Young Bald Eagle being rehabilitated at Lake Metroparks Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center

Photo by MaryBeth Joeright - Read story in The News-Herald

A young Bald Eagle from this year's hatch was found injured along the Lake Erie shoreline in eastern Lake County late June 2011.  The Lake Metroparks ranger department was contacted and they successfully rescued the eagle, bringing it to the wildlife Center.

The injury was a broken humorous in the right wing.  Surgery was performed by a veterinarian who inserted a pin and two wires to help stabilize the bone in the wing.  Prognosis is good following another trip to the vet last week where an x-ray showed the bone was healing well.  The vet is very hopeful the eagle will fully recover and be able to fly again.

The eagle will undergo a couple months of rehabilitation to strengthen the wing before it is released back into its natural habitat.  The eagle will join the more than 54% of successful releases the center has had in the past year.

Video of the Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle vitals:
9 lbs
4 ft tall w/tail
7 ft wingspan

Diet: Loves fish and mice

Young Bald Eagle being rehabilitated at Lake Metroparks Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center

 

For more information about the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center, click here.

Stand-up Paddle Boarding – The Latest Aquatic Workout

Written by Andrea Pasquale, Lake Metroparks Recreation Specialist

Developed in the Hawaiian Islands, this sport combines the thrill of being on the open water with a core workout no other paddle sport can provide.  Surfers who were tired of laying flat on the board designed larger more stable boards that allow riders to stand up and use a long paddle. Like other surf sports, finding your balance is the challenge, but once you get it the sport becomes intensely addictive.  

Moving from prone to upright allows the participant a better view both across and down into the water.
Proper technique requires correct hand placement on the paddle and torso rotation to engage large core muscles rather than just your arms. Without torso rotation, arms tire faster and a less efficient stroke results. Foot placement is important for balance on the board: position feet parallel, shoulder width apart, mid-board, not too far forward or back. Knees are slightly bent and flexible with weight shifting at the hips, not the head. Don’t look at your feet because the sport’s best attribute is the out-“standing” view while gliding
on water!  

At Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, Lake Metroparks has four boards for rent. You can take a class to get a few pointers before you go out on your own. This is the fastest growing water sport around, so don’t be left on the beach – get out and try it!

Basic paddleboard classes are offered Saturdays at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park between now and August 27. Class is $15 including rental. Registration is required. 

Click here for more information on this and other boating classes. 

Rentals are available at the beach from 10:30 am – 8 pm every day for $10 per hour.

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park named one of Lake Erie's seven best beaches

Fairport Harbor beachgoers take a swing before their swim.
Photo by John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

The beach at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park was named one of Lake Erie's 7 best beaches by The Plain Dealer.  Travel writer Susan Glaser wrote the following in her article Lake Erie's 7 best beaches are calling.

Located across the Grand River from Headlands Beach, Fairport Harbor’s public strand is protected by a breakwall, which calms the waters and makes this a perfect spot for families with young kids. 

It’s also the perfect spot to bring Spot — it’s one of a handful of public beaches in Ohio that allow dogs (the doggie swim area is at the far eastern end of the beach). Other amenities include volleyball courts, a playground, kayak and paddleboard rentals. The Lake Metroparks also offer sailing, paddleboard, kayak and jet ski lessons.

Parking is $2 for Lake County residents, $3 for nonresidents.

Lifeguards: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.

Concession stand: Yes.

Nearby: Climb to the top of the 60-foot lighthouse for lovely views, then check local maritime history inside the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum at the mouth of the Grand River. The museum is open 1-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays; admission is $4 for adults, $2 ages 6-12. Information: www.ncweb.com/org/fhlh.

Staying overnight: Nearby Painesville offers a trio of bed-and-breakfast inns: Fitzgerald’s Irish Bed and Breakfast, Rider’s Inn, and Bank Street Bed and Breakfast. For a longer stay, consider renting a home in Fairport Harbor (fairportharbor.org).


Getting there: Take I-90 east to Ohio 2 east to the Fairport Harbor/Richmond Street exit. Head north on Richmond Street, turn right on High Street and continue to the beach entrance, about 35 minutes from downtown Cleveland.


Information: http://bit.ly/lmp_fhlp  or 440-639-9972.