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Virtual Field Trip Report To Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve October 2020
Virtual Field Trip Report To Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve October 2020
• Chestnut-sided • Black-throated
Warbler Green Warbler
• Blackpoll Warbler • Wilson's Warbler
• Black-throated Blue • Red-winged
Warbler
Blackbird
• Palm Warbler
• Northern Cardinal
• American Redstart
• Indigo Bunting
• Yellow-rumped
Warbler • Northern Saw-whet
Owl (seen at
Gordon Park)
Photo: White-throated Sparrows at CLNP by Michelle Brosius Photo: House Finch at CLNP by Michelle Brosius
Michelle Brosius (cont.)
Photo: White-throated Sparrow at CLNP by Michelle Brosius Photo: White-throated and two White-crowned Sparrows at CLNP by
Michelle Brosius
Michelle Brosius (cont.)
Photo: Yellow-rumped Warbler at CLNP by Michelle Brosius Photo: White-crowned Sparrows at CLNP by Michelle Brosius
Michelle Brosius (cont.)
Photo: Blue Jay by Shaun Missig Photo: Double-crested Cormorant by Shaun Missig
Shaun Missig (cont.)
Down the path further I started to hear what
sounded like chirping from a cardinal. I walked
towards the sound and quickly discovered a
chipmunk perched on a log at the perfect spot
to amplify its chirping. He didn’t seem to want
his picture taken but I had snapped a few shots
before he ran off in embarrassment. As with
the previous day, the Monarch and Northern
Harrier trails provided the most wildlife. I
finally started to see sparrows and kinglets
again, along with a juvenile Robin, and a very
photogenic Red-bellied Woodpecker. The
woodpecker was flying from tree to tree and
would stop every now and again to eat some of
the dark colored berries that were still left on
some of the trees. As I made my way around
the remaining trails, there wasn’t much
happening and I decided to leave. On my way
out I did see a wren off the path, but it escaped
me and my camera.
Photos: Juvenile American Robin (top), Chipmunk (middle), and Red-bellied Woodpecker
(bottom) by Shaun Missig
Shaun Missig (cont.)
Before this trip, I didn’t even know this area existed. I was happy to learn of this location and I will be
making many trips here in the future. I enjoyed my visits and all the wildlife I found, despite the weather • Blue Jay
not being favorable.
• White-tailed Deer (Buck
and Does)
• Chipmunk
• Double-crested
Cormorant
• Golden-crowned Kinglet
• American Robin
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Northern Saw-whet Owl
• Song Sparrow
• Seagull
Photos: Red-bellied Woodpecker at CLNP by Shaun Missig
• Wren
Nancy Howell
79 Species
The property is being managed by The Port with assistance from the Cleveland
Metroparks. Invasive and non-native species are in the process of being removed, a
process which will take many years.
The 88 acres is rich in bird life and it was a wonderful place for the October Virtual
Field Trip as migrant songbirds utilize the area heavily - thrushes, vireos, warblers,
kinglets, sparrows, and more can be found. Michelle Brosius’ choice for the virtual field
trip AND another rare bird, the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Okay Michelle, what rarity
will be next month?
I was able to visit CLNP 7 times during October. Each visit held wonderful sightings as
well as adding to the warblers for the Fall Warbler Challenge. All visits to Cleveland
Lakefront Nature Preserve are listed on eBird. The 79 species tallied during the 7 visits
is great.
Photo: Perimeter Trail at CLNP by Michelle Brosius
Nancy Howell (cont.)
October 5, 2020 - 58 species. With wooded areas, fields and
Lake Erie, the species ran the gamut of waterfowl to warblers
to sparrows and more. Canada Geese, Mallard, Ring-billed
Gull, and Double-crested Cormorant made up the species
that were on the lake. With varied habitat one also can get a
variety of raptors and this day provided Bald Eagle and
Cooper’s Hawk. Migrant time - Yellow-bellied Sapsucker were
sighted, the first of the fall for me. Lots of Northern (Yellow-
shafted) Flickers were moving through the area and it seems
CLNP is an area they like. Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireo
along with Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets
were among the migrants. Here’s more - Red-breasted
Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Marsh Wren and Swainson’s
Thrush. Sparrows enjoy the property as well and today was a
day for Chipping, Field, White-crowned, White-throated,
Savannah, Song, Lincoln’s, and Swamp Sparrows, along with
Dark-eyed Junco and Eastern Towhee. Thirteen warblers
species were found - Tennessee, Orange-crowned, Nashville,
Magnolia, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Yellow, Palm, Black-
throated Green and Wilson’s Warblers along with Common
Yellowthroat, American Redstart and Northern Parula.
Oct. 11, 2020 - 51 species. Lake Erie waterbirds were about the same as previous
reports, but a Great Black-backed Gull was sighted on the breakwall. An Osprey as well
as Bald Eagle skirted the shoreline. Again, Northern Flickers in good numbers. Nice to
have Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos sighted. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were twice as
numerous as Golden-crowns. Brown Creeper, Winter Wren a few Gray Catbirds, both
Swainson’s and Hermit Thrush as well as Pine Siskins were noted. Once again a good
variety of sparrow species, this time with more White-crowned than White-throated
Photo: Yellow-rumped Warbler at CLNP by Tom Fishburn Sparrows. Both were in double digit numbers. A bit of an uptick in warblers with
Tennessee, Nashville, Magnolia, Bay-breasted, Palm, Yellow-rumped and Black-throated
Green as well as Common Yellowthroat being sighted. Yellow-rumps were everywhere!
Nancy Howell (cont.)
Oct. 18, 2020 - 30 species. As you may note the number of species
was down from the previous week. Weather was not as good and
birds may have been a bit more reluctant to be seen. A Red-
shouldered Hawk was a good sighting and only one Northern Flicker
today! Ruby-crowned Kinglets were low in number (no Golden-
crowns today). Winter Wren and Hermit Thrush numbers were up
and I was surprised to see a couple of Gray Catbirds. This day the
White-throated Sparrows outdid the White-crowned Sparrows in
numbers by nearly 2:1. Warbler species are dropping as we are
nearing the end of the main warbler migration. Nashville, Yellow-
rumped (still in good numbers) and Common Yellowthroat were all
that were found.
Oct. 21, 2020 - 37 species. Despite the wind, overcast skies, and
heavy drizzle part of the day, the birds were still out and about. Nice
to see a Bald Eagle and a Red-shouldered Hawk. Still had a couple of
Eastern Phoebes, a Blue-headed Vireo, more Ruby-crowned Kinglets
than Golden-crowns, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, and
Hermit Thrush. The number of White-crowned and White-throated
Sparrows were almost neck and neck. A good find was a Vesper
Sparrow among many Song Sparrows. Wait, what? A bit of an
increase in warblers .... it’s getting late guys. Sighted were Orange-
crowned, Nashville, Palm, lots of Yellow-rumps, Black-throated
Green and Wilson’s. Had to add information on eBird on the Wilson’s
due to it being a rarity at this time of the year. It was unmistakable. Photo: White-throated Sparrow at CLNP by Tom Fishburn
Nancy Howell (cont.)
Oct. 25, 2020 - 45 species. Late October, overcast, cool day yet the
birding was good. Sparrows making a great appearance along with
other good finds. Waterfowl, gulls, cormorants - yup, Lake Erie
produced nice things including a Great Black-backed Gull on the
water and 150 Double-crested Cormorants flying over. Don’t see
Belted Kingfisher often, but one was hunting in a cove where there
were fewer waves. Two raptors today - Bald Eagle and Cooper’s
Hawk. Still finding Blue-headed Vireo, Ruby-crowned and Golden-
crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and many Winter
Wrens. At first I thought the same wren was following me and
popping out along the trail again and again. Still located a Gray
Catbird and several Hermit Thrush. More American Goldfinch
today than other days visiting. Sparrows were numerous (I know I
undercounted the number of Junco, White-throat’s, White-crown’s
and Song’s.) Chipping, Field, Fox, White-crowned topped White-
throated, Song, Lincoln’s, Swamp as well as lots of Dark-eyed Junco
and a few Eastern Towhee. Didn’t anticipate a lot of warbler
variety - surprise! While only 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers were
seen, so was a Tennessee and a Black-throated Green Warbler. The
last 2 are rare at this time of year at the CLNP so eBird needed
verification which was provided.
Photo: Winter Wren at CLNP by Tom Fishburn
Nancy Howell (cont.)
Oct. 30, 2020 - 30 species. I hadn’t planned on heading out to CLNP
but with the reports that the Northern Saw-whet Owl was there, I had
to see it and while at the Nature Preserve, take a walk. It was a raw
weather afternoon with heavy, overcast skies, sprinkles and sleet, and
wind. Dressing appropriately is the key. One of the first birds sighted
were the Wild Turkeys actually on an adjacent property, but still
counted on my eBird sighting. Lots of Dark-eyed Juncos and a mix of
other sparrows, were in the short grass along the drive and parking
area. Sparrows included Song, Chipping, White-throated and White-
crowned. Yes, in high in one of the pines along the wood chip path
perched the Northern Saw-whet Owl seemingly unconcerned about
the people walking beneath it or the wind. Yay! Being out in the
afternoon with the weather conditions I was pleased to find many of
the “regulars”. Lots of Ring-billed Gulls along with a few Herring Gulls
and Double-crested Cormorants plied Lake Erie’s choppy water. An
adult Bald Eagle flew over early in my walk and a Red-shouldered
Hawk was sighted later. I don’t think in all of my other visits that I had
Great Blue Heron until today. An equal number of Golden-crowned
and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were tallied, but only singles of Winter
Wren, Hermit Thrush, and Pine Siskin. Sparrows in the Preserve
included Field Sparrow, a few more Juncos, more White-crowned than
White-throated Sparrows, and even Song Sparrows outnumbered
White-throats. Just a few Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen.
Photo: Northern Saw-whet Owl at CLNP by Tom Fishburn
Nancy Howell (cont.)
• Canada Goose • Red-shouldered Hawk • Red-breasted Nuthatch • Cedar Waxwing
• Mallard • Northern Saw-whet Owl • White-breasted Nuthatch • House Sparrow
• Wild Turkey • Belted Kingfisher • Brown Creeper • House Finch
• Mourning Dove • Red-bellied Woodpecker • House Wren • Pine Siskin
• Chimney Swift • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker • Winter Wren • American Goldfinch
• Ring-billed Gull • Downy Woodpecker • Marsh Wren • Chipping Sparrow
• Herring Gull • Northern Flicker • Carolina Wren • Field Sparrow
• Great Black-backed Gull • Eastern Wood-Pewee • Golden-crowned Kinglet • Fox Sparrow
• Double-crested • Eastern Phoebe • Ruby-crowned Kinglet • Dark-eyed Junco
Cormorant
• Blue-headed Vireo • Swainson’s Thrush • White-crowned Sparrow
• Great Blue Heron
• Red-eyed Vireo • Hermit Thrush • White-throated Sparrow
• Turkey Vulture
• Blue Jay • American Robin • Vesper Sparrow
• Osprey
• Black-capped Chickadee • Gray Catbird • Savannah Sparrow
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Tufted Titmouse • Northern Mockingbird • Song Sparrow
• Bald Eagle
• European Starling
Nancy Howell (cont.)
• Lincoln’s Sparrow • Yellow Warbler
• Swamp Sparrow • Blackpoll Warbler
• Eastern Towhee • Palm Warbler
• Red-winged Blackbird • Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Myrtle)
• Rusty Blackbird
• Black-throated Green
• Tennessee Warbler
Warbler
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Wilson’s Warbler
• Nashville Warbler
• Northern Cardinal
• Common Yellowthroat
• Rose-breasted Grosbeak
• American Redstart
• Northern Parula
• Magnolia Warbler
• Bay-breasted Warbler
• Blackburnian
Warbler Photo: Nashville Warbler at CLNP by Tom Fishburn
Tom Fishburn
Tom visited CLNP FOUR times! October 5, 8, 13, & 27.
October 5. In the woods a Common Yellowthroat (warbler) paused long enough for a focused shot. Hermit Thrushes are migrating too.
Photo: Common Yellowthroat at CLNP by Tom Fishburn Photo: Hermit Thrush at CLNP by Tom Fishburn
Tom Fishburn (cont.)
What joy! A flurry of flickers were flying back and forth. The only Red-eyed Vireo I saw this day. The eye would be red in the right light
on an adult. This could be a young'n.
Photo: Northern Flicker at CLNP by Tom Fishburn Photo: Red-eyed Vireo at CLNP by Tom Fishburn
Tom Fishburn (cont.)
October 8. When I arrived on October 8th I heard the chatter as soon as I got out of my car. I quickly grabbed my camera and saw this
one high up in the pine. I WANTED to see this bird. High up in the pine - Red-breasted Nuthatch - there were several scurrying about
near the CLNP parking lot.
Photos: Field Sparrow at CLNP by Tom Fishburn Photos: Pine Siskin at CLNP by Tom Fishburn
Tom Fishburn (cont.)
A Palm Warbler gets settled. Only because it constantly pumped its tail I was able to identify this Palm Warbler myself.
Photo: White-crowned Sparrow by Tom Fishburn Photo: Cooper’s Hawk by Tom Fishburn
Tom Fishburn (cont.)
October 27. Amazing how Deb Sweeney spotted this Northern Saw-whet Owl 30 feet or more up in the pine. Jen Brumfield identified
this Red-necked Phalarope out aways in Lake Erie off the north-east corner of Dike 14.
Photo: Northern Saw-whet Owl by Tom Fishburn Photo: Red-necked Phalarope by Tom Fishburn
Thank you!
Mary Ann & John Henderson
Al Rand
Shaun Missig
Nancy Howell
Tom Fishburn
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