Lake Erie Nature and Science Center Field Trip

March 25, 2012

Leaders: Gabe Leidy and Mary Anne Romito

55 birders, 38 species

Cool temperatures and fog were a contrast to recent warm sunny weather. Today, more like a typical March day, was the backdrop for our field trip at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center (LENSC) in Huntington Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks. Fifty-five birders birded the woods and the beach, carefully watching every passing Turkey Vulture. In the days before, five rare-for-Northeast-Ohio Black Vultures were spotted near LENSC. We had no luck with the Black Vultures. We did see a nesting Red-tailed Hawk, a couple of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, several Brown Creepers, Eastern Towhees, and a nice variety of waterfowl and gulls on Lake Erie.  Thanks to several birders who shared scope views.

Following the bird walk, LENSC wildlife rehabilitator Amy LeMonds presented a program on wildlife rehabilitation. We had a close-up look at two of the resident raptors, a young Red-tailed Hawk and a Barred Owl. Amy answered questions about the lives of these species.

Bird List

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Bufflehead

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Pied-billed Grebe

Horned Grebe

Turkey Vulture

Red-tailed Hawk

Bonaparte's Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

European Starling

Eastern Towhee

Song Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow