Download Parks Plus! Fall 2013 (PDF - Lake Metroparks
Download Parks Plus! Fall 2013 (PDF - Lake Metroparks Download Parks Plus! Fall 2013 (PDF - Lake Metroparks
Fall migration Natural areas near the shore of Lake Erie provide beneficial stopover sites by Tom Koritansky, Natural Resource Manager & John Pogacnik, Biologist With fall approaching in northeast Ohio, another migration season will soon be upon us. Birds migrate in order to be near an abundant food supply, escape from cold temperatures and to find ideal breeding habitats. Not all birds migrate, but the ones that do often travel impressive distances of hundreds and up to thousands of miles twice a year! Our summer avian residents have had a busy season building nests and raising their young, but now that the last broods have fledged, it’s time for them to prepare to make the long journey south for the winter. Migration is a very demanding task for birds. To complete those great journeys, birds must spend more time foraging as fall approaches in order to build their fat reserves so they can travel long distances. As the end of the growing season draws near, many birds will form into large flocks, which makes avoiding predators and finding places to forage easier in large numbers. Herbivorous birds, which are those that feed primarily on plant materials, will find seeds and fruits in plentiful supply as they prepare to migrate from northeast Ohio. Warblers, such as the Yellow-rumped and Blackpoll, may be found feeding on the ripened fruits of dogwoods, grape vines and poison ivy. Insect-eating birds, such as swallows and flycatchers, will also enjoy a generous feast from the remaining invertebrate bounty including mosquitoes, gnats and midges still active as days become shorter and temperatures cool. Birds en route to points south travel along migration paths called flyways. Rather than a confined travel route, a flyway is a broad area where birds tend to fly. Noticeable geographic features such as bodies of water, coastlines and mountains are often incorporated into flyways. Birds use these features as navigation aids in addition to their instinctive and remarkable abilities to sense direction. A preferred flyway will also feature sites for birds to rest and refuel along their journeys. These places are sometimes called stopover sites, and they often have an abundant food supply, some cover for safety, and a source of water. Many types of migrating birds including waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds and raptors use Lake Erie in some manner during their migrations. The large expanse of open water acts as a barrier that funnels migrants near the shore. Lake Erie also functions as a navigation guide where birds route themselves using the shoreline since they tend to travel along the lake rather than across it. As a result, Lake County’s Lake Erie shoreline is situated along bird migration routes that largely contribute to the greater Atlantic Flyway. Red-breasted Mergansers (a large diving duck), use Lake Erie as an important staging area during their migration. Observers have spotted up to 250,000 mergansers in one area in one day! Natural areas near the shore of Lake Erie provide beneficial stopover sites to both our summer residents preparing to migrate (such as the Yellow Warbler and Gray Catbird) and passersby (including Bonaparte’s Gull and White-throated Sparrow) that stake their claims in places farther north for the summer. Lake Metroparks operates six parks (Arcola Creek Park in Madison Township, Lakeshore Reservation in North Perry Village, Lake Erie Bluffs in Perry Township, Painesville Township Park in Painesville Township, Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park in Fairport Harbor and Lakefront Lodge in Willowick) on the Lake Erie shore—all complete with the essential elements of stopover habitats. Lake Metroparks’ Lake Erie Bluffs in Perry Township is a fine example of a migratory bird stopover site. Grasses and flowering plants such as Timothy and goldenrod along with smaller trees including dogwood, sumac and wild crabapple provide birds with a plentiful food supply and enough cover so they can remain concealed during their stay. The ideal habitat at Lake Erie Bluffs is attractive to both migrating birds and year-round residents. If you’re planning a visit to Lake Erie Bluffs this fall, be sure to bring a pair of binoculars and look for these birds that will soon be on their way south for the winter. 16
Lake Metroparks operates six parks (Arcola Creek Park in Madison Township, Lakeshore Reservation in North Perry Village, Lake Erie Bluffs in Perry Township, Painesville Township Park in Painesville Township, Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park in Fairport Harbor and Lakefront Lodge in Willowick) on the Lake Erie shore— all complete with the essential elements of stopover habitats. Yellow warblers are one of our earliest fall migrants. Southbound migrants can often be seen the first week of July. (Left to right) The Bonaparte’s gull is one of the smallest gulls. Hundreds pass by every fall. Yellow-rumped warbler is our most common fall migrant warbler. They are common in October. Blackpoll warblers are much more common in fall than spring. Their migration takes them from the western part of the country to the east coast. From there they fly over the ocean to their wintering grounds in South America. (Left to right) Red-breasted mergansers are a common fall migrant on Lake Erie in November and December. Flocks of thousands of birds can often be seen. White-throated sparrow is an abundant migrant. In October, their flocks may number in the hundreds. Gray catbird is a common migrant. They should be watched for in the old field areas where they can be found feasting on abundant fruits. Background: In November and December watch overhead for the occasional flock of Tundra Swans as they migrate from their breeding grounds in the Arctic down to the East Coast. PHOTOS BY JOHN POGACNIK 17
- Page 1 and 2: Lake Metroparks Parks Plus! f a l l
- Page 3 and 4: Lake Metroparks Farmpark ADMISSION:
- Page 5 and 6: Active Lifestyles B Fit 4 Life All
- Page 7 and 8: Sports & Adventure Ohio Hunter Educ
- Page 9 and 10: Celebrating Black Squirrels FREE (y
- Page 11 and 12: FALL at Farmpark by Andy Baker, Far
- Page 13 and 14: Lake Metroparks’ Halloween Hayrid
- Page 15: Top 5 Dog Hikes *Dog not required t
- Page 19 and 20: Ghoulish Goblins Halloween Party Ag
- Page 21 and 22: Drive a Mini Horse Ages 8 to 14, Fe
- Page 23 and 24: Boy Scout Merit Badges Ages 11 to 1
- Page 25 and 26: S O M Center S O M Center Gu ly Br
- Page 27 and 28: REGISTRATION Register early! Lake C
<strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Metroparks</strong> operates six parks (Arcola Creek Park in<br />
Madison Township, <strong>Lake</strong>shore Reservation in North Perry Village,<br />
<strong>Lake</strong> Erie Bluffs in Perry Township, Painesville Township Park in<br />
Painesville Township, Fairport Harbor <strong>Lake</strong>front Park in Fairport<br />
Harbor and <strong>Lake</strong>front Lodge in Willowick) on the <strong>Lake</strong> Erie shore—<br />
all complete with the essential elements of stopover habitats.<br />
Yellow warblers are one of our earliest fall migrants.<br />
Southbound migrants can often be seen the first week of July.<br />
(Left to right) The Bonaparte’s gull is one of the smallest gulls. Hundreds pass by<br />
every fall.<br />
Yellow-rumped warbler is our most common fall migrant warbler. They are<br />
common in October.<br />
Blackpoll warblers are much more common in fall than spring. Their<br />
migration takes them from the western part of the country to the east<br />
coast. From there they fly over the ocean to their wintering grounds in<br />
South America.<br />
(Left to right) Red-breasted mergansers are a common<br />
fall migrant on <strong>Lake</strong> Erie in November and December.<br />
Flocks of thousands of birds can often be seen.<br />
White-throated sparrow is an abundant migrant.<br />
In October, their flocks may number in the hundreds.<br />
Gray catbird is a common migrant. They should be<br />
watched for in the old field areas where they can be<br />
found feasting on abundant fruits.<br />
Background: In November and December watch overhead for the occasional flock of<br />
Tundra Swans as they migrate from their breeding grounds in the Arctic down to the East Coast.<br />
PHOTOS BY JOHN POGACNIK<br />
17
Change language