Howard Rd, Lucas Co. Feb. 1997 \ V. Fazio.III
Common Loon - Still migrating in early December; 17 counted from Huron (Erie Co.) pier in a 2 hr movement along Lake Erie on the 9th Dec. [V.W.F.III]
Horned Grebe - One had returned to Caesar Creek Reservoir by 23 Feb. [J.R.].
Double-crested Cormorant - With the loon flight of Dec. 9th, 49 cormorants were counted from Huron Pier. Another flock of 30 on the wing were heading west off E. 55th marina in Cleveland on the 19th. Mid-winter reports came from Ashtabula (1), Eastlake (1-3), and Cedar Point causeway (3) [m.obs]. The early thaw saw greater numbers at open water including 18 at Avon Lake on 10 February [H.T.B.].
Great Blue Heron - The mild season saw at least 55 remain into January in the Sandusky Bay vicinity [V.W.F.III]. Birds were first reported away from traditional wintering sites with the advent of the thaw the first week of February [m.obs.]. Heronry's in the NE and central Ohio were taking on occupants 22-25 February [m.obs].
Black-crowned Night Heron - Although a regular wintering species along Lake Erie interior Ohio reports have been limited to individual dates; overwintering individuals have been unheard of since the 1960's (Peterjohn 1989) so two along the Olentangy adjacent to the Ohio State University campus from December through late February were an outstanding find [M.E., m.obs.].
Howard Rd, Lucas Co. Feb. 1997 \ V. Fazio.III |
Tundra Swan - The mild season held large numbers through December in the western basin marshes. The storm of 5 January seemed to drive many south-eastwards as more than 400 were recorded in the Ottawa/Lucas county area [m.obs.]. Seven were found on this date at Mosquito Lake. Killdeer Plains W.A. began hosting birds with 5 on the 25th January [B.Cs.], 8 on 3 February [D.Z.], 12 on the 8the [R.H.], and 14 on the 25th [V.W.F.III]. Simultaneous build-ups were noted in the Sheldon's Marsh area of Erie County with 22 flybys on 2 February [m.obs.] and 154 on the ice on the 9th [V.W.F. III], and elsewhere in Erie Co. along Rt 4. in Groton Twp intermittent flocks varied from 5-6 on 1st February [H.T.B.] to 105 there on the 22nd Feb.[V.W.F.III]. Elsewhere in Erie County 52 birds were in a field along Rt 2 at the junction with Rt 250 on 27 Feb. [S.B.]. Migratory flocks on the 18th in the western basin totaled 94 birds [V.W.F. III]. Howard Rd (Lucas County) concentrations began the first week of February and peaked with 48 on the 21st [V.W.F. III, A.O., et al.]. February saw an unusual number of inland records with 12 at Berlin Reservoir on the 12th [fide V.W.F. III], 5 at C.J. Brown Reservoir on the 9th [Dayton RBA], an immature at Pickerington Ponds on the 3rd. [fide Columbus metroparks]. Knox Lake hosted one bird on the 13th. [S.A.] . |
Trumpeter Swan - An unprecedented number of this newly introduced species were recorded this season. Many were unbanded and so were likely from well-established release programs in Minnesota or Wisconsin. After the 6 in November from Seneca County, the northwest further hosted 1 at Willow Pt W.A. (Erie Co.) on the 1st January. Also on the 1st were 6 unbanded in the Ottawa N.W.R/Magee Marsh W.A. vicinity, and 1 on the ice at the Portage River along Rt 2. A few days later on the 5th nine were counted on the Ottawa N.W.R. CBC. including unbanded birds in Lucas County. Several were at Sheldon's Marsh S.N.P. 2 February [G.P.], an immature was at Killdeer Plains W.A. 8 Feb. [R.H., m.obs.], and 3 Trumpeters at C.J. Brown Reservoir on the 9th [Dayton RBA].
Mute Swan - Pairs at usual Erie County locations in February [V.W.F. III, G.P.]. Largest concentration was 11 on the Maumee River rapids the 18-19th. and 12 at Lake Rockwell on the 7th Dec. [R. H.]. An individual was present at Reed Park in Clark Co. from late January through much of Feb. [Dayton RBA].
|
Greater White-fronted Goose - Unprecedented numbers for winter with at least 28 birds. Overwintering is almost unheard of so 15 at Pickerington ponds from early January through the period was extraordinary [M.Sk., Columbus Metroparks, m.obs.]. Another group of four settled in to Knox Lake (Knox Co.) on the 13th Feb. to remain through the period [S.A.]. Five white-fronts were at C.J. Brown Reservoir on the 9th. A very orange-billed individual was photographed at Castalia Pond (Erie County) on the 13th and remained to the 21st [V.W.F.III, E.E., m.obs.]. CBC records include an individual in Butler County the 21st Dec. [M.B.] and two at The Wilds near Cumberland [B.T., J.Z.]. The concentration of geese at Howard Rd (Lucas Co.) included a Greater White-fronted Goose on the 4th February [fide T.K.]. An individual at Spring Valley the 17th Feb. may have been a migrant [Dayton RBA]. Distribution by county |
Brant - One flew past E. 55th Marina on 1 Jan. possibly responsible for the sighting off Lakewood the next day [Cleveland RBA]. Extremely rare in the south an individual wintered {26 Jan. - 19th Feb.} along the Greater Miami in West Carollton [m.obs.].
Snow Goose - Another banner year for wintering Snow Geese. 200 were in the western Lake Erie basin in early January [m.obs.]. Many of these birds may have been part of the single flock of 139 at Howard Rd (Lucas Co.) on the 21st Feb. [V.W.F. III]. Eight Snow Geese were at Slate Run Metropark (Pickaway Co.) on the 25th February [K.K. et al.]. Several birds wintered at Killdeer Plains W.A. [m.obs]. The flock had grown to 8 by 28 Feb. [D.P.]. Three spent much of February just south of Chardon (Geauga County) [Cleveland RBA]. One on 30 Jan. and four the 18th Feb. were notable for C.J. Brown Reservoir. [Dayton RBA] and . Ten were at The Wilds on the 15th Feb. [B.T.III] for a high count in eastern Ohio. Snow Geese at Mosquito lake?? Up to 15 Snow Geese were found in Erie Co. from 19 Jan. - 1 Feb. [N.B., V.W.F. III, et al.]. Knox Lake hosted one bird on the 12th. [S.A.] Five were along the Maumee River Rapids on the 19th Jan. and additional birds at Providence Dam Park [fide T.K.], Three more were found at the Miami Whitewater Wetlands (Hamilton Co.) on the 18th and 19th. [M.B.].
Ross' Goose - Documentation received from [B. Cl.]of Slate Run Metropark (Pickaway Co.) report of 25 Feb. To be Reviewed by OBRC.
Canada Goose - Widespread in above normal numbers throughout the winter. With the vagaries of the various warmups and cold spells came several north south movements of thousands of birds. It was simply impossible to tell where fall migration stopped and spring migration began. Large numbers were heading north through the Scioto and Sandusky River valleys in late December in response to a thaw yet thousands were on a reverse course two weeks later. The first week of February finally saw massive movements northwards to stay. Six small bodied, stub-billed birds matching parvipes in characters were at Castalia Pond on 12 Jan. Four Richardson's were in Butler County in mid-Dec. [M.B., et al.]. In the space of 3 hours on the 5th Jan. appx. 14,000 Canada Geese emptied out of the sky ahead of a severe storm to take refuge in a stubble field at the corner of Decant and Corduroy Rds in Lucas County.
Wood Duck - A male wintered at Castalia Pond. [V.W.F. III]. Three migrants flew by the hawk tower at Magee Marsh 18 Feb. [V.W.F.III]. Widespread by 25 Feb. [m.obs.].
Green-winged Teal - A spring migrant was noted at Castalia Pond 18 Feb. [V.W.F. III]. 60 migrants had accumulated at Metzger Marsh W.A. by 27 Feb. [V.W.F. III].
 Female with male head or male with female body? One peculiar Mallard at Castalia in January. / V.W. Fazio.III |
Mallard - Similar story to that of Canada Geese with large numbers moving about the state. A massive movement northwards in late Dec. was indicated by a count of 11,000 in 1 hour over Killdeer Plains W.A. on the 31st Dec. and 11,000 in a stubble field near Willow Pt. W.A. on the 1st January. [V.W.F.III]. In the same 3 hours on the 5th as the above CAGO observation 17,000 Mallard piled into the same stubble field. Late February migratory concentrations included 6000 at Pickerel Creek W.A. and another 3500 in Sandusky County just west of Pickerel Creek around Yellow Swale - all on 27 Feb. [V.W.F III]. Best Castalia Pond census was 7000 on 13 Jan. [V.W.F. III]. |
| Am. Black Duck - 400 accompanied the Mallard flight over Killdeer Plains on 31 Dec. [V.W.F. III]. 1900 were along the Erie Co. shore of Sandusky Bay on 1 Jan. [V.W.F. III]. Best Castalia Pond census was 1400 on 13 Jan. [V.W.F. III]. | |
| Am. Black X Mallard hybrid - Best Castalia Pond census 62 on 13 Jan. [V.W.F. III]. |  Castalia Pond, January 1997 \ V. Fazio.III |
Northern Pintail - Best Castalia Pond census 26 on 13 Jan. [V.W.F. III]. 48 accompanied the puddle duck flight over Killdeer Plains W.A. on 31 Dec. [V.W.F. III]. late Feb. migrants included significant tallies of 225 at Killdeer Plains W.A. the 25th Feb. [V.W.F. III], and 500+ at Mosquito W.A. [fide D.H.]. Another 350 were present at Metzger Marsh W.A. on the 27th. [V.W.F. III].
Gadwall - Best Castalia Pond census 30 on 13 Jan. [V.W.F. III].
Northern Shoveler - Best Castalia Pond census 98 on 2 Jan. [V.W.F. III]. 28 accompanied the puddle duck flight over Killdeer Plains W.A. [V.W.F. III].
American Wigeon - Best Castalia Pond census 114 on 13 Jan. [V.W.F. III]. Early migrants had appeared at Killdeer Plains W.A. by the 3rd Feb. [D.Z.]. Migrants accumulating at Mosquito W.A. in late Feb. totalled 100+ on the 23rd [fide D. H.].
Canvasback - Peak 9000 at Sandusky Bay on the 18th Feb. [V.W.F. III]. Up to 900 wintered off the Huron Pier [V.W.F.III, I.W., et al.].
Redhead - Peak 400 at Sandusky Bay on the 18th Feb. [V.W.F. III]. Inland migrants were noted at Killdeer Plains W.A. by the 3rd Feb. [D.Z.].
Ring-necked Duck - First spring Lake Erie gatherings noted off Cedar Point Causeway late February [B.C.].
Greater Scaup - I received no significant notes on this species.
Lesser Scaup - Had returned to Killdeer Plains W.A. by 3 February [D.Z. et al.].
Oldsquaw - Lakeshore Park [Cleveland RBA] . Also from 1-5 Jan. at C.J. Brown Res. [ Dayton RBA]. One at Eastlake 18 Jan. [L.R.].
Common Goldeneye - 6700 flying into Maumee Bay past Metzger Marsh W.A. on 5 Jan.
Harlequin Duck - Two flybys at Magee Marsh W.A. [R.H.] on 5 Jan.
Bufflehead - nothing noteworthy.
Black Scoter - Three off Navarre Marsh 5 Jan. [M.Sh.]. One off Huron Pier 11 Jan. [D.Z. m.obs.].
White-winged Scoter - One at Eastlake 18 Jan. [L.R.]. One at Headlands B.S.P. on 26 Jan. [N.B.]. A female off Old Woman Creek 2 Feb. [M. Sk., m.obs.]. One at Caesar Creek Reservoir on 19 Feb. [Dayton RBA].
Surf Scoter - One at Huron on 3 Jan. [Cleveland RBA] and two {male and female} were there 2 Feb. [M.Sk., m.obs].
Hooded Merganser - 110 at Lake Rockwell 7 Dec. was the only accumulation reported [R.H.].
Red-breasted Merganser - Nothing noteworthy.
Common Merganser - Several thousand wintered off Ottawa/Lucas County on Lake Erie. Peak count 5700 on 5 Jan. off Metsger Marsh W.A. [V.W.F.III].
Ruddy Duck - First spring Lake Erie gatherings noted off Cedar Point Causeway late February. [B.C.].
| Observers | ||
|---|---|---|
|
[S.A.] = Scott Albaugh [N.B.] = Nick Barber [H.T.B.] = H. Thomas Bartlett [S.B.] = S. Burris [M.B.] = Mike Busam [B.Cl.] = Bob Conlon [B.Cs.] = Brad Courson [M.E.] = Marcus England |
[V.W.F. III] = Victor W. Fazio III [R.H.] = Rob Harlan [D.H.] = Dave Hochadel [T.K.] = Tom Kemp [K.K.] = Kim Kerr [D.Z.] = Doreene Linzell [A.O.] = Arthur Osborn [E.E.] = Eleanor Elder |
[D.P.] = Dimas Pioli [J.R.] = John Rakestraw [L.R.] = Larry Rosche [M.Sh.] = Mark Shieldcastle [M.Sk.] = Mark Skinner [B.T.III] = Bill Thompson III [I.W.] = Ignaz Wanders [J.Z.] = Julie Zickefoose |
Literature Cited
to Ohio Birder Resources | OBRC Information Desk | Current Sightings: Ohio State Wide
research, construction, design, and maintainance by Victor W. Fazio III / last modified 3 March 1997 {photos added 4 May 1997}