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August 1999

The third report of a Red Crossbill this month is that of a calling bird over the home of Matt Anderson in Whitehouse (Lucas Co.) on Sunday.

The Buck Creek S.P. (Clark Co.) Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still there on Saturday - Bob Royse. Three Buff-breasted Sandpipers were present at Conneaut Harbor (Ashtabula Co.) on Sunday - Gary Meszaros. Gary also reports seeing a Willet there the previous Monday. A more recent Willet was reported from Ottawa N.W.R. by John Pogacnik. John also had a Whimbrel along the beach at Arcola Creek estuary yesterday. The Marbled Godwits remained over the weekend; both along the Old Cedar Point causeway (Erie Co.) - Zac Baker, Haans Petruschke et al., and one at Ottawa N.W.R. - Jeff McCoy and Andy Sigler. The Hudsonian Godwits were absent from the lakefront but it is likely not coincidence that a flock of 8 birds should appear Sunday at Hoover Reservoir (Delaware Co.) - Bob Royse after the passage of this weekend's cold front. By Tuesday the Sheldon Marsh SNP mudflat was largely vacant of shorebirds - V.W.F.III. Hoover Reservoir held 20 Stilt Sandpipers on Saturday - Rob Thorn. Yesterday, Jenny and Dave Brumfield managed 5 "peeps" in the Sheldon Marsh SNP area. Notable were 4 Baird's Sandpipers, 2 Western Sandpipers, and 1 White-rumped Sandpiper. A juvenile Western Sandpiper was among a modest shorebird gathering at Big Island W.A. on Sunday - V.W.F.III.

The Ohio Birds & Natural History website has been updated.

Remarkably, Heather Nagy relocated this morning the immature Western Kingbird at The Wilds. Heather states

" It was on a low wire fence on Zion Ridge Road, 4/10 of a mile from State Road 146. There is a kind of derelict old compound fenced there, and the bird utilized three sides of it, swooping to catch insects and return to the fence. I had previously seen a young western across the road from the large lake that is 2.9 miles from SR146".

Ben Winger reports a Selasphorus hummingbird this morning from the picnic area of Horseshore Lake in the Shaker Lakes (Cuyahoga Co.).

Doug Overacker relocated the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Buck Creek S.P. (Clark Co.); present since Tuesday.

The American White Pelicans remain at Ottawa N.W.R. as of this morning. Shorebird highlights include 300 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 160 Short-billed Dowitchers, 36 Stilt Sandpipers, 4 Red-necked Phalaropes, 1 Wilson's Phalarope, and the American Avocet. Tern numbers were reversed from those of Tuesday with 265 Common Tern and only 55 Forster's Tern present.

Shorebird highlights from the Old Cedar Point causeway today : 2 Marbled Godwits, 7 Hudsonian Godwits, 3 American Avocet, 2 Red-necked Phalaropes - V.W.F.III, Bill Jones, et al. Ben Morrison also added a Baird's Sandpiper there early in the morning. The Bonaparte's Gull flock now numbers 860 birds. It is worth noting this build-up for the potential it holds for harboring a Little Gull. In all likelihood, last week's Little Gull remains amidst this number.

Checkout Ned Keller's website at left for updates on the Covington, Kentucky Green Violetear. Remember to keep a close eye on your hummingbird feeders the next three months.

Sheldon Marsh SNP highlight update: 5 American Avocets, 2 Marbled Godwits, 8 Hudsonian Godwits, 2 Red-necked Phalaropes, 1 White-rumped Sandpiper - Zac Baker, V.W.F.III, Paul Sherwood, m.obs. The swan (other than a couple of Mutes) appears to be a wing-clipped Trumpeter and certainly is not the adult Tundra Swan of earlier in the summer - V.W.F.III.

Medusa Marsh : 1 American Golden-Plover, 179 Least Sandpipers, 1 Baird's Sandpiper - V.W.F.III

Ottawa N.W.R. : The pair of American White Pelicans remain as does one Red-necked Phalarope. The single Wilson's Phalarope from Monday - fide ONWR staff - was joined by a second bird today - Gordon Demars and Jim Haw. Gordon had up to 20 Black-bellied Plovers there today, while Jim further reported an American Avocet.

Monday Paul Sherwood had 3 immature Little Blue Herons at Pipe Creek W.A. Paul notes there have been up to 5 Snowy Egrets there. I saw one this evening there but no herons. If you are thinking of visiting do so quickly before the teal season begins 1 Sep. - same goes for nearby Pickerel Creek W.A. On the 8th Jon Dunn observed a Cattle Egret at the intersection of I-71 and I-76/US 224. This bird was still present this morning - Shawn Veres and Greg Emmert in "the northwest corner of the intersection in the grassy island inside one of the off ramps".

A notable fallout of Black Terns has taken place in the past 48 hrs. Among the largest inland fall flocks of this decade, 28 birds were at Lake Logan (Hocking Co.) yesterday. Twenty-four of these birds were present today - Dave St. John. Just to the north today, on Cranberry Bog within Buckeye Lake, Gina Buckey and Curt Dustheimer had 26 birds. Shades of the distant past when the lake recorded 120 in a fall flock, but welcome nonetheless. Equally delightful, was an American Avocet at the bog photographed by Gina. Red-breasted Nuthatch reports continue to come in, having reached Milford in the southwest today - Bobbye Foppe, but really interesting was yet another Red Crossbill report, that of 3 calling birds overhead in Monroe, Michigan - Greg Links. If they were heading south they would have been in Ohio within a few minutes.

Don Burton and Dan Sanders discovered TWO Buff-breasted Sandpipers yesterday at Medusa Marsh (west end of Barret Rd. pool).

The American White Pelicans, two Red-necked Phalaropes, and 2 Hudsonian Godwits were present at Ottawa N.W.R. yesterday. They were joined by a Dunlin - Dan Sanders & Don Burton

The 2 Marbled Godwits, 7 Hudsonian Godwits, and 1 Red-necked Phalarope remain at Sheldon Marsh SNP as of yesterday - also Dan & Don. These birds were joined by 3 American Avocets. The Tundra Swan was also present and is apparently injured - I would like updates on this bird as this would be a new condition.

A Wilson's Phalarope was seen on Huron mudflat immediately south of Rt. 2 - Dan & Don. More on the Black Tern fallout as it develops - visit your local reservoirs the next couple of days.

Red-breasted Nuthatches reported from 17-23 August. The vanguard of this irruption may have been first detected by John Pogacnik in late July. They may not be alone. After observing a calling Red Crossbill at Potter's Woods (Wood Co.) on saturday, I learned that Larry Roche and Ray Hannikman had a bird on the 1st of August calling over Fairport Harbor (Lake Co.).

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Shorebird observation was a marvel this past weekend, not merely for the large waders reported yesterday, but for excellent numbers of more frequently occurring species. The estuary of Crane Creek, visible from the outermost dikes of Ottawa N.W.R., was especially prolific. Birders located 2 Red-necked Phalaropes Thursday - Sunday at O.N.W.R.- Joe, Hammond, Craig Holt, m.obs. and another Monday at Sheldon Marsh SNP - Bill Whan et al. Baird's Sandpipers seem particularly widespread at the moment. The 4 located Monday at Medusa Marsh by Bill Whan's group were still present yesterday. The species was also recorded at Ottawa N.W.R. and Sheldon Marsh SNP. Inland Baird's could be seen at Berlin Reservoir (Craig Holt) and 2 at Hoover Reservoir - Adam Goloda (both on Sunday) and yesterday at Buck Creek S.P. - Doug Overacker. Doug's Ruddy Turnstone yesterday at Clark Lake W.A. (Clark Co.) was notable for an inland site.

The arrival of Long-billed Dowitcher is anticipated in late August so the 17 at Ottawa N.W.R. Sunday were perhaps a tad early - Craig Holt. But juveniles are not expected until September, causing me to wonder about Joe Hammond's young bird at Hoover Reservoir (also Sunday). At least until I found 2 juveniles at East Harbor State Park yesterday. A Sanderling has been at the Magee Marsh W.A. beach for the past week. Their favorite fall haunt is Headlands beach S.P. (Lake Co.) and Nick Barber already reports 15 there last Friday. More unusual are August inland sightings so Larry Gara's bird on the 19th at Caesar Creek S.P. was noteworthy. Gulls and terns are starting to draw the attention of mudflat visitors. The Bonaparte's Gull flock at Sheldon Marsh SNP had risen to 710 yesterday but no sign of the 1st year Little Gull seen there last Wednesday by Don Burton and Dan Sanders. A Laughing Gull was offshore at Sheldon Marsh SNP on Monday - Bill Whan et al.. At Ottawa N.W.R. yesterday tern numbers had increased dramatically with 410 Forster's, 75 Common, and 43 Caspian on the estuary. The Sheldon Marsh SNP Tundra Swan was still present on Saturday - Jenny Brumfield et al.

Songbirds: The frequent cold fronts (9 in the past 4 weeks) have continued to push several species slightly ahead of schedule. Of note, a Philadelphia Vireo on friday at Kelleys Island Bartlett et al., and Sunday's Mourning Warbler and Gray-checked Thrush at Headlands Beach S.P. - Ray Hannikman . At Headlands that day, Ben Winger also noted the first Veery and Yellow-rumped Warbler, commenting that Wilson's Warbler were "numerous". Another 4 Yellow-rumped Warblers were at Whiskey Island Marina on Monday - Paula Lozano et al. On Sunday at Miami-Whitewater wetlands, Mike Busam described an adult female Blackpoll Warbler. At Sheldon Marsh SNP Saturday, Jenny Brumfield reports a Blue-winged Warbler

Migrant Raptors: Zac Baker reports a Red-shouldered Hawk over Tiffin on the 17th, while yet another August Merlin was found, this one in Athens Co. over Waterloo Experimental Station last Friday - Dave St. John.

The two Marbled Godwits first detected by Don Burton and Dan Sanders last Wednesday remain as of this morning. On Friday this pair were accompanied by a Whimbrel, and 4 Hudsonian Godwits - Joe Hammond. The Hudsonian Godwits were enjoyed by many over the weekend and remain as of this morning joined by 3 more birds for a total of 7 Hudsonian and 2 Marbled Godwits viewable from the Old Cedar Point causeway west of the entrance for Sheldon Marsh SNP - V.W.F.III, Terry Sponseller. Additional godwit sightings include 3 Hudsonians on Friday at Ottawa N.W.R. - Joe Hammond and Dan Sanders, while another Marbled Godwit was on the beach at Waterworks Park (in Port Clinton, Ottawa Co.) - Pete Miller on Sunday.Just this morning around 9:00 am a flock of 20 Whimbrel were seen flying over the Ravenna Arsenal (Portage Co.) - Larry Rosche. One might check the large reservoirs (Berlin, Salt Fork) in the next couple of days on the chance they stopped to rest.

The pair of American White Pelicans at Ottawa N.W.R. continue to rest near the mouth of Crane Creek as of this morning - V.W.F.III. An immature tundrius Peregrine Falcon circled lazily overhead at the time. A reasonably thorough survey of the marsh canals of Ottawa N.W.R. and adjacent Magee Marsh W.A. by myself and others failed to detect the reported Anhinga from yesterday. This species is only known in Ohio from a 19th century specimen and would require careful and acute documentation for an acceptable record. There is the possibility the individual in question was caught on videotape. Stay tuned.

Heather Nagy, in the company of Joan and Dick Brigham found one immature and one adult Western Kingbird at The Wilds on the 6th of August.

The Lorain County Airport Sandhill Crane was last reported 18 Aug. - Phyllis Jones. Richard Cressman described an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron from Green Lawn Ave. Dam in Columbus (Franklin Co.) on the 18th. A Common Loon, present since the 18th of July was still being seen on East Branch Reservoir the 15th of August - Jim Heflich et al.. Apparently, Michael Patten, while passing through Ohio from California, discovered a Bell's Vireo 10 August at Barkcamp State Park, Belmont Co.

More on shorebirds, the Red-breasted Nuthatch invasion, and songbird migration tomorrow - V.W.F.III

The pair of American White Pelicans at Ottawa N.W.R. were still present as of yesterday - Jan Keys. Be sure to check the Crane Creek estuary.These birds were first noted off Port Clinton 1 July - fide Pat Hayes and have been present at the refuge at least 5 weeks.

Jeff Grabmeier reports a Yellow Rail yesterday at Big Island W.A. along the middle diked marsh off La Rue-Prospect Rd.

The migration reports had slowed but this weekend's cold front finally got things going again. Few migrant songbird tallies were available for the first 2 weeks of August. Sean Zadar noted a couple of Yellow-bellied Flycatchers in Cuyahoga Co. on the 9th, while Charles Gambill counted 50 Eastern Kingbird at Ottawa N.W.R. on the 5th. Warblers had been trickling in with Black-throated Green and Blackburnian on the 10th at Miami-Whitewater wetlands in the southwest - Lester Peyton and a Northern Waterthrush the same day at Shaker Lakes - Ben Winger. That all changed with the 6th cold front of the past 16 days to pass over northern Ohio Saturday night. Warbler watchers were in place yesterday morning for the fallout. At Sheldon Marsh, Paula Lozano et al. detected Magnolia, Cape May, Northern Parula, American Redstart, and early Wilson's and Palm Warbler. At Headlands Beach State Park, Haans Petruschke et al. also reported Wilson's and Magnolia Warblers, adding Tennessee and Canada to the mix.

The frontal system also kicked off the nighthawk migration with flights noted over Shaker Hts in the northeast - V.W.F.III, and New Richmond in the southwest - Donald Morse, Jr.. Double-crested Cormorant waves were noted from the southwest where 100 passed over Buck Creek S.P. - Doug Overacker, and central Ohio with a few over Green Lawn Dam - Richard Cressman.

Cold fronts, with their attendant north winds, do not not make for optimal shorebirding, perhaps explaining the relative dearth of reports thus far in August. The bright spot was Sheldon Marsh S.N.P. Saturday just before the front passed. The visiting Avid Birders of Columbus put up some great numbers including 50 Semipalmated Plover, 200 Lesser Yellowlegs, 200 Least Sandpipers, and an astonishing 500 Pectoral sandpipers. These numbers come close to matching the 1500 shorebirds censused along the Crane Creek estuary on the 5th - Mark Shieldcastle. Try to hit these sites after 2 or more days of southerly winds for best results. Not too surprisingly, few reports of scarcer species have come in recently. An American Golden-Plover joined the Black-bellied Plover at Medusa Marsh on the 8th - V.W.F.III and was still present this past Saturday - Joe Hammond et al. A Baird's Sandpiper was present at Sheldon Marsh S.N.P. on the 8th while another individual was present at Conneaut from the 4th-11th, Nick Barber, Haans Petruschke, and again yesterday - John Pogacnik. John also reports a juvenile Laughing Gull, a Western Sandpiper, and a Red Knot at Conneaut yesterday while the season's first Red-necked Phalarope was there on the 9th - Kevin Metcalf. Recent Willets have included a bird on the first at Winton Woods - fide Ned Keller. It was accompanied by the first inland Sanderling of the season. The tiny exposed mudflat at Beaver Creek Res. (Seneca Co.) harbored a Willet on the 8th - Howard Hintz. Yesterday 4 American Avocet flew over Buck Creek S.P. (Clark Co.) - Doug Overacker. The rare shorebird of the weekend remains the juvenile Ruff at Sheldon Marsh on saturday - Joe Hammond et al.

Miscellaneous: An immature Little Blue Heron was at Acton Lake the 11th - David Russell and Jill Dansand, while another was found at Ottawa N.W.R. on Saturday - Joe Hammond et. al. The Lorain County Airport Sandhill Crane was still present as of the 6th - John Dunn. A pair were at Wright Marsh (Killbuck Marsh W.A.) yesterday - Phyllis Jones. The evening of the 11th Mark Shieldcastle had two Merlin travelling together over Turtle Creek west to Magee Marsh.

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