After birds cross Lake Erie on their southern migration from Canada, some stop to rest at Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. Blackbrook Audubon will sponsor a Big Sit in the picnic area at the entrance to the preserve. With coffee and doughnuts, everyone will gather to scan the nearby shrubs and trees for warblers and other fall migrants as they recharge before continuing their journeys. This outing is ideal for less mobile people who enjoy group birding.
Blackbrook "perches" at this same location each May for spring migration and is offering this Big Sit during the Headlands Birding Festival, a celebration of fall bird migration. Participants should bring binoculars and a chair or blanket any time between 8:00 am and noon. Headlands Dunes shares a common entrance with Headlands Beach State Park at the northern terminus of State Rt. 44, or Heisley Road. After entering the park, stay to the right to find parking lot P-1. Public restrooms are nearby as is the entrance to the handicapped-accessible boardwalk leading to the beach. Email blackbrookaud@aol.com for more information.
Blackbrook Audubon is a co-host for the 3rd annual Headlands Birding Festival. The event schedule for the festival is available at headlandsbirdingfestival.com.
Blackbrook Audubon is the local chapter of National Audubon Society covering Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake Counties.
Photo: Big Sit by Roger Beuck