What Is An Important Bird Area?

Male Eastern bluebird - Photo by Maribeth Joeright

According to Audubon Ohio, if your heartbeat quickens a bit at the sight of a Baltimore Oriole or a Scarlet Tanager, you are on your way to understanding what an Important Bird Area (IBA) is. IBAs are sites where some of our favorite birds gather. They are places where birds find what they need to live-food, water, and a safe area to rest or raise young-things that provide good habitat. No doubt you can identify some good areas where you can find birds right now.

IBAs provide essential habitat for one or more species of birds and include sites that birds use during their nesting season, during the winter and/or while they are migrating. Usually these sites stand out as special from the surrounding landscape. 

 Did you know...

Three of our parks have been designated Important Bird Areas by Audubon Ohio for their role as breeding areas and places of rest and feeding during migration.  

• Chagrin River Park
  • Widest variety of birds during spring migration period
• Girdled Road Reservation
  • Excellent breeding bird area
• Hell Hollow Wilderness Area
  • Excellent breeding bird area

Click here for more information on birdwatching opportunities and programs offered by Lake Metroparks.

Goals Of The IBA Program In Ohio

The goal of the IBA program is to conserve the identified IBAs and protect bird populations.
To accomplish this, Audubon Ohio will:

1. Identify IBAs through a science-based nomination process;
2. Publicly dedicate sites and raise public-awareness of bird conservation;
3. Involve public and private participation in conservation planning on sites;
4. Provide public education and outreach about sites;
5. Encourage legislation that promotes IBAs and bird conservation.

Source: Audubon Ohio 

Join Lake Metroparks for Celebrating Birds at Chagrin River Park!

Saturday, May 14
1 - 4 pm

This event is open to everyone who birds or is curious about why birding is so appealing. This year we highlight the Eastern Bluebird and how people have helped its population recover by putting up and monitoring bluebird nesting boxes.