Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve (often included with the state park) is one of the best hotspots in Ohio. The preserve hosts huge numbers of migratory birds throughout spring and fall. Rarities are far too many to name, but include Black-billed Magpie, Gray Flycatcher, Northern Wheatear, Northern Gannet, King and Common Eider, and both Ivory and Ross’s Gulls.

The preserve hosts a main trail, a boardwalk, and smaller trails through brush and woodland. The woodland is extremely productive during migration, hosting not only 30+ species of warblers, both cuckoos, thrushes, sparrows, and yearly whip-poor-wills, but also possibly the highest density of migrants in Lake County. The main trail is also productive for fall/winter lake watches along the breakwall, and especially morning flight counts, when birds fly off the lake and land in the brush along the trail.

Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve is known for wetland and forest habitats. The marsh has recorded over 260 bird species, including many rarities such as ibis, Wood Storks, Nelson’s and LeConte’s, Sparrows, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, and Yellow Rails.

Key birding areas include the Wake Robin Boardwalk Trail, where bitterns, rails, and Sedge Wrens can be found, as well as regular LeConte’s and Nelson’s Sparrows; the Zimmerman Trail, which can attract large numbers of migrants; and Shipman Pond at the east end near Headlands Beach State Park which is known for excellent shorebirds, including phalaropes. Additionally, the preserve includes a nature center with exhibits and guided programs.

Lake Erie Bluffs offers bluffs, meadow, and forest habitats along Lake Erie shoreline which attract a wide variety of species throughout the year. Some rarities include jaegers, Bohemian Waxwing, Cave Swallow, and Sabine’s Gull. During migration, the observation tower provides views for scanning migrating songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. The tower can host thousands of migrating birds in a single day.

There are too many to name, but notable counts include 90 Evening Grosbeaks, 557 Broad-winged Hawks, 650 Redpolls, and the Ohio high count record of 5580 Pine Siskins.

Chagrin River Park is a rewarding birding spot nestled along the Chagrin River. The park’s habitats of river, grassland, and mature forest make it a fantastic stopover area for birds all year, but especially during migration. On a good day, birders may find up to 30 species of warblers and nearly every common flycatcher, sparrow, and thrush. During spring and summer, both Orchard and Baltimore Orioles nest in large numbers, along with Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks in the grasslands. A small trail connects to a wetland in the grassland, which hosts nesting Sora and Virginia Rail.

Fairport Nursery Road, just west of Fairport Harbor, crosses a retired chemical landfill. While the landfill cannot be accessed, the best vantage point is at a parking lot and small building on a hill. The expansive fields provide ideal nesting habitat for Bobolinks, meadowlarks, Dickcissels, Grasshopper Sparrows, American Kestrels, and other grassland birds. During winter, Snowy and Short-eared Owls can be found, along with Rough-legged Hawks, flocks of Snow Buntings, longspurs, and larks.

Rarities are many but include Western Cattle-Egret, Loggerhead Shrike, Chestnut-collared Longspur, and regular Upland Sandpipers.