The area can be reached by traveling east on Route 22 from I-77. Follow Rt 22 past the park entrance (big sign). Take the next paved road to the left (sign says #587). As you travel this road, you will pass a group camping area (on left), a series of beaver ponds (also on left), a small shooting range (on right), and cross a small bridge. Take the next left (unmarked). There is a wetland along the left side of the road. The birds were feeding along the grassy island near the deeper water at the bottom of the hill. - Pat and Tona Sica; posted 27 April 1998.
Henslow Sparrows have returned en masse to The Wilds. I am again helping Professor Danny Ingold (Muskingum College), with research plots at The Wilds as he continues his study of grassland species of birds in Ohio, and the effects that reclaimed strip-mine areas have on their breeding habits. We began our study one week earlier than last year, and this morning were treated to over 30 singing males. The birds seemed to already be actively establishing their territories, so they probably returned earlier in the week. I checked the sites late in the day last Sunday, but found no active birds. This area is easily reached, and the birds are very easily seen. To reach this area go south on SR 83 from New Concord, OH. (New Concord is located near the junction of Interstate 70 & SR 83. DeLorme Map Pg 71/A5) Go south on 83 until you reach New Cumberland. Go west (right) on SR 146. Follow 146 out of town for about 3 or 4 miles until you come to a LARGE sign for The Wilds. Turn left onto International Road. Stop your car! Pull over! Get out and listen! Henslow Sparrows! PLEASE NOTE! All of the area around you is either privately owned, State Wildlife Area, or the property of The Wilds. In fact, almost all of the areas along International & Zion Ridge Roads are off limits. Please do not walk in the fields. All of these birds can easily be seen from the road w/ scope, binocular, or most times, even w/ the naked eye. Trust me! Trespassing on The Wilds property will usually get a quick response from their security team. Again, this is a fantastic place to bird, just don't go into the fields or woods off of the road.
The Grasshopper & Savannah Sparrows can be easily seen further down International Road. Again, in most cases, many will be perched on fence posts or shrubs right near the road. Henslow Sparrows are more prevalent before you reach the cemetery. Also, look and listen for Henslow's (especially) in the thick, dark brown patches along the road. This plant is called Lespedeza (Bush Clover). The Henslow Sparrows love it! Where you find it, you will find them.
Grasshopper & Savannah Sparrows will be found easier in the open areas past the cemetery. However, keep in mind, they may be found anywhere along this stretch.
In addition, a single Short-eared Owl was seen on one of the posts in one of the plots today, and 3 of the Rough-legged Hawks still remain in the area directly across from The Wilds Visitor Center on Zion Ridge Road.
If you get to the area, and are wondering--the square areas surrounded w/ the small pink, yellow, and orange flags, along International Road, are Professor Ingold's research plots. Again, please do not enter them as he is conducting breeding bird research. Thank You! - Jason Larson
The area that the bird was seen in is known as Wright Marsh which is an area within the Killbuck Marsh State Wildlife Area. This area is located just off State Rt. 226 south of Wooster. To reach this area from Wooster, Ohio (DeLorme Map Pg. 50), travel SW out of Wooster on Rt. 3. Cross Heyl Rd. and Rt. 95 until you see where Rt. 226 splits off from Rt. 3 and goes south. Be careful as this is a very confusing intersection. Travel south on 226. The road you are looking for is called Messner Road. As you travel south on 226 you will pass a large establishment on the right called The Pine Tree Barn. A nice place to visit and a good place for lunch. It is not your local diner, sort of up-scale, and you may have to take a number and wait awhile for a seat. It's a busy place on the weekend. Anyway, Messner road will be the first road to the left after The Pine Tree Barn. You should not have to go more than three miles from the intersection of Rt. 3 and Rt. 226 to get to Messner. Turn left on Messner and follow it to the end. The road used to go through, but it is now closed. There is a parking area/pull off, to the right, at the end of the road. Follow the trail, at the end of the parking lot, to the SE down towards the marsh. You will eventually come to a place in the trail beside a large stand of pines. At this point you should be able to look out over the marsh.
The bird was seen associating w/ Ring-necked Ducks and scaup. Ben stated that he had in excess of 2,600 Ring-necks at this spot. Lots of ducks to look through.
A first winter plumaged Mew Gull (Larus canus bracharynchus) was found at Fairport Harbor today (Thursday 5 March 1998) around 10:30. The bird was found sitting on the docks at the marina at the end of East Street.
To get to this location, get off Route 2 at the Richmond Street exit. Take this north to the first traffic light after crossing over the Grand River (less than 1 mile). At the light, the road splits. Take the right split, this will be East Street. Take this all the way to the lake. At the lake, the road curves to the right leading to the marina. Again, show courtesy to the owners of the marina.
The bird was photographed from as close as 6 feet away.The bird showed an all gray back that was a shade darker than the same aged Ring-billeds. It had a rounded head with a large dark eye. The upper and undertail coverts were distinctly barred brown and whitish. The tail was a dark brown.
prepared by Vic Fazio III 20 Mar. 1998