Because the turkey vultures return to Hinkley, Ohio every March 15, some claim that this is really Buzzard Day. However, back in , a few members of the Hinkley Chamber of Commerce got together and agreed to have a pancake breakfast festival at Brongers Park on the first Sunday of Spring. This was the first Sunday after March 15th! But, because the popularity of these turkey vultures returning to the town every March 15th has become so wide-spread and popular, and creating a lot of tourists who come to watch them specifically on March 15th, it's on March 15th that Buzzard Day is observed and said to be its official day.
Although the buzzards have been coming to Hinkley for over years, it wasn't until February, when Robert Bordner, a writer for the Cleveland Press, got word of it.
Walter Nawaleniec, a Metroparks patrolman, said that he personally has seen these buzzards arrive in Hinkley every March 15th for the past 6 years.
And, that his deceased predecessor, Charlie Willard, had also seen them arrive annually on March 15th and kept his own personal log on this for 23 years. After Mr. Bordner's story was issued in the Cleveland Press, ornithologists, naturalists and even other reporters spread the word what was going to happen on March 15th. So, what happened? Well, right on time, the buzzards arrived in Hinkley, Ohio. And, news spread even faster now that they were in town. Over 9, visitors arrived, which the town was not prepared for at all.
February of that year Walter Nawalaniec, a patrolman for Cleveland Metroparks, told reporter Robert Bordner of the Cleveland Press and local historian, Miss Eunice Morton of Richfield, that he personally had clocked the birds appearance every March 15 th for the past six years. Old-timers, naturalists, ornithologists, editorial writers, reporters, radio announcers, movie and camera men, got into the act as the tension built up over the following month.
Skeptics were everywhere and Hinckley Township was split down the middle with some folks resenting the identification with such a repulsive, revolting, bad-mannered eater of carrion. As March drew near the suspense built up all over the State and more stories appeared across the nation. Friday, March 15 th arrived…and so did the buzzards…right on time, first sighted at 2 p.
A bird hike is held early in the morning, as are other hikes throughout the day. There are contests and skits, and the sharing of stories and songs. Some visitors also come on March 15 and head to Buzzard Roost, where the "Buzzard Spotter" clocks the arrival time of the first buzzard, which signifies the arrival of spring for everyone in attendance. Turkey vultures, also known as turkey buzzards or buzzards, are large birds with dark bodies, featherless red heads, and hooked bills.
They have a broad wingspan, look similar to turkeys, are smaller than eagles or condors, but are larger than red-tailed hawks. Some live year-round in the southern United States and areas farther south, while others migrate. In the spring, many buzzards live in areas in the northern United States, such as Hinckley, but live in the southern United States or all the way down to South America during the winter months.
Northeast birds migrate a small distance, to locations like South Carolina and Louisiana, while western birds fly farther, to Central America or South America.
There are estimated to be about 18 million turkey vultures. They can be found flying around farmland, rangeland, and forest. They use thermals to glide to high altitudes, and can also fly at low altitudes, where their superb smells help them to find carrion.
They prefer animals that have just died, and it is rare for them to kill any animal themselves. A few vultures may gather at an animal at once, but usually only one feeds at a time. They use a wide variety of sites for nests, like ledges, crevices, caves, abandoned nests of other large birds, and even abandoned buildings.
One location they use is Whipps Ledges in Hinckley Reservation. On Buzzard Day, we celebrate the birds there and all other turkey vultures! If you can, celebrate the day in Hinckley, Ohio. Stop at the Hinckley Reservation and look for buzzards, and go to Hinckley Elementary School for the rest of the day's festivities.
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