Every Clevelander has plenty of fond memories surrounding Lake Erie in the summertime. While we haven't quite the days of barbecues and bare feet just yet, the spectacular spring weather lately has us excited to hit the beaches soon. If you're looking for a great sandy spot to enjoy all the North Coast has to offer as the temperature continues to rise, look no further than this off-the-radar beach.
Nickel Plate Beach in Huron, Ohio is only about an hour's drive from Cleveland. Its amazingly sandy beach and gorgeous views make it a strong contender for the best beach on the North Coast.
The beach itself is one of the softest, sandiest natural beaches on the North Coast. You won't find many sharp shells or painful gravel on this beach, making it a great place for all ages.
The waters of Lake Erie might be a tad unpredictable at times, but Nickel Plate Beach is one of the safest places to take in the glory of the Great Lakes.
There isn't much in the way of fancy amenities at Nickel Plate Beach - there aren't any changing rooms or bathrooms that aren't simple portable stalls. But that only makes it less likely to crowd on a hot summer day.
The view of Lake Erie at Nickel Plate is virtually unmatched in its remarkable splendor, and offers some of the best Lake Erie sunsets you will ever see.
Nickel Plate Beach is simply one of the best Lake Erie beaches in Ohio. From its miraculously sandy shores to its spellbinding lighthouse views, you won't soon forget a visit to this Huron landmark.
If you've never heard of the National Audubon Society, then you're probably not into birding. When it comes to the hobby of bird-watching, these guys are the gold standard of habitat conservation and bird education. Here in Northeast Ohio, the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland is more than active... in fact, the society is now over 100 years old! Today, we're going to take a virtual visit to one of their most cherished properties, and it's the oldest bird sanctuary in Ohio. With 165 acres to explore, the stunning Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve is poised to knock your socks off, and many consider it to be one of the best birdwatching spots near Cleveland. Pack your binoculars, because there are dozens of species you can encounter here on any given day.
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Welcome to the stunning Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve!
Established in 1941 by The Cleveland Bird Club, the predecessor to the local Audubon organization, this spot has a long history. The park was intended for development back in the day, but The Great Depression halted any progress. Ever since, it's remained a diverse natural habitat... Only half of it was ever used for farming, and the rest remains largely unaffected by man.
The park, which is decently forested and spotted with wetlands, meadows, and four ponds, is a natural haven for migrant and native bird species.
All in all, a whopping 185 bird species have been spotted here. The landscape is one of the National Audubon’s Important Bird Areas, and you truly never know what birds you'll spot here.
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During any given month, you may spot two dozen species or more.
If you're a native Ohioan, then you know that many native species fly south for the winter. This is true of tropical migrating species that fly up into Canada, too! As a result, our area is rich with tropical bird species for a few weeks during the spring and fall. When those birds are traveling far distances, spots like the Aurora Sanctuary are perfect for finding food and resting.
It's no wonder birds love this area... it's rich in natural resources.
In fact, roughly half the park is protected from man... there aren't trails or any other man-made alterations. Fortunately for birdwatchers, this and a two-mile path on the western reaches of the property provide the perfect environment to simply sit and watch.
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And while Aurora Sanctuary is known for its birds, there's plenty of other native Ohio wildlife, too.
From critters that directly interact with the bird food chain to indigenous herbivores like deer, this pretty preserve is full of life. Watch your step along the journey, and be sure to leave nothing but footprints.
Whether you're at one of the four ponds in the property or under a beech-maple canopy, keep your eyes peeled.
Wear comfortable shoes, because you'll likely be walking and stopping quite a lot. Expect many beautiful scenes, and bring a bit of patience... it'll pay off!
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If you're looking for a place to stop and smell the flowers, Aurora Sanctuary belongs on your local bucket list.
After just one visit, you'll understand why this is one of the best birdwatching spots near Cleveland. The forest is always rich in birdsong, and the quiet flutter of wings frequently breaks the stillness in the air. Be prepared to stop and stand for a bit, because you'll want to soak this landscape in slowly. Savor the experience.
Look for it at 891 E Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH 44202.
It's no wonder this spot is among the very best birdwatching spots near Cleveland. As Ohio's oldest bird sanctuary, it's absolutely a spot that should be treasured.
While you're in the area, you might consider visiting Sunny Lake, too. Being so close to the nature preserve, there's no shortage of birds here, and sunsets over the lake are a true treat.
Growing up, The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare was my favorite story. Sure, it was set in New England, but the description of a vast lake surrounded by birdsong somehow felt familiar to me as a Clevelander. And the description of flashes of red dancing past as blackbirds flew by, it was immediately recognizable as a vivid painting of the stunning red-winged blackbird. There's no shortage of red-winged blackbirds in Cleveland, as these birds are incredibly common around the Great Lakes. They love grassy areas, typically near wetlands or lakes, and they often fill the air with their distinct oak-a-leeee call. With a distinct throaty consonant followed by a musical slur, these gorgeous birds are instantly recognizable and a sure sign that summer has come.
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With a distinct call and eye-catching look, the red-winged blackbird is a true beauty.
In this video courtesy of the American Bird Conservancy YouTube channel, this bird's recognizable oak-a-leeee call resonates through the grassland. It's one of many songs these guys sing, and one of the more common calls from males of the species.
In this bird species, the males are recognizable for their velvety black feathers paired with a bold red and yellow shoulder.
As is true with many bird species, red-winged blackbirds are sexually dimorphic. Like peacocks, the males are just a little bit more fashionable than the females. Their mating season stretches from late April to late July or early August, so they have several months to flaunt their stuff and try to impress the ladies.
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The female red-winged blackbirds, on the other hand, are much more modest fashionistas.
Still gorgeous, these notably brown birds are obviously lacking the bright red shoulders of their male counterparts. Nonetheless, you'll often see a few of these gals around any one male. That's because the species is polygynous, meaning several females will claim one male as their social mate.
As a social mate, the male red-winged blackbird must defend up to 10 females and their nests.
As three or four eggs are typical from each female, these proud daddies could be protecting up to 40 chicks at any given time. That's why if you encounter red-winged blackbirds in Cleveland, they're probably keeping a close eye on you and perhaps exhibiting some aggressive behavior.
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Despite the strong father-child relationships when juvenile birds are still chicks, not all is perfect in red-winged blackbird paradise.
Here, an adult male and juvenile red-winged blackbird seem to be engaged in a vivid conversation. And while I am not a naturalist or fluent in bird, this little brown guy might be saying something like, "But you're not my real dad!" You see, though female red-winged blackbirds only take one social mate, they may actually mate with several males in a given mating season. As bird eggs are fertilized via polyspermy (multiple donors may fertilize a single egg), mixed paternity is common in this species.
If you're hoping to see one of these beauties in Cleveland, you're in luck. They're all over the area, but we've also got some of the finest birdwatching sites in Ohio.
Magee Marsh in Oak Harbor, just about an hour from home, is rich in wetlands and is an excellent spot to look for red-winged blackbirds. Other spots, like Girdled Road Reservation, are recognized as an an Important Bird Area by Audubon Ohio.
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Of course, you could also visit any stretch of Lake Erie's shore that's near an open grassy area or sparse forest.
It's so common to see red-winged blackbirds in Cleveland that you can almost expect it if you're hiking near water. As is true with most Northeast Ohio birds, these guys are a true sign of summer, as they tend to migrate to warmer climates once the threat of winter settles across the local landscape.
The distinct oak-a-leeee calls of red-winged blackbirds are absolutely nostalgic for Clevelanders.
Keep your eyes peeled on your next hike... you just might see one of these beauties! If you don't, still keep your ears alert. Their lovely and warm songs just might float over to greet you.
Each year, the presence of red-winged blackbirds in Cleveland causes the air to fill with a distinctly recognizable song. These lovely little birds are a welcome sight in the Cleveland Metroparks, around Lake Erie, and in fields throughout Northeast Ohio. Have you ever snapped a photo of one? We'd love to see your masterpieces in the comments! Oh, and if you're looking to flaunt your love of the great outdoors, be sure to check out the Parks Project.
Love birding in Northeast Ohio? Mark your calendars for May, because the annual springtime migration will be here before you know it.
