Reno Beach, Lucas Co. 5 Jan. 1997 \ V. Fazio.III
Wild Turkey - A flock of 110 was reported from the northeast at Mosquito lake in late January; numbers more akin to those of the population centers in the southeast.
Reno Beach, Lucas Co. 5 Jan. 1997 \ V. Fazio.III |
Turkey Vulture - Mid-winter records for the northern tier of counties are accidental-casual. A Post-Christmas thaw saw a wanderer along the lakeshore east of Cleveland on the 30th Dec. [Cleveland RBA]. Very strong SW'ly winds may have been responsible for another extraordinary record, one photographed as it spent 90 minutes suspended over Reno Beach Jan. 5. [V.W.F. III]. The first clear spring migrants were two in a lakeshore county (Lucas) on the 19th February coincident with the first southerly warm front. This was immediately followed by one in adjacent Ottawa County [fide V.W.F. III] and three over Kirtland the next day [Cleveland RBA]. Twenty-three east of Cleveland Feb. 26 was a sizeable lakeshore concentration before March. [ Cleveland RBA]. |
| Bald Eagle - Winter residents were in high concentrations and possibly more widespread than ever. It may well be said that a winter Bald Eagle sighting is now plausible in three-fourths or better of Ohio counties. Some of the numbers I am aware of include Erie County - 25, Sandusky County - 15, Ottawa County - 8, Lucas County - 8, Seneca County - 6, Wyandot County - 2, Marion County - 2, Lorain County - 5, Cuyahoga County - 2, Muskingum County - 2, Trumbull County - 4. This does not include CBC reports or information from the ODNR mid-winter eagle survey. |  Huron pier, Dec. 1996 V. Fazio.III |
Northern Harrier - One of the better seasons for this species. It seemed as though any sizeable (40 acres or better) CRP land along country roads in Seneca, Hancock, Sandusky, Huron, Wyandot, and Marion Counties had a harrier or two hovering over it. At least 18 wintered at Killdeer Plains W.A. [m.obs.] for one of the better tallies there in recent years. Local mammal populations were considered high during the fall based on trapping efforts at K.P.W.A. by Ohio Northern University
Rough-legged Hawk - Not the invasion year of last winter. However, possibly due to the better prey base, fair numbers were still noted throughout known favored areas of concentration. Killdeer Plains W.A. hosted 4-5 [m.obs.]. The Wilds near Cumberland should really be systematically explored as we had reports of 8-20+ through the winter [ m. obs.]. The Hayes Rd area of Geauga County came through with 2-4 birds. Ottawa-Lucas county line marshes generally offered 3-6 birds [m.obs.]. Scattered individuals also noted in Erie Co. Relatively sparse in December sightings seemed to pick up in January-February.
Merlin - A bird hunting the entrance of Crane Creek State park on 18 Feb. was thought to be resident [V.W.F.III]. Also reported from Caesar Creek S.P. in early Feb. [Dayton RBA].
Peregrine Falcon - Three birds (local adult with young in tow) wintered in Lakewood [P.L.]. Another local was in downtown Akron the first week of February [E.P.]. At the same time a pair were noted in the vicinity of the Cleveland Clinic [S. ]. Also reported over Ottawa N.W.R. the last week of December [Toldeo RBA], and noted in Downtown Dayton on the 24th Feb. [Dayton RBA].
| American Coot - Open water along Lake Erie saw frequent groups of 4-8 in most lakeshore counties. The Avon Lake flock built to 24 on Feb. 9th [H.T.B.]. | |
| Sandhill Crane - Sightings have increased over the years of this species in winter (as opposed to the late migrant passage in early December) such that it is now casual in the west-southwest. However, a mid-winter record in the northeast remains exceptional as was an individual flying along the lakeshore with Canada Geese off Lakeshore Park the 26th January. The first spring migrants were on schedule with 23 flying over Paulding County [M.D.] on the 24th. Three were noted in Hardin County the same day [N.M.]. |  Caesar Creek Res. 25 Nov. 1996 / V. Fazio.III |
Killdeer - The 18th-20th February saw the first spring migrants with 3 at Caesar Creek State Park, followed by one over Tiffin (Seneca County) [V.W.F. III], and in Delaware County [Columbus RBA]. By the 21st February they were widespread throughout Ottawa and Lucas Counties [V.W.F.III], and a concentration on 45 at Big Island W.A. by the 25th. [V.W.F.III].
Dunlin - One report from Township Park, Conneaut, 27 Dec. [M.V.D.].
American Woodcock - As noted by previous authors you can practically set the calendar by the arrival of this species into southern and central Ohio. On 20 February the species reached the Miami R. valley [Dayton RBA], Butler County [Cincinnati RBA], and Morrow County [Div. of Wildlife]. Northeast Ohio (Jaite) had to wait for the 23rd [Cleveland RBA].
Pomerine Jaeger - The following reports are pending documentation. Eastlake Power Plant 20 Dec. [Cleveland RBA] ; Headlands Beach State Park, 27 Dec. [Cleveland RBA]; Crane Creek State Park, 5 January [V.W.F.III]; Lorain Harbor marina, 11-12 January [D.L. m.ob.].; Fairport Harbor, 11 January [V.U.]; Headlands Beach S.P., 26 January [ fide N.B.]. The three reports from Headlands/Fairport Harbor, if correct, likely involve the same individual.
 Huron Pier 9 Dec. 1996 / V. Fazio.III |
Little Gull - 4 birds: Huron, 1 Adult, 9 Dec. [V.W.F. III, ph.]; Lorain Harbor, 1 adult, 19 Dec. [V.W.F. III]; Eastlake Power Plant, 27 Dec. [Cleveland RBA].Lingered at Eastlake P.P. to the 12th January [Cleveland RBA] and matched by a bird at Fairport Harbor on the 11th. [V.U.]. |
| Bonaparte's Gull - Unusual was a full breeding adult at Lorain harbor 19 Dec. [V.W.F.III, ph.]. Late concentrations included 550 at Marblehead 4 Jan. [V.W.F.III] and 550 at Avon Lake 12 January [V.W.F.III]. Peak numbers included 10-12,000 at Lorain harbor 19 Dec. [V.W.F.III]. The 15-20,000 of the first week of Dec. at Huron had dwindled to 8-9,000 by 19 Dec. [V.W.F.III]. |  Huron Pier 19 Dec. 1996 / V. Fazio.III |
Black-legged Kitiwake - Two to three birds: Avon Lake, 7 Dec. [B.M. et al.]; Eastlake Power Plant, 27 Dec. [Cleveland RBA]; Eastlake Power Plant, 18 Jan. [L.R.].
California Gull - Pending documentation. Eastlake Power Plant, 1 adult, 9 Feb. [L.R., K.Mf.].
Iceland Gull - Four birds: Eastlake P.P. , one - two, 12 January - 9 Feb. [m.obs.] ; Avon Lake P.P. , one 1st yr, 18 January - 15 Feb. [m.obs.]; ; Headlands S.B.P., one, 26 Jan.- 9 Feb. [m.obs.].
Glaucous Gull - 12+ birds: Eastlake Power Plant, one, 7-20 Dec. [m.obs.]; Bayview, two adults, 1-2 January. [V.W.F. III]; Eastlake P.P., one - four, 12-18 January [ L.R. et al.] ; Avon Lake P.P. , one - three, 18-22 January [m.obs.] ; Lorain Harbor , one, 18 January [Cleveland RBA]; Headlands S.B.P., one, 19-26 Jan. [L.R., N.B.]; Avon Lake P.P. , six, 10 Feb. [K.Mf.]; Eastlake P.P., one adult, 9 Feb. [H.T.B.]; Headlands S.B.P., two adults, 15 Feb. [ N.B.]; Headlands S.B.P., one, 23 Feb. [Cleveland RBA].
Thayer's Gull - Six birds: Lorain Harbor, 7 Dec. [B.M. et al.]; Maumee R., one 1st yr, 30 Dec. - 1 Jan. [Toledo RBA, A.O.]; Eastlake P.P., one , 12-18 January [L.R., et al.] ; Avon Lake P.P. , one 1st yr, 18 January [L.R.] ; Eastlake P.P., one adult, 24 January [et al.]; Headlands S.B.P., 1st yr, 15 Feb [N.B.].
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 11+ birds: Avon Lake, 7 Dec. - 10 Feb. [B.M., V.W.F. III., K.Mf.]; Eastlake Power Plant, five, 8 Dec. [H.T.B.]; Lorain Harbor, one, 8 Dec. [H.T.B.]; Eastlake Power Plant, one, 20 Dec. [Cleveland RBA]; Acme Power Plant, one, 20 Dec. - 1 Jan. [Toledo RBA, A.O.]; Bay Shore Power Plant, one, 27 Dec. [Toledo RBA]; Sherrod Park (Erie County), one adult, 14 Jan. [V.W.F.III]; Maumee R. rapids, one, 19 Jan. [Toledo RBA]; Eastlake Power Plant, one 3rd yr, 9 Feb. [H.T.B.]; Headlands S.B.P., one, 23 Feb. [Cleveland RBA].
Herring Gull - Approximately 7,000 were in Sandusky Bay/Catawba Island Area on 2 Jan. [V.W.F.III, S.C.];
Ring-billed Gull - More than 63,000 were in Sandusky Bay/Catawba Island area (Ottawa Co.) on 2 Jan. [V.W.F.III, S.C.]; Huron Pier hosted up to 50,000 during the first two weeks of Dec. [V.W.F.III].
Great Black-backed Gull - Peak 800 in Sandusky Bay/Catawba Island area on 2 Jan. [V.W.F.III, S.C.]; Also 160 at Avon Lake on 19 Dec. [V.W.F. III]. Casual inland; two immatures were noted in February from central Ohio, at Griggs Dam on the 15th and Greenlawn Ave. Dam a week later [Columbus RBA].
| Snowy Owl - Eleven sightings from ten counties; see map. Huron and Lorain birds reported in December [m.obs.]. Port Clinton in late December [fide M. Sh.]. The Wooster bird present at least 2-18 Feb. [M.Sm., J.S.]. Maumee Bay S.P. from late December through late January [Toledo RBA]. Another Lucas County bird was at Bayshore P.P. in late Dec. The Sandusky Co. bird from 15-18 January [P.W., V.W.F. III]. Additional birds reported from Headlands Beach S.P., and Burke Lakefront Airport [m.obs.]. through much of Dec. and Jan. Two more reports from November in Wyandot and Miami counties. |  Huron Pier, Dec. 1996 / V. Fazio.III |
Long-eared Owl - One observed through Dec. and Jan. [m.obs.] at Killdeer Plains was joined by others in February with three there on the 27-28th. [D.P.].
Short-eared Owl - Three reported from Maumee Bay S.P. in late Dec. Max. at Killdeer Plains W.A. was 16 on 11 Jan. [D.L. et al.]. Generally 4-5 reported there through Feb. [m.obs.].
Northern Saw-whet Owl - Scarce; One spent 3 - 22 Feb. on the Magee Marsh Bird Trail [T.K., V.W.F. III, B.C.].
Rufous Hummingbird - The Loudonville bird remained into January, finally becoming cat fodder on the 11th. Identifiable remains were deposited with John Condit at Ohio State University [R.T.].
Eastern Phoebe - The spring-like weather of 18-22 Feb. likely was responsible for early birds at Greenlawn Cemetary (Columbus) [B.M.] and near Canfield (Mahoning County) [D.H.] in the northeast on 22 Feb.
American Crow - An albino was reported from North Chagrin Reservation in late January [Cleveland RBA]. First lakeshore movements on 18 Feb. with 50+ over Magee Marsh [V.W.F. III].
Black-capped Chickadee - Two birds were in Espyville (Marion County) 25 Feb. [V.W.F.III].
Carolina Wren - Holding on in the northwest after a couple of rough winters. Ten singing in the vicinity of the Sandusky R. mouth on 29 Dec. was a surprise [V.W.F.III].
Winter Wren - January birds included individuals in Seneca, Sandusky, and Ottawa counties [V.W.F.III].
American Robin - widespread reports in the north away from winter roosts beginning 1-2 Feb. [m.obs.].
Gray Catbird - An individual wintered at Gilmore Ponds (Butler County) [M.B.].
Cedar Waxwing - widespread reports in the north beginning late January. [m.obs.].
Northern Shrike - Fewer shrikes than the past two years. One on the Toledo CBC in Dec. One wintered near Jaite, Cuyahoga Valley [G.M. et al.].
Yellow-rumped Warbler - January birds in the north included a bird at Resthaven W.A. Erie Co. on the 1st [V.W.F.III].
Common Yellowthroat - An individual was located in a marsh at Wightman's Grove, Sandusky Co. on 29 Dec. [V.W.F.III].
Eastern Meadowlark - A dozen wintered near the Sandusky R. in Seneca County [V.W.F.III, H.T.B.]. Migrants noted at Killdeer Plains 1-2 Feb. [m.obs.].
Rusty Blackbird - January birds included one on the Magee Marsh Bird Trail on the first [V.W.F.III] Others remained in Ottawa and Sandusky counties [m.obs.]. Migrant Rusties were noted at Killdeer Plains by 21 Feb. [D.L. et al].
Brewer's Blackbird - The very mild weather at the end of Dec. saw a mass of 40-50,000 blackbirds congragate just N. of Stark Wilderness Center. The flock included a Brewer's Blackbird [Cleveland RBA].
Yellow-headed Blackbird - One was noted amongst the concentration in Wayne County in late December.
Red-winged Blackbird - A single flock of 280 flew over the Sandusky River near Fremont on 29 Dec. [V.W.F.III]. Early migartory movements included 5000 in Lucas County on 21 Feb. [V.W.F.III].
Comon Grackle - Scattered individuals wintered thoughout northwest [V.W.F.III]. Early migartory movements included 800 in Lucas County on 21 Feb. [V.W.F.III].
Brown-headed Cowbird - A flock of 80 N. of Clyde (Sandusky Co.) on 29 Dec. [V.W.F.III].
Lapland Longspur - No great concentrations but small flocks or individuals reached well into the southwest as far as Oxford [B.P.].
Snow Bunting - Apart from a thousand near Waterville in mid February again only scattered flocks of 3-10 birds reported as far south as Dayton Airport [m.obs.].
Black Swan - pair at Hoover Reservoir in December. [J.C.]
Bar-headed Goose - Near Chilicothe in January [J.M.]
Chilean Flamingo - still at Mosquito lake. [ D.H.]
Lady Amherst's Pheasant - Findley S.P. at least through January.
Azure-winged Magpie - Lake Isaac, Cuyahoga County. [m.obs]
| Observers | ||
|---|---|---|
|
[N.B.] = Nick Barber [H.T.B.] = H. Thomas Bartlett [S.C.] = Susan Carty [J.C.] = John Condit [B.Cs.] = Brad Courson [M.V.D.] = Mary V. Doran [M.D.] =Micki Dunakin [V.W.F. III] = Victor W. Fazio III [R.H.] = Rob Harlan [D.H.] = Dave Hochadel |
[T.K.] = Tom Kemp [D.L.] = Doreene Linzell [P.L.] = Paula Lozano [J.M.] = Joe MacMahon [B.M.] = Bernard Master [G.M.] = Gary Meszaros [K.Mf.] = Kevin Metcalf [N.M.] = Nelson Moore [A.O.] = Arthur Osborn |
[E.P.] = Ed Pierce [D.P.] = Dimas Pioli [L.R.] = Larry Rosche [M.Sh.] = Mark Shieldcastle [M.Sm.] = Marvin Smith [J.S.] = John Sniveley [R.T.] = Roger Troutman [V.U.] = Vince Urbanski [P.W.] = Paul W. Schwalbe |
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 11 March 1997 {photos added 4 May 1997}.