Ten Winder Birding Spots
Buzzard Roost, Hinckley Reservation
Look to the skies and you may see a turkey vulture near the Buzzard Roost in Hinckley Reservation. If not, come back on March 15th, when the Official Buzzard Spotter can help you spot one.
Eagle's Nest, Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation
Take a walk on the Towpath Trail to visit an eagle's nest. The Cuyahoga River has plenty of fish and flowing water to keep the nesting pair of Bald Eagles happy while they wait for their eggs to hatch. You may see a variety of waterfowl and song birds as well on your way to the nest site.
Wildlife Management Trail, Rocky River Reservation
With a variety of habitats, this trail provides birders with the chance for great views of year-round and winter birds including a variety of sparrows and woodpeckers. Coopers hawks, eastern bluebirds and barred owls are often seen and heard along this route.
Huntington Beach, Huntington Reservation
Gulls, bald eagles and a variety of waterfowl can be observed from the deck of the water tower. A spotting scope or binoculars are helpful to see the far away birds floating in the water.
Lake-to-Lake Trailhead at Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation
Lake Isaac Waterfowl Sanctuary is often full of wading birds and waterfowl. The roughly one-mile loop offers frequent opportunities to observe wildlife in a peaceful winter wetland setting. Come back to visit in every season as Lake Isaac becomes a lively stop for migrating warblers in spring and fall.
Astorhurst Park, Bedford Reservation
Explore the frozen ponds and snowy tree line in search of wrens, kinglets, woodpeckers and more. Tinkers Creek Eats & Treats is open to warm up and grab a snack before heading back on trail.
Overlook Trail, North Chagrin Reservation
This trail in the remarkable old-growth A.B. Williams Memorial Woods has been a stand-out birding location for decades. Enjoy the historical and newly repaired overlook shelter and listen for the calls of the owls that call that area home.
All 5 Nature Centers
All five of our nature centers feature bird-viewing windows, offering a peaceful opportunity to watch birds from the comfort of indoors. One frequent winter visitor is the dark-eyed junco—a small gray-and-white sparrow often nicknamed “snowbird” because it appears across much of the U.S. as winter sets in. These birds are easily recognized by their crisp gray plumage and distinctive white outer tail feathers. Ground-foraging by nature, juncos hop through leaf litter in search of seeds.
Scranton Flats, Lakefront Reservation
Travel along the northern most part of the Towpath Trail where the shipping channel of the Cuyahoga River stays flowing all winter long. The open water makes it a hotspot for a variety of gulls, diving ducks such as mergansers and cormorants, as well as herons fishing along the riverbank.
Euclid Beach Shelter, Euclid Creek Reservation
Start your journey on the all purpose trail at Euclid Beach Shelter and walk east towards the Cleveland script sign. Cold weather waterfowl gather just offshore, giving visitors great opportunities to observe a variety of migrating ducks and other species. This location has a mix of open water and shoreline habitat making it a perfect place to experience the beauty of winter wildlife.
