Medina Raptor Center and Letha House Park Field Trip

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Leaders: Laura Jordan and Lynn Josefsen

12 birders, 42 species (wild birds)

Medina Raptor Center is in its 23rd year of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured raptors and other wild birds. They are state and federally-licensed and a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission and focus also includes education and outreach programs with live birds of prey.  Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society enjoyed close-up looks at the education birds, including American Kestrel, Bald Eagle, Barn Owl, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Red-shouldered Hawk, Snowy Owl, and a beautiful white leucistic Red-tailed Hawk.

More than just a look, we learned about each species and the hazards they face in a human world. Thanks Laura and Bill Jordan and the volunteers who hosted our visit.

Birding is always a must. We met and birded briefly at Letha House Park before the Raptor Center visit, then took a bird walk afterward with Lynn Josefsen leading on the Jordan's 65 acres.  E-Bird lists are courtesy of Liz McQuaid.

Birding at Letha House Park before visiting Medina Raptor Center

18 species

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  2
Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)  1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  2
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)  2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  1
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)  2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  3
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  2
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  6
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1