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February 1998

Today - the North Olmstead feeder was still hosting 1 male and 6 female Evening Grosbeaks. An adult Little Gull was among Bonaparte's Gull at the Gordon Boat ramp in Cleveland Lakefront S.P. - Bob Finkelstein. Also today at Findley S.P. (Lorain Co.) Craig Rieker's concerted effort to find Red-breasted Nuthatches yielded 50+ individuals. Also present were 104 Turkey Vultures, a Barred Owl calling mid-afternoon, and 10 Common redpolls. Yesterday saw Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Fox Sparrow at Greendale Wetlands (Hocking Co.) - Bob Placier. Larry Rosche's update of the Headlands Beach S.P. Pomarine Jaeger clarifies that there was 1 adult and 1 2nd yr bird present on Sunday. Two Little Gull were also there. Dave Hochadel notes a local American Woodcock in Trumbull Co. 26 Feb. may be the earliest spring return for that county. Dave further reports a concentration of a dozen Northern Harrier last week along the North Park Ave. ext nr the Mosquito Lake W.A. office. A Pine Warbler was reported for Mitchell Memorial Forest (Pine Meadows Picnic Area) on Saturday - Sun. 1 March 1998

So much for the non-winter of 1997-98. This past February proved to be the 2nd warmest since 1882 for Northwest Ohio. In other words pretty extreme and so were the birds. How about THREE Tringa species in the Lake Erie Basin in the past 3 days. First the Greater Yellowlegs of Thur., then a Lesser Yellowlegs Fri., and most amazing a Solitary Sandpiper seen and heard yesterday by Tom Bartlett at Springville Marsh S.N.P. (Seneca Co.) Peterjohn (1989) hypothesized a normal arrival for Solitary Sandpiper to be about mid-April with occasional overshoots the last few days of March and early April. Published arrival dates for the species subsequent to Peterjohn are limited to 3 years, 30 March 1996, 13 April 1989, 15 April 1990; apparently supporting the status quo. This particular record may be a first for the winter reporting period in any Great Lake state (by which I mean to exclude Vermont - no matter the bill the President may sign this week declaring Lake Champlaign a "Great Lake" ;-) .

The other big news yesterday were 2 ADULT Pomarine Jaegers well studied at Headlands Beach S.P. - Nick Barber et al. relates . . .

"both had about a one-inch streamer projection and double-flash in the under-primary coverts. One had an extensive bar on the upperwing because it is moulting its greater upper- secondary coverts".

Last year's spring birds were unprecedented so we shouldn't get too jaded but then these are adult Poms - probably not much chance of that.

To continue with Tom Bartlett's 75 species outing yesterday here are these highlights. At Springville Marsh in the first hour of daylight, 2 Sandhill Crane and 3 Yellow-headed Blackbirds. [Ed. Note: I went out this morning quite early only to be greeted by a very dense fog which appears to be persistent into mid-day. So no blackbirds but an early American Bittern offered a series of thunder-pumps]. Tom ventured to Lorain where he found 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, the adult still at the Lorain mudflat (present since Tue.) and a 2nd yr bird in a marina off Rt 6 as you are coming into Lorain from the west. I don't have the numbers tallied as yet but my impression is that the past 12 months has seen a significant increase in this species within Ohio. The statewide 10 year average for 1983-92 was 11 birds/ year, but lately we've been finding that many a season. Perhaps no more than a blip, but curious nonetheless.

And elsewhere . . . Northern Turkey Vulture roosts are filling in. Yesterday the Perkins Observatory (Rt 23, Delaware Co.) birds were back.- V.W.F.III. Nick Barber also had a possible Iceland Gull at Headlands yesterday. Also in the Northeast, a Red-throated Loon was reported from Corning Lake, Holden Arboretum (Lake Co.) for Thursday (Cleveland RBA) - but nothing there yesterday Dick & Jean Hoffman. Evening Grosbeaks have been reported from a North Olmstead residence, American Woodcock were at Jaite last weekend. Funk Bottoms (Wayne Co.) held a Rough-legged Hawk and 25 Killdeer - Cleveland RBA. Funk historically has proved a rarity haven in March and early April while it has water. I reccommend putting this one on your early spring itinerary. And finally Fox Sparrows - migrants should not appear for another week and in numbers not until the 3rd week of March, yet yesterday 4 birds were at Springville Marsh - Tom Bartlett and 2 at Green Lawn Cemetery (Columbus) - Pam Raver et al.. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was heard last night at Delaware W.A. - Marc England, Jeff Jones

You can never accuse birds of being boring - they are ever changing. One of the more useful and rewarding tasks for the lay ornithologist is to perpetually test the stated "facts" of field guides and monographs. Just remember to be ready to support your new assertion with as much evidence as you may gather.

It was a fine mid-March migration today. Not a great start as nothing was present at Aldrich W.A. (Ottawa Co.) or Metzger Marsh W.A. (Lucas Co.) during the morning rain. A quick look at the entrance of Ottawa N.W.R. provided 3 Wood Duck and 65 Rusty Blackbird. A check of the Magee Marsh causeway revealed 186 Tundra Swan, although apparently they were already in the process of departing in drips and drabs; moving west. As the rain let up, a few American Robin and Killdeer overhead made it plain that a diurnal migration* may take place afterall despite a light easterly wind. From the Hawk Tower of Magee Marsh W.A. from 9:40 am to 12:20 pm I recorded the following of interest (all heading east but for the raptors which went west) :

Northern Pintail - 120
Green-winged Teal - 58
Bald Eagle - 4 (all immatures)
Red-tailed Hawk - 6
Red-shouldered Hawk - 2
Killdeer - 103
Mourning Dove - 24
American Crow - 3290 (includes bird trail notes to 1:40 pm)
American Robin - 123
Eastern Bluebird - 9
Lapland Longspur - 1655
American Goldfinch - 14

The Killdeer number betters the record February count set last year at Big Island W.A. Most of the flight had greatly diminished by the end of data recording with exception of American Crow which went strong late in the day. The bird trail was not especially productive but for Brown Creeper and Winter Wren, the best songbird being a Ruby-crowned Kinglet back at the base of the Hawk Tower. In the afternoon, I went hunting for shorebird habitat and found flooded fields on Howard Rd and at the junction of Corduroy and Park Colony (just east of Meinke marina). The latter held a dozen Killdeer and while there, a Lesser Yellowlegs flew in to rest in the flooded stubble. A very early record for the Lake Erie shore.

Elsewhere: The 3 Great Egrets remain in the usual spot on the south side of Rt 2 as you depart the eastern end of the Sandusky Bay bridge. The Canvasback numbers there have diminished to about 150. About 7000+ bay duck (likely scaup) occupied the outer portion of the Bay (as seen from Medusa Marsh). If you have not had any luck with the Medusa Marsh Bald Eagle nest north of Rt 2 that's because they have moved south of Rt 2, nesting in the woods that held the old Rt 2 heronry and an eagle nest in the 1970's. I have another uncorroborated Osprey report, this time from Monday for Magee Marsh W.A. (last week's Lake Co. bird was heading west) - fide O.D.N.R. Away from the lake, Turkey Vultures were on the move today with 9 birds over Tiffin - Brian Barchus while Dick and Jean Hoffman had 3 birds at Findley S.P. (Lorain Co.) yesterday.

Yesterday some migration was detected in eastern Ohio in Lake Co. principally involving American Crow (1200) but highlighted by 2 Greater White-fronted Geese and a Greater Yellowlegs at the intersection of Rte 608 and Ravenna Road in Conord Twp. - John Pogacnik. The 4 Dunlin and adult Lesser Black-backed Gull continue at Lorain as of yesterday - Dick and Jean Hoffman. The Hoffman's also reported a different suite of birds at Wellington Reservoir as compared to just a few days ago. The variety of waterfowl included 4 Horned Grebe in addition to 1 at Oberlin City Reservoir.

A field just east of Big Island W.A. along Rt 95 (Marion Co.) has become a lake and held 8 Tundra Swan yesteday. There were another 4 Tundra Swan in the diked marshes of Big Island W.A. Additional spring migrants there yesterday included 5 Killdeer, 4 Green-winged Teal, and 14 Ring-necked Duck. The resident Bald Eagle (now in 4th year plumage) seems to have attracted a mate (a full adult); any one know of a nest at Big Island? Also of note were 30 Lapland Longspur along La Rue Prospect Rd. south of the diked marshes. - V.W.F.III

At Spring Valley yesterday birds of interest included 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Virginia Rail, and 3 Wood Ducks. - Marc England. Marc also reports from last Sunday at Clear Creek Valley a dozen Turkey Vulture, Black Vultures, and most unusual for the area a flyover Peregrine Falcon. On Monday Zac Baker had 2 Sandhill Cranes and a Killdeer in the vicinity of the Nevada Bald Eagle nest (Wyandot Co.). The Tundra Swanwintering in Bluffton has turned sickly with lead poisoning. X-rays revealed a dozen pellets in the gut. - Linda Houshower The parking lot of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge was the scene this week of a blackbird gathering with a Yellow-headed Blackbird accompanying 80 Rusty Blackbirds - John Pogacnik. John also reports that the gull flocks occupying the flooded fields of the Ottawa Co. area host some unusual species such as a Lesser Black-backed Gull and an Iceland Gull.

Gull concentrations at Lorain impoundment, Huron pier, and Cedar Point causeway, offered some variety with 7 species today. Lorain impoundment held about 175 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (ph), 2 dozen Bonaparte's Gulls, and an adult Thayer's Gull seen well in flight. Three Dunlin (ph) also remain. At Huron another adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was found flying up the river, while resting on the opposite bank across from the Clarion Hotel, a 1st winter Thayer's Gull (ph). About 100 Great Black-backed Gulls were also in the vicinity. Cedar Point causeway (east), adjacent to Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve allowed views of another 350 Great Black-backed Gulls on the beaches. Another 650 Great Black-backed Gull were present in the parking lot of the Cedar Point Amusement Park - easily the best place for large gatherings of this species in the state. Unfortunately it is very much underbirded. Also resting on the blacktop an adult Glaucous Gull, and 1000+ Herring Gull. Maybe 10 Ring-billed Gull. Just something about the outer Sandusky Bay harbor that attracts big gulls. Another 150 Great Black-backed Gull were scattered along the west Cedar Point causeway all the way to the Radison Motel. In the space of 15 minutes one could see 1150+ Great Black-backed Gulls (90% adult) without hot water outlets and an ice-covered lake. So much for conventional wisdom. - VWFIII

Elsewhere : 300 Redhead were the dominant bay duck at Bayview on Sandusky Bay. Mixed flocks of Ring-necked Duck and scaup are more apparent. 100 scaup on New London Reservoir (Huron Co.) was roughly 2/3 Lesser, and 1/3 Greater. Also present 65 Redhead. Wellington Reservoir continues to host enormous numbers of American Coot with 950 birds today - that is a typical spring high count and far exceeds the norm for a winter month. Also present 55 Ruddy Duck as that species begins spring migration. - V.W.F.III

I just learned of a wintering Gray Catbird in the Cuyahoga Valley National Recereation Area (nr Ira Rd) - last reported for 9 Feb. - Marian Zehnder. More recently (yesterday) from the C.V.N.R.A., along Riverview Rd (Cuyahoga Co.), Craig Rieker called out a Pine Warbler in response to an alarm call. Today Jason Larson reports an adult Iceland Gull sitting on the mudflat at Lorain (a rare plumage for Ohio). Four Dunlin remain also at the mudflat. Two Great Egets continue at the usual Bayview (Erie Co.) location adjacent to Rt 2 as do thousands of Canvasback just off the Sandusky Bay bridge.

A Northern Shrike was found on Force Rd. in the Killbuck Marsh - Bruce Glick; Directions. 5 Snow Geese and a Brewer's Blackbird were at Mosquito Lake (Trumbull Co.) last Thursday.. The blackbird was in a "mixed flock of Rusty Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, E. Starlings and Am. Robins on Gardner-Barklay Rd. west of Hoagland-Blackstub Rd" - Judy Hochadel. On the heels of the Southwest's first American Woodcocks, the Northeast (The Wilderness Center, Wilmot) had birds by last Tuesday - Jason Larson. The species should be occupying most favored haunts by now. Sandhill Cranes began their northward journey on schedule with 5 at Acton Lake (Preble Co.) on Saturday - Casey Tucker. Perhaps another sign of spring, a Horned Grebe was found yesterday on Walden Pond (Blendon Woods Metropark, Franklin Co.) yesterday - Mike Williams & Dave Demmon. Two more Horned Grebe were at Hueston Woods S.P. yesterday - Mike Busam et al. . The mix of duck including 20 Ruddy Duck, 15 Lesser Scaup, and 25 Hooded Mergansers are also indicative of the pace of migration. Jim Reid had a Snow Goose at the same location on Saturday. Killdeer Plains W.A. owl show continues with 17 Short-eareds, 2 Long-eareds and 2 Northern Saw-whets over the weekend - Don Kinsman et al.. One Rough-legged Hawk also continues there. A male Oldsquaw was on the upground reservoir at Killdeer and 7 Snow Geese were on Pond 27 yesterday - Dick & Jean Hoffman. The Hoffman's also had an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at Eastlake on Saturday. The Barred Owl was last reported from "The Pines" last weekend - Bill & Roxanne Rinehart. Here is a weekend report from Joe Hammond for the NW marshes.

The 20 White-winged Crossbills at Swan Creek Cemetery continue today - Lee Garling. Two more Virginia Rail were reported, this time from Springville Marsh (Seneca Co.). They were calling of their own accord today - Tom Bartlett. A Rough-legged Hawk was reported at Killdeer Plains WA as recently as the 9th. - Monon Van Schoyck. Also 15 Short-eared Owl were present that day. Small numbers of Green-winged Teal and Northern Pintail were reported yesterday from Winton Woods - Jay Stenger. Few Pine Siskin reports lately so I'll mention the ten at Mitchell State Forest this weekend - Ned Keller. A belated report of an adult Great Black-backed Gull from the S.R. causeway over Berlin Reservoir on 3 Feb. adds to the dozen or so inland records. - Youngstown RBA. Migrant Sandhill Crane were reported recently? from Sandusky Co. The Oak Openings Northern Shrike continues to be seen along Wilkins Rd betwen Monclova and Sager Rds. - Toledo RBA. Five Dunlin at Lorain yesterday likely are the same 5 from January. - Cleveland RBA.

The Ottawa/Erie Co. marshes were free of ice today with much of the waterfowl dispersed although perhaps 2000 Canvasback linger in the vicinity of Sandusky Bay. First reported last weekend from the Magee Marsh area, territorial Red-winged Blackbirds were noted in Erie Co. today. Migrant Canada Geese, Horned Larks, and American Crows were evident over Kelly's Island much of the morning. A Killdeer was found at the airstrip on the island. A Marsh Wren remains at the Celotex Marsh area at the jct. of Plasterbed and Lockwood Rds. (Ottawa Co.). Two Virginia Rails answered a tape at the same location. - V.W.F.III & T.B.

The Swan Creek Cemetery (Monclova, Lucas Co.) White-winged Crossbills remain with 20 or so there yesterday - Jean Hoffman. The Hoffman's also had a Killdeer along Krause Rd. Tinkers Creek State Nature Reserve (Cuyahoga Co.) had Wood Duck while Hermit Thrushwere located both at the Oak Hill area of Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area and the swampy bottomlands of Riverview Rd in Brecksville - Craig Rieker. An adult male winter pl. Oldsquaw was at Oberlin City Reservoir (Lorain Co.) yesterday. - Phyllis Jones. Red-necked Grebe and Little Gull were off Lakeshore Metropark yesterday - John Pogacnik.. The Little Gull was part of a Bonaparte's Gull flight involving 400+ birds - most unusual for February.

The bird of the week is a White-eyed Vireo discovered in Kent by Sterling and Marian Saxe. It was photographed Tue. by Larry Rosche.This represents an unprecedented overwintering of the species in Ohio and perhaps the Great Lakes.

Spring is here : 2 American Woodcock were calling and displaying this evening (Feb 14) at Miami Whitewater Forest in southwestern Ohio. - Lester Peyton. This beats last years early report by 4 days. - VWFIII

Lark Bunting widely viewed this morning by various observers. Last report for the Lark Sparrow was for Wed.

We sighted an immature Snowy Owl at 8:30 a.m. this morning at the intersection of State Route 111 and County Road 21, which is two miles east of the state line. Delorme P. 34, C-D 1.2. The bird has apparently been around about a week, according to reports we received today. It is possibly the darkest snowy we have ever seen, quite a contrast to the nearly white bird that frequented the same area two years ago. - The Dunakins

The usual assortment of birds at Killdeer Plains WA continues as of Friday with now up to 7 Long-eared Owls - various observers. Huron River mouth is presently hosting a concentration of gulls - the only one know of - including a 3rd yr Lesser Black-backed Gull. - Tom Bartlett. A Snow Goose was at Newell's Run near Marietta last Sunday - Barbara Hohman. At Headlands (and the harbor) today, we had a 3rd-year Glaucous Gull and a 1st-year Iceland Gull on the section of breakwall out in the harbor. Also the Horned Grebe is still around the Fairport docks. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was at Eastlake. - Nick Barber.

A Peregrine Falcon was on the SE upper corner of the Bank One Building in downtown Canton, the corner of Market and Tuscarawas. Across from City Hall. We saw the bird preening around 3:30 p.m. A local police officer said another one had been killed last week hitting a window of the Hilton Hotel in the next block south. According to an article in today's Canton Repository, it has been there since November - John and Elaine Snively

The Lark Bunting was last reported Wed. - Sean Zadar

The Holmes Co. [Directions] Lark Bunting was present yesterday - Dan Sanders.

Two Snow Geese (blues) were present today at a Fostoria Reservoir - Sue Ross. Sue also added to the number of Killdeer now reported from the Northwest recently with two in Hancock Co. today. Yet another Marsh Wren report, this from Winton Woods Settling Pond (Hamilton Co.) on Saturday - Neil Cade. The Lesser Black-backed Gull and Great Egret immediately southwest of Rt 2&Rt 269 at Medusa Marsh were still present today - V.W.F.III. Apparently first reported over the weekend (Cleveland RBA) the 5000 Canvasback on Sandusky Bay (from the rt2 bridge) were still there today.

Lark Bunting and Lark Sparrow remain through Sunday in Holmes Co. - Jim Fry et al.

Elsewhere: At least 10 White-winged Crossbills continue at Monclova Cemetery on RT20A - Cheryl Kehrer. Three American Pipits were at Eastwood Metropark Lake (Dayton) on Sat. and a Common Loon was on Ferguson Reservoir (Lima) on Sunday - David Dister. This afternoon a remarkable sighting of an Osprey took place flying along the lakeshore at Lakeshore Metropark in North Perry (Lake Co.). - John Pogacnik.

Lark Bunting seen early a.m. associating with a House Finch flock. Later at 9:45 a.m. arrived in the company of American Tree Sparrows. The Lark Sparrow was also evident much of the time especially by its song. - V.W.F.III et al.

Elsewhere: Killdeer Plains W.A. continues to host owls with at least 5 Long-eared Owl and 2 Northern Saw-whet Owls widely noted today. A dozen Tundra Swans and 2 Snow Geese were further evidence of the progression of spring migration. No less than 4 Bald Eagle were conspicuous today. This site is a favorite for observing Red-headed Woodpecker and 5 could be located from the intersection of T 103 and CH 75. At that intersection, a Common Yellowthroat was disturbed from the roadside ditch. The 5th mid-winter record this year. The adult Red-shouldered Hawk, a scarce species in the central west, was still present at the flooded forest pool westward along CH 75. - V.W.F.III et al.

Todd Chapman reports 9 Tundra Swan at Big Island W.A. on Tue. (N side of RT 95). A Little Gull was seen today at E. 72nd St. access to Lake Erie in Cleveland. - Doreene Linzell. A Common Loon was at the Villa- Angela Marina (outlet to Euclid Creek east of Cleveland) on Wed. and Thur. - Laura Gooch. A Pine Warbler was found amidst a flock of Yellow-rumps at Ross Lake 3 Feb. - Joe McMahon.

Lark Bunting seen through 5:00 p.m. - V.W.F.III et al. Bird was associating with a House Finch flock.

Lark Bunting seen again today - Ed Pierce.

A Snow Goose (blue) and 3 Green-winged Teal were present at Winton Woods Saturday - Jack and Jay Stenger. Sunday, 20 Ring-necked Duck and 12 Lesser Scaup at Landen Lake, Deerfield Twp (Hamilton Co.?) - Matt Wilder. Also from the southwest, at least one of the Marsh Wrens at Miami Whitewater was present Saturday and a female Common Yellowthroat was a new find at Spring Valley W.A. (Greene Co. portion) - David Dister. In the Toledo area, Evening Grosbeaks continue at Oak Openings Lodge. A Greater White-fronted Goose was found along the Stange Rd border of Ottawa N.W.R., and a Killdeer was new at Metsger Marsh last week - Toledo RBA. A few White-winged Crossbills remain at the cemetary along Rt20A and Coder Rd as of today - Jeff Grabmeier. The Pine Warbler at Lakeshore Metropark (Lake Co.) was seen again Sunday - John Pogacnik

A Lark Bunting, probably an immature male, (possibly present a week) was conclusively identified yesterday by Ed Schlabach in Holmes County. The bird was found again this morning at 10:15 after extensive searching by a dozen or more persons. Another group relocated the bird at 4:00 p.m. The site is farmfield and hedge rows adjacent to a planted blueberry patch in and around a couple of homes. The bird travels with a sparrow flock, made up of mostly American Tree Sparrows, but also includes Field, White-throated, White-crowned, and a Chipping and a Lark Sparrow. These latter odd species were also seen today. As the Lark Bunting appears to be a real skulker, spotting these other species will narrow your search.

Directions: In Holmes Co. find the E-W RT 39 from Millersburg. Pass through Berlin, Walnut Creek. At Walnut Creek the road goes downhill. At the bottom of the hill is the first road, you want the second road (TWP 162) after a about a 1 mile straight stretch. Watch for the "Light in the Valley Church" sign. Turn right on that twp road. Follow for about 1 mile to a crossroads with county road 70. Take a right. Immediately note the newer home on the right (ranch style) and a small home on the left. From this point on look for the travelling sparrow flock. Apparently one may walk into the weedy fields and along the brushy fencerows. The road continues as a slight upgrade then levels out. It levels out at a home on the right sign out front reads Delan and Leona Miller. This is as far as you should go. The weedy cornfield (north side) hosted the flock early this morning until we flushed them out. The flock moved to the south side of the road with the Chipping and Lark Sparrow moving with them. The Lark Sparrow may sing quite vociferously. Apparently, this morning's sighting of the Lark Bunting took place immediately adjacent to the road but may well be back a ways along the hedges.

The recent fair weather with southwesterly winds has brought some early migrants including 400 Tundra Swan at Ottawa N.W.R. today Tom Bartlett, and 14 Killdeer and 2 Dunlin at Pleasant Hill Reservoir yesterday - Jason Larson. Tom also reports that last weeks adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at Medusa Marsh was at the same site today - on the ice immediately NW of the Rt269S/Rt2 jct. Thayer's Gull, Iceland Gull, and Glaucous Gull were all located on the breakwall off Fairport Harbor yesterday. The gulls were observed from Fairport Harbor beach on the south side of the harbor - Nick Barber. At least 6 Long-eared Owl continue at Killdeer Plains W.A. today - Todd Chapman. A Snow Goose was present on the pond of DFS, Inc. amidst hundreds of Canadas, both Thur. and Fri. This site is just north of Rickenbacker Airport in Groveport (Franklin Co.) - Susan Cruest.

maintained by Victor W. Fazio III / last modified 26 Nov. 2000