Spring bird walks are a venerable tradition in Northeast Ohio. The Ohio Audubon Society sponsors guided walks annually the last three Sundays in April and the first three Sundays in May at numerous locations. Dates in 2007 are Sundays, April 15, 22 and 29 and May 6, 13 and 20. Start time is always 7:30 a.m.

There are a number of groups and resources to help those who want a guided tour or just need a heads-up on where the best birding sites are in the state. Click here for more information on birding in NEO.

Visit these sites for other bird watching events or for a good local place to go birding in Cleveland or in the state of Ohio broken down by county and type of birds. Or for those people who don’t want to take a chance that they won’t see a bird there is always the Cleveland Natural History Museum's Perkin's Wildlife Center.

Spring Birding Tours

Western Audubon Society —The Spring Bird Walks at the Holden Arboretum will occur on the last three Sundays in April and the first 3 Sundays in May. For more information call the Education Department at (440) 946-4400

Shaker Lakes —Saturday, May 5th at Shaker Lakes Nature Center, Dave LeGallee will host a walk beginning 7:30 a.m.

Holden Arboretum—April 7 to 8 a.m. early spring bird hike in the Natural Areas

ODNR—Lake Erie Wing Watch Weekend - April 5 to 7, 2002 in Port Clinton, OH. The possibility of seeing over 300 species along the southwest coast of Lake Erie during migration. Contact: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area at 419-898-0960 or 800-441-1271

ODNR—Nest with the Birds - May 12 to 18, 2002 - Kelleys Island, contact at 419-746-2258

Kirtland Bird Club—Saturday, April 14, 2007, 9:00 a.m. at the Malabar Farm State Park Visitors Center with leaders: Tim Leslie and Gary Cowell to see spring migrants. Go here for locations and more information provided by the Kirtland Bird Club.

Kirtland Bird Club—Saturday, May 5, 2007, 8:00 a.m. at Tuscarawas Meadow Area, Firestone MetroPark, Summit County with leader Ed Pierce to see spring migrants

Kirtland Bird Club—Sunday, June 3, 2007, 8:00 a.m. at Sandy Ridge Reservation, North Ridgeville, Lorain County with leader Jen Brumfield to see late spring migrants and nesting birds

METRO-PARKS—Saturday, April 28 at 1 p.m. for a "Bird Chick" Walk with Sharon Stiteler; 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a Peregrine Falcon Watch (at Hilliard Bridge)

METRO-PARKS—Sunday, April 29 at sunrise to noon for Bird Banding with Tom Bartlett at the back of nature center; 11:30 a.m. for a Family Bird Walk; 1 p.m. for a "Bird Chick" Walk with Sharon Stiteler; 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a Peregrine Falcon Watch (at Hilliard Bridge)

METRO-PARKS—Saturday, April 29 at 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a Birding Field Trip with Kevin Metcalf and Bill Deininger for Bird Migration on the North Coast, $40 (includes transportation, leadership, lunch and snacks). To register, call 440-473-3370.