Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society

04/06/2026

This infographic captures the dawn chorus beautifully — both the science and the sense of wonder. The sequence shown here reflects a typical pattern many of us hear in Northeast Ohio each spring, though timing can shift with weather, habitat, and individual birds.

Different species tend to begin singing at different light levels, so most mornings you’ll hear a recognizable rhythm: robins in the dim pre‑dawn, sparrows and wrens as the light grows, cardinals closer to sunrise, and the canopy birds once the branches are fully visible.

Think of it as a helpful guide to what your own yard might sound like. Step outside a little before sunrise and listen for the order of voices, and you’ll start to hear your yard’s version of the setlist.

Your yard has a setlist. And the opening act goes on before you're awake.

The robin starts singing about half an hour before sunrise. Not because she's excited about the day. Because cold, still, pre-dawn air carries sound farther than air at any other time. A song at dawn reaches much further than the same song at noon.

She sings first because she can see in near-darkness better than almost anything else at your feeder. Her eyes are large enough to detect predators before the light is good enough for smaller birds to risk an exposed perch.

🐦 The song sparrow goes second. About twenty minutes before sunrise. Smaller eyes, but a song that carries well through still air.

The Carolina wren goes third. Startlingly loud for a bird that weighs less than a handful of coins. She waits until there's just enough light to spot danger.

The cardinal waits for sunrise. His red is invisible in the dark — no point singing from a branch where no one can see what he looks like. His song and his color are a matched pair. One without the other is wasted energy.

The titmice, chickadees, and nuthatches fill in after sunrise. Canopy birds. They need full light to navigate branches safely.

🌿 About forty-five minutes. Same order. Most mornings.

How to hear it:

- Set an alarm for half an hour before sunrise tomorrow — step outside and listen
- The robin is first — alone in the dark
- Wait for each new voice — the order reveals itself if you stand still
- Try it twice in the same week — you'll hear the same sequence both mornings

The show runs every morning. No tickets. Same setlist. 🌱

04/02/2026

When Boromir says “get outside and watch birds,” we listen.

Sean Bean getting delightfully nerdy about birding feels exactly right, and is proof that anyone can fall in love with the birds around them.

Come join a WCAS walk this spring and see what you find!

Long before his days as Boromir, and Ned Stark, and Macbeth, the English actor Sean Bean turned his head to the sky as a young schoolboy and discovered his love of birds. We asked him for his advice on how you too can get into birding. https://nyti.ms/4lOJFfW

04/02/2026

At this year’s Northeast Ohio Science & Engineering Fair, we had the pleasure of recognizing several students for their exceptional projects. Their curiosity, creativity, and commitment to learning inspire us. Congratulations to all of these outstanding students.

The Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society congratulates the following students and their projects:

Maya Uchino-Garcia - Beaumont School - $100
Lily Hemminger - SS Robert & William Elem - $100
Hari Chimalakonda - Solon Middle School - certificate
Juliana Gauthier - Ballard Brady Middle School - Certificate
Gowtham Madireddy - Columbia Middle School - Certificate

03/07/2026

We support this idea!

02/18/2026

ICYMI: WCAS Book Discussion of Wild America by Roger Tory Peterson and James Fisher

WCAS Board Member Drina Nemes led a wonderful conversation about Wild America by Roger Tory Peterson and James Fisher — a classic natural history travelogue following two legendary naturalists on their 100‑day journey around the edges of North America.

Their 1953 adventure, beginning in Newfoundland and circling the continent, has long been celebrated for its vivid storytelling and richly illustrated observations. The Chicago Sunday Tribune called it “the superlatively good product of ideal circumstances.”

This discussion was part of our 6th season of WCAS book talks, and we’re excited to share the full replay with you.

Event: WCAS Book Discussion: Wild America by Roger Tory Peterson and James FisherHost: Drina Nemes, Board Member, Western Cuyahoga Audubon SocietyDate: Tuesd...

02/03/2026

Field Trip Report

Event: WCAS Field Trip at West Creek Reservation
Date & Time: Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Start Location: Watershed Stewardship Center, 2277 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44134
Leaders: Michelle Brosius and Nancy Howell
Results: 15 Birders, 26 Species

Description: Fifteen brave birders showed up in the 15°F windchill to explore the trails of West Creek Reservation on Saturday, January 3, 2026. I handed out a pair of handwarmers in the parking lot just before we spotted our first highlight of the walk: four Red-headed Woodpeckers flying back and forth between the mature oak trees surrounding the lot and the newer plantings in its center. After several minutes of watching these birds we made the reluctant decision to continue the walk, leaving the woodpeckers behind us to continue their foraging activity.

Most of the expected species were present as we began along the All Purpose Trail, passing by the Watershed Stewardship Center. We tallied Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, and yet another Red-headed Woodpecker. We kept our eyes peeled for Red-tailed Hawks or another hawk species on the broadcasting tower guy wires, but alas, none appeared.

We paused at the Grassroots Gorge Overlook to take our group photo, adding another Northern Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse to the list. We continued south onto the Skinner’s Run Trail and found three Eastern Bluebirds flitting through a patch of brambles, they offered decent looks before moving on. Farther along, on the Jewelwing Trail, we discovered a Barred Owl. Thanks to Dennis Colburn’s foresight in bringing his spotting scope, everyone enjoyed incredible views of the owl, which remained perfectly still on its perch.

We counted two more Red-headed Woodpeckers and a Pileated Woodpecker. This is the second year in a row that we’ve had this walk the first Saturday of January, and we paused at the spot where the Skinner’s Run Trail meets the Greenbriar Trail to reminisce about a Merlin we had there last year. We happened to see a cluster of feathers on the trail and mused that maybe a Merlin was indeed nearby. We continued on to a bridge, our turnaround point, when a Merlin was spotted back in the direction from which we had just traveled. Once again, Dennis got his scope on the bird for a clear, close look. We noticed it was feasting on a bird. I made my way back toward the Merlin in an attempt to get a closer photo while the group waited for their turn with the scope, and found that it was in the same spot as last year, perhaps just one tree over! The bird had already finished its meal by the time I got close enough for some usable photos. The rest of the group caught up to me and Dennis set up his scope a little closer for an even better view than before. This was a real treat on such a cold morning.

We eventually moved on from the Merlin and tallied a Cooper’s Hawk on the return journey, but the remainder of the All Purpose Trail loop was uneventful for birds, except for the one and only American Robin that we added to our checklist. Our luck picked back up once we arrived at the Watershed Stewardship Center to watch their bird feeders. We had a nice variety of birds there, including both Downy and Hairy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinch, American Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco.

Despite the cold, the morning offered a wonderful mix of expected winter residents and memorable highlights. The Barred Owl and the déjà‑vu Merlin encounter were especially rewarding, and the steady activity at the feeders provided a charming finish to the walk. Many thanks to everyone who bundled up and joined us for a bright start to the new year, and an extra thanks to Nancy Howell for helping to guide this productive walk.

- Report and photos by Michelle Brosius

01/23/2026

Due to projected extreme cold temperatures and dangerous wind chill factors tomorrow morning (January 24th), we have made the decision to cancel the Urban Bird Walk: Gulls and Waterfowl. Hope to see you at another bird walk soon! Stay safe and warm.

01/12/2026

Field Trip Report

Event: WCAS Field Trip at Litchfield Wetlands Nature Preserve
Date & Time: Saturday, November 1, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
Start Location: 3005 Avon Lake Rd, Litchfield, OH 44253
Leaders: Al Rand
Results: 16 Birders, 28 Species

Description: The morning of the field trip was cool and sunny. The song of the Red-winged Blackbird was still in the air “ok-a-leeeee!” A Red-tailed Hawk was spotted in a distant tree as the sixteen participants began to assemble in the parking lot. We scoped it and everyone got good looks. Sparrows darted around as we hit the trail. A few White-crowned Sparrows perched nicely in the tree near the deck. The pond was mirror smooth, until it wasn’t. A half-dozen Mallards and two Pied-billed Grebes were feeding near the back. Sadly, those were the only waterfowl with a lone Canada Goose being the exception.

Goldfinch flitted about and sparrows popped up here and there as we made our way around the pond, the blackbirds were ever present. Tufted Titmice, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Cardinals, and Blue Jays graced us with their presence along the tree-line. A Red-shouldered Hawk was heard, but never seen. We were watching the Blue Jays closely since many of us have been tricked in the past.

Sparrow activity picked up as we entered the back stretch of the preserve; song, swamp, field, white-throated, and some Dark-eyed Juncos (slate-backed in case they’re split in the future). Finding them was a true test in the tall remains of this year’s grasses and wildflowers. A flash here, something out of the corner of our eye there. Standing still and staring was the best approach to catch a glimpse of everything that was calling. (Could only imagine what the other people on the trail were thinking.) And as for those sparrows, some of the first-year males were trying out their voices. I’d give most a 3 out of 10, but they have time to practice. A lone Downy Woodpecker was spotted and offered a good opportunity for the spotter to describe where it was to get the rest of the group onto it, also a skill that requires practice. After that success the home-stretch of the trail was fairly quiet as the skies had become cloudy and the air had cooled. A few more White-crowned Sparrows were hanging around the barn and a Northern Flicker flew off into the trees showing its white rump off the whole way. Not a bad end to the walk.

In total, we covered about 2.25 miles over 2.5 hours tallying 28 species. A few species from last year’s field trip like American Kestrel and Osprey were absent, but many participants remembered them and reminisced as we wrapped things up. I’d like to thank everyone who joined and who went easy on me for failing to introduce myself at the start of the walk as I look forward to the next field trip.

- Report by Al Rand
- Photos by Michael Murray

01/07/2026

If you’re curious about the people behind long-term bird banding research, then this film and panel discussion offer a meaningful window into their work.

Documentary & Panel Discussion Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 PM Capitol Theatre 1390 W 65th St Cleveland, OH 44102 $10/person (Registration Required) Valet available for $10 Western Reserve Land Conservancy […]

11/12/2025

Second Saturday Bird Walk Report

Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Location: Trails around Rocky River Nature Center, Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks, 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070
Leaders: Bill Deininger, Dave Graskemper, Ken Gober, and Al Rand
Results: 25 Species, 26 Birders

Description: The second Saturday of the month bird walk had 26 observers and only 25 species. The weather was typical for November with temperatures starting at 47 degrees and ending at 49 degrees, and cloudy the entire walk. Many of the expected species were present. The highlight was a Barred Owl. We saw the owl perched, then it flew off and disappeared into some pine trees. - Report by Bill Deininger

Additional Note: My favorite highlight of the Second Saturday Bird Walk on November 8, 2025 was a Golden-crowned Kinglet feeding on some seeds at the edge of a field habitat. The group was on a section of the trail that is raised up above the surrounding environment and I absolutely love this perspective of looking slightly down on the subject. The bird hung around for several minutes, giving the group good, long looks. - Michelle Brosius

Photos by Michelle Brosius.

11/07/2025

Second Saturday Bird Walk Report

Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Location: Trails around Rocky River Nature Center, Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks, 24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070
Leaders: Bill Deininger, Dave Graskemper, Ken Gober, and Al Rand
Results: 39 Species, 29 Birders

Description: The second Saturday of the month bird walk had 39 species and 29 observers. The weather was pleasant with temperatures starting at 57 degrees, ending at 62 degrees, and sunshine the entire walk. Many of the expected birds were seen. Highlights were a first year Bald Eagle that was perched close for great looks by the entire group. Many White-throated Sparrows were in several locations. The only warbler today was the Yellow-rumped Warbler, and we saw about 20 "Yumps" in several locations. Fifteen Cedar Waxwings were observed. One "early bird" observer saw between 500 and 1,000 grackles fly over (before the official starting time, so it was not on the official report). - Report by Bill Deininger

Photos by Michelle Brosius