UltraBird May 24, 25, 26, 2012
UltraWalk May 26, 2012!
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UltraBird is the Best! By Mary Anne Romito Wow! What a great way to end a fablous spring migration of birding. Thank you to all the UltraBirders who came out to help with the UltraBird. The best birds for this UltraBird were the new ones! We saw a female Mourning Warbler at South Quarry Picnic Area and a Gray-cheeked Thrush in the same parking lot. We had a Pine Warbler in Hinckley in the same area where we've had Magnolia Warbler in the past. We missed the Magnolia this year. But we had a singing White-throated Sparrow at Lagoon Picnic Area. Fantastic for late May! But we had more birders come out to join us. That was the best part.
UltraBirders:
Kit Birch
Bill Deininger
Mary Lou Hura
Joanne Gorges
Terry Gorges
Penny O'Connor
Mike Pasek
Rayka Petkova
Ryan Pulis
Mary Anne Romito
Tom Romito
Eileen Zimlich
Ultrawalkers and Five-mile walkers:
Gayle Albers
Jennie DeChant
Mark Hofelich
Ellen Horton
Christopher, Sophia & Jonah Kuhar
Tom Romito
Stan Searles
Laura Amendolagine
Jason Wark
Park Ops and Emerald Necklace and support volunteers
Liz Clingman
Joanne Gorges
Terry Gorges
Mark Hofelich
Mary Lou Hura
Mike Pasek
Vicki Searles
Barry Wolfe
Ultrawalk not for the
faint of heart!
As we were walking up Ridge Road in Hinckley Township, I said to my
three fellow Ultrawalkers, “Do you know what that mist down in that
valley off to our right is?”
They said they didn’t, and I replied,” That’s the East Branch
of the Rocky River, and we’re walking to bring attention to
residents here that we all need to keep it clean!”
I explained that we were on high ground, hence the name Ridge Road,
and stormwater takes trash, waste, pesticides, and anything else in
its path downhill into the river.
“We want people who live on the private parcels between
Hinckley and North Royalton, to consider selling their land to
Cleveland Metroparks instead of developers when they decide to
divest themselves of their property.
That way their land can become part of the Emerald Necklace
instead of more housing and shopping centers,” I said.
WCAS board member Stan Searles and Jason Wark and Laura
Amendolagine, Cleveland Metropark Zoo employees, and I were braving
the 31-mile course from Hinckley Reservation to Emerald Necklace
Marina in Lakewood on May 26, 2012 to raise funds for WCAS.
This was sixth annual Ultrawalk, the inspiration of Stan
Searles.
The Ultrawalk is a feat of endurance and not to be undertaken by the
faint of heart. I had
been conditioning myself since January and had put 190 miles under
my feet on training walks in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
I wanted to finish the Ultrawalk strong and wanted everyone
to do so, as well!
Actually, we weren’t alone during the adventure.
Audubon member Vickie Searles leapfrogged ahead of them along
the route in her vehicle to provide water, food items, and foot
care. Audubon member
Terry Gorges positioned the WCAS banner at strategic locations to
bring the Ultrawalk to the attention of passersby.
Twelve Audubon supporters joined the Ultrawalkers at
Cleveland Metroparks Ranger Operations Headquarters in Fairview Park
to walk the last five miles of the route.
Just as I wanted, we entered the marina that evening with our
heads held high and a smile on our faces!
Pam Bobst, mayor of Rocky River, was on hand at Emerald Necklace
Marina to greet the entire group when it completed the Ultrawalk at
5:30 p.m. Joining her
was Mike Patterson, scheduler for Congressman Dennis Kucinich.
Mike presented us with a Certificate of Special Congressional
Recognition for raising public awareness and expanding conservation
efforts.
During the months leading up to the Ultrawalk, we secured donations
and pledges from friends, relatives, and associates for the miles we
walked. The intent of
the proceeds from this year’s Ultrawalk is to defray the cost of
publishing the final report of the five-year (2006-2010) breeding
bird survey in the Rocky River IBA.
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Hinckley Ultrabirders © Kit Birch Mill Stream Ultrabirders © Penny O'Connor Rocky River Ultrabirders © Penny O'Connor UltraWalkers at 6 AM © Terry Gorges UltraWalkers joined by 5 milers © Terry Gorges All ages joined in the fun © Page Stephens Mayor Pam Bobst, Mike Patterson, Tom Romito © Penny O'Connor Congressional Recognition from Congressman Dennis Kucinich 5/26/2012 Rocky River Important Bird Area © Mary Anne Romito Raccoon at Hinckley © Mary Anne Romito Bald Eagle with chick in Rocky River IBA © Mary Anne Romito False Indigo at Rocky River © Mary Anne Romito |