The Buzzards are Coming

The 56th Annual "Return of the Buzzards" is on Friday, March 15 with the "buzzard watch" starting at 7 a.m. at the Buzzard Roost in Hinckley Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks.

A little history: In 1957, Walter Nawalaniec, park ranger, told a newspaper reporter that for six straight years, he had witnessed the turkey vultures returning to Hinckley Reservation on March 15.

The Cleveland Press printed the story on Feb. 15, 1957, and one month later on March 15 at 2 p.m., the first buzzard was spotted by 9,000 buzzard enthusiasts.

Since then, thousands of visitors have witnessed the annual return of the buzzards to Hinckley Reservation.

Join Cleveland Metroparks newly-anointed "Official Buzzard Spotter" Sharon Hosko to welcome these birds back from their winter trip down south.

Visitors from far and wide, armed with binoculars, cameras and, most importantly, a sense of humor, flock to the Buzzard Roost in Hinckley Reservation to await the official spotting of the season's first buzzard (turkey vulture) - a sure sign of spring's return, as well.

While everyone is quite confident of the day of the first spotting, the exact time depends on the birds themselves.

You can also get updates on the buzzards' return on Cleveland Metroparks Facebook page or on Twitter@clevemetroparks.

Buzzard Sunday

You can also celebrate the return on Buzzard Sunday, March 17 at Buzzard Roost from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The free event features naturalist-led hikes, live birds of prey programs, musical entertainment, puppet shows, a buzzard scoreboard, displays and exhibits, bus tours of Hinckley Reservation, EarthWords Nature Shop with unique buzzard-related merchandise, refreshments, a beer garden and more.

The Buzzard Roost is located at the corner of State Road and West Drive in Hinckley Reservation in Hinckley Township. 

For more information on Cleveland Metroparks buzzard-related activities, call 440-526-1012, 216-635-3200 or visit clevelandmetroparks.com.