Christmas bird counts
Local birders can help out in local Audubon Society Christmas Bird Counts.
Summit Metro Parks will participate in the local count sponsored by the Greater Akron Audubon Society from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road in Akron. Binoculars are recommended. For more information, call 330-865-8065.
It is also hosting a program on the bird count at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Seiberling Nature Realm in Akron. Learn about the count, how you can get involved and the birds you are likely to see.
You can also enjoy morning coffee while watching the birds at feeders from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Seiberling nature center.
Bird watchers can also count birds in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Volunteers are needed from 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday. Meet at the Kendall Lake Shelter off Truxell Road in Boston Township. Bring binoculars and field guides. Beginners are welcome. Call 330-657-2752
People with backyard bird feeders also can participate in the count. Download information and the checklist at www.akronaudubon.org.
The event runs for 24 hours. Groups and individuals will be assigned to specific areas that are within a 7.5-mile radius of Front Street and Broad Boulevard in Cuyahoga Falls. Beginners will be part of a small team that will go out together.
Annually, bird-watching groups across the United States hold counts from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. The data collected provides a look at bird-population trends. The first Audubon bird count was held on Christmas Day 1900.
Last year, the local group had 166 birdwatchers in the field plus 42 bird feeder observers. They counted 79 species and 27,685 individual birds.
In addition, the Wilderness Center near Wilmot will conduct its count from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Register at 877-359-5235 to get your assignment. Bring a bag lunch.
Vacation cookout
Summit Metro Parks is conducting its School’s Out Cookout from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.
Bring your own hot dogs and buns to the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron.
There will be an open fire to cook your lunch. Drinks and condiments will be provided.
Then hike with a naturalist to learn how animals survive the winter.
For more information, call 330-865-8065 or visit www.summitmetroparks.org.
Solstice concerts
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will present Winter Solstice Concerts with the Almeda Trio with shows at 6 and 7:15 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.
The shows will be in the museum’s 87-seat planetarium.
The museum is at 1 Wade Oval in the University Circle neighborhood.
Tickets are $20.
To purchase tickets, call 216-231-1177 or go to www.cmnh.org.
Friday
Animal tales — Summit Metro Parks is presenting a story program on reptiles for children and adult companions at 10:30 a.m. at the Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. Advance sign-ups are required. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
Lantern tours — Hale Farm & Village in Bath Township is presenting holiday lantern tours, starting at 5:40 p.m. at 2686 Oak Hill Road. The tours will be repeated daily Saturday through Wednesday. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children 3 through 12. 330-666-3711 or halereservations@wrhs.org.
Tales for tots — The Medina County Park District is presenting stories for children 3 to 6 years old and adult companions at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. The programs will be repeated on Friday. Advance sign-ups are requested. Part of the program will be outdoors. 330-722-9364 or www.medinacountyparks.com.
Saturday
Evergreen hike — Summit Metro Parks is holding an evergreen hike from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Goodyear Heights Metro Park. Meet at the pavilion off Newton Street in East Akron. Breakfast will follow. Participants will be asked to bring food items. Advance sign-ups are required. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
Bird-feeder workshop — Summit Metro Parks is offering a program to make backyard bird feeders from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Limit one kit per family. The fee is $5 per kit. Advance sign-ups are required. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
Valley hike — The National Park Service is directing a 7-mile hike in the Cuyahoga Valley from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at park headquarters at Vaughn and Highland roads in Brecksville. Wear sturdy shoes and appropriate cold weather gear. 330-657-2752.
Snowshoe hike — The National Park Service is presenting a snowshoe hike from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Kendall Lake Shelter off Truxell Road in Boston Township. Free. Rentals are available for $5. The event will become a hike if there’s not enough snow. 330-657-2752.
Healthy hike — The Medina County Park District is holding a healthy hike from 9 to 11 a.m. on the Lester Rail Trail west of Medina in York Township. The trailhead is off Lester Road north of state Route 18. For ages 10 to adult. Brisk pace. 330-722-9364 or www.medinacountyparks.com.
Holiday traditions — Naturalist Stephanie Verish of Cleveland Metroparks will speak on “Native Plants and Holiday Traditions” at 10 a.m. at the Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Sugar Creek Township. 1-877-359-5235 or www.wildernesscenter.org.
Holiday centerpiece — Beech Creek Gardens in Washington Township is hosting a workshop to make a Christmas centerpiece with fresh backyard items from 2 to 4 p.m. Advance sign-ups are required. The fee is $28 a person. Candy Land and the Christmas Express train will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and again on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $2. The center is at 11929 Beech St. NE. 330-829-7050 or www.beechcreekgardens.org.
Sunday
Winter hike — Summit Metro Parks is conducting an almost-winter hike from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Liberty Park. Meet at the Twinsburg Ledges Area, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
Valley hike — The National Park Service is holding a 5.5-mile hike on the Buckeye and Deer Run trails in the Cuyahoga Valley. It will run from 9 to 11 a.m. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. 330-657-2752.
Beaver Marsh walk — The National Park Service is directing a hike to explore the Beaver Marsh in the Cuyahoga Valley. It will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. 330-657-2752.
Monday
Winter solstice — Summit Metro Parks will mark the winter solstice with a program from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Seneca Deck at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Enjoy stories and celebrate universal peace around the outdoor fireplace. Marshmallows and hot chocolate will be provided. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
Tuesday
Weekday walk — Summit Metro Parks is presenting a weekday walk from 10 a.m. to noon at Furnace Run Metro Park off Townsend Road in Richfield Township. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
For a complete list, go to www.ohio.com.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.