Can you imagine a flock of a million birds, darkening the sky for days?

Celebrate the legacy of the passenger pigeon

 

The passenger pigeon, a bird found only in eastern North America, was the most numerous bird encountered by America’s first settlers. About the size of a mourning dove, they lived in social colonies and traveled in huge flocks that were said to darken the skies for up to three days. Our uncut forests provided food like beech nuts and acorns, and nesting sites for huge congregations.

 

This September marks the 100^th anniversary of the extinction of the passenger pigeon, when Martha, the last of her kind, died at the Cincinnati Zoo. But before Martha, billions of birds declined over a brief few decades. Nearly every nesting colony was disrupted and market hunting for commerce and sport was relentless.

 

No one could imagine that such an abundance of life could disappear.

 

Since the seemingly impossible loss of the passenger pigeon, the concepts of wildlife conservation and land stewardship have become important tools. Protecting all wildlife and diverse landscapes assures that other populations, abundant and rare, remain healthy—that is the legacy of the passenger pigeon.

 

Join us this Sunday for an afternoon of free family-friendly activities that celebrate the legacy of this bird.
 

Passing of the Pigeon Open House
Penitentiary Glen Nature Center
Sunday, September 28 • Noon to 4 pm

Open House activities

• Take a little walk to find clues about the story of this once abundant bird
• See an actual Passenger Pigeon taxidermy mount
• Fold an origami passenger pigeon to add to the Nature Center’s Flock of 200 birds
  (or take it home )
• Meet our Mystery Guest Time Traveler from the late 1800’s
• Check out the 10 display panels tracing the Passenger Pigeon in America
• Make and take a kid friendly coloring page
• Watch a short presentation “The Passing of the Pigeon”
• Meet friends from Blackbrook Audubon society
• Enjoy train rides presented by the Lake Shore Live Steamers, 1 – 3 pm weather permitting

 

Things to do at Penitentiary Glen Reservation

 

Discover the sights and sounds of wildlife at the interactive Nature Calls exhibit.

 

Watch and listen to birds and other wildlife through the Window on Wildlife.

 

Enjoy the fall art show: “Nature from Three Perspectives."

Discover the nature of art from a feminine perspective in this multi-media show featuring Jaymi Zents, Britta Franz and Lisa Ruschman; three talented local artists, each with her own unique interpretation of the world around us. From lush floral and Italian Renaissance-inspired figures, to modern mosaics and more, this show is a journey of creative expression you won’t want to miss.

 

Browse the nature-themed gifts at The Nature Store, a great resource for bird feeders, t-shirts, field guides, toys, children’s books and more.

 

Visit native Ohio wildlife ambassadors in and around the Wildlife Center.

 

Hike more than 8.5 miles of scenic trails, discover the beautiful butterfly gardens or enjoy a leisurely picnic on the grounds of Penitentiary Glen Reservation.

Directions

Take I-90 to Rt. 306 south for about one mile. Turn left onto Rt. 615. Turn right (east) onto Kirtland-Chardon Road and continue for two miles. Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located on the right (south) side of the road.