Rocky River IBA

Links to Rocky River Important Bird Area Data
Year	Bird Count Data	Bird Species (alpha order)	Comments	Analysis	Webpage Summary	Point Surveys
2006	count	species	comments	analysis	2006 IBA	2006 surveys
2007	count	species	comments	analysis	2007 IBA	2007 surveys
2008	count	species	comments	analysis	2008 IBA	2008 surveys
2009						2009 surveys

Map of Rocky River Important Bird Area

What is an IBA?

IBA's (Important Bird Areas) are tracts of land that Ohio Audubon has 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, Strongsville Wildlife Area, and Hinckley Reservation.

Fast Links for IBA forms:

Observer/Recorders

Vegetation Surveyors

Fast links to prior year data

2008

2007

2006

Why are we doing this?

"The Rocky River Important Bird Area is the most important conservation initiative WCAS could undertake. This project will identify 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 at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

BREEDING BIRD SURVEY

ROCKY RIVER IMPORTANT BIRD AREA

2006-2010

In 2005, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society adopted the Rocky River Important Bird Area with a view to monitor bird populations in the Rocky River watershed (East Branch) as an indicator of ecosystem health. By collecting credible data, we hope to influence wise land use decisions that will help sustain the natural resources of the Rocky River watershed for future generations.

Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are tracts of land that the National Audubon Society has determined are crucial to the existence of birds and other wildlife because of their habitat quality. National Audubon Society has identified over 500 IBAs throughout the United States. In 2000, Audubon Ohio, the state office of the National Audubon Society, designated the Rocky River watershed (East Branch) as an Important Bird Area

An Open House in March 2006 and training session in April 2006 welcomed volunteers who would actively participate in the breeding bird survey for the Rocky River IBA. Cleveland Metroparks staff hosted the event at the Rocky River Nature Center, and they were instrumental in training volunteers according to strict survey protocols.

Survey volunteers numbered 100 by the end of the 2007 season.

In 2006, 2007 and 2008, WCAS conducted the first three years of the Rocky River IBA breeding bird survey. WCAS honored its Rocky River IBA volunteers at the end of each survey year with an appreciation dinners at the Rocky River Nature Center. A Vegetation Survey in 2007 evaluated habitat conditions at all 62 point count locations. We are exploring ways to add new survey elements in coming years including vernal pools, amphibians, headwater streams, and wetlands.

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

BE A VOLUNTEER OR SUPPORTER OF THIS YEAR’S

ROCKY RIVER IMPORTANT BIRD AREA BREEDING BIRD 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

Tom & Mary Anne Romito at

216-741-2352

Remember amateurs built the ark - Professionals built the Titanic. Unknown

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society, 4310 Bush Ave, Cleveland, OH 44109 info@wcasohio.org