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This female Merlin was unexpected along a rural road 2 miles south of Lynx in Adams Co, OH 20 Jan 2006.
It happens to be among the very rare occasions upon which I have seen the species perched on a utility wire.
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Part of a flock of Black Vultures about half way between
Manchester and West Union in Adams Co. OH 20 Jan 2006.
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Publication TYPE: Ohio-birds listserv posting
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 01:12:11 -0500
Subject: Blue Grass Birding in the Buckeye State
Ohio Brush Creek, Adams & Highland Co. OH
20 Jan 2006
The Blue Grass region (or Lexington Plain) is that early
physiographic assignment taking in Adams County and
southeasternmost Brown County, so unique is the area.
Best known for its population of Chuck-will's-widow and the
high concentration of Black Vultures and Blue Grosbeaks,
mid-winter birding remains largely unexplored; certainly
under-reported. The Adams County CBC has provided
glimpses at some remarkable numbers of 'half-hardy'
species that linger into the early winter season during milder
conditions but whether the region regularly supports these
species throughout the winter remains to be seen. To that
end, on Friday I spent a morning (4 hrs) of roadside survey
in the Concord Quandrangle (84C1), then followed the Ohio Brush
Creek riparian corridor, itself designated an Ohio Audubon IBA,
through much of its length, where at it's terminus just north of
Folsom in Highland County, I discovered a sizeable starling/grackle
roost forming.
Here is the complete list from 20 Jan:
Canada Goose - 2
American Black Duck - 6
Mallard - 16
Great Blue Heron - 1
Black Vulture - 27
Turkey Vulture - 2
Red-shouldered Hawk - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 3
Merlin - 1 female
American Kestrel - 5
Ring-billed Gull - 2
Rock Pigeon - 3
Mourning Dove - 2
Belted Kingfisher - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 4
Downy Woodpecker - 7
Hairy Woodpecker - 6
Northern Flicker - 20
Pileated Woodpecker - 7
Eastern Phoebe - 1
Blue Jay - 76
American Crow - 42
Carolina Chickadee - 38
Tufted Titmouse - 25
White-breasted Nuthatch - 11
Carolina Wren - 30
Winter Wren - 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 6
Eastern Bluebird - 23
American Robin - 930
European Starling - 100,000
Cedar Waxwing - 171
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 80
Eastern Towhee - 14
American Tree Sparrow - 1
Field Sparrow - 1
Fox Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 42
White-throated Sparrow - 38
Dark-eyed Junco - 29
Common Grackle - 9000
Rusty Blackbird - 1
Northern Cardinal - 32
American Goldfinch - 20
House Finch - 2
Purple Finch - 16
House Sparrow - 4
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A view of Buzzards Roost Rock from Ohio Brush Creek 20 Jan 2006
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On exiting the area, I travelled past the Edge of Appalachia area owned by The Nature Conservancy.
I was not surprised at the number of Yellow-rumped
Warblers. If anything many of the songbird numbers
were depressed and where were the creepers,
Hermit Thrushes, and mockingbirds. It is possible
the overcast skies and 20 mph SW winds may have
hampered detection. But I must wonder whether the
severe wintry conditions of early December were
enough to impact the likes of Carolina Wren (pictured here)
that while common were not nearly as numerous as
recorded in the past.
cheers
Vic Fazio
Shaker Hts, OH
Page established 23 January 2006
