Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve 9600 Headlands Road, Mentor

&nbsp;&nbsp; Blackbrook Audubon invites nature enthusiasts to witness the arrival of migratory birds from near and far in the annual tradition of the Spring Bird Walk Series. Blackbrook's sponsored hotspot is the north end of <a href="https://www.cmnh.org/science-conservation/areas-of-study/natural-areas-conservation/lands-protected-by-the-museum/mentor-marsh" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve</a> and <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/headlands-beach-state-park" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Headlands Beach State Park</a>. Meet in the parking lot west of Shipman Pond at 9600 Headlands Road by the northern trailhead of Zimmerman Trail. The walks start at 7:30 a.m. on these Sundays: May 3, 10, 17. Blackbrook will have binoculars to lend attendees.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Before the trees leaf out fully, participants should be able to see the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MentorMarsh/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bald Eagle nest</a> from the bridge over Shipman Pond during these walks. Two eaglets are growing fast and have their second, thicker layer of down feathers to keep them warm over these recent cold nights. Birders will be able to get a view of the nest through a spotting scope.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Ospreys returned to the area and are nesting again on the cell phone tower by Laketran on Lakeshore Blvd. They've been catching fish from Shipman Pond.
&nbsp;&nbsp; After the loop in the state park, birders return to the parking lot at Zimmerman Trail and have the option of moving their cars to the parking area by <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/headlands-dunes-state-nature-preserve" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve</a> where they search for more songbirds and scan the channel beside the dunes for waterfowl.
&nbsp;&nbsp; For more information on the 6-week, <a href="https://blackbrookaudubon.org/uploads/3/4/1/6/34162739/2026_spring_bird_walk_series_schedule.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cleveland-area Spring Bird Walk Series</a>, email blackbrookaud@aol.com or rdonaldson@cmnh.org.
&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://blackbrookaudubon.org/index.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Blackbrook Audubon</a> started as the Blackbrook Bird Club and has been leading walks in this area since the 1940's. Now Blackbrook Audubon is the local chapter of National Audubon Society covering Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake Counties. Follow Blackbrook Audubon Society on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Blackbrook-Audubon-Society/100064551195019/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.Photos: clockwise, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Canada Warbler by Deb Schuster

Local Event: Blackbrook Audubon welcomes returning avian migrants

Lake County

Mentor

Ohio

Blackbrook Audubon welcomes returning avian...

   Blackbrook Audubon invites nature enthusiasts to witness the arrival of migratory birds from near and far in the annual...

Blackbrook Audubon welcomes returning avian migrants

Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve 600 Headlands Road, Painesville Twp., OH

&nbsp;&nbsp; On the last Sunday of the Spring Bird Walk Series, May 17, birders can witness migration from a "landing spot" at Blackbrook Audubon's Big Sit in the picnic area by the entrance to Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. Bring a chair and a potluck brunch item to share after 8:30 a.m. to the far eastern side of <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/headlands-beach-state-park" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Headlands Beach State Park</a> at parking area P-1. Anyone who brings a cup or mug for a beverage will get a ticket toward a gift card in Blackbrook's Bring Your Own Mug raffle.
&nbsp;&nbsp; The state park and state nature preserve share a common entrance at the northern terminus of State Route 44 (Heisley Road) in Lake County.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Blackbrook will supply coffee as everyone scans the nearby shrubs and trees for warblers, vireos and other neotropical migrants taking a break before they cross the lake. This is a perfect outing for less mobile folks who enjoy group birding. Public restrooms are nearby and so is the entrance to the handicapped-accessible boardwalk to the beach.
&nbsp;&nbsp; A <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Piping_Plover" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Piping Plover</a> is often seen briefly during the Spring Bird Walks. Ohio's Division of Natural Areas and Preserves has blocked a portion of the Dunes beach in hopes of encouraging <a href="https://www.greatlakespipingplover.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Piping Plovers</a>
to nest here. A pair of these plovers, an endangered species, <a href="https://www.audubon.org/news/meet-nish-and-nellie-ohios-first-nesting-piping-plovers-83-years" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">nested at </a><a href="https://www.audubon.org/news/meet-nish-and-nellie-ohios-first-nesting-piping-plovers-83-years" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Maumee Bay State Park</a><a href="https://www.audubon.org/news/meet-nish-and-nellie-ohios-first-nesting-piping-plovers-83-years" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> in 2021</a>, a first for Ohio in 80 years. Headlands Dunes visitors still have access to the lighthouse and breakwall.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Blackbrook will have a pair or two of binoculars to lend, or those needing binoculars may be able to checkout a pair at the <a href="https://mentorpl.org/product/binoculars/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mentor Public Library</a>.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Blackbrook Audubon covers Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake Counties as the local chapter of National Audubon Society. For more information, email <a href="https://blackbrookaud@aol.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">blackbrookaud@aol.com</a> or visit blackbrookaudubon.org. Follow Blackbrook Audubon Society on Facebook.Photo: Blackbrook's 2014 Big Sit by Roger Beuck

Local Event: Audubon Lands at Headlands Dunes SNP

Audubon Lands at Headlands Dunes SNP

   On the last Sunday of the Spring Bird Walk Series, May 17, birders can witness migration from a "landing spot" at Blackbrook...

The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Road, or Rt. 87, Russell Twp.,OH

&nbsp;&nbsp; Blackbrook Audubon invites birders of all skill levels to test their avian knowledge and learn something new with a friendly competition at <a href="https://geaugaparkdistrict.org/park/the-west-woods/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The West Woods Nature Center</a> in Geauga County. Trevor Wearstler, Geauga Park District Naturalist and Blackbrook’s GPD liaison, will challenge teams of no more than six people each with spring-focused trivia categories from picture ID to cultural history. He encourages everyone to grab a partner or form a team, choose a fun team name and come for a causal night of bird trivia. The top three teams will have their pick of prizes and tiebreakers to see who reaches the top of the pecking order. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; Here is a sample ID question. This spring migrant has an orange mohawk flanked by black lines on both sides. The common name comes from the ground nest the female weaves from dead leaves, grass, twigs, and animal hair, resembling a dome with a hole on the side. Come to The West Woods to check your answer.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Blackbrook reminds program attendees to continue bringing their own beverage containers so they will be eligible for the Bring Your Own Mug raffle. The drawing for a $25 gift card will be held at Blackbrook's annual potluck picnic in June, also in Geauga County, and the winner need not be present.
&nbsp;&nbsp; The new boardwalk and other improvements currently under construction on the Trout Lily and Discovery Trails at The West Woods will not affect parking or access to the nature center.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Blackbrook Audubon covers Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake Counties as the local chapter of National Audubon Society. For more information, email blackbrookaud@aol.com. Follow Blackbrook Audubon Society on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Blackbrook-Audubon-Society/100064551195019/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for updates.

Local Event: Blackbrook Audubon Hosts Bird Trivia Night

Blackbrook Audubon Hosts Bird Trivia Night

   Blackbrook Audubon invites birders of all skill levels to test their avian knowledge and learn something new with a friendly...

Veterans Park

&nbsp;&nbsp; Birders of all skill levels are invited to Blackbrook Audubon's monthly bird walk at <a href="https://www.lakemetroparks.com/parks-trails/veterans-park/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Veterans Park</a>. Trails are level with asphalt, compacted gravel and boardwalk. The walk leaders will have a couple pairs of binoculars to lend. Blackbrook will host this bird survey on the fourth Sunday of every month through August.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Last month's group kept finding occupied nests as they watched a Cooper's Hawk add material to her nest and an incubating Blue Jay and Canada Goose. They also noted American Robins building a new nest. Forty-five species on the list included Chimney Swift and Purple Martin, Pied-billed Grebe and Cedar Waxwings. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; At 100 acres, Veterans Park encompasses the largest inland pond in Lake County, Granger Pond, and protects a remnant of original Ohio swamp forest. The property was once a sand quarry. The City of Mentor purchased it from the Granger family in 1970 and formed Mentor’s first neighborhood park. It's now managed by Lake Metroparks, which stocks the pond with catfish, bass, bluegill and rainbow trout. A valid Ohio fishing license is required to fish at Veterans Park.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Granger Pond's wide expanse attracts both fishermen and birds such as herons and mergansers. The <a href="https://ebird.org/hotspot/L620840/bird-list" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">list on eBird.org</a> shows 210 species for this location. Just under a mile from Lake Erie, the pond and tree cover at Veterans Park offer birds inland shelter from blustery lake conditions.
Blackbrook Audubon covers Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake Counties as the local chapter of National Audubon Society. Contact Blackbrook Audubon at <a href="mailto:blackbrookaud@aol.com">blackbrookaud@aol.com</a>. Find updates on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Blackbrook-Audubon-Society/100064551195019/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.Photo: Blue Jay by Laurie White

Local Event: Blackbrook Audubon visits Veterans Park

Blackbrook Audubon visits Veterans Park

   Birders of all skill levels are invited to Blackbrook Audubon's monthly bird walk  at Veterans Park. Trails are level with...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Laurie White, Neighbor

Posting Activity

Blackbrook Audubon welcomes returning avian migrants

MAY

17

7:30 AM

Mentor, OH

Audubon Lands at Headlands Dunes SNP

MAY

17

8:30 AM

Mentor, OH

Blackbrook Audubon Hosts Bird Trivia Night

MAY

19

7:00 PM

Mentor, OH

Blackbrook Audubon visits Veterans Park

MAY

24

8:00 AM

Veterans Park, 5730 Hopkins Rd, Mentor, OH