Merlin at Whiskey Island Marina 20 April
V.W. Fazio. III
Turkey Vulture - A heavy migration moved through the state a bit earlier than average. 110 were noted at Acton Lake 9 Mar. [B. H.]; 412 from the Magee Marsh observation platform 27 March was one of the higher day counts for Ohio (V.W.F.III) but easily eclipsed by the record tally of 855 travelling the other way around Lake Erie at Conneaut the same day. (B. G. et al.). Five birds over South Bass Island flying in from the north making their way to the mainland on 26 May were perplexing. (V.W.F.III).
Black Vulture - Normal; no extra-limital reports.
Osprey - Early arrivals, 24 Mar. Catawba Island (Toledo RBA) and 29 Mar. Stage's Pond (B.M.); widespread 2-3 April noted at Meander Lake, Mill Creek Park (Youngstown RBA), and Spring Valley (Dayton RBA). Overall a poor showing through the season. Extraordinarily few after 5 May. Reported back at the Rayland nesting site for the 4th year by mid-April (S. A.). And the Berlin Reservoir pair (a powerline nest) were back for their 2nd year. The state was undertaking hacking of Osprey at several sites including Grand Lake in Mercer County.
Mississippii Kite - Pending OBRC Review; Reported by Craig Rieker et al. from Toussaint W.A. 17 May. Documentation received.
Bald Eagle - As of May 52 young were produced out of 40 nests continuuing the upward trend for this species. Migrants too continue to increase with a record 17 birds passing the Magee Marsh observation platform 27 March. (V.W.F.III et al.). As late as 29 April migrants numbered 8 on the Magee Marsh census (V.W.F.III et al.).
Northern Harrier - Good tallies left over from the high winter numbers include 10+ at the Wilds, Muskingum Co. 9 March (R. C.) and 25 at Killdeer Plains W.A. 26 Mar. (B.R.. Adult female nest building along Darsch Rd, Ottawa Co., 17 March (V.W.F.III). Noted elsewhere as potential breeders - to be summarized in the summer seasonal reports. One bird at Ross Lake 1 May was interesting (J. M.). Max. migrant count from Magee Marsh W.A. was 7 on 27 March (V.W.F.III et al.).
Sharp-shinned Hawk - migrants on the move past the magee Marsh observation platform as early as 1 March (V.W.F.III). A tally of 63 there 27 March was high for March and suggested an early migration until northerly winds of April held up many birds. Favorable conditions prevailed 5 May when a record day count of 228 was obtained in less than 3 hrs from Maumee Bay S.P. (G. M.). Almost no further migration was noted along the Lake although an immature at Bayview 26 May was an unlikely (V.W.F.III) resident.
Cooper's Hawk - The strength of the March accipiter movement was also reflected by a very high count of 32 migrants 27 March from the Magee Marsh observation platform (V.W.F.III et al.).
Northern Goshawk - For a non-flight year three reports are normal with a bird noted 10 Mar. at Green Lawn Cemetary (D. S., D. B.), an immature 5 April Sheldon's Marsh (V.W.F.III), and late April at Huntington Reservation (L. Ri).
Red-shouldered Hawk - A weak early migration in the northwest.
Broad-winged Hawk - The northwest migration was a non-event. The northeast enjoyed a max. of 1230 at Conneaut 26 April (B. G. et al.).
Red-tailed Hawk - A modest migration in the northwest with a max. noted 27 March from the Magee Marsh observation platform of 85 birds (V.W.F.III et al.).
Rough-legged Hawk - A non-flight year 8 birds remained at the Wilds, Muskingum County, 9 March (R. C.). Late migrants include a bird at Fairport Harbor 12 April (P. M.), a light morph at Killdeer Plains W.A. 14 April (T. C.), and Conneaut 26 April (B. G. et al.).
Golden Eagle - Above average numbers; Conneaut 21 Mar. (B. G. et al.); nr. Waverly, Pike Co., 23 March (B. B.); 29 March Metzger Marsh W.A. an adult (S.V., G.E.).
Merlin at Whiskey Island Marina 20 April V.W. Fazio. III |
American Kestrel - Another weak migration in the northwest; max. 11 from the Magee observation platform 27 March (V.W.F.III et al.). |
| Merlin - Average flight; as late as 10 May Magee Marsh observation platform (V.W.F.III et al.). | |
| Peregrine Falcon - poor flight in the northwest. Two at East Fork S.P. 16 March were unusual (Dayton RBA). A banded bird was noted at Elizabethtown in mid-March (Dayton RBA). A mating pair in the vicinity of Case Western Reserve University was also unusual (Cleveland RBA). A few migrants reported 5 - 29 April along the Lake Erie shoreline (m.obs.). |
Wild Turkey - A group of 100 at Mosquito W.A. 2 April seemed a good number for the far northeast (Youngstown RBA).
Yellow Rail - Pending OBRC Review - Reported by Tom Kemp et al. 30 April from Irwin Prairie.
King Rail - Two calling along Magee Marsh W.A. causeway 8-19 May (J. La., V.W.F.III, m.obs.). Also from Miami Whitewater Wetlands 10 May (Cincinnati RBA).
Virginia Rail - Arrival; 3 March in the Cuyahoga Valley (fide R. H.).
Sora - Arrival; 5 April Spring Valley (Dayton RBA); 6 April Magee Marsh W.A. (V.W.F.III). Max. 8 calling birds at Mallard Club Marsh 27 April (V.W.F.III).
Common Moorhen - normal.
American Coot - Staging at Magee Marsh W.A. began 2nd week of March. Quickly reached 1900-2100 visible from causeway in March remaining throughout April (V.W.F. III).
Sandhill Crane - 22 Migrants were noted in Lucas Co. (m.obs.) 14 Mar. Individuals noted 21 March at Maumee Bay S.P.; both 5 & 6 April past the observation platform at Magee Marsh W.A. (V.W.F.III et al.); 15 April Ottawa N.W.R. (M.obs.); and one at Mallard Club Marsh W.A. 17-18 May (B. C., m.obs.). Possible breeders included a pair south of Wooster 27 April (H. B.).
 Female American Avocet, Ottawa N.W.R. / V.W. Fazio. III |
American Avocet - A female in br. pl. was present at Ottawa N.W.R. 23 April - 16 May (V.W.F.III ph., m.obs.). Another bird was at Killdeer Plains W.A. 2 May (C. J.). The max. count was 7 at Knox Lake (G. B. fide S. A.) 16 April. |
Northern Lapwing - Pending OBRC Review; a documentation has been received from Carlton Schooley for a bird near Andover (Ashtabula Co.) 10 March.
Black-bellied Plover - A good showing inland; 25 at Killdeer Plains W.A. 14 May (L. P.); 18 at Big Island W.A. 21 May (C. L.); 18 at Delaware W.A. 17 May (D. B.).
American Golden-Plover - Arrival; 2 April Charlie's Pond (B. C.). No flocks reported.
Killdeer - Early season led to sizeable numbers moving before the beginning of the period. Max. 227 heading west over Magee Marsh W.A. 1 March (V.W.F.III). Migrant waves further noted 4, 8, and 21 March with 80 on the latter date over Maumee Bay S.P. (V.W.F.III). Young out along Lake Erie 14 May Lorain Co. and 15 May Lucas Co. (V.W.F.III).
Semipalmated Plover - widely reported from central and northern Ohio 1-2 May (m.obs.). An individual in Athens Co. 5 May was at an unusual location (B.S.P.). Max. 15 in Marion Co. 23 May (J.F.). Two remained at Lorain impoundment 31 May (V.W.F.III).
Piping Plover - The following are pending OBRC review; 3-7 May Lorain Impoundment (T. L.). Two birds at Headlands Beach S.P. 3 May (L. R.).
Greater Yellowlegs - Arrival 22 March Ottawa N.W.R. (m.obs.); 9 were noted at Medusa Marsh 27 Mar. (D.J.H.) and 15 by 1 April at Mosquito Lake (Youngstown RBA); no concentrations reported but 42 flew past the observation platform at Magee Marsh W.A. 30 April (V.W.F. III et al.).
 Partial albino Lesser Yellowlegs. / V.W. Fazio.III | Lesser Yellowlegs - Noted from 1-2 April with birds at Mosquito Lake (Youngstown RBA) and Big Island W.A. (V.W.F.III). Max. 60 at Delaware W.A. 2 May (K.Ar., V.W.F.III) and 75 at Mosquito Lake W.A. 4 May (Youngstown RBA). A curious partial albino was at Ottawa N.W.R. 4-5 May (V.W.F. III ph. mobs.). Species seen through 23 May at Big Island W.A. (V.W.F.III). |  Partial albino Lesser Yellowlegs. / V.W. Fazio.III |
Solitary Sandpiper - One of the stronger migrations in recent years; widespread in numbers. Early arrival by 29 Mar. Spring Valley (Dayton RBA). Significant push 30 April with 35 birds counted flying west over Magee Marsh W.A. during the mid-morning hours alone. (V.W.F.III).
Willet - Another strong showing with flocks of 6 at Charlie's Pond 20 April (J. M.), 18 at Ottawa N.W.R. 27 April (V.W.F.III ph., m.obs.); 13 at Ross Lake 30 April (J. M.), and 11 at C.J.Brown Reservoir 3 May (Dayton RBA). Late birds include Pickerel Creek W.A. 18 May (V.W.F.III) and Toussaint W.A. 18 May (Craig Rieker et al.).
*Spotted Sandpiper - unremarkable.
Upland Sandpiper - Arrival 3 at Bolton Field 12 April (B. M.). Possible breeders include Big Island W.A. through May (J. H. et al.), and Denmark Twp, Ashtabula Co. in late April (Cleveland RBA).
Whimbrel - A record early date was set by a bird at Charlie's Pond 16-25 April (D. S., J.A., B. S.P., m.obs.). Few flocks were noted with 11 heading west over Magee Marsh W.A. 17 May (V.W.F.III) and 6 at Metzger Marsh W.A. 25 May (D. D.).
Marbled Godwit - An individual appeared at Delaware W.A. 29 April (B. C.) and built to an unprecedented 9 two days later (B. M., C. J. et al.).
Ruddy Turnstone - Detected by 15 May at Ottawa N.W.R. and Magee Marsh W.A. (m.obs.). Inland counts were highest with a remarkable 82 at the spillway of Grand Lake 25 May (D.D.); 24 at Mosquito Lake W.A. 18 May (Youngstown RBA). Additional inland sightings included 2 at Big Island W.A. 21 May (C. L.). and 5 elsewhere in Marion Co. 23 May (J.F.).
Red Knot - Detected by 21 May on the beach at Crane Creek S.P. (K.G. et al.). Max. 3 at Metzger Marsh W.A. 26 May (V.W.F.III). Another on the beach at Crane Creek S.P. 28 May (m.obs.).
Sanderling - Noted at Maumee Bay S.P. 19 May (m.obs.). Another 3 in Lucas Co. at Crane Creek S.P. 30 May (m.obs.). Unprecedented were 25 at the spillway of Grand Lake 25 May (D.D.).
Semipalmated Sandpiper - A record early date was set by a bird at Delaware W.A. 16 April (M.E.). Not widely recorded until 3 May Ottawa N.W.R./Mosquito Lake W.A. (m.obs.). Peak came at the end of the season with 23 at Lorain impoundment 31 May (V.W.F.III).
Least Sandpiper - Arrival 22 April at Ottawa N.W.R. (m.obs.). Few concentrations of note; 9 at Big Island W.A. 23 May (V.W.F.III).
White-rumped Sandpiper - A strong migration with early reports from Ottawa N.W.R. 4 May (m.obs.), and Headlands Beach S.P. 3 May (L. R. et al.). Max. count 15 at Ottawa N.W.R. 9 May (J. D.). Inland tallies were above average with 5 in Marion Co. 23 May (J.F.), 3 at Spring Valley 18 May (Dayton RBA), and also at Winton Woods 24 May (Cincinnati RBA).
Pectoral Sandpiper - Early arrival 1 March Lakeshore M.P. (Cleveland RBA) but not widely noted until 26-27 March. A diffuse migration with few concentrations of note; Max. 300 at Delaware W.A. 7 April (B.C.); 63-130 at Mosquito Lake W.A. 11-18 April (Youngstown RBA); 95 at Funk Bottoms 6 April (Cleveland RBA); 82 Big Island W.A. 2 April (V.W.F.III). Four were noted late at Mosquito Lake W.A. 19 May (Youngstown RBA).
Dunlin - A strong and prolonged migration with 105 recorded 6 April at Ottawa N.W.R. In some years the species has yet to arrive by this date. Several distinct waves were noted at Ottawa N.W.R. facilitating counts totalling 1950 individuals 20 April - 11 May within the public access sites alone. Up to 2000 birds at a time were reported from restricted areas by refuge personnel. Away from Ottawa N.W.R. max. counts include 200 at under-reported Pickerel Creek W.A. 18 May, and during a late season draw-down a surprising 930 were attracted to Metzger Marsh 26 May (V.W.F.III). Lorain impoundment held 33 birds 31 May (V.W.F.III). Inland : 124 were in Marion Co. 23 May (J.F., V.W.F.III).
Stilt Sandpiper - A bird was reported from Big Island W.A. 21 May (?); and Winton Woods 24 May (Cincinnati RBA).
Short-billed Dowitcher - Dowitchers were reported as early as 1 April, nine days before the earliest documented occurrence; substantiating details would be required before revising this record. Even I saw dowitchers in mid-April but distance precluded identification. The first clear Short-billeds were 5 griseus at Ottawa N.W.R. 29 April (V.W.F.III). An inland count was the max with 40 at Winton Woods 24 May (Cincinnati RBA). Also reported from Big Island W.A. 23 May (J.F.).
American Woodcock - Arrival throughout the state well before March. A brood of four were noted along the Magee Marsh bird trail 1 May (m.obs.).
Common Snipe - Reported in flocks of 60 - 100 from the southwest to the northeast (N. C., m.obs.).
Wilson's Phalarope - A female at Ottawa N.W.R. 4 May (B. F.) and another there 10 May (m.obs.); A male at Big Island W.A. 15 May (T.C.); A female along Rt 19 in Crawford Co. 17 May (M.B.); A male at Pickerel Creek W.A. 18 May (V.W.F.III).
Also Available - 16 June 1997
Coming Soon - July 1997
|
[S.A.] = Scott Albaugh [K.Ar.] = Keith Archibald [J.A.] = Jim Arnold [H.T.B.] = H. Thomas Bartlett [M.B.] = Marje Baughman [B.B.] = Bill Bosstic [H.B.] = Harry Bryan [G.B.] = Gary Burkholder [D.B.] = Don Burton [N.C.] = Neil Cade [R.C.] = Ron Cass [T.C.] = Todd Chapman [B.Cl.] = Bob Conlon [D.D.] = David Dister [J.D.] = Jon Dunn |
[G.E.] = Greg Emmert [M.E.] = Marcus England [V.W.F. III] = Victor W. Fazio III [B.F.] = Bob Finkelstein [J.F.] = Jim Fry [K.G.] = Kent Glauser [B.G.] = Bruce Glick [R.H.] = Rob Harlan [B.H.] = Bill Heck [J.H.] = John Herman [D.H.] = Dave Hochadel [T.K.] = Tom Kemp [J.LA.] = Jason Larson [C.L.] = Cam Lee |
[J.M.] = Joe McMahon [G.M.] = Gary Meszaros [P.M.] = Pete Munson [C.J.] = Cece Johnston [B.S.P.] = Bob Scott Placier [L.P.] = Len Powlick [L.RI.] = Larry Richardson [C.R.] = Craig Rieker [L.R.] = Larry Rosche [B.R.] = Bob Royce [D.S.] = Dan Sanders [S.V.] = Shawn Veres |
Literature Consulted
to Ohio Birder Resources | OBRC Information Desk | Current Sightings: Ohio State Wide
research, construction, design, and maintainance by Victor W. Fazio III / posted 17 June 1997