Most locals associate Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in northeastern Ohio, with the annual appearance of a nesting pair of Bald Eagles at Brecksville Reservation, a western section of the park. But as an Important Bird Area, Cuyahoga Valley is so much more. The park covers 22 miles of the winding Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron. You’ll find forests, wetlands, fields in various stages of succession, ravines, and steep-sided valleys among other habitats. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs through the heart of the park, providing easy access to prime birding areas.
Large numbers of warblers, tanagers, and other songbirds migrate through in spring and fall. Owls and raptors occur year-round, including Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, Barred and Great Horned Owls, and both red- and gray-morph Eastern Screech-Owls. In summer, look for Virginia Rail, Sora, and Bobolink and other grassland species. One of the more renowned areas for grassland birds used to resound with cheers for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Coliseum Grasslands, the former site of the Richfield Coliseum, which was demolished in 1999, is now filled with the songs of Henslow’s Sparrows and Eastern Meadowlarks. — Joshua Clark
Joshua Clark is a nature photographer. His work has been published by Audubon, the American Bird Conservancy, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. His images are also posted in our galleries.
Directions
Cuyahoga Valley National Park preserves 33,000 acres between Cleveland and Akron. To reach the visitor center from Cleveland, take I-77 south for 15.5 miles, exit on Miller Rd., head east, and turn right on Brecksville Rd. Then turn left onto Snowville Rd., and go 2.8 miles. Turn right onto Riverview Rd., drive 1.7 miles, and turn left onto Boston Mills Rd.
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At a Glance
Click on the coordinates below to view location:
41°15’46.36″N 81°33’30.55″W
Habitat
Rolling hills, forests, grasslands, wetlands, marshes, river, and lakes.
Terrain
Steep hills to flat grasslands. Paved towpath mainly flat, wheelchair-accessible.
Birds
About 200 species. Bald Eagle, Red-headed Woodpecker, Green and Great Blue Herons, Virginia Rail, Sora, Wood Duck, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Woodcock, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Henslow’s Sparrow, Barred and Great Horned Owls, Black-billed Cuckoo, Osprey, Hooded Merganser, Wood Thrush, Northern and Louisiana Waterthrushes, Wilson’s, Cerulean, Yellow, Hooded, Yellow-throated, Prothonotary, and other warblers, Scarlet Tanager.
When to go
Spring through fall.
Amenities
Visitor center, nature centers, bookstores, trails, boardwalks, educational programs, scenic railroad, and restrooms throughout park. Bird walks on select Saturdays in spring. Park map on website.
Access
Most of park open 24 hours a day; a few areas close at dusk. No entrance fee; donations to friends group Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park encouraged.
Tips
Bring bug spray and sunscreen in summer. Wear a hat and bring water. Cuyahoga Valley Railway uses railroad tracks several times a day; use caution.
For more info
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Visitor center, (330) 657-2752.
Cuyahoga River-Lower Important Bird Area
Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland
Ohio Ornithological Society
Sites nearby
Bath Nature Preserve
About 10 minutes west of the southern portion of park. Great for Bobolink and other summer grassland birds.
Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve
About 13 miles east of park, off East Pioneer Trail. The oldest bird sanctuary in Ohio. Forests, ponds, and other habitats.