Wildflowers, migrating birds spread spring's beauty throughout Northeast Ohio
Apr. 24—Celebrate spring with a walk among the wildflowers at Holden Arboretum and parks in Lake and Geauga counties, which surround us and are within a few minutes' drive of most communities in this area. Migrating birds are also returning now, so don't forget to listen and look up during your search for wildflowers.
The 5-acre Myrtle S.Holden Wildflower Garden — just a short amble southwest of the Arboretum's Corning Visitor Center, off Sperry Road in Kirtland — is an ideal destination in late April and early May. Paths winding among trees with leaves not yet fully open cross babbling brooks on hand-hewn wooden bridges made from branches still cloaked with bark. Look carefully along the forest floor to see the flowers of bloodroot, wood poppy, trout lily and spring beauty. Among the more dramatic flowers, both red and white trilliums are in bloom, especially on slopes, along with bright yellow marsh marigolds in wetter spots.
Everything's labeled so you can learn their names.
Ann Rzepka-Budziak, the Arboretum's director of horticulture, confirms that many spring blooms are two to four weeks early this year.
"It's been a beautiful spring so far," she says, noting there have been few of the weather's bloom-killing dips into low temperatures. "Even the magnolias saw their full bloom cycle without being killed by frost."
That's a rarity in Northeast Ohio, where both frost and heat often reduce a magnolia's bloom to just a few days.
Delicate spring blooms can end quickly when there's little rain or when warm temperatures approach 80.
"We've had just enough rain and sunshine this spring," Rzepka-Budziak says.
Established more than 50 years ago by the Arthur Holden family, the lovely wildflower garden has evolved into a showcase for more than 400 types of Ohio wildflowers displayed in areas replicating their native habitats.
When asked how the Arboretum's areas of hellebores, an early bloomer also called the Lenten Rose, became so magnificent, Rzepka-Budziak says that the plants are among those carefully deadheaded one-by-one by Arboretum staff each December to remove old blooms and foliage.
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One of the most spectacular of spring's wildflowers is the Virginia Bluebell, which grows vigorously into May and is found throughout the Arboretum and in several of Lake Metroparks' properties. In the language of flowers, bluebells are symbols of humility, gratitude and everlasting love. Some believe those who wander into a ring of bluebells will fall under enchantment by the fairies.
A Bluebell Hike on the Bluebell Valley Path at Lake Metroparks' Hogback Ridge Park in Madison Township is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 29. Those younger than 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required, and the fee is $5.
The peak spring bird migration season comes at the same time many wildflowers bloom, so spring days spent outdoors award a double bonus.
"And you don't have to get up super early to see them," said Tony Gazso, interpretive naturalist for Lake Metroparks, who leads many upcoming birding opportunities. "But many birds migrate at night and are tired and super hungry by dawn.
"They may be a little easier to see first thing in the morning, but you can spot them later and even in the evening."
Small, brightly colored warblers are the stars of the annual show, many of which come all the way from the Caribbean and Central America, pausing here to rest before continuing across Lake Erie to their summer nesting grounds in Canada. Some warblers remain here through the summer, but those heading into Ontario and Quebec come back this way in September as they make their way back south for winter.
The best parks for viewing brightly colored migrating warblers are Chagrin River Park in Willoughby, Beaty Landing in Painesville and Lake Erie Bluffs.
Those with mobility issues can easily see warblers at Lakeshore Reservation in North Perry, where trails are paved and easy to negotiate with walkers or wheelchairs.
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Other birds to look for include the bright red forest-dwelling Scarlet Tanagers, vireos, flycatchers, Orioles and Red-wing Blackbirds. Gazso recommends the 100 Bird Quest set for 8 a.m. to noon May 11 at Chagrin River Park. There, birders of all levels will gather for walks led by experts in quests to find 100 types of birds in four hours.
Sunday-morning bird walks take place from 8 to 10 a.m on April 28 and May 5, 12 and 19 at Lake Erie Bluffs.
Where to spring
Holden Arboretum: 9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland. Register at 440-936 4400. See what's in bloom at holdenfg.org.
Lake Metroparks: Hogback Ridge Park,4700 Emerson Road, Madison Township; Chagrin River Park, 3100 Reeves Road, Willoughby; Beaty Landing, 477 E. Walnut St., Painesville: Lake Erie Bluffs, 3301 Lane Road, Perry Township; Lakeshore Reservation, 4799 Lockwood Road, North Perry. Get information and register at 440-358-7275.
