Buzzard Day

When:
🗓️ March 15

Since:
🥂 1957

Buzzards Return, Tourists Flock, and Pancakes Flip! 🦅📆🥞

Also known as:
– Hinckley Buzzard Day
– Hinckley Buzzard Sunday
– National Buzzard Day

From Walter’s Logs to Pancake Flipping

Every year on March 15th, the skies above Cleveland Metroparks transform into a feathered homecoming.

It all started in the 1950s with former Cleveland Metroparks ranger Charlie Willard, who diligently recorded the buzzards’ arrival each year in his logs for no less than 23 years. He noticed that these buzzards returned to their nesting grounds on the exact same day each year. Not just approximately, but with the precision of a well-tuned avian calendar.

Charlie’s meticulous logs caught the attention of fellow ranger Walter Nawalaniec, who further verified the phenomenon through his own observations. Walter realized that he had stumbled upon a natural phenomenon that deserved celebration!
The news reached the Cleveland Press and before you could say “wingspan,” on the following March 15th a flock of curious tourists descended upon the park, eager to witness the feathered phenomenon for themselves.

Since that day, Hinckley has flung open the doors of its elementary school, serving visitors a hot pancake and sausage breakfast. It’s a quirky tradition, a nod to the sky-bound timekeepers.
And thus, Buzzard Day became a cherished local tradition!

Meet the Buzzards

While some folks might use “buzzard” as a catch-all term for any scavenging bird, our Buzzard Day guests of honor are actually turkey vultures!
These feathered scavengers boast a wingspan of up to six feet, making them a formidable presence in the skies. With their keen eyesight and remarkable sense of smell, turkey vultures are adept at locating carrion (fancy talk for dead stuff) from high above.
Turkey vultures are found throughout North and South America and they’re particularly fond of open habitats such as fields, forests and deserts, where they can soar effortlessly on thermal updrafts in search of their next meal.
Despite their somewhat sinister reputation as scavengers, turkey vultures play an important role in our ecosystem by cleaning up carrion and helping to prevent the spread of disease.

Join the Flock: Pancakes, Sausages and the Buzzard Brigade

The traditional way to celebrate Buzzard Day is to gather your fellow bird buffs and go on a buzzard-watching expedition in the Cleveland Metroparks.
Pack a picnic, bring your binoculars and see who can first spot these magnificent creatures soaring overhead.
If you’re lucky you can join the pancakes and sausage buffet that the park traditionally provides on this special day. Because nothing says “Welcome back, buzzards!” quite like a hearty North-American breakfast. Or so they say.
It’s the ultimate excuse to ditch work and spread your wings!

Beak Appetit

As the sun peeks over the horizon, take a moment to appreciate the marvel of migration. These buzzards, with their keen eyes and soaring grace, remind us of nature’s astonishing rhythm.
Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just a casual admirer of nature’s wonders, there’s something special about coming together to marvel at the marvels of migration.
And when someone asks, “Why pancakes and sausages?” then you know what to say. “We’re honoring the avian timekeepers of Buzzard Day. I read about it on Wild Calendar, so I know it’s legit!” Then hand them your spare binoculars to join in on the fun.

Happy Buzzard Day!

#BuzzardSunday #BuzzardDay #HinckleyBuzzardSunday #HinckleyBuzzardDay #NationalBuzzardDay

🐦 Spread your wings and check out these bird events as well before they fly away! 🐧