Event Details
Blackbrook will host a bird walk at The Rookery in Geauga County. Birders of all skill levels are invited to join this walk south of Fowler's Mill Golf Course.
The Rookery is part of the Chagrin River Corridor Important Bird Area, a designation by the National Audubon Society. High-quality wetlands, riparian habitat along the state-designated scenic Chagrin River and a beech-maple forest provide habitats for 179 bird species listed on eBird.
Blackbrook's first visit here last month yielded 34 species including Gray-cheeked Thrush, Cedar Waxwings, Swamp Sparrows and two Sandhill Cranes.
As the group birds the 1.5-mile, gravel Interurban Trail, they’ll follow the same route taken by the Cleveland & Eastern Traction Company's electric-powered trains, which ran from 1899-1925. The Rookery is the site of the C&E Junction between lines serving Cleveland to Chardon and a branch south to Burton and Middlefield. The restroom does not have running water.
Since Geauga Park District will close The Rookery for hunting Sunday, November 22, Blackbrook will sponsor a walk at Headwaters Park instead at 8:00 am. Park by the Headwaters boathouse at 13365 Old State Road in Claridon Twp.
Blackbrook will be back at The Rookery January 24 since the December walk would be the same day as their Christmas Bird Count, which is conducted in Lake County.
Blackbrook Audubon will have binoculars to lend out at this IBA walk. Email blackbrookaud@aol.com for more information. Blackbrook covers Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake counties as a chapter of National Audubon Society. Check for updates on their Facebook page.
Photo: Yellow-rumped Warbler by Laurie White