IBA's (Important Bird Areas) are tracts of land that the National Audubon Society in 2000 determined are crucial to the existence of birds and other wildlife because of their habitat.  One of them is the East Branch of the Rocky River, which extends from Hinckley to North Olmsted, and north to the mouth of the river in Lake Erie.  This watershed contains valuable forests and wetlands, such as the Rocky River Reservation, Mill Stream Run Reservation, and Hinckley Reservation.

In 2005, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society decided to monitor bird populations in the Rocky River watershed (East Branch).  We believed that birds are a barometer of the health of the watershed.  Our goal was to provide Cleveland Metroparks with data on birds that use the watershed. Metroparks, in turn, needed data to support requests for funding to buy parcels of land they would like to preserve.

At an Open House in March 2006 we welcomed volunteers who would actively participate in the breeding bird survey for the Rocky River IBA. Cleveland Metroparks staff were instrumental in training volunteers according to strict survey protocols.  Survey volunteers numbered 100 by the end of the 2007 season.

From 2006 to 2010, we conducted a five-year survey of breeding birds in the Rocky River IBA. WCAS honored its IBA volunteers at the end of each survey year with an appreciation dinner.  A Vegetation Survey in 2007 evaluated habitat conditions at all 62 point count locations.

To raise awareness and funds, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society conducted a 31-mile UltraWalk, a Birdathon, and a series of public outreach talks.

What's Next?

What is WCAS going to do after the surveys are completed. See our Vision 2020.

Why are we doing this?

"The Rocky River Important Bird Area is the most important conservation initiative WCAS could undertake.  This project is identifying not only what birds are there, but what birds are not there. This project is really more about people than birds, because it will study the impact of conservation on the quality of life of people who live in the Rocky River watershed."

Stan Searles, Curator of Birds and Aquatics at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and WCAS Board Member.

BE A VOLUNTEER OR SUPPORTER OF THIS YEAR’S IBA SURVEY.

ARE YOU A SKILLED BIRDER?

WOULD YOU WALK 5 MILES, OR 31 MILES FOR A GOOD CAUSE?

 Call Diane Sigler at 440-237-0816 OR

Tom & Mary Anne Romito at 216-741-2352