Yellow Warblers, like the one pictured above, are among the many bird species that migrate through our region. Photo: Suzy Horvath.
With winter just around the corner, chances are you’ve started your annual traditions to prepare for the colder weather, like pulling winter coats out of the closet and turning on the furnace.
But the falling temperatures through autumn and winter also bring another seasonal tradition in the Cleveland area: millions of migrating birds.
Northern Ohio is a key spot in hundreds of bird species’ migration patterns as they flee the cold northern regions for the warmth of the south. While spring migration in our region is legendary in the birding community, our ecosystems and climate make the area an ideal rest stop for birds traveling thousands of miles throughout the autumn and winter months, too. We also host a few northern visitors during the winter as they escape the subzero temperatures of the tundra and Arctic, making the colder months a great time to do some birding in Cleveland.
Killdeer, like the one pictured above, are among the bird species that stop in Northern Ohio during fall migration. Photo: Suzy Horvath.
Fall migrations typically start in late July and August, as temperatures further north begin dropping. Cleveland usually sees a peak in fall migration around September and October as many species fly through our area and use our natural areas to rest and eat after making the journey across Lake Erie. We also see migrations in late autumn and early winter, as Arctic birds have finally had enough of the chilliest temperatures and escape to our comparatively warmer region. These birds will ride out the winter with us before returning to their breeding grounds in the spring. And all the birds that made the trip south in the autumn begin to make their way back to their summer homes in the north between March and June.
So, what species can you expect to see migrating through our region this season? It all depends on timing.
The Red-winged Blackbird is another species birders can spot during fall migration. Photo: Suzy Horvath.
Different species arrive at different times through late July through December. Shorebirds usually kick off migration mania in July and August as they are some of the first to flee to the south. Birds that spend the summer in Cleveland, like Yellow Warblers and American Redstarts, also generally start leaving in August through October as our temperatures dip further. Warbler migration peaks in September, followed by sparrows in October. These months are usually best for observing many different species as they pass through, but new birds do continue to arrive in later in the year.
Waterbirds, like the Horned Grebe pictured above, continue to migrate through our region in the colder months.
Birds like Tundra Swans, Horned Grebes, and other waterbirds are still migrating through our region as the cold weather continues in November and December. Wintering species also arrive, but the cold is nothing these birds can’t handle. American Tree Sparrows and Snow Buntings make their appearances in November, and Common Goldeneyes arrive for the winter in December. A few lucky birders may even catch a glimpse of a rare Snowy Owl as they begin to arrive from their Arctic breeding grounds in time for the holidays.
Wood Ducks, like the one above, are also among the species birders might glimpse later in the migration season. Photo: Suzy Horvath.
Most of the birds migrating through the Cleveland area travel during the night. That means during the day, they need to rest, eat, and recharge to continue on their long journeys. The natural areas of our region offer them the opportunity to do just that—especially along the coast of Lake Erie and in our wetlands and marshes. These areas are home to a variety of insects and plants that birds love to feed on, while vegetation and trees offer shelter from predators, especially for young birds making their first migration.
Did you know?
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Natural Areas provide 12,500 acres of protected habitat for these birds, including Mentor Marsh and the North Kingsville Sand Barrens. Both areas are stops on the Lake Erie Birding Trail, and give birds migrating and wintering in our area protected habitat. And, because these areas are open to the public, birders can see a variety of resident and non-resident bird species all year long. Plan a visit to Mentor Marsh or join one of our upcoming guided hikes!
Although bird migration is estimated to have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years, human development has made a significant impact on how many birds successfully migrate each year. One of the deadliest traps for birds in cities like Cleveland are windows, with collisions often leading to injury or death. When lights turn on in the evening, birds can become confused and try to fly through windows or fly in circles around buildings. However, there are actions we can take to reduce human impact on bird migration.
Programs such as Lights Out Cleveland, a local chapter of Ohio Lights Out, are working to make migration safer for birds by encouraging building owners to turn out the lights at night, especially during migration season. The program recruits volunteers to scour the ground in the mornings for birds that crashed overnight, rescuing birds for rehabilitation when possible. Other solutions, like bird-friendly glass and exterior lighting designed to minimize light pollution, can help to reduce collisions—and you can see examples of both in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s recently redesigned architecture. In addition to being enrolled in the Lights Out program, the Museum was instrumental in helping to get a Lights Out program established in Cleveland.
Interested in learning more about birding and migration? Migration season is a perfect time to see plenty of birds in our region and explore the natural areas where they stopover. The Museum hosts plenty of events to help you get involved and excited about birding, including nature hikes in our Natural Areas and the annual Christmas Bird Count at Mentor Marsh. And, even if you’re not into going birding in the cold, you can still help migratory birds by turning out your lights every night so they can safely pass through our area and onto their warmer days ahead.
