Birding Guide for Holden Arboretum
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just beginning to explore the world of birds, this guide will help you discover the best spots, seasons, and tips for birding success.
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Nestled in the heart of Northeast Ohio, the Holden Arboretum is a haven for birds—and birders. With over 3,500 acres of diverse habitats, from mature forests and open meadows to wetlands and cultivated gardens, Holden offers an incredible variety of bird species throughout the year. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just beginning to explore the world of birds, this guide will help you discover the best spots, seasons, and tips for birding success. Grab your binoculars, listen closely, and get ready to connect with nature, one bird at a time.
What You’ll Need
- Recommended gear (binoculars, field guide apps like Merlin, eBird or Audubon Bird Guide, notebook)
- Proper attire for the weather and trail conditions
- Time, patience and a good attitude
When to Visit
Seasons
- Winter: Great visibility during tree dormancy, feeder watching, no insects or crowds
- Spring: Migration period, courtship behavior, still great visibility before trees leaf out
- Summer: Wetlands come alive, resident species have made their home, longer days, better weather for a leisurely hike
- Fall: Migration period, beautiful foliage
Time of Day
- Sunrise until about 10am is when birds are most active – singing, feeding and moving around
- Around sunset, many birds prepare to roost for the night and become more active
- Midday can be great for viewing Raptors like hawks and eagles. It is great in winter when low temperatures keep birds active throughout the daylight hours
Top Birding Spots at Holden
- Display Garden – orioles, mimics, finches, hummingbirds
- Pierson Creek Valley – flycatchers, warblers, tanagers, vireos
- Corning Lake and surrounding wetlands – waterfowl, herons, swallows, field nesting birds, vultures
- Woodland Trail – warblers, woodpeckers, owls
- Butterfly Garden & Rhododendron Gardens – vireos, hummingbirds, finches, warblers
Birds to Watch For (By Season)
- Spring (March–May): Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Killdeer, Cedar Waxwing, Field Sparrow
- Summer (June–August): Wood Thrush, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Winter Wren, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Louisiana Waterthrush
- Fall (September–November): Red-winged Blackbird, Great Blue Heron, Yellow-rumped Warbler , Red-shouldered Hawk, Palm Warbler
- Winter (December–February): White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-capped chickadee, American Goldfinch
View the full watch list and latest bird sightings at Holden Arboretum
Be on the lookout!
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Killdeer
Yellow-bellied sapsucker
Louisiana Waterthrush
Birding and Community Science Programs
- Audubon Spring Birds walks at Holden Arboretum (April & May only)
- Volunteer at Holden Forests & Gardens
- Native Bird Conservation at Holden Arboretum
- eBird submissions
- Christmas Bird Count
- NestWatch or FeederWatch
Resources
Here’s more to explore at Holden Arboretum
Old Valley Trail
Please note that Old Valley Trail is closed indefinitely to make way for new trails in the Pierson Creek area opening in late fall. more
Can’t Miss Family Activities
Ready to trade screentime for greentime? A day at Holden Arboretum is always fun, educational, and immersive for the whole family. more
Grab + Go Café
Chef Ben Bebenroth of Spice Hospitality Group has created a Grab + Go café featuring delicious, convenient meals in the Holden Arboretum Visitor Center. Satisfying salads, bowls, wraps, and fresh snacks are... more
Leaf Trail at Holden Arboretum
Sharpen your leaf and tree identification skills as Northeast Ohio’s trees begin to change color! Pick up a brochure at the Arboretum and follow the Leaf Trail, an immersive autumn... more
Forest Forms
An artful exploration of nature’s lines, rhythm and movement May 10 – September 7 Forest Forms features eighteen sculptures ranging in height from a playful five feet to a monumental... more
Blueberry Pond Trail
This is a great area for families to observe aquatic wildlife and play in nature. more
Display Garden
A four-season garden planted with a mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs, this garden is home to two of the Arboretum’s most iconic attractions: the Arthur S. Holden Sr.... more
Eliot and Linda Paine Rhododendron Discovery Garden
Immerse yourself amongst a beautiful plant group as you stroll through the Eliot and Linda Paine Rhododendron Discovery Garden. This area hosts three separate vignettes that examine: The Eliot and... more
Little Mountain
Formerly the site of resort hotels where Cleveland’s wealthy residents escaped the summer heat, Little Mountain is now home to towering white pines, diverse plant communities, unique geological formations, and... more
