Ever hand feed a bird? In a winter rite of passage in Northeast Ohio, you can – by hand-feeding chickadees at several area locations.
January 6-February 25
Cool Adventures at Beech Creek: Experience the thrill of hand-feeding wild chickadees and other birds! Over the years, the center’s patient volunteers have trained these wild birds to feed from human hands. Skilled volunteers are on hand to teach you how to hand-feed wild birds using a special food blend of seeds and nuts. Birds that will eat from your hands include black-capped chickadee, tifted titmouse, red-breasted nuthatch and white breasted nuthatch. Play hiking games on the trails such as the Lichen Hunt, Finding North, & Hibernating Critter Exploration. See turtles, macaws, sugar gliders & more inside the Garden Science Center & interact with birds of prey presented by Raptor Hallow Sanctuary. Explore all the family fun that Cool Adventures has to offer and of course enjoy toasted marshmallows & sweet hot chocolate as you explore. Beech Creek Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve. 11929 Beech St NE, Alliance, beechcreekgardens.org/
January 20-February 25
Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation: The park supplies black oil sunflower seeds and instructions that help make your experience one to remember. Hand-feed during designated program times only – 10 a.m.-Noon on Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 4. Hand washing/sanitizer required after hand-feed. Registration is not required. All ages are welcome to participate. Brecksville Nature Center, 9000 Chippewa Road, Brecksville. Clevelandmetroparks.com
Saturdays through February 4
Summit Metroparks Twinsburg Ledges Area & Nature Center: Join a naturalist to see which birds visit the viewing area. Bring a mug and bird questions — the park will provide warm beverages and birding insights. Make it a total “bird-iful” day: Hand feed the chickadees or stay to help count birds for Project Feeder Watch. Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 10-11 a.m. summitmetroparks.org
