Ten Places to See Migratory Birds in Cleveland Metroaprks
APT at Euclid Beach, Euclid Creek Reservation
Euclid Beach is a great place for birds to stop and fuel up before crossing the expansive Lake Erie, making it a hotspot for a variety of species. Start at Wildwood Shelter to visit the beautiful marsh that is known to harbor black-crowned night-heron, then follow the path along Euclid Creek until it empties into Lake Erie. Continue along the shore of the lake, where you are sure to see everything from warblers to spectacular waterfowl.
Wendy Park & Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, Lakefront Reservation
Visiting a green space along the lakeshore is a great spot to find migratory birds. Both Wendy Park and Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve are excellent destinations to look for warblers, sparrows, and other migratory birds. The migrating birds are stopping to rest among the trees and shrubs before continuing their commute north to Canada across Lake Erie.
Lake Isaac Loop, Big Creek Reservation
Lake Isaac Waterfowl Sanctuary is a gorgeous space to see birds on their migratory journeys. Start at the Lake-to-Lake Trailhead at Lake Isaac travel north along the boardwalk. After enjoying the view of Lake Isaac from the boardwalk, follow the natural surface trail to find a roughly 1-mile loop that terminates back at the boardwalk.
Jackson Field, South Chagrin Reservation
Visiting Jackson Field provides an excellent spot for bird enthusiasts of any experience level to savor the fields and forests along the Chagrin River. Naturalist-led bird walks take place at Jackson Field from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the last Wednesday of most months throughout the year. Join us to see what species you can spot!
Huntington Reservation
Huntington Reservation offers an incredible diversity of birds as they pause here before continuing their migration north over Lake Erie. Find warblers flitting among the treetops where meadow meets forest alongside the Porter Creek trail. View waterfowl from the high bluffs near the picnic area or take a walk along the shoreline of Huntington Beach to admire gulls, diving ducks, grebes, and loons. Birders of all levels will appreciate a trip to this reservation.
Wildlife Management Trail, Rocky River Reservation
This flat woodland trail travels away from the busy road and parking lot, making it the perfect spot to find migratory songbirds. View warblers high up in the canopy, find thrushes and sparrows among the dense vegetation near the ground, and listen for the distinct call of the Red-winged Blackbird where the trail runs through wetland habitat. Connect to this 1.5-mile level trail via Shepard Lane Trail or the West Channel Pond Loop by Rocky River Nature Center.
Lily Lagoon Loop, North Chagrin Reservation
The Oxbow Lagoon across from Squire's Castle is a magnet for warblers, wood ducks and purple martins. Explore the surrounding meadows, riparian woodlands, and the rustic boardwalk for a wide variety of migratory birds.
Bunns Lake Loop, Bradley Woods Reservation
Explore Cleveland Metroparks only swamp forest to find returning migratory waterfowl. Keep your feet dry on this half mile paved loop that surrounds Bunns Lake, where ducks, geese and herons are plentiful.
North Chagrin Nature Center, North Chagrin Reservation
North Chagrin Nature Center is an excellent destination for bird enthusiasts of any experience level to savor the woods and wetlands surrounding the nature center. Naturalist-led, ADA-accessible bird walks take place here from 9 to 10 a.m. on the third Sunday of most months throughout the year.
Scranton Flats, Lakefront Reservation
Walk along the Cuyahoga River on the northern most part of the Towpath Trail. The area known as the Scranton Flats is a great spot to look for a variety of birds. You can look under the Lorain Carnegie Bridge for the nesting box of a pair of peregrine falcons, scan the river for any interesting shorebirds, or search the shrubs and talk grasses for other migratory birds.
