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Summer 1999

Leading up to the passage of this weekend's strong cold-front, shorebirds gathered along the Lake Erie shore in impressive numbers. At Sheldon Marsh SNP, a second Wilson's Phalarope joined the first on Thursday - (Ben Morrison) staying through yesterday - m.obs. Ben also noted a Baird's Sandpiper and 2 White-rumped Sandpiper. One of the White-rumps was found Friday by Bob Conlon and Bill Whan. Bob and Bill had a very early Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sheldon Marsh. A Willet had been reported by another observer earlier in the day. At Medusa Marsh, Bob and Bill discovered the first Red Knot of the year, "largely alternate plumage" bird. Their number for Stilt Sandpiper, 25, was a marked increased over Jenny Brumfield's 9 three days earlier. Sunday saw the peak of the shorebird staging ahead of the cold-front although it was apparent at sunrise that yellowlegs, at least, were on the move along the lakeshore. A quick check of the Huron River mudflat as viewed from River Rd. (access from Huron immediately east of the bridge in town) revealed 205 Lesser Yellowlegs, along with an assortment of common shorebirds in smaller numbers; about 75 peep, a dowitcher, etc. Sheldon Marsh was just about overwhelming, as the NW wind had started to bring the lake into the marsh. The distant mudflats were well under water forcing the remaining shorebirds out of all the little nooks hidden from birder scopes, up to the area in front of the observation decks. An accurate count was a daunting task but after 90 minutes of several repeats I came up with:

Killdeer - 80+

Semipalmated Plover - 23

Lesser Yellowlegs - 98

Solitary Sandpiper - 2

Spotted Sandpiper - 4

Semipalmated Sandpiper - 380 (East) +75 (West)

Western Sandpiper - 1

Least Sandpiper - 44

Short-billed Dowitcher - 75+

Wilson's Phalarope - 2

In light of the huge number of peeps, it was surprising so few of the more uncommon species were reported. Shorebirds were not the only attraction. Least Bittern, King Rail, and Merlin were additional highlights. The rail was discovered by Jeff and Marian Kraus and further seen by Sheldon Marsh SNP staff. Jeff and Marian, along with Vince Lucas also spied the Merlin chasing the shorebirds. All six swallow species had gathered with more than 280 Northern Rough-winged Swallow staging (100+ East / 180 West).

At nearby Medusa Marsh, the water level was slightly up, rejuvenating the site. Tom LePage located a Red Knot but this was a gray-backed individual with a faint hint of red on the breast - different from Friday's bird. A similar plumaged bird was at Ottawa N.W.R. yesterday - Tom Bartlett. Other shorebirds at Medusa included:

Killdeer - 126

Semipalmated Plover - 29

Greater Yellowlegs - 24

Lesser Yellowlegs - 125+

Solitary Sandpiper - 6

Semipalmated Sandpiper - 60+

Least Sandpiper - 20+

Pectoral Sandpiper - 66

Stilt Sandpiper - 34

Short-billed Dowitcher - 61

As early am offers the best lighting conditions at Medusa. A check this morning produced 38 Stilt Sandpipers and 12 Snowy Egrets; the latter one shy of the season's peak of 13 last Friday - Bob Conlon and Bill Whan. The Great Egret flock at Medusa peaked the day before with an astonishing 156 birds present - Dan Sanders. A subsequent check of Sheldon Marsh revealed high water, few shorebirds, and a dramatic increase in Bonaparte's Gulls from 23 yesterday to 560+ this morning - V.W.F.III. Yesterday at Ottawa N.W.R. Tom Bartlett had 9 Cattle Egret about as large a flock as has been reported all year. Nearby Metzger Marsh last Thursday had an immature Yellow-headed Blackbird and Least Bittern - Ben Morrison. An Osprey has been visiting Sheldon Marsh SNP the past week, seen as recently as yesterday mid-morning - Mike Zuilhoff. At very nearly the same time, another bird was sighted at Medusa Marsh - Tom LePage et al.

If I seemed a bit hesitant about the Kelleys Island Merlin last week, it was because I felt there was something sacrosanct about keeping the month of July Merlin free. Well not any more. Monday around noon, returning from a Big Island W.A. survey, I paused at Pond 27 of Killdeer Plains W.A. Noting little more than a few Great Blue Herons, I turned to leave, looking up at the dead tree 15 yards from the parking lot. There, alternating between preens, staring at me intently was an adult female Merlin. I watched for a couple of minutes, as she completed tending to the under-wing and the right side rectrices of her tail, swished out to one side revealing the sharp banding pattern. When I finally thought to bring my shoulder scope up to examine her for moult, she lost her patience with me, and made an elegant back-door fall-away launch into the air, circling once quickly, before heading effortlessly to the northwest. While now convinced of July Merlins in Ohio, I remain dumb-founded as to their increasingly early fall appearance. This, of course, is an invitation for shameless speculation so here goes. I don't believe we have been overlooking the species, and that this represents a fairly recent phenomenon. It has been a fruitful breeding season and migrants are staging in good numbers earlier than expected. If Merlin populations themselves are consequently doing well, and their breeding seasons are coreespondingly early this warm season, then perhaps the odds of a post-breeding dispersal event reaching central Ohio are better than they have been. I further note the past two days nearby wires at Killdeer Plains W.A. have been lined with 450+ Bank Swallows; an ample food cache for a hungry Merlin - V.W.F.III.

Shorebirds once again: Saturday a Whimbrel at Pickerel Creek W.A. (in front of the observation tower) entertained birders throughout the day - Adam Blank, Brad Cullen et al.. Yesterday evening, with little time to devote to a thorough study, I still found a nice variety of species at Sheldon Marsh. In the immediate area of the observation decks were :

Semipalmated Plover - 9
Killdeer - 40+
Greater Yellowlegs - 4
Lesser Yellowlegs - 21
Solitary Sandpiper - 3
Spotted Sandpiper - 7
Stilt Sandpiper - 1 (ad. basic)
Pectoral Sandpiper - 11 (adults)
Semipalmated Sandpiper - 167 (roughly 60% ad. alt., 40% ad. basic; 2 juveniles) Western Sandpiper - 2 (both full alternate)
Least Sandpiper - 6
Short-billed Dowitcher - 7
Long-billed Dowitcher - 1 (full alternate)
Dowitcher spp. - 19
Wilson's Phalarope - (ad. basic)

I missed the Black-bellied Plover and Willet that Brad Cullen had on Saturday here. Another 200 shorebirds (mostly peeps) were but distant silhouettes far to the west.

For those perhaps intimidated by peep identification, please take this opportunity to visit Sheldon Marsh. A Selection of 40 birds, including the Westerns, was immediately next to the northernmost observation deck. All birds fed within 10 yards, and over the few minutes I was there, most passed by within 12ft! Binocular views were the equal of any close-up photo in a field guide. You could count the number of scapulars moulting out in the alternate Semipalmated Sandpipers. Not a bad situation for you photographers either. And if we are to ever again discover some particularly mind-blowing siberian waif in Ohio, I must believe it will come in such a situation as this where every feather may be scrutinized at leisure.

Speaking of leisure, do yourselves another favor and visit Medusa Marsh by this weekend. The main pool off Barrett Rd. (exit to Bay View off Rt 2 at the eastern end of Sandusky Bay Bridge, then turn right in Bay View) is drying up quickly. For herons, I suspect it is at its height (literally) for peak concentration. If you have ever marvelled at the sight of a mass of white herons in south Florida, you won't be disappointed by Medusa Marsh right now. Up to 94 GreatEgrets have been present, but sure to be treasured by anyone were the 74 Great Egrets augmented by 9 Snowy Egrets illuminated by the setting sun last evening. [Best viewing 4:00-8:30 p.m.] Local shorebirds offering some minor distraction yesterday included:
Semipalmated Plover - 3 Killdeer - 47
Lesser Yellowlegs - 59
Greater Yellowlegs - 16 (two still in high breeding plumage)
Stilt Sandpiper - 6
Ruff - 1 juvenile (alone on the NW corner mudflat at about 70 yards)
Pectoral Sandpiper - 12
Short-billed Dowitcher - 1

Songbird news: The Big Island W.A. census of the weekend revealed 77 Grasshopper Sparrows and 27 Dickcissels in 6 hrs of birding. Many of the sparrows were feeding young at the nest so next week should see a boost in numbers from fledglings. The Tree Swallow gatherings along the wires approached 500 indicating a good year locally. These birds were accompanied by staging Banks Swallows - 250+. Now is a good time to view Orchard Orioles as they may be found wandering almost anywhere in post-breeding dispersal. I ran into a dozen birds away from immediate nesting sites this weekend; mostly in family units. Yellow Warblers have been on the move along the Sandusky River system since 1 July. However, this weekend was the first steady stream of migrants overhead that I have detected in the region. John Pogacnik detected something similar along lake Erie at Lakeshore Metropark on Saturday (with the passage of the front?) noting 45 Yellow Warblers. The movement also involved a Red-breasted Nuthatch, Least Flycatcher, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, and numbers of Rose-breasted Grosbeak. We are coming into the peak Yellow Warbler migration (probably the next strong cold front) and Least Flycatchers certainly move south very early. However, I'd be inclined to think the other species represent post-breeding dispersal of early nesters.

Shorebird migration continues apace. The high evaporation rates of the recent couple of weeks have augmented the few existing stopover sites as lakes draw down and margins broaden. The Killdeer Plains / Big Island W.A. areas saw a sharp increase in shorebird numbers due to these draw-downs. Weekend numbers included:

Semipalmated Plover - 2
Killdeer - 75
Lesser Yellowlegs - 65
Greater Yellowlegs - 9
Solitary Sandpiper - 6
Spotted Sandpiper - 7
Upland Sandpiper - 8 (locals)
Pectoral Sandpiper - 9
Least Sandpiper - 52
Stilt Sandpiper - 1
Short-billed Dowitcher - 18

Birders will want to check Ponds 3 and 6 at Killdeer Plains W.A. while watching the developing mudflat at Unit D of Big Island W.A. The LaRue-Prospect marshes of Big Island offer very little, however, a small pond at the west end of the dikes held the Stilt Sandpiper.

The story is similar in the Sandusky Bay area which presently offers the best shorebirding in the northwest. Last Thursday evening a thorough study of the Sheldon Marsh area yielded:

Killdeer - 75
Spotted Sandpiper - 4
Solitary Sandpiper - 1
Willet - 1
Lesser Yellowlegs - 51
Greater Yellowlegs - 5
Least Sandpiper - 277
Semipalmated Sandpiper - 16
Stilt Sandpiper - 1
Pectoral Sandpiper - 3
Short-billed Dowitcher - 279


Previously, 2 Semipalmated Plovers were noted at Sheldon Marsh SNP on the 12th - Jenny Brumfield. Locally of interest were 12 Bonaparte's Gull (incl. 1 ad. alt.), and surprisingly, an adult Tundra Swan immediately next to the eastern Cedar Point causeway (still present on the weekend - Mike Zuilhoff) in company with an adult Mute Swan. Comic relief was provided by 3 juvenile Bald Eagles which were definitely still more comfortable walking the mudflat than taking to the air. A gaggle of Canada Geese were audience in immediate proximity to these individuals stumbling about and flexing wings. The geese barely bothered to side-step the bedraggled trio and were only visibly perturbed by the repeated slashing fly-bys of an adult Bald Eagle, possibly a parent, which appeared to be goosing the offspring to take flight. I saw it successful with two birds but the third was left standing with wings folded forward over its head obscuring its body completely (possibly to keep cool but had the effect of giving the temporarily orphaned individual a most forlorn look).

This day also brought the best seasonal shorebird count to the growing margin of mudflat at the main pool of Medusa Marsh along Barrett Rd. with 2 Short-billed Dowitcher, 47 Least Sandpiper, 6 Lesser Yellowlegs and the usual Killdeer. Among the 87 Great Egrets were several Snowy Egrets which have been regular here since late May. Bill Whan's observation of 6 over the weekend suggest the local breeding pairs (at Turning Pt. Island) are now bringing their offspring along on foraging excursions. Nearby Pickerel Creek W.A. offers similar shorebirding along Rt. 6 where another Stilt Sandpiper and Willet were found by Bill Whan and Bob Conlon this weekend. Don't overlook Meadowbrook Lake on the Marblehead peninsula in Ottawa Co. The spadderdock-laden marsh immediately adjacent to the lake has drawn down much earlier than normal and amidst the vegetation it was possible to spy several more yellowlegs of both species,Least Sandpipers, and 23 Short-billed Dowitchers. That Short-billed Dowitchers were definitely near their peak in migration was evident in the 2 birds found by myself and Tom Bartlett on Friday's census of Kelleys Island - our first in 21 months of census. While watching these birds at North Pond, excited swallows alerted us to a dark falcon overhead with two Purple Martins giving pursuit. This bird was almost certainly a Merlin. On our way back to Tiffin, a stop at always unpredictable Beaver Creek Reservoir revealed 3 adult alternate Black Terns.

On the 10th, driving down RT. 37 just N of Rt 309 (a few miles south of Killdeer Plains Reservoir in Marion Co.) I heard a Sedge Wren in a CRP field. Given the proclivity for this species to only arrive on certain breeding grounds late, I sought out the species at favored sites at Killdeer Plains W.A. this weekend. Pre-dawn census the past couple of days has yielded at least 5 singing birds along CH 115. The closest roadside bird sings in the immediate area of the parking lot opposite the office. Birders may wish to check some of their local sites for this species as they may only now be taking on occupants. These fall territories may not reach saturation until the first week of August - V.W.F.III

For the latest in Shorebird habitat availabilitycheck out Joe Hammond's website.

We are well into the fall migration, kicked off two weeks ago by Rob Harlan with a Least Sandpiper along the Lakeshore. By 27 June John Pogacnik tallied the following :

Walnut Beach - 8 Least, 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers
Conneaut harbor - 14 Least and 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1 Bonaparte's Gull, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull

Two Short-billed Dowitchers were present at Grand River W.A. On the 29th, John reported adult male Ruff at Girdled Road Reservation (Lake Co.) however subsequent efforts by other observers failed to relocate the bird. Accompanying the Ruff were Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs. The 30th had Lesser Yellowlegs and non-breeding Solitary Sandpiper present at Unit F of Big Island W.A. - V.W.F.III. July is the month for shorebirds of stature. Just yesterday morning Mark Zuilhof reported 4 Marbled Godwits at Sheldon Marsh S.N.P. as seen from the Old Cedar Point causeway along the western boundary of the preserve. I was there during the late afternoon yesterday but only checked from the eastern causeway. Looking into the sun, I identified 131 Least Sandpiper, 9 Lesser Yellowlegs, 52 Killdeer, 1 Short-billed Dowitcher, and 9 1st summer Bonaparte's Gulls.

A pair of Sandhill Cranes were discovered at Lorain County airport on the 23rd - Jon C. Dunn. They were still present Sunday the 27th - Scott Wright et al. Scott relates that Ohio Div. of Wildlife checked for nest evidence and found none. A weekend birding trip to Adams County, 26-27 June, was highlighted by 12 Chuck-will's Widow, 12 Blue Grosbeak, both in the usual locales. More unexpected was a Henslow's Sparrow at Big Island W.A. on Sunday - T. Bartlett et al. Nine Double-crested Cormorant were at Big Island W.A. last Wednesday while staging has begun at the Huron impoundment with in excess of 300 birds present yesterday - V.W.F.III. A check for the Big Island W.A. Bell's Vireo last Wed. met with no success. However, the Miami-Whitewater wetlands Bell's Vireo was still present the 28th, and a bird was last reported at Buck Creek State Park the 20th - Mark Skinner et al..

The usual summer oddities have included a 25 June Common Loon at Paulding Reservoir - Doug and Micki Dunakin, a 22 June male Rusty Blackbird in Concord Twp., Lake Co. - John Poganick. John also noted a Gadwall at Conneaut Harbor the 27th. Joe Hammond's singing Blue-headed Vireo 3-5 July at Atwood Lake was definitely out-of-place.

A Least Tern was detected by Paul Wharton at Miami-Whitewater wetlands (Hamilton Co.) last Monday the 14th. - Ned Keller. Ned also reports the local Bell's Vireo present. A Laughing Gull appeared in Clark County at C.J. Brown Reservoir on the 12th - Doug Overacker. Yesterday Doug recorded the first Black Vulture for Clark Co. in the vicinity of Buck Creek State Park. The Wetmore Rd. (Ashtabula Co.) Lawrence's Warbler was still singing on wires near the green building as of the 12th - Richard Sweet and Rich Nicholls.

The Big Island W.A. Bell's Vireo remains as of the 16th - Sean Zadar et al. Two days earlier Ron Sempier located up to 6 Upland Sandpipers in the area. White-throated Sparrows are suddenly in the news with singing males noted at Spring Valley (Warren Co.) on Thursday - Ed Roush, yesterday at Rocky River Reservation (Cuyahoga Co.) behind the nature center, and also over the weekend at Sheldon Marsh SNP (Erie Co.) - Mike Busam. John Pogacnik provides a report of late migrant shorebirds at Conneaut for the 13th that included a Dunlin, White-rumped, and Semipalmated Sandpipers, as well as Semipalmated Plover. A Merlin was also present (same individual as two weeks earlier?). Six Semipalmated Sandpipers were still at Pickerel Creek W.A. the day before - V.W.F.III.

The Big Island W.A. Bell's Vireo was singing frequently through the heat of the morning yesterday (as close as 30 yards from the parking lot). A male and female Ring-necked Duck on Pond 33 of Killdeer Plains W.A. yesterday were unexpected the 11th - V.W.F.III. A female Purple Finch was well out of range in

The Big Island W.A. Bell's Vireo remains as of yesterday - Bill Whan. The Miami-Whitewater wetlands Bell's Vireo remains as of Monday - Mike Busam

Reports of lingering waterfowl are led by the usual few Common Loons. Recent birds include a bird on Lake Erie off North Perry (non-br.) Saturday - John Pogacnik and Sunday birds at Killdeer Plains Reservoir (alt. ad.) - Brian Barchus et al., and Buck Creek State Park (non-br.) - Doug Overacker. Another Common Loon was still at Englewood Metropark 31 May - fide Dayton RBA. A Great Egret continues at Miami-Whitewater wetlands as of the 4th - V.W.F.III. A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron last Friday along Hamley Run (between Glen Ebon and Beaumont, Athens Co.) was of local interest - Bob Placier et al.. The 34 Semipalmated Sandpipers at Indian Creek W.A. (Brown Co.) was an excellent find this weekend - Olivier Debre. A female/immature Red-breasted Merganser was at Kelleys Island Saturday - V.W.F.III and Susan Carty. A Turkey Vulture over the island demonstrates the desire of this species to cross water barriers outside of migration.

Two singing Acadian Flycatchers were in suitable nesting habitat on Kelleys Island W.A. They are not known to nest on the island and could represent late migrants. The only obvious migrant songbird was a Wilson's Warbler. Another Wilson's Warbler was noted Saturday at North Perry (Lake Co.) - John Pogacnik. Other migrants there included Mourning Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and a Northern Parula. A Northern Parula at Oak Openings Lodge 4 June may be a potential nester rather than a migrant. - Elliot Tramer. Two Yellow-bellied Flycatchers Saturday at Conkles Hollow SNP (Gorge Trail) were quite late - Gene Stauffer. A Mourning Warbler was banded 3 June at Miami-Whitewater wetlands - Jay Mager. The m+f Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at Miami-Whitewater Forest last Thursday - Mark Stephens and another female at Zaleski State Forest (Athens Co.) the same time - Dave St. John could be late migrants or may well represent breeding attempts at the southern periphery of their range in Ohio. A Savannah Sparrow at Miami-Whitewater wetlands was certainly at the southern edge of its range 29 May - Jay Lehman. A Summer Tanager is back at the nature center at Highbanks Metropark (Delaware Co.) - Joe Hammond. Check for the bird singing to the east end of the Oak Coves Picnic Area. Blue Grosbeak is reported back at Toledo Express Airport "along the dirt road leading to the FAA Tower" - Art Osborn. Seen 3 June. A paucity of Sedge Wren has suddenly been relieved by a bird at the north end of C.J. Brown Reservoir (Clark Co.) on Sunday - Doug Overacker, and 2 along Penniman Rd. in Mosquito Creek W.A. (Trumbull Co.) on the 3rd - Dave Hochadel. A report of nesting Hermit Thrush in the CVNRA is encouraging news of our sparse summer population. The site was along the "ledges trails behind the Happy Days Visitor Center" - Jeff Greene et al..

Sunday Mike Bolton discovered a Bell's Vireo singing along the railroad line separating Units GH and DF of Big Island W.A. This parallels Rt. 95 just west of Marion (Marion Co.). Directions. The bird was still present 11:40 am - V.W.F.III et al.

A Glossy Ibis was discovered Wednesday in Athens County for a rare record from the unglaciated southeast. The bird was found on Ora Anderson's farm and verified by Hank Siebert and Andy Barber. Although present Thursday morning, several observers could not relocate the bird later in the day. - fide Bob Placier, Scott Moody.

A 3.5 hr vigil for the Miami-Whitewater wetland Purple Gallinule on Friday made for a pleasant visit if not an actual sighting of the species. I whiled away the time making out 21 species mimicked by a nearby Northern Mockingbird and could clearly hear the Bell's Vireo singing 100 yards further down the bike path. - V.W.F.III

The male "Lawrence's" Warbler, a rare hybrid of Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warbler, continues on territory in Ashtabula County yesterday - Jim Heflich. Directions.

The Golden-winged Warbler has been verging on extinction as a breeding species within this state for a couple of decades now. That they are not quite yet gone is evidenced by a possible territory on the Ravenna Arsenal property (Portage Co.) - Larry Rosche and the presence of a singing male "along Bear Creek in Scioto County just past the first bridge over the creek southwest of Route 73(DeLorme p.84 B-3)." - Adam Goloda.

Another Clay-colored Sparrow to report. This one "about a week ago" in Medina Co. Check by the Arby's near the jct. of I71 and Rt. 18 (vicinity of Lake Medina); found by DavidKriska. Sean Zadar has followed up twice since without success.

Birding in Mike Bolton's wake proved fruitful yesterday at Big Island. Mike mentioned seeing 7 White-rumped Sandpipers the day before at the inground basin on Unit D of Big Island W.A. (just west of the parking area off Rt. 95). There we found 2 White-rumped and 5 Semipalmated Sandpipers present offering a nice close study. We continued west to Espyville Rd where the Upland Sandpipers have been most active recently. A shallow diked area exists along the west side of Espyville Rd. (Unit C of Big Island W.A.) and as I drove past 7 Semipalmated Plover, an odd number this late in the season for central Ohio, dropped down over the dike. Investigating further we found another 2 White-rumped Sandpipers in the company of 37 Semipalmated Sandpipers. A total of 42 Semipalmated Sandpipers is as many as I have ever detected at an inland Ohio location. I have subsequently learned that Sean Zadar's party had 8 White-rumped Sandpipers on Saturday. If you're in the area, drive south on Espyville Rd. (across the tracks) almost a mile to a parking area opposite an upground impoundment. Take the north dike east to where it begins to bend south. This will put you amidst 4 Dickcissel territories and have you pass several singing Grasshopper Sparrows. At the main wetlands along LaRue-Prospect Rd. (just continue south to the first intersection and turn right), of interest yesterday were 17 Double-crested Cormorant, 15 American Coot, 1 Common Moorhen, 2 Great Egret, but no shorebirds - V.W.F.III. The eagle nest a few miles to the west (visible only from the air) has two chicks - fide Donna Daniels.

Yesterday, I detected 22 singing Grasshopper Sparrows along a transect of a control plot (roughly a square mile in size) 6 miles to the southwest of LaRue Prospect. Not the density perhaps found at The Wilds but then this area is an entirely newly planted soybean field. There may be 10's of thousands of reclaimed strip mine acreage but there are 100's of thousands of soybean acreage in Ohio. One caveat: The Grasshopper Sparrows only occupied that portion of the soybean field that was last year's winter wheat. An adjacent area of comparable size planted over last years corn crop held no Grasshopper Sparrows but was home to 4 Vesper Sparrow territories - the only ones along the transect.

A male "Lawrence's" Warbler was studied well on Wetmore Rd. in Ashtabula Co. on Monday - Jim Heflich. The bird was singing a Blue-winged Warbler song. Jim's other highlights from Ashtabula included Upland Sandpiper at the usual Stollaker Rd. & Rt. 193 site while another was along Leroy-Thompson Rd. Tuesday - John Pogacnik. Jim had Grasshopper Sparrows at Hatches Corners Rd. Species present at Conneaut Harbor yesterday included Semipalmated Plover (9), Spotted Sandpiper (12), Semipalmated Sandpiper (40+), Western Sandpiper (2), White-rumped Sandpiper (2), Dunlin (30+), and Sanderling (1). There was also 1 Snowy Egret. - John Pogacnik . In addition to the Snowy Egret along Rt. 88, Carole Babyak also had a Snowy Egret at the fish hatchery marsh at the end of Norton Lane in Grand River W.A. That's 3 Snowies in the northeast this week. Carole's other highlights for that location included two Least Bitterns and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Elsewhere Carole noted a Red-breasted Nuthatch in residence at Meander Lake where successful nesting took place last year. Yesterday's migrant songbirds at North Perry (Lake Co.) included Northern Parula and a Blackpoll Warbler. - John Pogacnik.

An adult Glossy Ibis was present at Pickerel Creek W.A. (Erie Co.) on Sunday afternoon - V.W.F.III. The bird was conspicuous in front of the observation deck off Rt. 6.

The Miami Whitewater wetlands Purple Gallinule continues as of Sunday - Ned Keller et al..

The Berlin Hts. (Erie Co.) Clay-colored Sparrow continues to defend a territory through Sunday - Brad Phillips

The Buck Creek State Park (Clark Co.) Bell's Vireo remains through Sunday - Charlotte Mathena. The Miami Whitewater wetlands (along bike trail) Bell's Vireo was present this morning - Jay Mager.

In a failed search for the Glossy Ibis Monday Dan Sanders detected two Sandhill Cranes at Pickerel Creek W.A. This is very near the sighting of a pair 10 days earlier - see below. Dan asks the obvious question - Is there a nesting pair of cranes along the south shore of Sandusky Bay?

Weekend songbird migrants at Springville Marsh SNP included 2 Mourning Warbler and a Wilson's Warbler - Tom Bartlett. Checking out Black River Metropark Monday, I discovered two singing Mourning Warblers. These could easily be migrant birds but it would be worth checking again in two weeks. The first bird is in appropriate nesting habitat immediatly near the 1 mile marker along the bike path south from the Days Dam access. The other was just 200 yards further south. Both were quite vociferous. A singing Black and White Warbler was out of place at Sheldon Marsh SNP on Sunday. Presumed migrants along the Magee Marsh Bird Trail this morning included 8 American Redstarts, 3 singing Acadian Flycatchers, 1 Alder Flycatcher, both cuckoo species, and a Gray-cheeked Thrush. Three Ruddy Turnstone were present on the Magee Marsh portion of the beach. A calling Least Bittern from the boardwalk was a personal first despite their normal affinity for the area. A Least Bittern at the Wright Marsh portion of Killbuck Marsh W.A. was another personal coup. I am unaware of a local record in the previous 5 years. The bird was calling (and later seen) from the 2nd impoundment from the Rt. 233 parking area on Sunday. Exceeding this record, however, is that of two Least Bitterns, calling back-and-forth, at a wetland along King Hollow Rd. (border of Athens/Vinton Co.) that same day - Bob Placier. The nearest confirmed breeding location to this area would be Pickerington Ponds Metropark (Fairfield/Franklin Co.). An American Wigeon was still present at Pickerel Creek Monday - Dan Sanders. Dan's other Pickerel Creek birds of interest include 6 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 7 Semipalmated Plovers, female Hooded Mergansers with young, and definitely unexpected, an Osprey. A Yellow-headed Blackbird was discovered Sunday evening just south of LaRue in the vicinity of Big Island W.A, Marion Co. Kevin Longberry observed the bird on a fence post along a field at the corner of Allen Rd. and Winnemac Pike. Lahm Airport (Mansfield) held a remarkable 10 Upland Sandpipers on Sunday - Kevin Metcalf. Companion birds of interest included 8-10 Grasshopper Sparrows and a Henslow's Sparrow. Kevin further reports recent highlights from North Chagrin Reservation (Cuyahoga Co.) including a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and singing Brown Creeper and Pine Warbler. The warbler, territorial for a month, appears unmated. Recent birder visitations to the underbirded Grand River W.A. continue to add to interesting reports. This past Saturday a Snowy Egret was observed off Rt. 88 in a Grand River W.A. marsh - Jenny and Dave Brumfield. Shorebirds are winding down; Larry Gara had 3 White-rumped Sandpipers at St. Mary's Fish Hatchery on Friday with 2 remaining Sunday. Friday's observations also included 6 Dunlin, and a Ruddy Turnstone. A Dunlin at GreenLawn Dam Sunday was a local first - Adam Goloda.

The Double-crested Cormorant continues to expand : When I observed a bird with nest material heading for Ottawa N.W.R. back in late April, I wondered how much longer before the species would be established on the mainland. This was apparently the first attempt locally since an unsuccessful attempt in 1988. Mark Shieldcastle subsequently informed me that several nests were constructed at Mercer W.A. on the shores of Grand Lake (Mercer Co.) last year for the first inland nesting since the turn-of-the-century. Fittingly, they chose the last known inland location for the species. I now note at least 6 nests on Turning Pt. island - the egret colony visible from the Shelby boat ramp in Sandusky. I think that's a modern first for Erie Co. - V.W.F.III. And elsewhere in Erie County, I confirmed Mute Swan breeding for the 11th year in a row. A late nesting produced 3 young at Medusa Marsh - seen this morning.

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