North Chagrin Reservation (Cleveland Loop)
North Chagrin Reservation is one of the largest and most diverse properties in the Cleveland region. Much of the site is forested, primarily in beech and maple, but there are also cool hemlock-dominated ravines that support breeding populations of northern birds. A variety of wetlands and meadows can also be found.
Key Species by Season
Spring
- Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
- Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
- Northern Parula
Summer
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Red-Headed Woodpecker
- Red-Shouldered Hawk
Fall
- Least Flycatcher
- Red-Breasted Nuthatch
- Black-Throated Green Warbler
Winter
- Cedar Waxwing
- American Robin
- Northern Flicker
At-a-Glance
17 - North Chagrin Reservation
Cleveland Metroparks
3037 S.O.M. Center Road
Willoughby, OH 44094
440.473.3370
Public Access
Open daily, dawn until 11 p.m.
Amenities
Hiking Trails, Equestrian Trails, Restrooms, Visitors Center, Picnic Area, Handicap Accessible Trails, Checklist Available, Sightings Board, Outdoor Feeders, Wildlife Observation Window, Binocular Rentals
Driving Directions
From I-90, exit at Route 91 and turn left. Drive past Chardon Road and Strawberry Lane. Park entrance is on the left.
What to Look For
At nearly 2,000 acres, North Chagrin Reservation is one of the largest and most diverse properties in the Cleveland region. Much of the site is forested, primarily in beech and maple, but there are also cool hemlock-dominated ravines that support breeding populations of northern birds. A variety of wetlands and meadows can also be found, which further diversifies the avifauna.
While birding is good at any season, North Chagrin is especially noteworthy for its breeding birds. Nearly all of the regions's typical nesting species can be found, and this site supports one of the greatest breeding bird diversities anywhere along Lake Erie. Spring and fall migrations can produce tremendous numbers of songbirds, with the first two weeks in May and September bringing peak times. The reservation is also worth exploring for boreal irruptives in the winter months, such as crossbills, redpolls, siskins, and Purple Finches.
North Chagrin Reservation plays a vital role in the conservation of the Chagrin River watershed. Other major protected sites along this state scenic river include The Holden Arboretum, Penitentiary Glen, and Chapin Forest (the latter two are Lake County Metroparks).
Noteworthy Rarities
A number of rare nesters occur at North Chagrin, including Black-throated Green Warbler, Winter Wren, and Dark-eyed Junco. Cerulean Warbler, Veery, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Pileated Woodpecker also nest.
Natural Features
A beautiful nature center is located within the reservation, at 165 SOM Center Road, Mayfield Heights. An interesting marsh with a diversity of native flora is just outside of the building. Although visitors are unlikely to see one due to their secretive, nocturnal habits, the federally endangered Indiana Bat has been found in the reservation.
Local Resources
Lake County Visitors Bureau & Welcome Center
Cleveland Metroparks
Ohio Ornithological Society
Positively Cleveland
Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
About the Cleveland Loop
The Cleveland region—Cuyahoga and Lake counties—is by far the most populous area along Ohio's Lake Erie shoreline. It also harbors the most birders, and as a consequence the bird life of the Cleveland vicinity is better known than probably anywhere else in Ohio. Birding is good at all seasons, and records of exciting rarities abound.
This loop is the most populous region on the trail, as the city of Cleveland and neighboring areas are the most developed locales on Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline. There are more sites on the Cleveland Area Loop – 28 – than any other loop. Every type of habitat found along the lake occurs on this loop, and some of the sites are among the most famous birding hotspots in the Midwest. The total species list for this loop is 356, and a remarkable 12 of those have only been recorded in this region.
What to Look For
The centerpiece of this loop is the city of Cleveland. The Greater Cleveland area is the largest metropolitan region in Ohio, with a population over two million. There are probably more active birders here than anywhere else in the state and as a consequence this loop's bird list is large and spectacular.
Many of the sites along this loop offer outstanding birding opportunities during spring migration, and a number of these same sites support a great diversity of breeding birds. Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve is a standout among migratory hotspots, and boasts one of the largest bird lists of any single site in Ohio.
The greatest sheer numbers of birds occur in fall migration. Lakeside spots such as Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve draw in scads of songbirds: warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and many others. As fall merges into winter, tremendous numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls and Red-breasted Mergansers build up, especially along the downtown Cleveland lakefront.
Even winter has its charms. Eighteen species of gulls have been found, which puts the Cleveland region near the forefront of North America's best gull-watching locales. Joining the gulls are a wide variety of hardy waterfowl, including scoters, Long-tailed Duck, and the occasional King Eider.
Noteworthy Rarities
At least nine species of birds have been found in the Cleveland region, but nowhere else in Ohio. Some of the mega-rarities include: Common Eider, Ivory Gull, Ross's Gull, Black Guillemot, Common Ground-Dove, Smooth-billed Ani, Boreal Owl, Rock Wren, and Painted Redstart. Some of the sites on this loop are great places to look for rare species such as Purple Sandpiper and Red Phalarope.
Natural Features
Ohio's best remaining natural beach community is found at Headland's Dunes State Nature Preserve. Many rare plants occur there, such as Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus), American Beach Grass (Ammophila breviligulata), and Seaside Spurge (Chamaesyce polygonifolia). Fantastic concentrations of Monarch butterflies can gather at lakefront sites in fall migration. Cuyahoga Valley National Park and The Holden Arboretum, in particular, support a staggering array of botanical diversity across a broad range of habitats.
3037 S.O.M. Center Road, Willoughby, OH 44094
