Western Cuyahoga

Audubon Society

May-July 2009

Ultrawalk to Kick Off Fourth Year of IBA Survey

By Tom Romito

Year Four of the five-year survey of

the Rocky River Important Bird Area is
about to get underway! The volunteers of the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society (WCAS) are planning,
preparing, training, and testing for the
survey, which begins in the last week
of May.

www.wcasohio.org

Kicking off this years survey is the

third annual Ultrawalk on Saturday,
May 23. For the third year in a row,
Stan Searles, Curator of Ornithology
and Aquatics at the Cleveland
Metroparks Zoo, and creator of the
Ultrawalk, will lead the 31-mile trek,
starting at 6:00 a.m. at Buzzards
Roost in Hinckley Reservation. I, Tom
Romito, President of WCAS, will walk
with him. Several other Audubon supporters have indicated their intent to
walk the distance as well.
By about 3:00 p.m. on May 23, the
Ultra-walkers will pass the Cleveland
Metropark Operations Building (Park
Ops) in Fairview. There, we expect a
large group of supporters to join the
walkers and accompany us on the last
five miles of the trek to the Emerald
Necklace Marina.
The purpose of the Ultrawalk is twofold. First, we want to raise public
awareness of the
Rocky River Important Bird Area,
which overlays
the Rocky River
Main and East
Branches. We
will do this by
passing though
several townships, including,
Hinckley, North
Liz Clingman, Mary Anne Romito, and Kathleen Tiburzi
(rear) hike up the All-Purpose Trail during the 2008
Ultrawalk

Ultrawalkers Stan Searles (left) and Tom Romito

lead the parade of walkers into the Emerald Necklace Marina In 2008

Royalton and Berea, then hit the AllPurpose Trail adjacent to Valley Parkway enroute to the marina in Lakewood.
Second, we want to raise funds to
support the IBA project. We are doing this by seeking pledges for the
miles we walk from our friends, relatives, and co-workers. I am also conducting speaking engagements this
spring to local community service organizations, such as Kiwanis clubs.
There, I am soliciting both pledges
and donations. We will use the funds
we raise to help pay the salary of our
IBA Coordinator, Diane Sigler.
Look for us on May 23. Better yet,
join us! If you want to walk with us,
either 31 miles or five miles, contact
one of our board members, whose
names and numbers are listed elsewhere in this newsletter.

Inside this issue:

Field trips

page 2 & 3

Programs

Page 4

Volunteer Opportunities

Page 5

Weeders in the Wild

Page 5

School Days at Edgewater

Page 5

Int. Migratory Bird Day

Page 6

Contact Us

Page 6

Take Action Page

Page 7

Field Trips
Sunday, May 31, 20098:00 AM...River Styx Park, Medina
Join us as we travel to River
Styx Medina County Park to
find warblers and more.
Dan Bertsch will be our leader.
Directions from Cleveland:
Take I-71 south to exit 218,
Route 18. Turn right, or west,
toward Medina. You will see a
large Goodwill sign on the left.
Turn left at River Styx Road
and remain on River Styx
Road. River Styx Park is a
short distance further, on the
right, in a dip in the road. If
you come to Blake Road, you
have gone too far.

Sunday, June 14, 2009...7:30 AM...Hampton Hills Park, CVNP

Mary Anne Romito will lead
this walk at Hampton Hills
Park in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We will
be looking for Yellowbreasted Chat and Alder
Flycatcher.
Directions: From the North,
take I-77 south to Ghent Rd.
Turn right onto Ghent Rd.
(the exit makes a big loop)
Take Ghent to Smith Rd.
Turn left on Smith Rd. Take
Smith Rd to Riverview Rd.
Turn left on Riverview Rd.
Then turn right on Bath Rd.
Then turn left on Akron Peninsula Rd. Hampton Hills
Park will be on the right.

Page 2

www.wcasohio.org

THE FEATHERED FLYER

Field Trips
Saturday, July 18...9:00 AM...Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
For our field trip we will meet at the brand new
Ottawa Visitor Center. We will drive 7 miles
through areas of the refuge which are usually
closed. At various spots we will stop to see
shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl and a variety of
other birds in a habitat reflective of the historic
Great Black Swamp. ONWR is about 90 miles
from Cleveland. If you would like to share a ride,
call Penny OConnor (216) 676-4859
E-mail: [email protected]

Directions:
From Cleveland. Take Rt. 2 west past Sandusky and
Port Clinton. Ottawa NWR is about 40-45 miles west
of Sandusky. The entrance to Ottawa NWR is 2
miles west of Magee Marsh. Both refuges are on the
North side of Rt. 2.
Alternative route:
Take the Ohio Turnpike I-80 west to Rt 250 north.
Take Rt 250 north to Rt. 2. Take Rt. 2 west to Ottawa NWR.

Spring Bird Walks

See the spring migrants during the Audubon
spring bird walks. The walks will be held
each Sunday from April 12 to May 17,
2009, at 7:30 a.m. A full list of walk locations can be found on our web site:

www.wcasohio.org/spring/bird/walks.htm

MAY-JULY 2009

The following is a partial list of local walks:

Lake Isaac in Middleburg Hts.
Hinckley Reservation at bridge on State Rd.
Huntington Beach off Lake Rd. in Bay Village
CanalWay Center in Cuyahoga Hts.
Rocky River Nature Center, North Olmsted
Station Rd. Bridge Trailhead, Brecksville
Hemlock Creek Picnic Area, Bedford

www.wcasohio.org

Page 3

Programs
All WCAS programs are free and open to the public. Our monthly programs are held the first Tuesday of each
month, September through May, at Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted, Ohio.
For a map and directions see www.wcasohio.org.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Imagine yourself as a migrating songbird passing
through Ohio. As a migrant you need to stop and refuel,
but something has changed what? Dr. Sarah Mabey
from Hiram College has been studying the behavior and
ecology of songbird migrants as they relate to humaninduced changes in the landscape. In her presentation,
An Unpredictable Passage: The Ecology and Conservation of Migrating Songbirds, Dr. Mabey will
discuss the challenges facing conservation of migrants
during their passage.

Tuesday, June 2 , 2009 at 6:00 PM

Royalview Picnic Area

Royalview Picnic Area is in the Millstream
Run Reservation Metropark in Strongsville.
This is our annual WCAS picnic and plant
exchange to celebrate the beginning of
summer and the close of our program year.
Our next program will not be until September, which will also be the beginning of our
new fiscal year when membership renewals
are due. A charcoal fire will be ready, bring
your own food to cook.
Remember to bring all your orphan outdoor
or indoor plants, bulbs, cuttings, etc. to
share. We will also have a bird walk after
the picnic.

To get to Royalview Picnic:From I-71, take Rt 82 east to Valley Pkwy. Turn right (or South) on
Valley Pkwy. Then turn right on Royalview Lane. Drive all the way to the end of Royalview Lane.
We will meet in the Picnic Pavilion.

Page 4

www.wcasohio.org

THE FEATHERED FLYER

Volunteer Opportunities
Weeders in the Wild
Join Terri Martincic, leader of WCAS Weeders in the Wild, and other invasive plant warriors as they
return our green spaces to a more native Ohio state. Please join them in the following events.
Other weeding opportunity:
May 2, 2009, Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sponsored by Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Medina Sanctuary
Along the west branch of the Rocky River,
Registration required, Call 216-231-4600 x3214
http://www.cmnh.org/product/EDAFT093/
GarlicMustardPullMedina.aspx
August 8, 2009, Saturday, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Weeders in the Wild
South Chagrin Arboretum, Cleveland Metroparks
The fourth Annual Cranberry liberation pull. Join us
as we remove the invasive Buckthorn that is trying
to crowd out the native Cranberry.
Take 480 east to 422 (near 271). Quickly exit at
Miles Road. Turn right (east) onto Miles. Go past
Look About Lodge, turn right (south) on Sulphur
Springs Drive. Turn right on Hawthorn and a quick
left onto Arbor Lane. The Arboretum parking lot is
on the left.

Other weeding opportunity:

May 16, 2009, Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Elmwood Park
GARLIC MUSTARD PULL In the city of Rocky
River. Grab your garden gloves and join the volunteer community effort to round up the invasive
Garlic Mustard weed. This "alien" species is
spreading through our
natural areas and competing for space and nutrients with the native
spring wildflowers. Hand
pulling before the seeds
are set is necessary to
control the spread of Garlic Mustard and must be
continued each year until
the seed bank is depleted.
Meet at the trail head by
the baseball field to receive instructions and coordinate efforts.

School Days Event at Edgewater Park

Assistance is needed for the upcoming SCHOOL
DAYS program on Wednesday, May 20 held at
Edgewater Park. SCHOOL DAYS provides an
opportunity to showcase our organization and
have a fun interactive display with schools and
students in grades 3 through 5. Traditionally
WCAS has participated in the Fun Fair portion of
the event which runs from 10 AM to 2 PM.
During the Fun Fair, teachers with their students
stop by activity stations and test their skills and
knowledge on different topics. Since Audubon is
known for birds, our display will be Whats That
Bird? A dozen large photos of local bird species
are being provided by Dave Lewis. Friendly WCAS
members are needed to encourage the students

to look and use their skills in identifying the birds.

Those helping will need to pick up the display and
items used at the Fun Fair, arrive at the SCHOOL
DAYS event by 9 AM to set up, put up the WCAS
banner and display and be ready for the Students
by 10 AM. After the event is over, clean up and
return of items is needed. This is an outdoor
event near the beach pavilion in the lower area of
Edgewater Park, and runs rain or shine.
Contact Nancy Howell at:
216-231-4600 ext. 3225 or
[email protected] if you can help.
Please let Nancy know SOON!

Thank You to Volunteers

A big thank you goes out to Dave LeGallee and Jan Holkenborg for assisting with the Science Olympiad at
Cleveland State University on Saturday, February 21, 2009. WCAS volunteers like them are helping to educate our future conservationist-birders.
MAY-JULY 2009

www.wcasohio.org

Page 5

International Migratory Bird Day May 9, 2009

Environment for the Americas, home of International Migratory Bird
Day (IMBD), is a non-profit organization working to increase awareness of birds and their conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere. Although IMBD is always held on the second Saturday in May,
which will be May 9 in 2009, it is hoped that the spirit of the day will last
all year. Environment for the Americas provides the framework and
education materials for bird festivals and events, a host directory of bird
education resources, offers bird workshops, and motivates people of all
ages to get outdoors and learn about birds. Visit their web site at
www.birdday.org for more information.
Check out some of the following events in our area:
Location:
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
(www.friendsofmageemarsh.org) in Oak Harbor,
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
(www.onwra.com) or
Maumee Bay State Parks Nature Center
(www.maumeebaystatepark.org).
Activities include bird banding demonstrations,
wagon rides, exhibits, kids activities, auto tours,
etc. Begins 9:00 AM

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

May 9, 2009 10:00 to 3:30 pm
Come join the migration sensation and celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD). IMBD focuses
attention on one of the most important and spectacular events in the life of a migratory bird - its
journey between its summer and winter homes. Become an honorary bird as you migrate to various
stations around the zoo. You may even be tagged
and measured by our research team to check your
health and migratory pattern!

Tidbits
A small, daring free-tailed bat made one giant leap for bat kind last month while clinging to the exter-

nal fuel tank of the space shuttle Discovery -- and holding on for dear life even after
liftoff. It's highly unlikely that the bat made it into space -- since the shuttle accelerates from zero to 100 miles per hour in 10 seconds after takeoff -- but in the photo of
Discovery clearing the launch tower, the tiny creature is definitely visible on the side
of the tank. Though the flight was probably fatal, the bat has made history and will
live on in legend.
Unfortunately, even as we mourn the loss of the first "space bat," bats across the
Northeast are experiencing an even scarier and not-at-all-entertaining demise thanks to the mysterious, deadly, and rapidly spreading bat disease known as white-nose syndrome. The Center is working
to protect bats from all threats in the face of the devastating sickness, which just last month was confirmed to have spread to West Virginia.

Contact Us
WESTERN CUYAHOGA
AUDUBON SOCIETY

4310 Bush Ave.

Cleveland, OH 44109
Phone: 216-741-2352
Fax: 216-741-1879
Email: [email protected]

Visit our website

www.wcasohio.org
Page 6

WCAS Chapter Newsletter

Published 4 times per year in
January, April, July and
October by the Western
Cuyahoga Audubon Society
www.wcasohio.org is the
official Chapter Web Site.

WCAS Board Meetings held

at 6:30 pm prior to each
program at Rocky River
Nature Center. General
public and WCAS members
welcome.
www.wcasohio.org

President
Tom Romito, 216-741-2352
Treasurer
Nancy Howell, 440-891-1710
Newsletter Editor
Kit Birch, 440-238-0153
Webmaster
Mary Anne Romito, 216-741-2352
Conservation Chair
Terri Martincic, 440-243-4536
Directors at Large
Liz Clingman, 440-234-7784
Penny O Connor
Kathleen Tiburzi
THE FEATHERED FLYER

www.audubon.org

Migratory Birds and Communications

Millions of birds
are killed each
year when they
collide with communications towers. Please urge
the Federal Communications Commission to stop
this needless killing of migratory
songbirds. With
the annual spring
migration underway, take a moment right now to
send a letter to
the FCC and ask
for immediate
action to prevent
migratory bird
deaths at towers. You may cut
out and send the
letter printed here
on the right, or
you may compose
one of your own
and use the information in this
sample. Please
add your name
and address.

Acting Commissioner Michael Copps

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW, Room: 8-B115
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Acting Commissioner Copps:
As one of the millions of Americans who cherish our nation's native wild birds, I urge the FCC
to take action to prevent the needless killing of millions of migratory birds at communications
towers. These bird deaths can be prevented without affecting the development and operation of
telecommunication services and without compromising on aviation safety.
Scientists have shown that -- especially during bad weather conditions -- migrating birds become disoriented and trapped by the halo of light surrounding towers using steady-burning
illumination, circling endlessly until they either collide with the structure, collide with each
other, or fall dead from exhaustion.
Given the overwhelming scientific evidence that communications towers kill birds, and the
existence of science-based guidelines from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on siting and
operation of these towers, it is appalling that the FCC is failing to conduct any meaningful environmental review of tower applications, and continues in its refusal to adopt any meaningful
regulatory changes or mitigation measures to avoid or minimize the killing of America's birds.
The FCC should act now to take meaningful actions to significantly reduce the millions of bird
deaths caused by communications towers. Thank you in advance for your attention to this
matter.
Sincerely,

Ohio Birds Movements Reveal Global Warming Threat, Says New Report
Species Wintering Farther North Show Need for Policy Change
The northward and inland movement of North
American Birds, confirmed by thousands of citizen-observations, provides new and powerful
evidence that global warming is having a serious
impact on natural systems, according to new
analyses by Audubon scientists. The findings
signal the need for dramatic policy changes to
combat pervasive ecological disruption.
The report is a call to arms for birders everywhere. As the atmosphere for change permeates
MAY-JULY 2009

the political landscape, the information from this

report provides excellent background to stress to
policy makers the need for swift and sure action
on climate change legislation. To that end the
National Audubon Society has launched a website
providing birders and other interested persons
the opportunity to learn more about the report
and to send a message to Washington regarding
the need for this action. Visit the website at:
www.birdsandclimate.org
Learn more, take the test and send a message!

www.wcasohio.org

Page 7

Chapter Supporter Application

Why wait! Join WCAS as a chapter supporter.
Chapter Membership year: September 1 through August 31
Chapter Dues give you our Check one:
newsletter, a nametag and
a window cling.
Dues
Additional Donation (Check one)

$5

1 or 2 people
$20
$10

$20

Family
$35

Other
$______

Total enclosed
$________

NAME
ADDRESS
CITY/STATE/ZIP
TELEPHONE
EMAIL ADDRESS

Make your check payable to WCAS. Mail to Nancy Howell, treasurer,

19340 Fowles Rd., Middleburg Hts. Ohio, 44130
ww.wcasohio.org

THE FEATHERED FLYER

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society

4310 Bush Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44109

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