The Shoreline Stopover

Photo by Jeff Traipale

A Place to Relax & Recharge 

by Ann Bugeda, Chief of Interpretive Services

Fall skies, shorter days, cooling temperatures and winds from the north trigger the ongoing cycle of migration. It’s true—bird populations are in movement year round—changing seasons alert us to the passage of many species on their southbound journey. Eagles, ducks, hawks, swans, falcons, shorebirds, songbirds— all moving from summer places to wintering grounds.

One of the best places to witness fall migration is along our lakeshore. If I had to pick my favorite for migration watching on a fall day, I would pick Lake Erie Bluffs. Improvements to this park include a new trail and shelter that provide great opportunities to relax, walk, enjoy the view and share space with the tiny travelers of fall migration. The variety of habitat and natural beach are relaxing to us and important for the local wildlife. Other scenic shoreline Lake Metroparks sites east to west are Arcola Creek Park in Madison Township, Lake Shore Reservation in North Perry Village, Painesville Township Park in Painesville Township, Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park in Fairport Harbor and Lakefront Lodge in Willowick.

Photos by John Pogacnik, Biologist

During the late summer and fall, many birds that nested and raised their young in Ohio and farther north (like New England and Canada) begin to feel the urge to move. These birds will soon journey to warmer climates, enjoying abundant food supplies and milder temperatures.

Many kinds of songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, hawks and falcons navigate along Lake Erie’s coast—some even fly non-stop from Canada, out and over Lake Erie’s open water. Some rely on the updrafts of warm air currents created by elevation changes along our coastlines and ridges where rising warm air provides a boost for soaring. Some travel only at night, when the weather is calm and there is less danger of predation.

Photos by John Pogacnik, Biologist

When we travel from home for work or vacation, it’s likely we will need to stop for food or fuel. The same thing is true with animals in migration. Green spaces like Lake Erie Bluffs, provide valuable “stopover” habitat. Food (including insects, fall fruits or nectar sources) and shelter (trees, shrubs and grassy spaces) are essential. It’s not exactly a cheeseburger and fries, but without a place to rest and refuel, many will have a difficult time on their journey.

If you visit the lakeshore in September, smaller birds like hummingbirds and warblers will be passing through. By October, sparrows are on the move, and turkey vultures can be seen drifting southbound. By mid October, ducks will start to gather on inland lakes and ponds like Granger Pond at Veterans Park in Mentor.

November brings chilly north winds, when tundra swans pass; listen for their wild and beautiful calls with the first real cold front. Loons and other diving birds can be spotted on the open waters of Lake Erie. From November  through April, thousands of red-breasted mergansers gather in Lake Erie. Up to 150,000 or more birds may be present during the winter months, a large percent of their entire population. They fly back and forth, diving and fishing and following the open water as the lake begins to freeze. The near total ice coverage of the lake these past two winters made for difficult conditions for them (as well as us!). Remembering last winter reminds us that now is the time to enjoy a fall walk, some lake watching and nature in all its glory.

Photo by Greennite

Can people benefit from feeding the birds?

 

Winter Bird Open House

Penitentiary Glen Reservation
Sunday, January 26, 2014 • 12 to 4 pm • FREE

 

Feeding and watching the birds in your yard are great ways to “connect with nature.” Spend a cozy winter afternoon at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center learning all about winter birds.

 

The Winter Bird Open House features free, fun activities for the whole family! Relax with a hot drink, watch the birds at our feeders in the award-winning Window on Wildlife and ask a Naturalist all your bird and bird feeding questions. Chat with us about which types of feed specific birds like, the different styles of birdfeeders, the ins and outs of binoculars, and identifying the Top Ten Birds in your backyard this winter.

Ongoing activities

•Short presentations on common winter birds
•Learn about Binoculars, Feeders, and Bird field guides
•Bird Scavenger Hunts and quizzes
•Help us count the birds at our feeders for Project FeederWatch
•Drawing for FREE bird-related items
•Local Audubon Society display

 

Click here for directions and a listing of additional activities to do while visiting Penitentiary Glen Reservation.



Walk the stalk: Wind your way through the three-acre corn maze at Farmpark

 

Do you have a good sense of direction?  Here’s a chance to test your skill as you ”walk the stalk” through a multitude of twists and turns through a three-acre corn maze at Lake Metroparks Farmpark.   Trivia questions are posted throughout the maze to help guide you along the way. Answer the questions correctly and you will proceed on the correct path.  Outside the main entrance to the maze is a kids play area. Take pictures of your children throughout the maze and in the farm-themed character cutouts and tag Lake.Metroparks on Facebook and @Lake_Metroparks on Twitter.

 

The three-acre corn maze at Farmpark is open 11 am to 4 pm daily through October 13, weather and field conditions permitting.  To check the conditions of the maze call Farmpark at 440-256-2122 or 800-366-FARM.

 

The corn maze is included with regular daytime Farmpark admission.   Admission to Lake Metroparks Farmpark is $6 for ages 12 to 59; Seniors 60 and over, $5; for youth 2 to 11, $4; children under 2 and Farmpark members are free.

 

The corn maze is also included with admission to the following events at Farmpark:

• Lake Metroparks Senior Day (September 12)
• Village Peddler Festival (September 14 & 15)
• Fall Harvest Festival (September 21 & 22)
• Barnyard BBQ Bash (October 5)
• Corn and Pumpkin Harvest Weekend (October 12 & 13)

The maze will be open weather and conditions permitting.



Have you ever seen a Queen snake?

Queen snake

The Queen snake is a small, harmless snake that lives along rocky ponds and rivers, including the Grand River in Lake County.  They have the most specialized diet of any snake in Ohio, eating only crayfish.  These have become uncommon in Ohio, and they are protected as a Species of Concern. 

River Jamboree

Hidden Valley Park

Sunday, July 14 • 1 to 4 pm

To learn more about Queen snakes and the other reptiles and amphibians that live in the Grand River, swim, hop or slither down to the river at Lake Metroparks' annual River Jamboree. This year we will get up-close and personal with some of the Grand River’s more intimidating creatures: snakes, turtles, frogs and salamanders.

Head down to the river to look for

• Northern Water Snake
• Snapping Turtle
• Green Frog
• Bullfrog
• Pickerel Frog

Other activities:

• Live reptile and amphibians on display
• Get your feet wet on a guided search to find wild snakes, frogs and more
• Reptile and amphibian related games and activities
• Receive a FREE reptile or amphibian guide
• FREE Public Access of Waterways (Rivers edition) 
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Admission

Admission is free. Pre-registration is required. 

Cick here to register online or call registration at 

440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.

Wildlife Center caring for orphaned bobcat

This cute 3-week-old bobcat is receiving care by
wildlife specialists at Lake Metroparks Wildlife Center.

On May 13, the Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife (DOW) contacted the Lake Metroparks Wildlife Center to arrange care for this orphaned bobcat. It was found by the side of a road in Athens, Ohio (southeast of Columbus) not far from a dead female bobcat. DOW transported the baby bobcat to the Wildlife Center on May 14.

"That ODNR Division of Wildlife would choose to entrust care of this orphaned bobcat to Lake Metroparks demonstrates confidence in our Wildlife Center," notes Paul Palagyi, Lake Metroparks Executive Director. "This affirms the Center's excellent reputation and the high level of care that our professional, educated and experienced staff provides."

A local veterinarian performed a full physical exam on the animal and determined he was fairly healthy except for being slightly malnourished and needing treatment for parasites. Wildlife Center staff anticipate to remedy both conditions. The bobcat is fed formula every two hours for 16 hours a day and making steady improvement. Young bobcats can survive alone in the wild around six to nine months of age. The goal is to release the bobcat back into a suitable habitat as determined by the DOW sometime this fall.

The bobcat is a native, threatened species in Ohio, and is very rarely seen. For more bobcat facts from ODNR, click here.

Lake Metroparks celebrates Earth Day

Lake Metroparks Farmpark and Penitentiary Glen Reservation

Sunday, April 21 • Noon to 4 pm 

We are all responsible for caring for our natural environment. This has been the concept of Earth Day since its beginning in 1970.  Lake Metroparks continues that focus with its Earth Day events to celebrate our successes that help the Earth, and make a commitment to learn and use new ways to make our planet a healthier place.  

LAKE METROPARKS FARMPARK

Discover earth-friendly ways to make an earth-friendly difference at home. You can learn how to start your own garden compost, investigate new ways to conserve energy at home, and how alternative energy works. Enjoy a family day in the country with fun games and crafts for the kids. 

• Check out the high gas mileage and electric micro SMART USA that embodies innovation and efficiency.
• Discover how we harness solar and wind power at our renewable energy display
• Interact with with local conservation agencies at an eco-fair.
  
• Bring your bike to Farmpark for a Children's Bike Safety Clinic (noon to 2 pm)

FREE admission for Lake County residents and Farmpark members (Valid ID required)

PENITENTIARY GLEN RESERVATION

Discover what you can do to help the environment and learn valuable tips as you participate in hands-on activities during this free Earth Day event that features:

• ECO-FAIR, where you can interact with representatives from 16 local agencies, organizations, and groups focused on conservation and the environment.
• Did you know that Earth without Art is just “Eh”? Learn more as you help make this craft. Artwork will be pieced together to be displayed in the Nature Center in the near future.
• Take a walk on the new I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TRAIL, a self guided with informative and fun stations geared towards learning what you can do to help the environment. A free tree sapling will be given to those who complete the trail.
• Visitors can help paint a rain barrel using the pointillism technique. The winner of a free drawing gets to take the rain barrel home!
• Meet native Ohio wildlife in our Wildlife Center yard and along the train line. A naturalist will share interesting animal stories and answer questions in the Wildlife Center yard.
• Haircut-a-thon – Ladies & Gentlemen Salon & Spa will be on site to give $10 haircuts, first-come, first-served. The money raised will benefit Penitentiary Glen Nature Center.
• WELW 1330 AM will be on site for your entertainment.
• Explore nature in the park – self-guided on our trail system (some trails suitable for strollers).
• Ride the miniature trains provided by the Lake Shore Live Steamers between 1 and 3 pm, weather permitting.

Click here for more information about Earth Day activities at both parks.

Deer exclosure at Veterans Park

If you have driven past Veterans Park on Hopkins Road recently, you probably have noticed a large fenced area in the woods adjacent to the parking lot. This 10 x 20-meter structure is a deer exclosure, one of seven that are monitored by Lake Metroparks throughout the county. This area was selected after so many of the mature trees were taken down by the devastating winds of Hurricane Sandy.

If you are looking for a white-tailed deer inside the exclosure, you won’t see one. The space is designed to keep deer out to monitor the plants inside versus the plants on the outside. this will provide an index of what the impact of browse is by the white-tailed deer on that plant community.

The deer exclosure will have an important interpretive value to the public as, literally, they will see the structure from the parking lot and learn from it what impact it has on protecting the plant life within.

A small deer herd only makes a small impact, but too many deer consume the seeds of a forest’s future growth. Over time, these impacts create a visible browse line in the forest (see above).

Tom Adair, Parks Services Director, in an interview on the "Around Town" program on Mentor TV, said with the elimination of plant life, we will see a related loss or decrease in the diversity of insect life, bird life and mammal life as it relates to Veterans Park.

"Lake Metroparks has monitored the growth of white trillium in this area over the past 10 to 15 years and we have records that showed us that there were over 1,000 white trillium on a small plot, a 10' x 10' area," said Adair. "That site within the past two to three years has yielded no more than a dozen white trillium."

Plants inside the fenced area at Veterans Park are now protected from deer. Over time, this will show us how a healthy forest in Northeast Ohio can recover.

Click here to watch the video. The deer exclosure is the first segment of the program.