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March 1999

The Harlequin Duck present at Putnam's Landing in Zanesville (Muskingum Co.) a couple of weeks now, was seen as recently as Tuesday - Jim Fry. An adult male, the bird is tame and in the company of Mallards, reminiscent of the winter 79-80 bird in downtown Springfield (Clark Co.).

Scoter Invasion: At Huron it took one of Indiana's more active birders - Jeff McCoy to break the silence of bird reports surrounding that area. I was hopeful that Sunday's raft of scoters west of the impoundment, 62 Surf (18 ad. males), 4 White-winged (1 ad. male), and 3 Black Scoters (1 ad., 2 imm. males), would be enough to entice fresh visitors but I note that some of you have recently discovered Surf Scoters in your own backyards.

Fri.-Sat. - 3 birds (1 ad. male) at Dunkirk Quarry, Hardin Co. (1st county record) - Nelson Moore, Gregg Kelley.
Sat. - 1 at East Fork State Park - Hank Armstrong
Sat. - 1 ad. male at Paulding Village Sewage Ponds - Doug and Micki Dunakin
Sat. - 3 (2 male, 1 female) at Wellington Upground Reservoir - Kathy Mock et al.

I urge observers to check out their local reservoirs or even small ponds this weekend. I have little doubt that more of this widespread fallout will be revealed.

Extreme weather = extreme birds, and apparently vice a versa. As we ease into spring, so too do migrants continue to ease into the state. The moderate weather this past weekend saw the spread of Common Loons with a peak count of 13 at Acton Lake (Preble Co.) on Sunday - Bill Heck. Ospreys graced several bodies of water on the 28th; Cowan Lake - Larry Gara, Spring Valley - Ned Keller, and likely breeders back at Salt Fork State Park - Jason Larson, and Belmont Co. - fide Mark Skinner. Merlins paraded past several observers; Sat. - Lester Peyton in Harrison, Sun. - Zac Baker at Springville Marsh S.N.P., Mon. - John Pogacnik at Lakeshore Metropark, and Tue. - Hank Hiris by the observation tower at Magee Marsh W.A. Shorebird presence stepped up a notch with Pectorals becoming widespread in modest flocks; 50+ at Big Island W.A. Sat. - V.W.F.III, 50+ at Bolton Field Sun. - Bob Royse, 48 at Charlie's Pond Mon. - Len Powlick, 42 at Salt Fork S.P. Mon. - Jason Larson, and 43 at Buck Creek S.P. Tue. - Doug Overacker. More Pectoral gatherings were seen yesterday on the extensive mudflats of the Huron River at the Rt 2 bridge and further west along Rt 2 just north of the jct. with Rt. 19. Lesser Yellowlegs were widely reported across the state which is a bit unusual for March. Several new species reported Saturday include a Solitary Sandpiper with both species of yellowlegs at Big Island W.A. - V.W.F.III, a flyby male Ruff along the Magee Marsh causeway - John Pogacnik, two Long-billed Dowitchers at Ottawa N.W.R. - Mike Bolton, 8 early Dunlin from Buck Creek State Park - Doug Overacker, and an American Golden-Plover in the Oxbow (Cincinnati region) - Paul Wharton. I had another 8 American Golden-Plover at Big Island W.A. on Tuesday. All Big Island shorebird observations came from the raised diked area along Rt. 95 that was frequented by the Northern Wheatear last fall. The next week or so has the best potential for a Ruff. The habitat to examine is that favored by yellowlegs. Little shorebird habitat is available in the northwest, in this one of the drier beginnings to a spring season. In addition to the above mentioned sites, check along Park Colony Rd. (off Corduroy in Lucas Co. immediately east of Howard. If nothing else, you may catch up with the 100+ Lapland Longspurs and 20+ Snow Buntings that Matt Victoria had there yesterday. Many of the Snow Buntings were well along in attaining breeding dress. As to Maumee Bay flybys, Lapland Longspurs were once again disappointing yesterday with 150 birds tallied in a 3 hour watch. I doubt we have seen the main flight as yet. On Tuesday, the staging flock at Big Island W.A. numbered not less than 600 birds (all along Rt 95. - just get out into the field). Many of these birds were skylarking and singing; a tinkling, ethereal sound, mindful of a Bobolink only in reverse.

Elsewhere: The season's first Eared Grebe is a basic plumage bird near the beach at Delaware Reservoir on Monday - Bob Conlon. Only 8 Sandhill Crane had been noted past the observation tower at Magee Marsh W.A. through the weekend, but 5 birds were observed setting down at Ottawa N.W.R. on Sunday only to take off a few minutes later and continue westward - Pat Walsh, George Pierse, m.obs.. Two more birds were detected yesterday morning flying past the sledding hill at Maumee Bay S.P. - V.W.F.III. Details of that migration survey are available here, but the main birds were American Pipit (nearly 1000), and American Robin (about 1500). Like John Pogacnik the same day at Lakeshore Metropark, I also had a few Northern Flickers. John's survey detected an overflight migrant in the form of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, while new arrivals from Maumee Bay S.P. included a flyby Barn Swallow and 3 Savannah Sparrows on the hill. Yesterday's hawk watch from Magee Marsh was not quite as spectacular as advertised, but I did leave the tower early with the Sharp-shinned Hawk numbers just a dozen or so shy of a March record. On the Magee Marsh Bird Trail, a male Ruby-crowned Kinglet has been present the past two days - Matt Victoria, while yesterday overall migrant numbers improved to include 10 Eastern Phoebe, 10 Winter Wren, 25 Fox Sparrows, a Hermit Thrush, and numerous Golden-crowned Kinglets - Rob Harlan. Rob also had the lakefront's first Chippping Sparrow on the grass by the bird trail entrance after being first reported in southern Ohio over the weekend; Johnstown on Sat. - fide Mark Skinner, and Sunday in Columbus - Richard Cressman.

An early Caspian Tern today at Pickerel Creek W.A. was unexpected in an otherwise average spring migration. - Adam Blank and Bob Sams.

More of the same as recent arrivals spread across the state. Lesser Yellowlegs yesterday at Killdeer Plains W.A. (2 - Bob Royse ), and today at Salt Fork State Park (3 - Jason Larson), and Funk Bottoms W.A. (5 - V.W.F.III). A Greater Yellowlegs was amongst the Lessers at Funk . Pectoral Sandpiper also noted at Salt Fork (3) and Killdeer Plains W.A. (1 - Len Powlick). Common Snipe were noted across many sites with a concentration of 10 found at Bolton Field - Bob Royse. Great Egrets increase in the western marshes while birds appear elsewhere; one at Killdeer Plains W.A. - Len Powlick, and another described from the "Cleveland Metroparks wildlife sanctuary wetlands between Rt. 42 & 82 in Strongsville - Bruce Gaal; both yesterday. Len also reports a Rough-legged Hawk and the 54 Tundra Swan from the weekend still present at Killdeer Plains along with 3 more swan at Big Island W.A. Bob Royse adds "several hundred" Lapland Longspur along Washburn Rd. at Killdeer Plains W.A. to yesterday's birdlist. At Big Island W.A. last Saturday Greg Kelley censused 13 Short-eared Owls along the north side of Rt. 95. Blue-winged Teal numbers were up today at Pickerel Creek W.A. with 100 birds while 36 were present at Killbuck Marsh W.A. Some additional numbers from Killbuck today include 193 Tree Swallows, 2200 Ring-necked Ducks, 94 Wood Ducks, 550 American Wigeons, and 111 Gadwalls - V.W.F.III.

A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found at Sheldon Marsh S.N.P. on Friday at a very different location from the previous bird. - Sean Zadar et al. While possibly the same bird, the appearance of this individual in an entirely different setting (perch height, tree type, location) make a new migrant a more parsimonious explanation. The previous bird was in residence 6 weeks only to disappear from its roost with the onset of favorable conditions for migration.

The East Fork State Park Western Grebe continues through Monday - Hank Armstrong. Now vocalizing.

Spring migration creeps along in step with the gradual warming of the season. There has been more drama in the skies over downtown Cleveland with respect to courting Peregrine Falcons than anything involving migrants; although a few shorebird arrivals have been detected in recent days. Pectoral Sandpipers were first mentioned at Salt Fork State Park on Sunday with 5 birds seen by Jason Larson, and another was found yesterday by John Pogacnik at Arcola Creek Metropark (Lake Co.). John also had a flyby Greater Yellowlegs at Lakeshore Metropark yesterday, another visited Gilmore Ponds Sunday (Mike Busam), while Lesser Yellowlegs put in an appearance at Old Woman Creek S.N.P. (2 birds) and the Veler Rd. area (4 birds) adjacent to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge on Monday - Matt Victoria. Peregrines have been noted away from nesting areas with a migrant past Magee Marsh W.A, last Wed. - V.W.F.III, a bird at Big Island W.A. on Thursday - Todd Chapman, et al., and a flyby at Lakeshore Metropark last Friday - John Pogacnik.

Most of the recent migration news comes in the form of numbers of those migrants first detected a week ago. Tree Swallows were widely seen over the weekend. Common Loons were also widespread with Sunday reports from Kelleys Island (Tom Bartlett et al.), Lake Rockwell (Brad Bolton), and Lakeshore Metropark (John Pogacnik). Common Loons, first detected at Cowan Lake (Clinton Co.) last Thursday - Larry Gara, numbered 6 birds by Saturday - Doug Overacker. In Ohio, a sharp demarcation in the freeze/thaw cycle of early spring contributes to larger concentrations of waterfowl, while gradual warm-ups tend to result in small, scattered groups. This is acutely seen in the spring flight of Tundra Swan. Small numbers have been reported for a couple of weeks now, with an obvious push into the area Thur.-Sat. In of themselves, the flocks of 19 at Mosquito Lake (Thur. - Duane Ferris), 6 south of Fostoria (Thur.), 6 over Tiffin (Fri. - Brian Barchus), 27 at Big Island W.A. (Sat. - Todd Chapman et al., and 53 at Funk Bottoms W.A (Sat. - Gabe Hostetler) are of little more than local interest, but together reflect a typical pattern of moderate spring weather. They also reflect another consequence of such a flight, the tendency for inland locations to see numbers more usually reserved for the Lake counties. The largest lakeshore report from this period was that of 64 birds flying past Lakeshore Metropark on Friday - John Pogacnik. More flybys Friday from Lakeshore MP include 4 Snow Geese, while Sunday saw 3 Greater White-fronted Geese, 122 Killdeers, and 740 Red-breasted Mergansers. The mergansers along with 1200+ at Lorain Harbor Friday - Sean Zadar are average spring observations. More notable at Lorain Harbor has been a buildup in scoter numbers over the weekend in excess of 10 Surf Scoters, accompanied by up to 3 Black Scoters, and 1 White-winged Scoter - m.obs. On Saturday a flock of 150 Bonaparte's Gull on the east side of the harbor included a Little Gull - John Pogacnik. Sean also had an Iceland Gull at the "hotwaters" on Friday.

Elsewhere: A female Oldsquaw was found along the Cleveland lakefront Saturday - Nick Barber. Also Saturday, Bill Whan reports Yellow-headed and Brewer's Blackbird from the corn fields south and west of Maumee Bay S.P. Jason Larson still sees large numbers of Rough-legged Hawks at The Wilds; 33 last Friday. Good to know as very few thus far have been detected on the Black Swamp Bird Observatory hawk watch. Detecting early spring migrants of those songbird species resident in the region can be difficult,and often requires a regular census in localities depauperate in their winter resident populations. The Kelleys Island census this weekend recorded 51 Song Sparrows, 26 Golden-crowned kinglets, and 29 Yellow-rumped Warblers; each indicate a resident population augmented by migrants. Four Eastern Phoebes there on Sunday were new for the Western Basin of Lake Erie while the immature Lesser Black-backed Gull was a younger plumage than the bird seen November-December 1998. - Tom Bartlett et al.

A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found at Sheldon Marsh S.N.P. on Friday at a very different location from the previous bird. - Sean Zadar et al. While possibly the same bird, the appearance of this individual in an entirely different setting (perch height, tree type, location) make a new migrant a more parsimonious explanation. The previous bird was in residence 6 weeks only to disappear from its roost with the onset of favorable conditions for migration.

The East Fork State Park Western Grebe continues through Monday - Hank Armstrong. Now vocalizing.

Spring migration creeps along in step with the gradual warming of the season. There has been more drama in the skies over downtown Cleveland with respect to courting Peregrine Falcons than anything involving migrants; although a few shorebird arrivals have been detected in recent days. Pectoral Sandpipers were first mentioned at Salt Fork State Park on Sunday with 5 birds seen by Jason Larson, and another was found yesterday by John Pogacnik at Arcola Creek Metropark (Lake Co.). John also had a flyby Greater Yellowlegs at Lakeshore Metropark yesterday, another visited Gilmore Ponds Sunday (Mike Busam), while Lesser Yellowlegs put in an appearance at Old Woman Creek S.N.P. (2 birds) and the Veler Rd. area (4 birds) adjacent to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge on Monday - Matt Victoria. Peregrines have been noted away from nesting areas with a migrant past Magee Marsh W.A, last Wed. - V.W.F.III, a bird at Big Island W.A. on Thursday - Todd Chapman, et al., and a flyby at Lakeshore Metropark last Friday - John Pogacnik.

Most of the recent migration news comes in the form of numbers of those migrants first detected a week ago. Tree Swallows were widely seen over the weekend. Common Loons were also widespread with Sunday reports from Kelleys Island (Tom Bartlett et al.), Lake Rockwell (Brad Bolton), and Lakeshore Metropark (John Pogacnik). Common Loons, first detected at Cowan Lake (Clinton Co.) last Thursday - Larry Gara, numbered 6 birds by Saturday - Doug Overacker. In Ohio, a sharp demarcation in the freeze/thaw cycle of early spring contributes to larger concentrations of waterfowl, while gradual warm-ups tend to result in small, scattered groups. This is acutely seen in the spring flight of Tundra Swan. Small numbers have been reported for a couple of weeks now, with an obvious push into the area Thur.-Sat. In of themselves, the flocks of 19 at Mosquito Lake (Thur. - Duane Ferris), 6 south of Fostoria (Thur.), 6 over Tiffin (Fri. - Brian Barchus), 27 at Big Island W.A. (Sat. - Todd Chapman et al., and 53 at Funk Bottoms W.A (Sat. - Gabe Hostetler) are of little more than local interest, but together reflect a typical pattern of moderate spring weather. They also reflect another consequence of such a flight, the tendency for inland locations to see numbers more usually reserved for the Lake counties. The largest lakeshore report from this period was that of 64 birds flying past Lakeshore Metropark on Friday - John Pogacnik. More flybys Friday from Lakeshore MP include 4 Snow Geese, while Sunday saw 3 Greater White-fronted Geese, 122 Killdeers, and 740 Red-breasted Mergansers. The mergansers along with 1200+ at Lorain Harbor Friday - Sean Zadar are average spring observations. More notable at Lorain Harbor has been a buildup in scoter numbers over the weekend in excess of 10 Surf Scoters, accompanied by up to 3 Black Scoters, and 1 White-winged Scoter - m.obs. On Saturday a flock of 150 Bonaparte's Gull on the east side of the harbor included a Little Gull - John Pogacnik. Sean also had an Iceland Gull at the "hotwaters" on Friday.

Elsewhere: A female Oldsquaw was found along the Cleveland lakefront Saturday - Nick Barber. Also Saturday, Bill Whan reports Yellow-headed and Brewer's Blackbird from the corn fields south and west of Maumee Bay S.P. Jason Larson still sees large numbers of Rough-legged Hawks at The Wilds; 33 last Friday. Good to know as very few thus far have been detected on the Black Swamp Bird Observatory hawk watch. Detecting early spring migrants of those songbird species resident in the region can be difficult,and often requires a regular census in localities depauperate in their winter resident populations. The Kelleys Island census this weekend recorded 51 Song Sparrows, 26 Golden-crowned kinglets, and 29 Yellow-rumped Warblers; each indicate a resident population augmented by migrants. Four Eastern Phoebes there on Sunday were new for the Western Basin of Lake Erie while the immature Lesser Black-backed Gull was a younger plumage than the bird seen November-December 1998. - Tom Bartlett et al.

Magee Marsh Bird Trail, Friday 3:30-4:30 pm : 3 Mourning Dove, 3 Downy Woodpecker, 6 Tree Swallow, 3 Brown Creeper, 1 Carolina Wren, 1 Fox Sparrow, 6 Song Sparrow, 2 Red-winged Blackbird, 1 Rusty Blackbird, 4 Common Grackle.

The most impressive thing about this list, of course, is that it exists. The Magee Marsh Bird Trail was re-opened yesterday afternoon. Seems a Great Horned Owl has found the eagle nest to its liking.

Elsewhere : A good hawk flight yesterday (160 birds) over Magee was highlighted by a Golden Eagle early in the morning - V.W.F.III. A pair of Sandhill Cranes were also morning flyovers in Jerusalem Twp., Lucas Co. yesterday - Matt Victoria.

Before reading this week's report on migration progress, please note the new URL on the side bar for the Toledo RBA, part of the Toledo Naturalists website. Checkout the photo of a Ross's Goose that wintered on a local pond. Also, the sidebar on the Ohio Birder Resources now sports a long overdue Ohio Birding Links button. The link set features new URLs from The Ohio Bluebird Society and Black Swamp Bird Observatory.

A pair of Sandhill Cranes had returned to Killbuck Marsh W.A. by Monday - Paul Rosenberry. Five migrant Sandhills were reported on the Dayton RBA website from the 9th at C.J.Brown Reservoir (Clark Co.). Tundra Swans have been floating into the area here and there. Flocks include 18 by Lakeshore Metropark on Sunday - John Pogacnik, 38 by Magee Marsh on Monday - V.W.F.III., 30 in residence at Killdeer Plains W.A. over the weekend (Bill Rinehart et al.), and another 23 on Tuesday at Acton Lake (Preble Co.) - Frank Frick. In the evening of the same day, Casey Tucker reports 10+ Snow Geese on Acton Lake. A Common Loon present on the lake since the 11th - David Rusell and Sean Walkeer, was joined Tuesday by a second bird. A Red-throated Loon was a one-day wonder at Buck Creek State Park last Saturday - Doug Overacker. A molting Common Loon at Eastlake last Friday - Kevin Metcalf - has me suspicious of origin. Any rehabbers release a bird there this year? Kevin's other highlights that day include adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at Eastlake, 35 Horned Grebes, 3 White-winged Scoters, and a Glaucous Gull at Fairport Harbor. Possibly as a consequence of the ice pack along the south shore of Lake Erie last week, the weekend saw several other reports of scoter inshore. Saturday, Bob Finkelstein had 4 Surf and 1 White-winged Scoter at the Lorain "hotwater" (which is once again steaming). These female/immature Surf Scoters were present Monday (V.W.F.III) at Lorain and were different from the 6 birds at Avon Lake Power Plant on Sunday (included 3 males) - Sean Zadar, Marnie Urso, and David Kriska. The group's outing was interrupted by the rescue of a small, dark form of Canada Goose. While David suggests Brant canadensis minima, this Pacific coast population is unknown in the state. I understand from Mark Shieldcastle that perhaps only a blood test would distinguish minima from a dark hutchsoni. I'd loved to see photos of this bird. Belatedly, 170 Ring-necked Ducks and 80 Wood Ducks were notable concentrations for Acton Lake - David Russell and Sean Walker

Among songbirds, winter residents still garner more attention than migrants, although American Pipits did make their presence felt in southern Ohio last week with 8 reported the 11th from East Fork State Park, and 5 at Lake White (Pike Co.) 12 March (fide Joe McMahon). Two Eastern Phoebes were noted at Greendale Wetlands (Hocking Co.) on Sunday - Bob Scott Placier. The icy grip of winter could be seen in the continued presence of large numbers of American Tree Sparrow; 150+ at Killdeer Plains W.A., on Saturday - Erich Baumgardner and Jerry Lippert, 33 banded at Springville Marsh S.N.P. on Sunday - Tom Bartlett, and 175 at Deer Creek W.A. last week - fide Joe McMahon. Southern and central Ohio sites have enjoyed numerous Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting reports recently. The heavy snowfall of two weeks ago likely contributed to the concentration of 300 longspurs at Killdeer Plains W.A. on the 6th - Charlie Bombaci. Subsequently, 30 birds were near Deer Creek W.A. - Joe McMahon, and 15 along the Greene/Clinton Co. line the 14th - David Dister. Fifty plus was an excellent tally for Pike County along Prairie Rd. just south of Waverly 11-12 March - Bill and Donna Bosstic. Snow Buntings were also noted the 12th north of Chilicothe and the Dayton RBA reports 6 Snow Buntings south of Xenia on the 14th. Horned Larks were not immune to the weather last week gathering in substantial numbers with 450 noted in a couple of flocks in Van Wert - John Perchalski and 650 at Deer Creek W.A. - Joe McMahon. Another uncommon race reported this week was a Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow visiting the feeders at the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, C.J.Brown Reservoir (Clark Co.) over the weekend - Doug Overacker.

I rarely get a Wild Turkey report away from the usual haunts. Suddenly, I'm inundated by two reports from the southwest where the species apparently is on the increase. David Dister noted a flock of 8 birds just east of Caesar Creek State Park on the 14th, while 2 flocks totalling at least 19 birds were found at East Fork State Park on the 13th by Neill Cade and Hank Armstrong.

Finally Raptors: As mentioned yesterday, the Lake Erie flight has really only just started. Few Rough-leggeds have been tallied, but then it is still possible to see winter residents, like 22 at The Wilds last Friday - Jason Larson and two birds along Yellow Swale (Sandusky Co.) yesterday - V.W.F.III. At Pickerel Creek W.A. yesterday a Northern Harrier was carrying nesting material - V.W.F.III. Northern Goshawks this week include an adult at Rt. 2 and Rt. 163 near Port Clinton (Ottawa Co.) on Saturday - Tom Bartlett and an adult past the Magee Marsh tower on Monday - V.W.F.III. Turkey Vultures have stepped up a notch, first with 18 over Tiffin on Saturday - V.W.F.III, the North Hill, Athens roost building to 191 on Sunday - Bill Whan, and 120 yesterday over Rt 23 immediately south of Marion (Marion Co.) - Tom Bartlett.

St. Patrick's Day, 1979, Tom Denbow and I watched as 117 Red-shouldered Hawks sailed past Davis-Besse Power Plant in 1 hour. Ever since, I have associated the peak spring flight of this species through the marshes of Lucas/Ottawa counties with this day. Twenty years later, my memories were renewed. I visited with the Magee Marsh hawk counter from 10:30 to 3:00 today and Red-shouldered Hawks were the bird of the hour, most hours. The count was still going when I left, so I don't have a final tally, but it was in excess of 100 Red-shouldered Hawks. Finally, Turkey Vultures, American Kestrels, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks were also winging their way north in some numbers. - V.W.F.III.

I started the day at "Big Hill", the sledding hill at Maumee Bay State Park, just before sunrise (6:40 a.m.). The full results of my annual diurnal landbird migration are tabulated here. A fairly normal passage, although some excellent numbers for Mourning Dove and House Finch. A good tally for American Robin, average Killdeer (this flight persisted throughout the day with a final respectable total of 197), surprisingly few blackbirds, and disappointing Lapland Longspur numbers. With regard to the latter, I suspect we have yet to see the bulk of the northward passage.

The day did see some new arrivals to the northwest. The American Pipits on diurnal at Maumee Bay State Park, two male Blue-winged Teal were at Pickerel Creek W.A. by Parking Lot C, 2 Tree Swallows were foraging over the impoundment immediately west of the main Barrett Rd. pool of Medusa Marsh, and a Great Egret was a pleasing flyby from the Magee Marsh observation tower - V.W.F.III.

The East Fork State Park Western Grebe continues through today - Hank Armstrong. Again by the saddle dam. Hank adds:

"This area can be accessed from State Rout 222 which runs between Ohio 125 on the South and Ohio 32 on the North. Slade Rd. is located just north of Ohio 123 and it is the road into the park. Continue on it until it comes to a dead end. You are now on the saddle dam and the bird can be found between the dam and the water intake structure."

The Sheldon Marsh S.N.P. Northern Saw-whet Owl was NOT present today. V.W.F.III.; likely taking advantage of last night's south winds to move on.

The East Fork State Park Western Grebe continues through last Thursday - Hank Armstrong. Hank required 3 hours to locate the bird by the saddle dam.

The Salt Fork S.P. (Guernsey/Noble Co.) Greater White-fronted Geese were last reported for Thursday - Jason Larson .

The Sheldon Marsh S.N.P. Northern Saw-whet Owl continues as of Monday. V.W.F.III. ; and so too at Killdeer Plains W.A. on Sunday.

Waterfowl remain the focus of birder's early spring forays. With Lake Erie's south shore icebound, most of the action was inland, as the usual mix of bay and puddle ducks build to expected numbers. The annual staging of Ring-necked Ducks has gained attention in recent years for the high concentrations that may appear on local ponds. Site fidelity is high in this species, clearly favoring particular waters over others while in Ohio. Representative numbers this past week include :

Thursday - 1000 at East Fork State Park (Hank Armstrong)
Friday - 166 at The Wilds (Jason Larson)
? - 150 at Van Wert Resrvoir (John Perchalski)
Sunday - 250 at Funk Bottoms W.A. (Brumfields)
Sunday - 485 at Killdeer Plains W.A - (V.W.F.III)
Sunday - 750 at Big Island W.A. - (V.W.F.III)
Sunday - 135 at Deer Creek W.A. - (McMahon & Bosstics)

We're only at the beginning of this species' staging efforts. This time 2 years ago saw 10,000 birds across the state.

Not to be outdone, Redhead have been putting in a better than average showing this season. Notable concentrations were 250-300 at Killbuck Marsh W.A. Sunday-Monday - Jeff & Marian Kraus / Paul Rosenberry, 100 at Deer Creek W.A. Sunday - Joe McMahon et al., 300 at Big Island W.A., and 300+ at Killdeer Plains W.A. - V.W.F.III, also Sunday. Other inland Aythya included, scaup concentrations of 550 at Killdeer Plains W.A., 110 at Big Island W.A., and 100 at Van Wert Reservoir - John Perchalski. The flock at Killdeer Plains W.A. was estimated at about 5% Greater Scaup, a surprisingly high number for the interior so late, but adding credence to the spate of reports of small flocks from central and southern Ohio the past two weeks.

A week ago Monday, Sandusky Bay had frozen over (95%) briefly concentrating the bay duck throng near enough to the Bay View bridges for a rough estimate. The inner bay (my reference to birds southwest of the railroad bridge) held approximately 6000 birds (roughly 50% Canvasback, 25% Redhead, 25% scaup spp.), while the outer bay near Johnson's Island held "thousands" - Rob Harlan, and at least another 3000 birds occupied the area immediately adjacent the railroad bridge - V.W.F.III. The latter group were closer to 2/3rds scaup spp. These numbers, more or less, continue through this past Monday, although dispersed as most of the Bay had reopened by late last week. While the Bay has opened up, much of the western Lake Erie marshes remain frozen, limiting the puddle duck population. Perhaps as a consequence, this group is only starting to gather at traditional inland localities. The Brumfields estimated 3500 Mallard, 350 Northern Pintail, and 120 Wood Duck at Funk Bottoms W.A. on Sunday. The same day, at Killdeer Plains W.A., my estimate for Pond 27 (east) included 2100 Mallard, 200 American Black Duck, 160 American Wigeon, 100 Northern Shoveler, and 120 Northern Pintail. Interesting flocks at southern Ohio locations include 50 Northern Pintail at Buck Creek State park Sat - Doug Overacker, and at Deer Creek W.A. Sunday, 47 Northern Pintail, and 77 American Wigeon - Joe McMahon et al. Flocks of mergansers are now widespread with 302 Red-breasted at Deer Creek, and 150 at Buck Creek State Park. Seventy-five Hooded Mergansers were also present at Buck Creek State Park Saturday.

The cool weather drove several arriving Pine Warblers to feeders in the south. Friday Jim Fry's Rockbridge (Hocking Co.) feeder hosted the first bird, with a bird noted Saturday at a Lake Hope State Park feeder (Vinton Co.) - Dave Sapienza, and a Cleves (Hamilton Co.) backyard - Ned Keller. Meanwhile, the New Concord Pine Warbler successfully overwintered at Heather McFerren's feeder as it was still present last week - fide Jason Larson. Fox Sparrows, noted at southern Ohio feeders the previous two weeks, made their way to central Ohio feeders with a bird reported from Knox Co. Saturday - Howard Gratz, and Tiffin (Seneca Co.) on Monday - V.W.F.III. American Woodcock have been popular the past weekend as they are now widespread. The first northeast Ohio report dates back to 28 February with 3 birds at Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation - Dwight Chasar. Just a few days later (4 March), up to 12 birds were known from the north side of East Fork State Park (Clermont Co.) - David Brinkman. The Black Swamp Bird Observatory hawk watch at Magee Marsh W.A. has been slow going its first week. No more so than this past Monday when I managed the impressive sum of zero migrant raptors but that does not mean a dull day was had. The rare sunshine brought out many a local raptor including 3 Rough-leggeds hunting the area. A Common Snipe shot through the legs of the tower to surprise Gordon Demars and myself, only to circle the pond pathethically looking in vain for an unfrozen portion of shoreline. On two occasions we were entertained by a Northern Shrike chasing an American Tree Sparrow about the feeders at the Sportman's Center. The diving acrobatics did justice to a hunting falcon, but multiple passes within inches, were close but no Spizella. Tree Sparrows it seems can zig and zag as well as any snipe when called upon to do so. Speaking of Northern Shrikes, a bird has spent the winter at Fallen Timbers monument (Lucas Co.) - Toledo Naturalist newletter. In the northeast, another wintered in Chesterland; seen as recently as 28 February - Haans Petruscke. This past Sunday, I finally caught up with the Big Island W.A. bird locating it along the tree line of Slade Run. That's the creek crossing Espyville Rd between Rt 95 and LaRue-Prospect Rd. Also Sunday, the control transect along Ground Hog Rd. (about 6 miles due southwest of Big Island W.A.) was home to a surprising 5 Short-eared Owls (actively hunting at 9:00 am), as well as the expected 117 Lapland Longspurs. A nearby flock of 400 blackbirds included at least 150 Brewer's Blackbirds. Short-eared Owl is being reported from a Starr Twp. (Hocking Co.) reclaimed strip mine - Lynda Andrews, while at nearby Lake Logan Horned and Pied-billed Grebes were noted Saturday -Jim Fry. Raptors at The Wilds as of Saturday still include 20 Rough-legged Hawks and a Merlin - fide Jason Larson. Rough-leggeds are still in residence in the northwest with 2 light morphs hunting a field 2 miles east of Oak Harbor (Ottawa Co.) on Monday. - V.W.F.III

No report of the Western Grebe in a week.

The Fairport Harbor Little Gull flock (up to 18 last Friday) - Norm Kotesevic, Sean Zadar - has apparently dissolved away with the current freeze. Bonaparte's Gulls in the vicinity on Thursday numbered a remarkable 500+ - Bill Whan, Bob Conlon. Bill also located the male Harlequin Duck off the lighthouse breakwall on Thursday, while both the male and female were visible Friday from Fairport Harbor, the female continuuing on Saturday by the marina. - Ben Morrison et al.. Previous years with March deep freezes (1984, 89) proved a boon for white-winged gull sightings, however, such reports have been slow in coming this week. Gull activity has picked up with 5500 Ring-billed and 600 Herring Gull occupying Sandusky Bay late last week but nothing out of the ordinary noted. Gull numbers in the northeast have also increased with a Lakeshore Metropark census Sunday revealing 3 Glaucous Gull, 1 Iceland Gull, and 2 Thayer's Gull - John Pogacnik. At Fairport Harbor, a 1st winter Glaucous Gull has been widely viewed for the past week (through yesterday - m.obs.), while a 1st winter Iceland was added last Thursday Bill Whan, and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull on Saturday - Sean Zadar. Waterfowl have provided as much excitement as anything lately. A White-winged Scoter was among waterfowl in Fairport Harbor on Friday - Ben Morrison et al. . John's Lakeshore MP flight included an Oldsquaw and 1200+ Red-breasted Mergansers on Sunday. That the latter made a substantial move into the state is further supported by the appearance of 80 on Cowan Lake (Clinton Co.) - Larry Gara on Friday and 200+ at Buck Creek State Park (Clark Co.) on Saturday - Doug Overacker. Tundra Swans have been seen on the move in small numbers; 25 by Headlands Beach State Park last Thursday - Bill Whan, 7 past the Magee Marsh observation tower on Friday - V.W.F.III, 17 at Salt Fork State Park Saturday - Pat and Tona Sica, and 9 again at Fairport Harbor yesterday - Dick and Jean Hoffman. The Sica's did well over the weekend to find 16 Greater White-fronted Geese at Salt Fork S.P. (Guernsey/Noble Co.). Jason Larson followed-up to relocate the flock on Monday noting at least 19 birds present. Directions.

The Sheldon Marsh S.N.P. Northern Saw-whet Owl continues as of yesterday. - V.W.F.III

Good bay duck numbers have been reported inland especially the 150 Redhead and 125 Ring-necked Duck, and 50 Lesser Scaup at Winton Woods 3 March - Jack and Jay Stenger, Jim Decker, and a concentration in Paulding County on Sunday involving 285 Ring-necked Duck and 140 Lesser Scaup - Doug and Micki Dunakin. The usual bay duck concentrations have been noted along Lake Erie including 300 Redhead and 500 Canvasback at Fairport Harbor last Thursday - Bill Whan, Bob Conlon. The two observers also noted local Pied-billed and Horned Grebes, while 14 Pied-billeds and 10 Horned Grebes from the East Fork State Park winter flocks made it into the spring reporting period.- m.obs. Two Pied-billed Grebes and 18 Northern Pintails were interesting from Salt Fork State Park as was the 2nd spring report of a Tree Swallow - Pat and Tona Sica. Friday saw something of a Northern Pintail flight over the Magee Marsh observation tower with 130 birds tallied through the day heading east. - V.W.F.III. I overlooked the first report of Blue-winged Teal, 2 birds on the 24th February at Gilmore Ponds (Butler Co.) - Erich Baumgardner, Jerry Lippert. Subsequently, 3 birds at Gilmore Ponds -Frank Frick, and 2 birds at Acton Lake (Preble Co.) have been reported this past Friday - David Russell, Jim Hickey, and Jill Dansand. David further reports 16 Sandhill Crane at Acton lake the evenings of 3-4 March. Other small crane numbers have been noted in Paulding Co. (4 on Saturday - Doug and Micki Dunakin), and Warren? Co. (7 birds, 26 Feb. - Erich Baumgardner). Another belated reported from the southwest is that of 20 Killdeer and 2 Common Snipe at Gilmore Ponds on the 26th Feb. - Frank Frick.

Note the official public announcement (above) by O.D.N.R., D.O.W. regarding the Magee Marsh Bird Trail eagle nest.

The Sheldon Marsh S.N.P. Northern Saw-whet Owl continues as of Tue. - Bob Finkelstein

A hummingbird in a Hinckley backyard on Monday was a definite surprise - fide Craig Rieker. A feeder was put up on the chance of a return appearance. It is not implausible that one of several western species which increasingly make a habit of wintering in the southeastern US could visit this area early in the season.

Just as unexpected was the weekend invasion of Little Gulls in the Fairport Harbor area (Lake Co.). Beginning with 4 birds on Friday - John Pogacnik, at least 26 birds were detected on Saturday - Jenny Brumfield, Emil Bacik, and Ray Hannikman. Thirteen birds remained Sunday through yesterday - Nick Barber / Larry Rosche. Any Little Gull within the Lake Erie basin in February is extraordinary.

The East Fork State Park Western Grebe continues through last Friday - Jamie Krupka.

The spring season slowly progresses. Apart from a Tree Swallow at Big Island W.A. last Thursday - Todd Chapman, much of the progress has been more subtle, seen in the gradual staging of waterfowl at traditional sites. On Monday Redheads numbered 500 at Metzger Marsh W.A. and 1400 were on Sandusky Bay immediately offshore from Gypsum Cement. - V.W.F.III. Another 65 had accumulated at Killdeer Plains W.A. Friday/Sunday - Todd Chapman/Vic Fazio. The Sandusky Bay flock was accompanied by 1800 Canvasbacks. Common Mergansers are moving off Lake Erie onto inland waters. Monday's inland flight over the observation tower at Magee Marsh W.A. was surprisingly heavy with 180 birds noted. Inland reports of Ring-necked Ducks came from across the state in recent days; Friday - 35 at Van Wert Reservoir Jean & John Perchalski, Sunday - 26 at Cowan Lake Larry Gara, 60 at Killdeer Plains W.A. , Monday - 50+ at Wayne Co. - Bob Royse. Other interesting waterfowl notes include 42 American Wigeons on Cowan Lake Sunday, and 17 Ruddy Ducks and 15 Hooded Mergansers on Wilmington City Reservoir Saturday - Larry Gara. Seven Snow Geese at Killdeer Plains W.A. on Friday - Todd Chapman, and 13 Tundra Swans there on Saturday - Ed Pierce are normal numbers for this time of year, something we have not seen in several years of peak numbers by this date. A small cattail marsh at the Upper Sandusky landfill was a surprising location for a female Surf Scoter Sat.- Mon. - Rick Counts. The female Harlequin Duck put in another appearance at the "Mew Gull" marina at Fairport Harbor yesterday - Larry Rosche. A 2nd winter Lesser Black-backed Gull was widely viewed at Fairport Harbor on Saturday - m.obs. The above Little Gull flock was coincident with an unusual incursion of Bonaparte's Gulls with John Pogacnik's Saturday flight by Lakeshore Metropark numbering 483 birds - equally extraordinary for February. One trend of recent spring's continues with the early appearance of large numbers of Rusty Blackbirds; a flock of 380 birds at Gilmore Ponds (Butler Co.) - Mike Busam, Mark Stephens. Lapland Longspurs numbered 97 at Big Island W.A. on Friday - V.W.F.III.

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