By Pat Morse, Retired Assistant Chief of Interpretive Services
What does it mean to be a birder? Birders come in all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities—but all have a common interest in birds. Many begin this lifelong activity simply by putting up a birdfeeder in their yard. Others may notice a hawk sitting along the highway on their way to work. Lake Metroparks is here to help you build on that interest by providing walks, classes and organized trips led by naturalist staff with years of birding experience and the love of sharing it with others.
Bird walks are one of the first organized activities people enjoyed in the early days of Lake Metroparks, and they continue to be popular with beginners as well as seasoned birders. We know that birding in a group gives us more eyes to see and more ears to hear a greater number of bird species. Situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, many of our parks are poised to welcome migrating birds every spring and fall, as well as provide natural foods and places to raise young for our year-round feathered residents. Dating back to the early 1980s, Lake Metroparks has participated in the regional Sunday Morning Bird Walk series, which takes place the last three Sundays in April and the first three Sundays in May every year, now hosted at Lake Erie Bluffs. Over the past several years, our staff has increased efforts to engage new birders in our programs by offering Birding Basics for Beginners, and family and children’s birding classes. This spring we have added a Junior Birding Expedition series for 8 to 12-year-olds that will meet once each season. Also new is Getting Started with eBird for those wanting to learn how to track their bird lists, contribute to scientific research, and explore the wide world of birding. More specific programs target certain areas of birds and birding and include Birding by Ear, Owl Prowl, Build a Bluebird Box, Woodcock Watch, Eagle Watch at the Pier and Birding Tips from the Tower. Lake Metroparks’ birding day trips have been popular for years, and for birders wanting a more in-depth experience they are a perfect next step. Traveling by bus gives our trip participants an opportunity to visit a variety of habitats and thus see a greater variety of bird species.
Birding is the perfect hobby—you can do it any season, anywhere, alone or with a group. It’s always fun and informative to spend time with others that also have a passion for birds. See you on the birding trail!