By Megan Hart, Park Biologist
Every season brings its own birds to enjoy. Spring and fall migration bring neotropical migrants moving quickly to breeding or wintering grounds. Summer is filled with the busy activity of birds defending territories and raising offspring. Winter brings some of our hardy winter migrants from the north to endure the cold months with us. Winter birding is a great way to get out and enjoy winter migrant birds.
Two common and easily seen winter migrants belong to the sparrow family: dark-eyed juncos and white-throated sparrows. Dark-eyed juncos, often called snowbirds, are seen near wood edges and pathways. Even though some dark-eyed juncos breed in a few of the parks, their numbers quickly grow once the winter months approach as birds from further north make their way to Ohio. Juncos are easily identified by their crisp markings, usually pale beak and white outer tail feathers. White-throated sparrows frequent areas with shrubs, forest edges and open habitat. These active sparrows are easily recognized by their white throat patches bordered by black whisker lines and their song “Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada.” Both species are also frequent visitors to feeders and yards during the winter months and are easily seen in many parks.
Dark-eyed junco
Cold weather also brings waterfowl down from the north to overwinter in our lakes and ponds. During the winter months, it can be common to see several different duck species in the water near the shores of Lake Erie. Redheads and buffleheads can often be seen floating and flying along the coastline. Redheads are aptly named for their dark red-cinnamon heads, which contrast against their black and gray bodies. They often float in groups offshore as they search for food and can be found in mixed flocks with other ducks. Buffleheads are a striking black and white duck. However, if you get a good enough look, these black patches become iridescent purple and green as the sun reflects off of them. Buffleheads are a treat to watch as they dive down to find invertebrates and suddenly pop back up. There are several more duck species that can be seen regularly during winter on our ponds and lakes. Just make sure you bundle up as some of the best viewing can be when ducks are grouped up during the coldest times of winter as open water becomes scarce.
Redheads
Warblers are often thought of as spring or fall visitors, but one species of warbler toughs out the winter with us: the yellow-rumped warbler. The yellow-rumped warbler’s name comes from the square yellow patch found right above the tail, which is an excellent diagnostic feature for this bird in the winter. You can find these hardy warblers in forests, along forest edges, and in residential areas feeding on leftover fruits from earlier in the year. In fact, the yellow-rumped warbler is the only warbler that has the ability to digest the waxes found in bayberries and wax myrtles, which allow it to winter as far north as Newfoundland.
Yellow-rumped warbler
If you are walking down one of Lake Metroparks’ forest paths, you may notice a pint-sized bird flitting from branch to branch as it moves quickly through the forest looking for food. Golden-crowned kinglets are small tenacious birds that seem like they can’t stay still. This species is identified by the golden patch on top of its head, black and white striped face, and rounded body with a skinny tail. The golden-crowned kinglet is one of North America’s smallest songbirds and weighs in around five to six grams (for comparison a ruby-throated hummingbird weighs three to four grams). It doesn’t seem like they should be able to survive cold winter nights being so small, but these birds can survive night temperatures of -40 degrees! Golden-crowned kinglets are a treat to watch as they busily move through the forest searching for food, often hanging upside down to look under branches for hidden insects in bark crevices.
Golden-crowned kinglet
This is just a small sampling of what winter birding can bring. There are many more fascinating species that can be seen throughout the parks. All it takes is getting out there and observing your surroundings. You never know what you may find. For waterfowl and gull watching, Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, Veterans Park, Painesville Township Park, Arcola Creek Park, Lakeshore Reservation, and Lake Erie Bluffs all provide excellent opportunities to look out over open water. Winter songbirds can be observed at Chagrin River Park, Chapin Forest Reservation, Lake Erie Bluffs, Veterans Park, and Beaty Landing. However, all of the parks offer excellent chances to observe visiting winter songbirds and year-round residents. So bundle up and enjoy the challenge of winter birding.
Buffleheads
White-throated sparrow