Meet Our Walk Leaders
The Headlands Birding Festival birding walk guides are experienced local birders who know the best spots to see migrating species along Lake Erie. Look for their light blue shirts labeled “Volunteer” as they lead guided walks through Headlands Beach, the Mentor Marsh area, and beyond. Each guide brings years of birding experience and a deep passion for helping participants spot and identify birds throughout the festival – learn more about them below.
If you are interested in being a walk leader for the festival, please fill out this application.
Abigail Mossbruger
I’ve worked as a naturalist at Lake Metroparks for five years, where I discovered birding through my colleagues and have had many birding adventures since! I have honed my skills and continue to learn with each outing. I enjoy many outdoor activities and bringing the natural world to the community. There’s always something to see and discover in nature, so let’s get out there and go birding!
My spark bird was a Red-tailed Hawk, and my favorite birding spot is anywhere I can hear a Wood Thrush singing.
Debbi Schuster
I started birding with my father as a child. He built bird feeders for anyone who wanted one. Family vacations always had a field guide in the car. Since that beginning, I have acquired a life list of 1234 birds nationally and internationally. I enjoy sharing my love for birds and wildlife with everyone. I especially love getting new birders out into the field to make new discoveries.
My favorite birding locations are Wake Robin trail, Headlands SP, The Rookery; from my kayak at Headwaters, LaDue Reservoir, Mosquito SP.
Jim Cihula
I was born and raised in Northeast Ohio, and I credit my love of nature – animals, insects, and birds (most importantly) – to my mom, who shared the same passion. I’m primarily a local birder, though I venture out of the area occasionally. My camera often joins me in the field, and I’ll admit I can sometimes take a better picture of a bird than identify it. I’m relatively new to birding (about 4 years), but now I at least know that a seagull is not a real bird.
My favorite bird is an Eastern Bluebird.
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Queer Birders of Cuyahoga County
Birding outings and events for the queer community in Cuyahoga County!
Our favorite birding location is Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve.
Sarah Preston
I am a bird-obsessed traveler and educator who seeks out new species and wild places, yet finds equal joy birding close to home. Passionate about helping others learn, I guide with a collaborative, educational approach—teaching not just what a bird is, but how to identify it. A lifelong nature lover turned chemistry instructor, I deepened my passion by taking an ornithology course and now share my passion through guiding and community birding experiences.
My favorite birding location is Headlands Beach State Park. My spark bird is a Blackburnian Warbler.
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Suzy Horvath
I’m an avid birdwatcher with a passion for conservation and community science. I began bird watching in 2020, and it has been my primary hobby ever since. I volunteer with Lights Out Cleveland and the annual Ohio Crane Count. Bird watching has brought me immeasurable joy. I’ve met many kind people and observed countless cool bird species (and rescued some too!). I love enlightening people to the wonders of nature and am excited to co-lead at the Headlands Birding Festival again this year!
My favorite bird is the Common Loon, my favorite birding location is Chagrin River Park, and my spark bird is the Prothonotary Warbler.
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Tony Gazso
I began birding in 2014 while working as a Discovery Guide for the Central Park Conservancy, where I co-led bird walks in partnership with the NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon). After spending a season working for the National Park Service in St. Louis, I returned home to Northeast Ohio, where I began working for Lake Metroparks. Since becoming the birding programs coordinator, I’ve pushed to make our programs more accessible to new birders, as well as young birders.
I have 2 spark birds: Grackle (as a kid, it was the first bird I saw that got me interested in birds) and American Pipit (Uncommon in Central Park, I found this bird while co-leading a bird walk, much to the excitement of the NYC Bird Alliance walk leader).
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Vinny Horvath
My love of birdwatching began in 2020. Since then, I have traveled to various U.S. states as well as Canada for the sole purpose of birdwatching. I am an active board member of Blackbrook Audubon Society, where I lead/co-lead monthly birdwatching field trips. I am also an active volunteer with Lights Out Cleveland through the OBCI and Cleveland Metroparks. I’m thrilled to be leading hikes again for the Headlands Birding Festival!
My favorite bird is a Common Loon.
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Will Cihula
I’m a young birder and bird photographer and have been birding since 2022. I’ve always been fascinated by migration and the science behind it, and I especially enjoy migratory passerines like warblers and kinglets. When I’m not watching birds, I’m photographing them. This year, I entered the Audubon Photography Awards and helped build the Headlands Birding Festival website. I mostly stick to local birding since travelling is difficult due to school.
My favorite bird is the Cedar Waxwing, my favorite birding hotspot is Headlands Beach State Park, and my spark bird is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
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