![]() ![]() Others, like the wood thrush arrive from forest of Panama to stake out a territory in local forests filling the morning and evening with their flute like song. Some like the blackburnian warbler began their journey in South America only stopping briefly to refuel then continuing to boreal forests farther north. Songbird migration peaks the first two weeks of May as wave after wave of birds arrive in Cleveland Metroparks. Others like orioles, grosbeaks and tanagers return to local Ohio to begin their nesting cycle while common grackles, mourning doves and American woodcocks already having hatched and fledged one brood by the end of the month. Some champion’s of migration can be found in April as shorebirds that have spent our winter as far south as Argentina, briefly stop at local mudflats to refuel on invertebrates before continuing to the tundra of Canada. Riding nighttime southerly winds the first waves of warblers, sparrows and thrushes arrive on the north coast stopping in Ohio only to refuel before continuing their journey north. Waterfowl begin major movements and from the high bluffs of Huntington Reservation, one can witness fantastic numbers and diversity of diving ducks, grebes and loons as they prepare to push north towards nesting grounds. Great horned and barred owl owlets are growing and becoming restless, keeping parent owls busy catching mice, voles, skunks, squirrels, birds, and rabbits. Male red-winged blackbirds (the ultimate harbinger of spring) have returned to their territories along roadsides, marshes and wetlands proclaiming their arrival with puffed wings and a loud rattling “Coco-REEE.” High above the forest floor within large oaks, maples, and pines red-shouldered, Cooper’s and red-tailed hawks are rearing their young. Late in the month, the first spring migrants, including hardy eastern phoebes, fox sparrows, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers, begin to appear in greater numbers. Still within winter’s grip, March heralds the beginning of spring with increasingly warmer days, signaling birds to stir and become more active. ![]() Females may not arrive for some time depending on weather and will eventually begin to weave nests from last years’ dried out cattail fronds. Toward the end of the month you will hear “okaleee”, as male red-winged blackbirds return to cattail stands to establish territories. Incubation is about a month and young will hatch when temperatures are warmer. Large tree cavities provide excellent shelter during cold months, but large stick nests of herons, hawks and crows will suffice. Great horned owls have been courting and establishing nest sites. Later in the month bird songs become quite noticeable as chickadees, tufted titmouse and cardinals join in the chorus. Februaryĭaylight lengthens and the deep silence of winter is broken by the mournful call of mourning doves as the first spring bird songs now begin. Listen for their deep, booming "HOO HOO-HOO HOO HOO" calls at night. Great horned owls are very active in January, searching for a mate, building a nest, or incubating eggs. Red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks hunt fields and forest edges and sleek cooper's hawks are energetically on the hunt for songbirds. Roving flocks of American robins and cedar waxwings brighten gray skies as they descend upon fruiting trees and shrubs, gobbling up calories for long, cold nights. ![]() Hemlocks, pines and spruces - provide food and shelter for purple and house finches that may be joined by very rare evening grosbeaks or red crossbills. American goldfinches and pine siskins may be joined by the rare common redpoll at thistle feeders. ![]() Nature center’s bird feeding stations are alive with chickadees, cardinals, sparrows, titmice, nuthatches and the infamous "Snowbird" - the dark-eyed junco. You may not think of January as a great time for seeking birds, but deep snow, ice, and crisp cold is no match for wintering finches, owls, waterfowl, and songbirds. ![]()
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