,
Joseph King, Kaoru Tsubone, Katherine Faroh, Nancy Howell, Tom Romito, Vinodh Chandrasekaran, and Xavier Bay.

Members 
We welcome returning and ​new​ members Anne Hill, Ray Kutnar, Carol Goepfert, Eileen Cernea, ​Christopher Jochum and
Family​, ​Marilyn Matevia​, Rayka Petkova, and Teresa Yurchisin. ​Membership and Renewal

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PROGRAMS & EVENTS >>>

 
Western Cuyahoga Audubon programs are free and open to the public. Monthly programs are held the first Tuesday of
each month, September through May, at the Rocky River Nature Center, Rocky River Reservation, 24000 Valley Pkwy,
North Olmsted, OH 44070. Guests are welcome and invited to learn about the Audubon mission. ​Map and Directions

Annual Shreve Spring Migration Sensation. This peak spring

VIDEO​: Lights Out! Bird and Building Collisions with Owen Lockhart.
> Tues, May 1, 7:30 PM 
Lights Out! B
​ ird and Building Collisions  featured two Common Mergansers ​(Mergus merganser)​ and
Presenter:​ Owen Lockhart, Cleveland Metroparks,
Cleveland State University
Date & Time:​ Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 7:30 p.m.
Location:​ Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Pkwy,
North Olmsted, OH
Description:​ Bird collisions, especially migrating
songbirds, are one of the top three human-related
causes of bird deaths and injuries. What can be done to
solve the problem or reduce the number of deaths?
Owen Lockhart will share Cleveland State University
bird-building collision research and suggest ways we can
reduce the number of birds striking windows.
bird migration event covers over 5,600 acres in Ohio’s
largest wetlands complex. Members Terry and Joanne
Gorges arrived early in the morning to see 100 Sandhill
Cranes ​(Grus canadensis)​ at Funk Bottoms Observation Area
on the northwest corner of the complex. Later, 300
American Coots ​(Fulica americana)​ settled down at Funk
Bottoms in the afternoon during a snow squall. About 250
Redheads ​(Aythya americana)​ and 400 Ring-necked Ducks
(Aythya collaris)​ were at Wright Marsh on the northeast
corner of the complex in the morning. Other notable
species included 50 Northern Shovelers ​(Anas clypeata)​, 50
American Wigeons ​(Anas americana)​, and 50 Northern
Pintails ​(Anas acuta)​. Shreve Lake Observation Area
a Bonaparte’s Gull ​(Chroicocephalus philadelphia)​. At Shreve
Elementary School, event headquarters, representatives
from the Medina Raptor Center showed off a Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)​ and a Great-horned Owl ​(Bubo
virginianus)​. The sun appeared in the afternoon and
Cemetery Road, just east of Shreve, did not disappoint.
With the observation area backlit by the sun, we counted
another 200 Ring-necked Ducks ​(Aythya collaris)​ and 300
American Coots ​(Fulica americana​).

Shreve Spring Migration Sensation Pleases 

Birders 
By Tom Romito, Board Member, Western Cuyahoga
Audubon Society
Several Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society members and
friends flocked to the Killbuck Wildlife Area south of    
Wooster, Ohio on Saturday, March 17, 2018 for the 15th
Photo by Mary Anne Romito.  

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NEWS >>> 

Mark Your Calendars! 

Event: 2 ​ 018 Biggest Week in American Birding 
Host: B​ lack Swamp Bird Observatory 
Date:​ ​Fri, May 4 through Sun, May 13, 2018 
Location: B ​ lack Swamp Bird Observatory, 13551 OH-2, 
Oak Harbor, OH 43449 
Facebook Page  
 
Event: W ​ orld Migratory Bird Day 2018  
Date & Time:​ Sat, May 12 through Sun, May 13, 2018 
Location: G ​ lobal 
 
Event: B
​ ackyard Biodiversity Bash 
Date & Time:​ Sat, August 18, 2018, 12:00pm - 4:00pm 
Photo: Song Sparrow ​(​Melospiza melodia)​ by David Lewis.
Location: West Creek Reservation, Watership 
Stewardship Center, 2277 West Ridgewood Dr, Parma, 
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD)  OH 44134 
Coffee SALE!  Ages: 4+ and older   
 
Coffee continues to play its part! For the last five (5)
The Western Cuyahoga Audubon President
years, the American Restart (light roast) coffee is Chapter Newsletter​ is published four Western Cuyahoga Audubon
registered as the official coffee of the International Bird times per year in February, May, is currently Board run.
August and November.
Migration Day or World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD). President Emeritus
Birds and Beans, LLC has an arrangement with European Western Cuyahoga Audubon Tom Romito
Free Trade Association (EFTA) as part of a bird programs are free and open to the
public. Donations are appreciated. ​ Treasurer
conservation outreach. EFTA buys a significant volume Consult the calendar for dates Nancy Howell
of our American Restart coffee from Birds and Beans, www.wcaudubon.org/calendar
LLC for resale to their constituents. To celebrate, Secretary
Email:​ i​ nfo@wcaudubon.org Penny O’Connor
Western Cuyahoga Audubon is offering American Ph:​ + 216-741-2352
Restart blend (whole bean or any grind) on sale from Web: ​www.wcaudubon.org Field Trip Coordinator
Penny O'Connor
April 1st to May 10th, 2018 including delivery. Please Like us on Facebook!
see pricing below and at the online store on the facebook.com/WCAudubon Bird-Friendly Coffee
Western Cuyahoga Audubon website. Coordinator
Follow us on Twitter! Suzanne Aldrich
● 12 oz bag $9.25 twitter.com/WCAudubon
Directors-at-Large
● 2 lb bag $23.75 Interested in Volunteering? ​Send an Liz Clingman
● 5 lb bag $46.25 email to ​info@wcaudubon.org Tim Colborn

Purchase coffee ​online​ or use the ​online order form​. Visit our Store​ to download reports, Newsletter Editor
articles, purchase coffee, renew Kurt Miske
Questions? Contact Suzanne Aldrich at membership, and make donations. Web and Marketing
SuzanneAldrich@WCAudubon.org​ or at (440) 465-6612. http://www.wcaudubon.org/store Betsey Merkel
Place your order by the 10​th​ of every month.

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Spring ... and Spring Gardening  

Our friends at The Rock Pile Garden Center encourage you, your family and friends to come by
for a visit to see and shop spring items for the yard, garden, birds and home. What is even nicer
is that if you mention you are a member of Western Cuyahoga Audubon, the Rock Pile sends
the chapter a check, as a fundraiser, for a portion of the sales. We know everyone's yard and
home can use a spruce-up after this winter and your green thumbs are itching to dig in and get
growing. It won't be long until vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees will be sprouting and in
bloom. Thank you to those who have made purchases for the benefit of wildlife and to fund
Western Cuyahoga Audubon conservation activities.​ ​ Visit The Rock Pile Garden Center, 900 Nagel Rd., Avon, Ohio
44011​. Ph: 440-937-5100 ​Website

Become a Member of Western Cuyahoga Audubon  

​If you care about the environment and want to maintain diverse habitats for birds and wildlife, join Western Cuyahoga
Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. Membership dues support conservation activities. ​Make
a difference by becoming a Member of Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society. You’ll be glad you did and the birds will
thank you for it!  

Shop today at ​AmazonSmile​ and designate ​Western ​Cuyahoga Audubon

as your charitable organization of choice. When you shop at
smile.amazon.com​ the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the
price of eligible purchases to Western Cuyahoga Audubon.