Ohio
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Birding News
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For the moment, enjoy these images of recent rarities discovered in September. The Western Kingbird from near Jaite (Cuyahoga/Summit Co.) - photos courtesy Jared Mizanin
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9 Sept. 2000
and the Shreve Rufous Hummingbird .... photo courtesy Su Snyder
The Shreve Rufous Hummingbird remains as of today - Su Snyder.
Yesterday, a possible Western Kingbird was sighted in the immediate area of last year's ground dove - near Jaite in the Cuyahoga Valley - Jared Mizanin. Kent's concerted effort to relocate the bird today was unsuccessful. If you happen to be in the vicinity - something to be aware of.
A first-fall Plegadis ibis tentively identified as a Glossy Ibis was present from Wednesday (Frank Renfrow) through today at Miami-Whitewater Wetlands - Neill Cade. A Laughing Gull was present at St. Mary's Fish Hatchery (Auglaize Co.) today - fide Charlotte Mathena. Also present there, apparently for a week now, was a Willet.To the south Englewood Metropark, hosted 4 American Avocets. Three more avocets were present today at Hoover Reservoir - Bill Whan et al.. The uppermost end of Hoover Reservoir (Delaware Co.) continues to be very productive for shorebirds. Another highlight today for Bill's group were 30 Stilt Sandpipers. Yesterday evening, average diversity (11 species) at Hoover Reservoir, was offset by some good concentrations including 270+ Semipalmated Sandpipers and 36 Semipalmated Plovers. Bill Whan's shorebird expedition to the Lake Erie shoreline was very productive. At Sheldon Marsh they located 3 Red-necked Phalaropes and 50+ Sanderlings among good diversity. Outstanding were counts of 2500 Common Terns and 1200 Forster's Tern which exceed anything I have seen reported in a very long time. Both figures double last year's maximum concentrations. A Merlin was a passer-by. Another flyby Merlin was had on the 6th in Dublin - Marcus England. Conneaut Harbor was limited compared to the shorebird numbers of a week ago but 3 Whimbrels, a Marbled Godwit, Red Knot, and Buff-breasted Sandpiper there today was pretty fair - John Pogacnik. The five regular peep species continue there as well. But for the Whimbrels, these species were noted the day before - Joe Sedransk. The Wilson's Phalarope at Miami-Whitewater (Hamilton Co.) today (Neill Cade) brings the day's shorebird species tally for the state to 27 (excluding woodcock)
Passerines increasingly command attention. Bill Whan reports 13 warbler species at both Hoover Reservoir and Pipe Creek W.A. (Erie Co.) today. On the Magee Marsh Bird Trail, Scott Wright managed 15 species including Palm Warbler and Northern Parula. Most notable was the Connecticut Warbler at Gordon Impoundment today - Sean Zadar.7 Sept. 2000
Su Snyder has this to say of an adult male Rufous Hummingbird in Shreve (Wayne Co.)
"As of 7:45AM this morning, the bird is still there. The bird is visiting a feeder on the front porch and often sitting on a pine tree in front of the feeder. The home owner, Roberta has graciously agreed to let us inform the birding community. Her address is 6675 Nathaniel Drive, Shreve, Ohio (DeLorme's page 50). From Rt. 3 turn right when coming from the south (or left when coming from the north) onto S. Elyria Rd. Go several miles until you come to "Bridle Path Estates". Turn right into Nathaniel. It's the first house on the right. Roberta requested no phone calls, so if you have any questions, please call me (Su Snyder) at (330)264-1966."
The bird was still present at 5:00 pm this evening.
The Conneaut Harbor Hudsonian Godwit was still present yesterday - Bob Finkelstein.6 Sept. 2000
Fall songbird migration picked up noticeably in recent days with the passage of the cold-front. Shorebirds have been noted in good variety from three different sites across the state.A couple of modest rarities to report on: Plegadis ibis have been seen in two locations recently. Back on the 30th of August a bird was present at Big Island W.A. in the wetland along LaRue-Prospect Rd.- Dan Sanders. Monday morning a bird was seen flying along the beach at Headlands Beach S.P. - Haans Petruschke and Ray Hannikman. Also Monday, John Pogacnik reports a Parasitic Jaeger from Lakeshore Metropark (Lake Co.). I have received no further word on the American White Pelican from the 23rd. The bird was seen by Adam Blank at the mouth of the Crane Creek estuary.
Prior to the 2nd of September some viewed the songbird migration a bit behind schedule despite a couple of early Ruby-crowned Kinglets on Kelleys Island several days earlier - Sean Zadar. Sean and company also had a female Golden-winged Warbler on the island. Certainly things picked up over the weekend. Magnolia and Chestnut-sided Warblers are the most numerous at the moment and noted throughout the state. American Redstart, Wilson's, Nashville, Tennessee, Black-throated Blue, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Green, Black and White warblers have been reported in smaller numbers. A Palm Warbler on the 5th at the Cincinnati Nature Center is a touch on the early side - Bill Hull. Swainson's Thrush had made it to the Cincinnati area by the 2nd - Lester Peyton. A Yellow-breasted Chat was at Headlands Beach S.P. the 2nd - Gabe Leidy while a Mourning Warbler was present the day before - Larry Rosche and Ray Hannikman. The 1st also saw a Mourning Warbler at Shaker Lakes - Ben Winger.
I don't think anyone could complain about the shorebirding recently. Conneaut Harbor has been very productive for a week now; highlighted by a Hudsonian Godwit (or two) - most recently a juvenile bird yesterday - Haans Petruschke et al.. Good numbers of Semipalmated Sandpipers, a Western and Baird's, several White-rumps, Stilt, and Buff-breasted Sandpipers have also been marked up on daily visits. To the east at Headlands Beach S.P. on the first 2 American Avocets and up to 7 Ruddy Turnstones were noted - Larry Rosche and Ray Hannikman. In central Ohio, the upper end of Hoover Reservoir, especially as accessed from Galena, has seen a good variety and number of shorebirds. Bob Royse has spotted up to 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers (31st Aug.) with one present the 5th. Also present the 5th were Stilt Sandpiper (up to 8 on the 3rd - Rob Thorn), Baird's Sandpiper, American Golden-Plover, and Ruddy Turnstone. Rob also reports Long-billed Dowitcher from the 3rd. It's been awhile since the fish ponds at Grand Lake-St.Mary's have tallied a checklist like the one the John & Karen Shrader enjoyed on the 3rd. Highlights included a Willet, 2 Baird's and 3 White-rumped Sandpipers. Another Hudsonian Godwit was reported yesterday. Scott Reeves described a bird from Miami-Whitewater Wetlands in Hamilton County.22 Aug. 2000
Four Snowy Egrets on Pond 6 of Killdeer Plains W.A. (Wyandot Co.) midday Sunday were interesting. Beyond a rare local record of this state endangered species, the presence of 2 adults and 2 juveniles suggests one of two intriguing possibilities. Either these birds dispersed from a known breeding locale (closest being Turning Pt. Island off Sandusky, Erie Co.) a considerable distance as a family unit or breeding took place much closer, perhaps in the immediate vicinity. The photos below depict 1). an adult with one juvenile {on the right - note the pink base to the bill}, and 2). three birds together with a Great Egret.
1).
2).
Of course, the proximity of the four at such a remote site may be merely coincidence.
Elsewhere: Up to 9 Snowy Egrets were observed at Sheldon Marsh SNP on the 12th - Kathy Mock.
A 1st yr Laughing Gull was discovered Saturday at Headlands Beach S.P. - Larry Rosche. The bird was still present Sunday - Haans Petruschke. A Franklin's Gull touched down briefly at Greenlawn Ave. Dam on the 13th - Richard Cressman. John Pogacnik reports a Black Vulture in Lake County yesterday morning - it could not be relocated. Earlier John reported a Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 2 Baird's Sandpipers from Conneaut Harbor on the 13th. A Baird's and a Stilt Sandpiper were there Sunday but the three American Avocet from the previous day -(Dave St. John) were missing. Individual Baird's Sandpipers have put in appearances at inland locations; one at Big Island W.A. on Sunday - V.W.F.III, and one at Hoover Reservoir on the 19th - Rob Thorn. Rob reports the shorebirding at Hoover is best accessed from Galena. Additional birds of interest included 25 Least and 15 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 5 Semipalmated Plovers. Big Island W.A. offered little more of interest with only a small concentration (42) of Pectoral Sandpiper last Wednesday. That morning a modest flight of Bobolink (50+) was noted overhead. Three Sedge Wren territories there remain intact through the weekend - V.W.F.III. Besides the egrets, Killdeer Plains W.A. saw the continued presence of at least one of the Sandhill Cranes (on pond 27) - Ron Sempier & John Games. Ron and John further noted warbler migration with the presence of Canada, Blackburnian, and Tennessee Warblers. Magnolia Warbler was noted at Gordon Park on the 16th - Sean Zadar while a Wilson's Warbler over the weekend in the Hocking Hills is quite early - Gabe Leidy. The early record of the week goes to the remarkable flock of 12 American Pipits at Payne (Paulding Co.) on the 19th - Doug & Micki Dunakin. One of few August records for the species in Ohio. A Philadelphia Vireo Sunday on Kelleys Island matches acceptable early records for the state - Tom Bartlett et al.
Some interesting headlines regarding bird research13 Aug. 2000
Not much happening this past week. A Stilt Sandpiper was reported from Big Island W.A. yesterday - Bob Arthurs. Bob also detected one of the Sandhill Cranes at Killdeer Plains W.A. Up to 5 Sedge Wren continue at Miami-Whitewater Wetlands as of the 9th - Jay Lehman. No subsequent reports of the immature Little Blue Heron there on the 7th - Jackie Nooker & Sarah McCormack. Sarah and Jackie also provided a nice report of 4 Black Terns from there. A Short-eared Owl flying over Rt. 6 just east of Station Rd. in Ashtabula Co. yesterday morning was a surprise for John Pogacnik.
A new species was added to the North American list with the formal recognition of the species status of the Gunnison Sage Grouse. This link will bring you up to speed on the range and identification of this species.9 Aug. 2000
. . . and elsewhere
Horseshoe Crab Announcement is Good News for Shorebird Conservation
As many of you have been painfully aware, The O.W.L. links have been stale for some time. None more so than the PhotoGallery section. That has been rectified with an extensive revision doubling the number of links.
Relatively few shorebirds at Conneaut Harbor the past few days. Yesterday's highlight a flock of 5 American Avocet - Dave St. John. On Sunday, the changing weather saw high turnover throughout the day. Up to 10 Stilt Sandpipers were present at midday - Ben Winger et al. while late afternoon observations included 3 Whimbrels - Sean Zadar and Ted Gilliland. Both American Golden-Plover and Black-bellied Plovers have been reported more consistently this week, with Dave noting several of the former yesterday. Much of the Western Basin marshes and estuaries remain covered in high water. Even the SW'ly winds have not managed a sufficient seiche for mudflat exposure. Heavy rains in the northwest have produced sizeable areas of standing water - unusual for this time of year. As yet no migrant shorebirds have been reported from these sites (check especially Sandusky, Seneca, Huron, Erie, Ottawa, and Wood Cos.). Trent Leslie did report a Snowy Egret from Magee Marsh W.A. recently.
Inland: Big Island W.A. exhibited a small quantity of high quality habitat but nothing beyond the usual selection of common shorebirds was seen last Saturday; e.g. Pectoral and Least Sandpipers, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs in small numbers. More interesting by far were the local breeders. Eight Upland Sandpipers were detected on the north side of Rt. 95. Six of these were observed to circle to a height and head NORTH not to be seen again. A juvenile was once again by the observation deck but proved elusive for many observers. The number of Sedge Wrens has grown to 4 territories with at least one mated pair. A real surprise was a singing Henslow's Sparrow to the NW of the main parking area on Rt. 95; a project first. Perhaps the most exciting news has been confirmation of Ohio's second successful nesting of Wilson's Phalarope. After an intriguing encounter in late June with an adult male (and noting the presence of a pair in late May), Dave St. John and I made several follow-up visits to obtain footage and stills of distraction display leading up to the discovery of a fresh juvenile bird in late July. The juvenile was last observed closely foraging and flying in tandem with the adult male.
Killdeer Plains has been largely quiet this summer. Sedge Wrens once again briefly occupied the switch grass along CH 75 before mowing disrupted the 6 territorial males. No observations have been made by several parties for the last 10 days. Of special interest have been reports of up to 3 Sandhill Cranes since late June. Several parties (Mike Bolton, Len Powlick) have observed a single bird from mid-June through this past weekend. However, Ron Sempier has consistently reported three birds from Pond 27 (CH 68).
Early Migrants: Darlena Graham reports an Osprey on the Big Darby this week. On the 1st, John Pogacnik reported a Swainson's Thrush in Lake County and Gabe Leidy had a Least Flycatcher at Shaker Lakes (Cuyahoga Co.) the same day.
Ohio birders will want to avail themselves of several online resources:4 August 2000
Jean Iron writes . . .
We have just added Ron Pittaway's recent article on plumages and molts in the April issue of Ontario Birds 18(1):27-43 to our web page. Check here to access the web page of the Ontario Field Ornithologists.
Maps: Follow the progress of the West Nile Virus at http://nationalatlas.gov/virusmap.html
Elsewhere in the world - the rediscovery of the "extinct" Chinese Crested Tern
"WHOOPING CRANE PAIR NESTS ON RECLAIMED MICHIGAN BOG" . so reads the headline of a story the Environmental News Service2 August 2000
Scroll to the bottom of the page - but don't miss the item immediately before regarding the Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
If one assumes these birds will be making an attempt to return to their release point (Florida) then observers in the western third of Ohio should be on the lookout for a particularly white pair of cranes this fall. Makes you wonder about the March 1998 reports for northern Ohio.
A Snowy Egret was at Walnut Beach (access from downtown Ashtabula) just before noon today (present since Saturday). Nearby Conneaut Harbor is once again the hot property for fall shorebird migration. Yesterday, Dave St. John was entertained by 2 American Avocets and 8 Whimbrels. This morning revealed both avocets present, the Whimbrels gone, but 4 Marbled Godwits in their stead. The godwits did not persist much past 8:30 however. Overall shorebird numbers were down from the weekend but the ebb and flow of birds is as constant as the Lake Erie water levels at this site.
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One of the American Avocets at Conneaut Harbor at the moment. Watch for developments elsewhere within Aves.Net: see What's New. Checkout this curious Calidris from Conneaut. What do you think? |