Hiram – When Hiram Village resident David Factor happened to look out at his bird feeder around noon one recent Saturday morning, he noticed something unusual. But before he could grab his camera to document the sighting, a titmouse chased the rare find away. He waited, camera in hand, hoping the bird would return. While he waited, he looked on eBird, an online birding resource from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, learning that the last time a Boreal Chickadee was recorded in the area was in 1943.
Luckily, the bird in question returned, and Factor snapped some photos to share on eBird.
Well, Factor’s post was seen by quite a few birders; by 2 pm, 15-20 people lined Plum Ridge near Factor’s home hoping to catch a glimpse of it. One such visitor knew the species loves peanut butter and handed Factor a large jar. The second visit was the last time he spotted the rare traveler that day, but he learned that a neighbor across the street was lucky to have seen it at her feeder that day as well.
While similar to the Black-Capped Chickadee commonly found in our area, the Boreal Chickadee is a grayish brown bird with a rich brown cap, a small black bib, with pinkish buff sides. Its habitat is usually restricted to mature spruce-fir forests in Canada, which is where Factor first spotted one as a young man on a field trip during college. Factor has been birding for 60 years.
“A casual birder would say it’s a standard chickadee,” Factor noted. The Black-capped Chickadee commonly seen in our area has a black cap and bib with white cheeks. It’s curious nature and quickness to discover bird feeders make it one of the first birds most people learn.
“But the Boreal Chickadee has a brown cap, as opposed to a black cap. I knew it was something different.” Early Sunday morning, Factor looked out the same window hoping to catch another glimpse of the rare wandered. Instead, he was surprised to see more optimistic birders, some of whom had travelled several hours for a glimpse of the bird.
If you’d like to see more birds this season, make plans to take part on the Northeast Ohio’s oldest citizen science project. The Spring Bird Walk Series, a partnership between local park systems and Audubon groups, is now in its 90th year. The programs help participants locate and identify migratory birds that use local habitats as a stopover or remain in local habitats for the season.
Walks are led by experienced birders and will be held in a variety of locations on Sundays.
Walks are scheduled on April 16, 23 & 30, and May 7, 14 & 21 at 7:30 AM (unless otherwise noted). In Aurora, walks are held at the Aurora Sanctuary (parking lot east of Page Rd. on E. Pioneer Trail), east of State Routes 306 and 43 in Aurora. 216-337-2202. The terrain is roughly 2.5 miles of packed soil with some hills and plenty of mud; boots are highly suggested.
Walks are held at a number of locations in the Geauga Park District in Geauga County. Contact info@geaugaparkdistrict.org or (440)286-9516 for specific program information. Please note that registration is required, due to limited group size and physical distancing. Walks are also held at Hiram College’s James H. Barrow Field Station (11305 Wheeler Road). The natural surface terrain of the Bird Walks spans 2.5 miles. For more information, call (330)527-2141.
While rare species sightings aren’t guaranteed, with Northeast Ohio along the path of many birds migration routes, you’re bound to see something wonderful on a Spring Bird Walk.
