Megaphone -- Page 2

The Return of the Buzzards

by Nancy Sumner

Did you know that in March, not only do the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano, California, but the Buzzards also return to Hinckley, Ohio! Ohh, the excitement mounts and the citizens run amuck looking toward the heavens for the unsightly turkey vulture!! Why?? It certainly isn’t because of its attractiveness!

It is a traditional rite of spring in this normally sleepy little hamlet in the northeast corner of Medina County, Ohio. Much like the swallows in California, the spring season is determined by the yearly return of the Buzzard. Here is the rest of the story . . .

Back when north central Ohio was being explored and settled by the white man, there came a time when the wild animals outnumbered the people (much like cows in Wisconsin!) . . . anyway, it became a serious problem with their livelihood. These early settlers from the East were not real hunters, but hunting was a necessity as the bears and wolves were destroying the young cattle, sheep and hogs; as many as 100 head in a single neighborhood.

There were plenty of men with military experience gained in the War of 1812 who knew how to plan such a drive. Meetings were held to work out the plans and to set the date which was fixed for December 24, 1818. Four captains were appointed, one for each side of the township.

At sunrise, nearly 600 men and boys were gathered at the line and put to work. At 6:00 a.m., the commanding officer gave the signal and the drive began from the corners of the township toward the center. Men were warned to shoot only into the circle, and not into the lines! By late afternoon the firing had ceased. A big bear was being prepared for a barbecue by roasting over a fire and it was the start of a night long party. By the next morning, Christmas, word had spread from miles around about the kill and its success. The total was 21 bears, 17 wolves, 300 deer, fox, raccoons and turkeys. Everyone was thrilled that there were no injuries and no one had become intoxicated, although money from the wolf scalps was used to buy a barrel of whiskey. With that large of a kill, not all of the dead animals were used and those were left in the snow.

Naturally, when the snow melted, the buzzards were attracted by the "virtual buzzard smorgasbord," and they have been coming back every March since 1819!

In 1957, to help the people of the village of Hinckley get over the winter doldrums, they decided to cash-in on the annual return of the vultures and Buzzard Sunday was established! News people and radio stations carried the news that on March 15, the Buzzards of Hinckley would return! And at 2 p.m. that Sunday, the buzzards in fact did return . . . along with 9,000 humans! Now you have to realize that Hinckley is about the size of Frankton, probably smaller!

The Buzzards return to an open area lovingly called "Buzzard’s Roost." At the heart of the township is what is called Hinckley Reservation, a park of the Cleveland Metroparks system. The township proclaimed the first Sunday after March 15 as Buzzard Sunday. Forty-plus years later, thousands of visitors continue to attend the pancake and sausage breakfast, hosted by the Hinckley Chamber of Commerce at Hinckley Elementary School. Organizations from the township are invited to help and provide exhibits and information about their activities. Crafters and artists will fill the classrooms with their wares.

This event is hailed as a sign of spring in the Midwest by all who attend. You might wonder what would happen of the buzzards arrived early . . . fear not, the official "Buzzard Spotter" does not go to Buzzard’s Roost and does not look to the skies until March 15!!

I have been there and seen and felt the excitement while living in Medina County some years ago. San Juan Capistrano, California might have the piddley little swallows, but Hinckley, Ohio, has the beautiful (only because they are sooo ugly!) Buzzards! Now, I hear that the mud daubers return each year to Lukenbach, Texas . . . yuck!!