Staff photo / Bob Coupland
Laura Frost of Boardman, a science teacher in Boardman, and her son, Theo, 2, watch birds at the Ford Nature Center at Mill Creek Park as part of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, which took place last weekend.

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of the local community were among those who volunteered their time to keep track of the number of birds at their feeders and other locations as part of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count.

A special gathering took place this week at Mill Creek MetroParks Ford Nature Center. Emily Greve of Youngstown, a metroparks educator, said the count done Feb. 14 to 17 benefits Cornell University and involves the Audubon Society and other bird organizations globally helping to count the number of birds they see.

“All anyone had to do was for 15 minutes count the number of birds they see in any of the four days and submit the information on e-Bird,” Greve said.

Greve, who spoke to people at the Ford Nature Center on selecting the best binoculars for watching birds, said people can stay inside and watch birds come and go from several feeders filled with sunflower seeds, nuts and dried mealworms.

“People can learn how to identify birds and record the data. For some people, watching birds is a hobby,” Greve said.

Greve said she recorded the birds at her home — as many people do — but they can also record birds at parks and other locations.

“Some people go to birding hot spots where they know there will be a lot of bird species. Many go to the Mill Creek MetroParks bird sanctuary. You can travel wherever you want to count birds whether it is your own backyard or public parks. You can do it by yourself or with a group of friends,” Greve said.

Those helping to record data saw blue jays, goldfinch, black-capped chickadees, blue birds, sparrows,wrens and several species of woodpeckers.

“We had 16 different species of birds in our count. The feeders here help attract more birds because of the source of food,” Greve said.

She said in the winter months birds will come to the feeders because their food elsewhere may be under snow and less accessible.

She said in addition to the regular birds, there are also occasionally hawks that try to get the birds.

“The Great Backyard Bird Count is a really good way to get people who may not normally be interested in birds involved. Birding is very accessible and something everyone can do. You do not even have to go outside if you are unable. This allows people to get involved with nature,” she said.

WHAT PEOPLE SAW

Angel Lempke of Austintown said she comes to Mill Creek Park often to see the birds, and she saw where a group was asking people to watch for bald eagle nests.

She said she saw a nest by Wick Park in Youngstown and actual eagles on Lake Newport at Mill Creek Park. Lempke looked out the windows at Mill Creek Park and saw bluebirds, woodpeckers, starlings and nuthatches.

“I got a bird feeder for Christmas last year, so I do see many types of birds at my house. I love coming to the park too,” she said.

Laura Frost of Boardman, who is a science teacher with the Boardman Local School District, said it is great to be part of the bird count and she has asked her students to participate.

“We have done science projects related to birds,” Frost said.

Frost and her husband James and their son, Theo, 2, were watching the birds at the feeders.

BIRDERS ELSEWHERE

In Trumbull County, bird watchers also were taking part in the Backyard Bird Count.

Amanda and Matt Sloan of Champion said they counted birds not only at their home, but at the north end of Hoagland Blackstub Road, called “The Tubes” at the Mosquito Lake causeway in Mecca.

“People can record individually, as couples or in groups if they want. We recorded data all four days and had 35 checklists,” Amanda Sloan said.

The Sloans also drove to the Marblehead Lighthouse in Ottawa County where they were able to see a rare barrow’s goldeneye duck, which is a Eurasian species that now lives in Ohio.

“There is a common goldeneye but the barrow’s goldeneye is not as common,” Amanda said.

“The causeway was a good spot. The water was open and you could see diving ducks and geese all over. Wherever you go and the water is open is phenomenal for bird watching,” she said.

Amanda said a month ago, the spot would not have been good since there was ice on the lake and there would be few birds, but once the water was exposed, birds came.

The Sloans recorded 70 species of birds and were second place in the state on E-Bird, where people can record data

They also have taken part in the Christmas Bird Count.

“We are glad that the data we record will help science,” Amanda said.

Jason Lee, park naturalist at Mosquito Lake State Park, said he has taken part in and organized events for the Christmas Bird Count in the middle of December in parts of Trumbull County.

Lee said plans are underway for “Big Birding Weekend” over Memorial Day weekend at Mosquito Lake Park with different programs and birding groups.

Jason Short, president of the Audubon Society of the Mahoning Valley, said he encourages people who enjoy bird watching to take part in any bird count event.

“This is a way people can connect with nature and help gather science data. I tell them to watch the feeders in their yards or find other locations,” Short said.

He said there is a variety of birds in the local area since some shore birds leave for the winter migrating south but then come back in the spring.

Like the Sloans, Short also traveled this winter to Marblehead Lighthouse to see the barrow’s goldeneye duck.

He said he also has gone to Meigs County to see the lazuli bunting.

He said the first weekend in May there will be a birding event at Beaver Creek State Park in Columbiana Short said he began bird watching during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has found many people ages 40 and older enjoy the activity, especially those who are retired.