Welcome to the New Western Cuyahoga Audubon!

Aug-Oct 2016

Nancy Howell, Board Member, Western Cuyahoga Audubon

Field Trips

2, 3

Maps and
Directions...

Programs

Volunteer Section...

Research...

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CONNECT
WESTERN CUYAHOGA
AUDUBON SOCIETY
4310 Bush Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44109
>
(216) 741-2352
>
info@wcaudubon.org
>
wcaudubon.org
FIND US ONLINE
>
facebook.com/wcaudubon
>
twitter.com/wcaudubon
>
youtube.com/wcaudubon
>
flickr.com/wcaudubon

Organizations move forward with participation from you, our members. If you are not a
member of the chapter, consider becoming one.
TheWesternCuyahogaAudubonchapterhasbeenundergoingsomeverypositive
changes.Ifyoureachaptermember,youllrecallthe2016summerissueofour
quarterlynewsletter,
TheFeatheredFlyer,
underwentaformatupgradetokeepit
fresh.Positivecommentsonthischangeandupgradewerenoted,thankyou.Ourlogo
haschangedtoo.WeretainedthedistinctivePileatedwoodpecker,butnowthebirdis
inflight,showingthatourorganizationisactivelymovingforward.

Wordsthathonorourmissionstatement
Connect>Educate>Conserve
havebeen
addedastheorganizationcontinuesto
Connect
withmembers,guests,partner
organizations,andwithnature.Therearemanyamazingbirdinggroups,conservation
organizationsanddedicatedpeopleWesternCuyahogaAudubonassists,andvice
versa.WesternCuyahogaAudubonhas,sinceitsinception,workedto
Educate
everyone,fromyoungsterstoseniorsaboutthenaturalworld.Whetheritslearning
birdidentificationorsharingknowledgeaboutwildlifehabitats,eachofusbenefits
greatlybybecominginvolvedineducationalexperiencesforthebettermentofbirds
andplanet.Lastly,thechaptercontinuestoworkto
Conserve
habitatforbirdsand
otherwildlife.TheRockyRiverImportantBirdAreasurvey,forexample,helped
ClevelandMetroparksacquirelandalongtheRockyRiverandourCarbonOffset
programdirects100%offundstolandconservation.

Ourwebsitehasbeentotallyreworkedanditlooksgorgeous!Besuretovisit
www.wcaudubon.org
.Lovelyphotographsdrawinvisitorstolookaroundthesite.
Buttonswithourmonthlyprograms,blogs,fieldtrips,membership,andmoreareeasy
tonavigate.Throughthewebsiteweare
Connecting
withyou,weare
Educating
you
andshowhowweworkto
Conserve
birdsandhabitats.Shareourinformationwith
others!
(Welcome to the New Western Cuyahoga Audubon, continued on Pg. 2)

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Aug-Oct 2016

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Organizationsmoveforwardwithparticipationfromyou,ourmembers.Ifyouarenotamemberofthechapter,
considerbecomingone.Ifyoualreadyareamember,thankyou,andconsiderrenewing.Alltheduesstaywithinthe
chapterforuselocally.Membersdonothavetobeinaparticularchapterareawejusthopeyoulikewhatwedo
andwanttobecomeinvolved.Considertakinganactiveroleinchapteractivities.Doyoutakephotographs?Would
youbewillingtosharethemandhavethemonthewebsite?Liketowriteaboutabirdingexperience?Contributeto
theblog.Whatbetterthantohearfromothersintheorganization.Havesometimetovolunteer?Several
opportunitiesarelistedinthisnewsletter.Wouldyouliketocollaboratewiththechapterinhabitatconservation
activities?Sendyourideasto
info@wcaudubon.org
Wewanttohearfromyou!

WesternCuyahogaAuduboncontinuestohostspeakerprograms,birdwalks,fieldtrips,theChristmasBirdCount
andthingswehavedoneinthepast.Letsfollowthatflyingwoodpeckerinagreatnewdirectioncanwecounton
you
tohelpmoveusforward?Asyoulookthroughthis
FeatheredFlyer
issueandexplorethewebsite,seewhatis
offeredandthenseewhat
you
canoffer.Remember,thisisYOURorganization.
~
Nancy Howell

FIELD TRIPS >>>

Photo:SecondSaturdayBirdersMARomito

Photo:DaveFeedingChickadeeMARomito

Photo:WestChannelPondPennyOConnor

Second Saturday Bird Walks at Rocky River Nature Center

UPCOMING DATES: August 13 / September 10 / October 8

SecondSaturdayBirdWalksaresponsoredbyWesternCuyahogaAudubonSociety.KenGober,DaveGraskemperand
BillDeiningerleadwalksonthesecondSaturdayofeachmonthat9a.m.ontrailsaroundtheClevelandMetroparks
RockyRiverNatureCenter.ThisisagreatopportunitytoseebirdsoftheRockyRiverImportantBirdArea.Newto
birding?Grabsomebinocularsandjoinus.Youllbeamazedhowfastyoucanlearntofindbirdsbysightandsound.
WalksbeginatRockyRiverNatureCenterparkinglot,
RockyRiverReservation,24000ValleyPkwy,NorthOlmsted,
Ohio.

Christmas Bird Count - Its NOT too early to Save the Date!!
The2016ChristmasBirdCountwillbeonFriday,December30,2016.Birdersofallskilllevelsarewelcometotake
partinthe117thChristmasBirdCount.WesternCuyahogaAuduboncoversacirclethatincludesthewestsideof
CuyahogaCounty,Lakewood,sectionsoftheLakeErieshore,andeventheClevelandMetroparksZoo.Enjoyadayof
birding,thengettogetherforfoodandatallyoftheresults.Ifyouwouldliketoparticipate,sendanemailto
info@wcaudubon.org
titled,Attn.NancyHowellCBC.
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wcaudubon.org

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Aug-Oct 2016

Sunday, September 18, at 8:30 a.m. >

September Field Trip

Lake Erie Science and Nature Center
Event: Field Trip to see Migrating Birds
Date: Sunday, September 18, at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Location: Lake Erie Nature and Science
Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, OH 44140
Leader:
Tim Jasinski
Target Species: Fall Warblers

Photo:SolitarySandpiperChuckSlusarczykJr.

TheshoresofLakeErieareprimestagingspotsfor
migratingbirdsontheirwaysouthfrombreeding
groundsinCanada.Wehopetoseewarblersinfall
plumageastheyjourneytosouthandcentral
Americaforthewinter.

Sunday, August 28, at 8:30 a.m. >

August Field Trip

Conneaut Sandspit
Event: Field Trip, Primarily to See Shorebirds
Date: Sunday, August 28, at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Conneaut Sandspit, Ashtabula County,
480 Lake Rd., Conneaut, OH 44030
Leader: Lukas Padegimas, Kirtland Bird Club
Target Species: Variety of bird species

TheSandspitatConneautoftenattractsan
arrayofexcitingshorebirdsincluding
Sanderlings,RedKnots,Willets,Semipalmated
Sandpipers,PectoralSandpipers,Dunlin,and
occasionallysomethingevenmorerare.Last
year,wehadaBuffbreastedSandpiper!We
arepartneringwithKirtlandBirdClubforthis
fieldtrip.

> Welcome New Members!

RobertHinkle
MelanieLesar
ToddGartner
PhotoDaveLewis

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wcaudubon.org

GerrylWesley

Photo:RouteAliceMerkel

Sunday, October 23, at 8:30 a.m. >

October Field Trip

Fowles Marsh
Event: Field Trip to see Warblers and Shorebirds
Date: Sunday, October 23, at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Meet at Polaris Career Center, 7285 Old Oak
Blvd, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
Leader:
Liz McQuaid
Target Species:
Shorebirds and Confusing Fall Warblers

FowlesMarshispartoftheLakeAbramwetlandsin
MiddleburgHeights.ItspartoftheRockyRiverIBA
andisaccessibleviatheClevelandMetroparks
LaketoLaketrail.Bridgesandapavedtrailmake
easywalking.Avarietyofhabitatsattract
shorebirds,songbirdsandraptors.Wellmeetatthe
northendoftheparkinglotofPolarisCareer
Center.Thisareaisrichinbirds,butunderreported
ineBird,sowewillbeeagertoentertheresultsof
thisfieldtrip.

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Aug-Oct 2016

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Maps and Directions >>>

Conneaut Sandspit, Ashtabula County

480LakeRd, Conneaut, OH. From thepark,you candrive west and take aleftalongaroadwhichwillgodown
towardsthe marsh, then takeanother left,andthendrivetowardsthebeach.Takearightandfollowthesandy
road to the end of thesand spit.
Notes: Conneaut isabout85 miles fromthe west sideof Cleveland,about 1
hour and.20minutes or more via I90east.TakeI90easttoOhioRoute7Exit241 towardConneaut/Andover.
Go left onto Route 7. Follow Route 7 for about two miles until you reachState Street. Turn right at StateSt.
Then go left ontoBroad Street. Follow BroadStreettothe marina.Once youdrivedownthe hilltothemarina,
turn left and follow this road until you reach a sandy road at theend of whichwill take you to the Sandspit.
Vehicles drive on the Sandspit when conditions permit. Use judgment about driving the sand road. Whenin
doubt, park in the marina area and walk. Restrooms are by the marina parking area. Restrooms and other
amenitiesarealsoinConneautTownshipPark,whichoverlooksthebeach.

Fowles Marsh
Directions:FowlesMarshisnorthofFowlesRoadontheAllPurposeTrail.AccesstotheAllPurposeTrailisfrom
thenortheastcornerofthePolarisCareerCentersparkinglotlocatedat7285OldOakBoulevard,Middleburg
Heights.FromI71,taketheBagleyRoadexitwest,towardBerea.YouwillseeSouthwestGeneralHospital.
Immediatelypastthehospital,TurnleftontoOldOakBlvd.FollowOldOaktoPolarisCareerCenterontheleft.
IfyoureachLifeWorksontheright,youhavegonetoofar.

Some additional information on Fowles Marsh

TheClevelandMetroparkspurchasedover26acresoflandwhichincludedFowlesMarshin2013.Thelandwas
purchasedfromEngleRoadVenturesLLCfor$760,000.ClevelandMetroparkswasabletodothisthankstoagrant
fromScottsMiracleGroCo.whichwastheresultofasettlementwiththeU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.The
parkhadwantedtobuythelandsince1994.TheMetroparksbelievesthemarshistheremainingglacialpothole
wetlandinCuyahogaCounty,formedbyretreatingglaciers.

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Aug-Oct 2016

PROGRAMS >>>
AllWesternCuyahogaAudubonprogramsarefree&opentothepublic.Ourmonthlyprogramsareheldthefirst
Tuesdayofeachmonth,SeptemberthroughMay,atthe
RockyRiverNatureCenter,RockyRiverReservation,24000
ValleyPkwy,NorthOlmsted,OH44070
.GuestsarewelcometoprogramsandinvitedtolearnabouttheAudubon
mission.Foramapanddirections,goto
http://www.wcaudubon.org/rockyriverreservation.html

Tues Sept 6, 7:30 PM >

Tues October 4, 7:30 PM >

ODNR Division of Wildlife:

Conservation Law Enforcement

Family Structures of Fox and Gray

Squirrels: More Than you Ever Wanted to
Know (and then some)

Photo:
RyanDonnelly,ODNRDivisionofWildlife

Speaker: Ryan Donnelly, ODNR Division of Wildlife

Date: Tues, May 3, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Location:
Rocky River Nature Center,
Rocky River
Reservation, 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted,
OH 44070

Havewoodpeckerschippingatyoursiding?What
aboutthatturkeychasingthemailman?Human
interactionswithwildlifearecommoninsuburban
andurbansettings.RyanDonnelly,ODNRDivision
ofWildlifeLawEnforcementforCuyahoga
Countymustdealwiththeseinteractionstokeep
bothwildlifeandpeoplesafe.Hispresentation
describestheroleofStateWildlifeOfficers,and
howtheDivisionofWildlifemanagesurban
wildlife.

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wcaudubon.org

Photo:
Dr.KarenMonroe,BaldwinWallaceUniversity

Speaker: Dr. Karen Monroe, Baldwin-Wallace University

Date: Tues, October 4, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Location:
Rocky River Nature Center,
Rocky River Reservation,
24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070

Acoupleofyearsago,Dr.KarenMunroefrom
BaldwinWallaceUniversity,sharedtheverybeginningof
herresearchonurbanFoxandGraySquirrels.Sincethen,
Dr.Monroeandherstudentshavecontinuedtostudy
thesetwospecies.Herpresentation,FamilyStructures
ofFoxandGraySquirrels:MoreThanyouEverWanted
toKnow(andthensome),willupdateusonhow
squirrelsarestudiedinanurbanenvironment,present
resultscomparingthefamilystructureofFoxandGray
squirrels,andunderstandhowtomanagesquirrel
speciesinourbackyardandglobally!

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Aug-Oct 2016

Volunteer Section >>>

Sat August 27, 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM >

Wed Sept 28, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM >

Backyard Biodiversity Bash

The Messenger

Event: Backyard Biodiversity Bash

Date: Saturday, August 27, 2016
Time: 11 AM (for arrival & set up) to 4:30 PM (for tear down)
Location: Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek
Reservation, 2277 West Ridgewood Dr., Parma, OH 44134

Event: Staffing Table at an Envirofair for a Film Event

Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade
Oval Dr., Cleveland, OH 44016
Volunteer Positions Available:
2 people to manage display table (see description
below)

Volunteer Positions Available:

2 people to manage display table
3 bird walk leaders

DisplayTableDescription:
WesternCuyahoga
Audubonwouldlikeyourassistancewithstaffingan
interactivedisplaytableattheBackyardBiodiversity
BashatWestCreekReservation.Twovolunteersare
neededtoworkourdisplaytablewithafun,bird
matchinggameandshareinformationaboutWestern
CuyahogaAudubon.Volunteersengagewithvisitorsof
allagesinthisfamilyevent.Itshelpfultoknowalittle
aboutcommonbirdsinparksandneighborhoodssince
visitorsmayaskquestions.Awhiteboardchecklistof
birdssightedduringtheeventismanagedatourtable
aswell.

BirdWalkLeaderDescription:
Inaddition,23bird
walkleadersareneededtowalkthetrails,possibly
takesmallgroupstoseesomebirdsandshare
knowledgeaboutthebirdssighted.

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Description:
VolunteersareneededtostaffourWestern
CuyahogaAudubondisplaytablepriorto(6to7PM)and
ashorttimeafter(8:30to9PM)thescreeningofthe
documentaryfilmTheMessengeratTheCleveland
MuseumofNaturalHistory.

VolunteerswillreceivefreeentrytotheMuseumandbe
abletoviewthefilmaboutmigratorybirdsandthe
dangerstheyarefacing.Staffingthetableinvolvesa
friendlydemeanortoallattending,knowledgeabout
WesternCuyahogaAudubonandourcommitmentto
preservinghabitatsformigratoryspecies.

EncouragingmembershiptoWesternCuyahogaAudubon
isimportant.

RSVP to Volunteer Opportunities at:

https://goo.gl/CH9eTE

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RESEARCH >>>
Bird Surveys at Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
Progress Report, July 1, 2016
By Laura Gooch

WillowFlycatchers,YellowWarblers,EasternKingbirds,IndigoBunting,
OrchardOriole,BaltimoreOriole,YellowbilledCuckoo,Blackbilled
CuckooThesearejustahandfulofthespeciesthatarebreedingat
ClevelandLakefrontNaturePreserve.Overthepasttwoyearsbeginning
inmidJuly2014volunteersurveyorshavedocumented186speciesof
birdsatCLNP!

Inalmost24monthsofsurveying(through1July2016),volunteershave:
Completed230surveys;
Documented186species;
Performed3759pointcounts;
Madeanaverageofover2surveysperweek,summerandwinter.

AlthoughitstooearlytodrawanyhardandfastconclusionsfromdatacollectedbyCLNPvolunteers,apreliminary
analysisshowsmorebirdactivityatthesiteoverthispastmildwinterthanduringtheharshwinterof201415,and
showsthatlargenumbersofshortdistancemigrantslikeRedwingedBlackbirdsandAmericanRobinsarrivedovera
weekearlierthisspring.Thebreedingseasonisinfullswingnow,withyoungAmericanRobinsandRedwinged
Blackbirdseverywhere,andfledglingsofotherspeciesscatteredabout.Thesummerpresenceofbothspeciesof
cuckoosisasurprise,asisthesheernumberofbreedingbirdspresentatthesite.AllCLNPsurveyshavebeen
performedbycrewofdedicatedvolunteers,withabout25peoplehavingparticipatedtodate.Afewfolksperform
surveysonanearweeklybasis,andsomeothersbandtogethertodoasurveyaboutonceamonth.Otherspitchin
nowandthenwhentheregularscantmakeit.Interestedinknowingmoreandpossiblyhelpingout?Sendan
emailtoLauraGoochat
info@wcaudubon.org
titled,Attn.LauraGoochCLNP.Photo:ClevelandLakefrontNature
PreservebyKathyMurphy.

Additional CNLP Information - Invasive

Plant Treatment and Native Plant
Restoration
ForfolksinterestedinCLNPbirdsurveys:Manyofyou
probablysawtherecentarticleinthePlainDealerand
onCleveland.comaboutinvasiveplanttreatmentand
nativeplantrestorationatCLNP.Ifnot,here'salinkto
theCleveland.comarticle:
http://goo.gl/EAIsFD
This
shouldbeagoodthingforCLNPinthelongrun,and
oursurveysofferthepossibilityofabefore,during,
andafterlookattheimpactofrestoration.

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wcaudubon.org

TheWesternCuyahogaAudubon
ChapterNewsletter
ispublishedfour
timesperyearinFebruary,May,
AugustandNovember.

WesternCuyahogaAudubon
meetingsareopentoallmembers.
Consultthecalendarfordates
http://www.wcaudubon.org/calendar
.html

Email:
info@wcaudubon.org
Ph:
+2167412352
Web:
www.wcaudubon.org
LikeusonFacebook!
facebook.com/WCASOhio

The Feathered Flyer

President
WesternCuyahogaAudubonis
currentlyBoardrun.

PresidentEmeritus
TomRomito
Treasurer
NancyHowell
NewsletterEditor
KurtMiske
Webmaster
MaryAnneRomito
FieldTripCoordinator
PennyO'Connor
DirectorsatLarge
KitBirch&LizClingman

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Aug-Oct 2016

Carbon Offset Project Total Update: $

164.00

Moneygeneratedthroughthisprojectwillgotowardhabitatpreservation&restorationintheRockyRiver
IBAorotherareawithintherangeofWesternCuyahogaAudubon.ContributetotheCarbonOffsetProject
whenyoutakeabirdingtrip.TheWesternCuyahogaAudubonwebsitehasmoreinformationandyoucan
downloadaformtocalculatetheamountyouwishtodonate.GotoCarbonOffsetProjectat
http://www.wcaudubon.org/carbonoffsetproject.html

Serving Northern Ohio Conservation for Forty Years

ThehistoryofWesternCuyahogaAudubonSocietyisastoryofcommitmentanddedicationonthepartofa
smallgroupofcitizenscientistsonthewestsideofCleveland,Ohio.Ourpurposeistoeducatepeopleabout
theimportanceofpreservinghabitatforpeople,birds,andotherwildlife.WesternCuyahogaAudubon
Society,aChapteroftheNationalAudubonSociety,wasfoundedin1975.Readourchronologicalhistoryat
http://www.wcaudubon.org/history.html

Visit Our Store

Visitorscandownloadfavoritearticles,choosefromalibraryofcustombirdinghotspotmaps,newsletters,
ImportantBirdArea(IBA)research,birdwalkreports,orprintoffourniftypocketsizedBirdTallytouse
whenyoureinthefield.OurStoreistheperfectplacetomakeadonationtosupportbirdingand
conservationprograms,aswellaspurchaseorrenewyourmembershipusingPayPal,thesafe,secureand
easyonlinepaymentsystem.ExploretheStoreat
http://www.wcaudubon.org/store

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Ifyoucareabouttheenvironment,wanttomaintaindiversehabitatsforbirdsandwildlife,strivetolearn
aboutthenaturalworldandshareyourpassionaboutnaturewithothers,joinWesternCuyahoga
Audubon,achapteroftheNationalAudubonSociety.Membershipduessupportpubliceducation,
conservationandadvocacyprogramswithaglobalreach.Completetheinformationbelowfor
membershipormembershiprenewal.Youllbegladyoudidandthebirdswillthankyouforit!

MembershipinWesternCuyahogaAudubongivesyou
TheFeatheredFlyer,ourquarterlynewsletterfeaturingstories,newsandeventannouncements
AWesternCuyahogaAudubonwindowclingforhomeorcar(4x4in.)
Membernametagforeasyintroductionatprogramsandevents
Accesstoonlineresourcesatournewwebsite
Volunteeropportunities
Basic Rate

1 or 2 people (same address)

$25

Family Membership

3+ people (same address)

$40

Corporate Membership
Additional Donations

$100
Because I care about conservation

$15

Because I enjoyed a program or

special event

$20

Carbon Offset Project

(habitat protection)

Amount of your choice goes to

the WCAS conservation fund

NAME
ADDRESS
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()Checkhereifyouwanttoreceiveyournewsletterbyemail(electronicallyonlynotbyUSPSmail)
()CheckhereifyoudliketobecomemoreinvolvedwithWesternCuyahogaAudubon
CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP AMOUNT: $

MakecheckspayabletoWesternCuyahogaAudubonSociety.Mailto:NancyHowell,WesternCuyahoga
AudubonTreasurer,19340FowlesRd,MiddleburgHeights,OH44130

4310 Bush Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44109 | (216) 741-2352 | info@wcaudubon.org | www.wcaudubon.org