Summer is an incredible season here on America's North Coast, but this season also brings an invasion of epic proportions. Lifelong Clevelanders know exactly which one is being described, but out-of-towners may feel a bit squeamish when they discover this unusual annual plague of Biblical proportions. That time of the year is just days away, and certain winged wonders are preparing for a vacation here in The Land.
Each summer, Lake Erie's U.S. coast becomes coated in a carpet of insects.
These unusual creatures, known as mayflies, Canadian soldiers, and even June bugs, spend the first year or two of their lives as nymphs in Lake Erie's mud.
These winged wonders (or horrors, if you are unfortunate enough to have to clean up piles of their corpses) date back to before the dinosaurs, but today their wings are 0.5 to 3 inches in length.
Our shores are about to be invaded, but it's just part of life here in The Land. Do you find yourself having to clean up clumps of these weird winged wonders each summer?
While this annual invasion may seem disastrous, The Land is actually fairly safe from natural disasters. You can find the full article here!
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.
I consider myself a hobby sky watcher. I'm not anywhere near knowledgeable enough to be considered even an amateur, but I've seen some cool things in my time watching the skies around Cleveland. I've seen fireballs, the Starlink satellites, and, one time, aurora borealis. Otherwise known as the northern lights, this naturally occurring display of colored light is arguably one of the most sought-after stargazing experiences, and on rare occasion, they're visible in Northeast Ohio. As luck would have it, your chances of seeing the northern lights in Cleveland in 2024 are anything but low. In fact, 2023 wrapped up with one last opportunity to see the lights in Cleveland, and while we thought it was a one-off experience, it may have kicked off a year of stargazing splendor.
The northern lights, known as aurora borealis, are the colorful result of solar wind in the magnetosphere. They're usually visible in high-latitude regions like Alaska, Norway, and Siberia. Essentially, as the particles in the magnetosphere are disturbed, light may form and dance across the sky.
On rare occasion, a geomagnetic storm may push the aurora borealis to lower latitudes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration took a look at Solar Cycle 25, which peaks between January and October 2024, and found the possibility for strong space weather storms. This could lead to more frequent displays of aurora borealis, including an expanded viewing region that stretches into lower latitudes... like the northern stretches of Ohio!
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As solar activity is expected to peak at a higher level than previously suspected in 2024, the odds are in our favor.
This comes with one caveat, however... the northern lights are difficult to predict. When the lights are likely to be visible near Cleveland, we locals probably won't hear about it until a few days in advance.
You're probably wondering, Will I be able to see the lights if I'm in Downtown Cleveland? The answer is probably not, but the area surrounding The Land is fair game.
Light pollution, as you know, can prevent clear views of the sky. This means that your proximity to Cleveland may impact your ability to see the natural light show.
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However, you don't have to venture far to see the northern lights!
When I saw the northern lights a few years ago, I happened to be in Brunswick, Ohio in December of 2020. I was driving home when I noticed that a few stars were green, and the sky around them was, too! Once I returned home, I saw articles touting the visibility of the northern lights that evening. It was rather subtle, like this photo taken in Northeast Ohio in 2015, but it was a beautiful and humbling experience.
As our area is often on the very edge of aurora visibility, our displays are usually subtle... but they're still beautiful!
Unfortunately, those massive green and blue light streaks spotted in arctic regions are unlikely to occur with such intensity down here. However, as this photo taken in one Ohio yard proves, our views are still humbling and beautiful.
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If you're looking for the clearest night skies near Cleveland, a local light pollution map is going to be your greatest tool.
As this map shows, Brunswick (where I last saw the northern lights) is a light pollution hot spot, but the area just beyond Brunswick starts to creep toward 20.6 on the Bortle scale, which is classified as a transition sky that's leaning toward brighter rural territory. The closer you can get to rural and dark skies, the better your odds of seeing the lights are. Remember... you don't have to go that far from Cleveland!
While you're striving to see the northern lights in Cleveland in 2024, also check out the NASA Night Sky Planner for an idea of which additional astronomy events should be on your radar.
Check out the phase of the moon, which constellations are visible, and sunrise time. While Solar Cycle 25 is still peaking, you might even have a chance to catch a meteor shower in Cleveland, like the Lyrids or Perseids.
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The night skies over Cleveland in 2024 are going to be stunning.
Keep an eye on the news for expected views of the northern lights. We might not know until a few days before they're visible, but their beauty is worth experiencing in person.
If you're hoping to see the northern lights in Cleveland in 2024, you might be in luck. This coveted display of celestial splendor is likely to be visible as far south as Ohio... it'll just take cloud-free skies and a clear view.
Hoping to go stargazing near Cleveland this year? Let me point you in the direction of my favorite spots! At Letha House Park, the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association often opens their observatory to the public, and the expert astronomers are so friendly and knowledgeable. Cuyahoga Valley National Park also has trails open at night, and some spots (like the Pine Hollow parking area) are coveted for their views of the northern lights.
