Date: Saturday, July 26, 2003
Location: Aurora Ferry Road; Rt 20 Gravel Pit near Petersburg
Reporter: Granville Carey
Other Birders: Lee McNeeley, Ron Lusby, Lana Hays, Fred & Anddrea Weider (NoKYBrdClb)
Sorry for the late posting. Time 8:00-1:00 AM. Weather - foggy early, cleared
by 9:30.
Trip List: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Turkey Vulture, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, House Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, American Goldfinch
Date: Sunday, July 27, 2003
Location: Downtown Cincinnati
Reporter: Neil Relyea
Other Birders:
On my way to work Sunday I crossed Fountain Square and spotted what I thought was a dead pigeon -- as I bent down I noticed the cinnamon-shaded wings, slender body and long, spotted tail -- at first I thought it was a young mockingbird -- it had a gash on the side of its neck -- I picked it up so it wouldn't become "pedestrian roadkill" -- and took it to a grassy, overgrown area across the street from where I work -- something about this bird touched me as I carried it for block after block -- after browsing thru my bird book and the images on the internet I learned it was indeed a yellow-billed cuckoo -- and a "threatened species" at that -- about a month before, across the street, I found what I believe was a sandpiper on the sidewalk right in front of a revolving door at the Westin -- ready to become pedestrian roadkill -- I also took that one to the grassy area across from work so it could return to a natural area -- I don't know which is sadder -- their being devoured by peregrines -- or left to rot on the sidewalks in downtown's concrete canyons.
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Location: Bellevue, Campbell Co., KY
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
A few species in (and above) my yard indicating some dispersal - 2 Barn Swallows, 1 Purple Martin, 1 Baltimore Oriole. Also a racheting up of activity at the hummingbird feeders with at least 5 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds present. The Carolina Wrens are now carrying food to the newly hatched nestlings our hanging geranium.
Trip List:
Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Location: Cowan Lake Spillway
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders: Bob Powell
The Cowan Lake spillway is just right for shorebirds. This AM we had the following:
4 Solitary Sandpipers
5 Spotted Sandpipers
2 Pectoral Sandpipers
6 Least Sandpipers\
16 Killdeer
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Location: Pleasant Ridge
Reporter: Sam Corbo
Other Birders:
I was very suprised to see two new yard birds this afternoon. First, I had three noisy Eastern Kingbirds. While watching them, I caught sight of a small bird, flitting in a nearby tree. It turned out to be a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.
Trip List: Eastern Kingbird 3, Blackburnian Warbler 1
Date: July 28, 2003
Location: Voice of America 8:45 am to 9:20 am
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders:
10 Henslow's sparrows, including two hatch-year birds, 6 sedge wrens, 30+ bobolinks, 10+ meadowlarks, 6+ savannah sparrows. There was a lot of activity and singing during the rain showers and drizzle, which stopped around 9:10. After that, it started getting hot, the birds quit singing, and were hard to find. The bobolinks are starting to form flocks. There was one flock of 23 or so birds. There were three adult males in this flock, two of which had just started molting, while the third looked to still be in complete breeding plumage. One bird that was in already completely molted into non-breeding plumage was singing, more or less, a typical bobolink song. It was rather raspy and not as exuberant as bobolink songs typically are.
Date: Sunday 27 July, 2003
Location: VOA, Butler Co., OH
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders: Veronica Renfrow
Just a quick stop but we did get a nice look at a Henslow's Sparrow (3 total). Also 1 Savannah Sparrow, 2 Sedge Wrens.
Date: Saturday 26 July 2003
Location: California Woods, Hamilton Co., OH
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
1 Eastern Phoebe, 2 Eastern Pewees, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Wood Thrush, 3 Northern Parulas, 1 Yellow-throated Warbler, 2 Louisiana Waterthrushes, 1 Summer Tanager, 1 Scarlet Tanager.
Date: Friday 25 July 2003
Location: Campbell Co., KY
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
At A.J.Jolly Park; 1 Green Heron, 6 Great Blue Herons, 4 Wood Ducks, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 2 immature Red-shouldered Hawks. 2 Eastern Phoebes carrying food to a nest under the handicapped fishing dock, 7 Eastern Kingbirds, 30 Purple Martins, 1 Warbling Vireo,1 pair Summer Tanagers w 1 immature, 2 Wood Thrushes.
Alexandria; AA Hwy and KY 709 - Heard a pair of BLUE GROSBEAKS chipping before I even parked, then watched them feeding in willows by tiny stream. Indications they may be on their second nest. Also, a Wood Thrush singing from the woods across the road.
Bellevue; Pair Carolina Wrens on nest in hanging geranium on porch. Began building nest July 6, 3 eggs July 14, 4 eggs July 17, still sitting on eggs July 26. Also on 26th 1 Cooper's Hawk chasing Northern Cardinal through woods by same porch - not sure whether it caught it or not.
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2003
Location: Oxbow
Reporter: Ned Keller
Other Birders: Oxbox, Inc. Field Trip
Highlights were the expected waders, with a few shorebirds: 40 Double-crested Cormorants, 15 Great Blue Herons, 15 Great Egrets, 2 Black-crowned Night-Herons, 4 Green Herons, Killdeer, 5 Solitary Sandpipers, and a Lesast Sandpiper. We also had a cloud of Turkey Vultures over the Miami Fort cooling tower, with a few Blacks mixed in. Swallows included Barn, Tree, Rough-winged, and a couple of Banks. There were a few more Banks at Lost Bridge, along with 75 Cliff Swallows.
Date: 7/24/03
Location: Caesar Creek beach
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders:
The Laughing Gull was seen early today by several birders. It left for another part of the lake at 9 AM. It seems to be moulting and if so may stick around for a short while. When there is too much disturbance around the beach is moves to another place.
Date: July 23, 2003
Location: Voice of America 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders: Bob Lacker
51 killdeer, 37 mourning doves, 4 horned larks, 5 tree swallows, 14 barn swallows, 10 sedge wrens, 1 robin, 5 savannah sparrows, 19 Henslow's sparrows (including 1 hatch-year bird), 2 song sparrows, 16 bobolinks, 53 red-winged blackbirds, 26 meadowlarks, 6 goldfinch.
Date: 07/23/03
Location: Caesar Creek SP Beach
Reporter: Jay G. Lehman
Other Birders:
I stopped by at Caesar Creek this morning from about 8:15 - 8:45 am. The adult Laughing Gull, reported yesterday by Larry Gara, that is starting to change to non-breeding plumage was on the beach snoozing most of the time with its head tucked with the local flock of Ring-billed Gulls. The bird untucked its head briefly to show that the bill still had quite a bit of red, but is changing to black of non-breeding plumage. However, this bird still has a complete hood. Got a few digiscoped shots, but wish that I could have got a few with the head untucked. This bird was clearly a Laughing Gull as previously reported. The legs were quite long, whereas Franklin's Gull has shorter legs. The folded primaries were almost completely black with only very tiny bits of white at the tips unlike Franklin's Gull. This white is hard to see at a distance but show up at close range. I was about 20-30 yards from this bird or closer. And the head and bill were not as dainty as in Franklin's Gull. When the bird untucked briefly, it stretched its wings showing the dark gray and darker wing tip pattern without the white near the base of the primaries of a Franklin's Gull.
An adult Sanderling with a lot of rufous/red on its face and throat was on the sandy beach. It was changing into non-breeding plumage as the rufous on the head was not as extensive as in breeding plumage. This bird gave me quite a start at first, because it was alone with no available size comparison. I had brief visions of something much rarer, aka Rufous-necked Stint. But it was not to be. It was a Sanderling. Too large, too bulky and bill too large for a stint, and this was obvious from a direct size comparison with the local Killdeer. Its call was that of a Sanderling, and when it flew there was the broad white wing stripe. It also fed like a Sanderling running a picking, and not like Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, which are closely related to Rufous-necked Stint.
By the way, I checked the beach at Caesar Creek last night just before dusk, from about 8:40 to 9:10 pm. The large flock of Ring-billed Gulls were present, but not the laughing Gull. An adult or nearly adult Herring Gull was present last night, but not this morning.
Date: 7/23/03
Location: Vine Street, Clifton
Reporter: Joe Kappa
Other Birders:
While riding the shuttle in to work this AM, I witnessed an adult male House Sparrow "faking" a broken wing on the side walk. A momment later an adult Blue Jay landed within 18 inches of the sparrow, cocked his head and studied the sparrow. I didn't get to see the result but I did find it odd for a male sparrow to practice this routine. It was also odd that the Blue Jay could be distracted by it especially from a bird as large as a sparrow. Perhaps the suggestion of "easy" although "unrealistic" prey was enogh to distract the Jay enough to keep it from locating and feeding on the sparrows nest?
Date: 7/23/03
Location: Caesar's Creek Beach
Reporter: Dan Sanders
Other Birders: none
Hello All,
I arrived at the Caesar's Creek beach this morning at about 6:30 AM (between rain showers) and was able to get good looks at the Laughing Gull reported yesterday by Larry Gara. As I was scoping the bird from just beyond the shelter house, it suddenly took flight, giving me good looks at the wings, both above and below. It headed NE toward the other end of the lake, eventually disappearing into the haze. Other birds seen at the beach were:
Canada Goose, 63
Ring-billed Gull, 41
Mallard Duck, 3
Greater Yellowlegs, 1
If you plan to try for the Laughing Gull, I would recommend getting there early before the walkers/joggers and people exercising their dogs arrive.
Good birding to all!
More later,
Dan Sanders
Columbus
Date: 7/22/03
Location: Caesar Creek beach
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders:
This AM there was an adult LAUGHING GULL resting among the 40 or so Ring-bills. I observed it for about an hour before it took off when the whole group was spooked. Unfortunately it did not return and was not there when I checked an hour later.
Date: 7/20/03 Evening
Location: House, New Richmond, OH
Reporter: Donald Morse Jr.
Other Birders:
This evening, a pair of woodcock flew over the backyard. (all birds were heading south (?))
Date: 7/20/2003
Location: Gilmore Ponds
Reporter: Mark Piepmeier
Other Birders:
Double Crested Cormorant
Date: 7/19/03 Evening
Location: House, New Richmond, OH
Reporter: Donald Morse Jr.
Other Birders:
1 American Woodcock flew low over my head this evening while in the backyard. It has been late spring since I had last seen Woodcock around my place.
Date: Sat., July 19,2003 4:30/5:30 PM
Location: VOA - West Chester, OH
Reporter: Granville Carey
Other Birders:
After dropping off my young grandson at his home in Beckett Lakes (Port Union), I decided while in the area, to drop over to VOA park sustem. This is the first time I have been here in a couple of years and was surprised at the construction activity going on! The following are results of a one hour drive-by:
35 canada geese
1 red-tailed hawk catching and
eating his evening meal
5 killdeer
8 mourning doves
15+ tree swallows
30+ barn swallows
10+ cliff swallows
10+ northern rough-winged swallows
4 am. robin
2 gray catbirds
3 n. mockingbirds
80+ eur. starlings
6 vesper sprrows *
2 song sparrows
55+ red-wing blackbirds
1 com. grackle
* A first!
Granville
Date: 7/18/03
Location: Caesar Creek beach
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders:
This AM there was one COMMON TERN among the group of Ring-bills on the beach. It was a very cooperative bird.
Date: July 16, 2003
Location: Voice of America 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders: Jeff Brown, Rick Dage, Bob Lacker, Bill Pratt
1 red-tailed hawk, 25+ barn swallows, 4 tree swallows, 8 sedge wrens, 14 Henslow's sparrows, including 1 hatch-year bird, 7 savannah sparrows, 11 bobolinks, including two tail-less juveniles that seemed to have just fledged and were being closely watched by adult males. One was also being followed by an adult female, as well; 41 red-winged blackbirds, 42 eastern meadowlarks, 1 brown-headed cowbird, which was closely following an adult female bobolink and was briefly observed to be begging for food--or so it appeared.
Of the two adult male bobolinks that were with juvenile birds, one had not started to molt (this bird also sang once), and the other had only just begun showing signs of molt along the sides of the breast. In contrast, on Sunday, every male we saw was undergoing a heavy molt. I've read a source or two that notes that male bobolinks delay beginning their molt until after the last of their young fledge, which seems to be the case with the two adults we saw last night.
Date: 07/14/03
Location: Madeira
Reporter: Jay G. Lehman
Other Birders:
Cedar Waxwing pair with four recently fledged and flying young. On May 18 of this year I found an apparent pair of Cedar Waxwings near my home, one of which was carrying nest material. Last night (07/14/03) I found the apparent result of this nest, a family flock of six birds, in the trees of a neighbor and in a large maple tree on my property. The four young were identifiable by their relatively clumsy flight, and quite short tails, as well as their calls, which are not yet as high and thin as that of adult Cedar Waxwings. Without binoculars, I was not able to get a close enough look to see plummage details of the immature birds.
Date: 7-13-03
Location: Backyard/Rapid Run Park
Reporter: Ann Oliver
Other Birders:
A juvenile & adult male Yellow-throated warbler in the trees above deck and feeding in the trees that border the park. In backyard area for 20 minutes. First observed the male Yellow-throated warbler at Rapid Run Park (lots of Sycamore trees) in May: have been hearing it sing almost every time that I'm outside for a prolonged period (i.e. daily yard work or trying to study). Also was sporadically singing yesterday morning & afternoon. I'm assuming the Yellow-throated warbler nested in the park this summer.
Three Ruby-throated hummingbirds at feeders at same time. One "female" appeared to be peacefully feeding another "female" while sitting side-by-side on a branch. Whenever the third hummer would appear, a "chase" would ensue. Male hummer also visits feeder.
Also had two Blue-gray gnatcatchers, the resident Catbird, White-breasted nuthatch, Downy woodpecker, and Flicker. Most nights there are two nighthawks overhead.
Date: July 13, 2002
Location: Voice of America, 7:30 am to 10:00 am
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders: Jeff Brown, Bob Lacker, Charlie Saunders
1 killdeer, 1 purple martin, 6 sedge wrens, 3 robins, 10 starlings, 10+ savannah sparrows, 8+ Henslow's sparrows, 30+ bobolinks, 2+ eastern meadowlarks, 1 goldfinch.
The ballfields were closed for an archery tournament, which didn't start until around 9:00 or 9:30 a.m. It made for a very peaceful weekend morning at the VOA.
Date: July 12, 2003
Location: Gilmore Ponds
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders: Bob Lacker
3 great blue heron, 5 great egrets, 12 Canada geese, 1 wood duck, 10+ mallards, 1 male BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 1 T.V., 1 red-tailed hawk, 2 killdeer, 1 woodcock, 1 black tern, 2 mourning doves, 3 belted kingfisher, 1 downy, 1 wood-pewee, 2 willow flycatchers, 3 kingbirds, 1 purple martin, 5 tree swallows, 1 rough-winged swallow, 2 house wren, 10 robins, 12 catbirds, 1 HY brown thrasher banded by Sharon Pawlowski and Tim Tolford, 1 starling, 3 warbling vireo, 3 red-eyed vireo, 7 yellow warbler, 1 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER--a singing male, rather unusual for Gilmore Ponds, even outside of migration--2 prothontary warblers, 3 common yellowthroats, 2 cardinals, 3 indigo buntings, 1 field sparrow, 3 song sparrows, 12 red-winged blackbirds, 1 cowbird, 2 goldfinch.
Lots of water throughout the Ponds. If things work out, there could be great mudflats in the Gilmore Ponds area by the end of July and early August.
Date: 12 July 2003
Location: Glenwood Gardens Correction
Reporter: Jeff Brown
Other Birders:
I apologize for reporting northern waterthrush on 12 July. This was a mis-ID of the song. It was a Louisiana waterthrush. Sorry if anyone got overly excited.
Date: 7/13/03
Location: Miami Whitewater Wetlands
Reporter: Lori Brumbaugh
Other Birders:
Pair of Bell's Vireos still present. Heard the female first. To me, her call resembles a gnatcatcher's.
Date: 12 July 2003
Location: Glenwood Gardens and VOA
Reporter: Jeff Brown
Other Birders: Bob Brown
Glenwood Gardens (12:00 - 3:30)
This is the first time I have ever visited this park. The wildflowers are bueatiful and there were more butterflies at this park than I have noticed in a long time. Make sure you check out the wetland loop. It is definitly worth a vist. Mockingbird (21), mourning dove (17), American goldfinch (25+), indigo bunting (15), redwing blackbird (30+), common yellowthroat (6), song sparrow (8), field sparrow (12), wood duck (4), mallard (1), cedar waxwing (15), tree swallow (25+), northern rough winged swallow (6), Baltimore oriole (2), great creasted flycatcher (1), eastern kingbird (2), house wren (4), Carolina wren (2), eastern bluebird (2), eastern meadowlark (8), downy woodpecker (1), piliated woodpecker (1), northern waterthrush (1), house finch (6), european starling (20+), common grackle (5), turkey vulture (2), red-tailed hawk (1), chimney swift (25+).
VOA (7:00 - 8:00)
THE BALL FIELDS ARE CLOSED THIS WEEKEND and the birds were loving it. A quick walk produced 11 singing Henslow's sparrows, sedge wren (7), killdeer (25), bobolink (25+), eastern kingbird (5), savannah sparrow (12), song sparrow (5), red-winged blackbird (20+), mourning dove (20+), common yellowthroat (3), eastern meadowlark (20+).
Date: July 12 2003
Location: Gilmore Ponds
Reporter: Ken Phillips
Other Birders:
Three great egrets, at least a dozen great blue herons, and three cormorants in a tree on the far side of the ice pond, with two of them having a bit of a face-off.
Date: 9 Jul 2003
Location: Brookville Lake, IN
Reporter: Bill Buskirk
Other Birders: Chris Warren
Chris and I visited a number of sites today. Highlights included:
Common Loon 1 (basic plumage at the dam), Great Egret 1 (in flooded fields, of which there are too many, near Bath, eastern Franklin Co., IN), Bald Eagle 2 (1 adult,1 imm. north of the Dunlapsville Causeway), Blue Grosbeak 5 (one group of an adult male, an adult female and one unaged/unsexed bird together along the lane into the dam (east end) and an apparent second year male (blue on forehead and rump) as well as an adult male seen at or from the west end of the dam). Both adult male Blue Grosbeaks were singing.
Date: 7/3/03
Location: Miami Whitewater Wetlands
Reporter: Lori Brumbaugh
Other Birders:
On 6/6 I watched a pair of Bell's Vireos building a nest at Miami Whitewater Wetlands. The nest was only 4 feet off the ground in a Honeysuckle shrub in a vulnerable location near the trail. Another male was nearby apparently alone.
On 6/19 the nest appeared to be deserted and by 6/21 they were building another nest on up the trail about 3 feet off the ground, again in a Honeysuckle shrub. This nest was right on the edge of the trail. I returned to the first nest to find 2 vireo eggs and one COWBIRD egg.
By July 3, the second nest was deserted and the pair could no longer be found. That nest had 3 vireo eggs and one COWBIRD egg. Only the one lone male was seen and heard.
Is the reason for the nesting failure due to Cowbird predation and/or the shrub they chose?
A Willow Flycatcher was also sitting tight on a nest along the trail.
Date: 7/08/03
Location: Caesar Creek beach
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders: Jon Wolf
This AM there were only Ring-billed Gulls on the beach but while watching them a CASPIAN Tern flew over several times but did not land while we were there.
Date: July 6, 2003
Location: Voice of America, 7:30 am to 10:00 am
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders: Jack Busam
6 sedge wrens, 15-20 savannah sparrows, 12+ Henslow's sparrows, including one hatch-year bird, 2 song sparrows, 50+ bobolinks, 50+ red-winged blackbirds, 6 eastern meadowlarks, 2 goldfinch.
The hatch year Henslow's sparrow was on the east side of the VOA, along the north edge of the cricket pitch. It had a buffy, unstriped breast, lacked the malar stripe that adults have, but had a mustachial stripe that grasshopper sparrows lack--otherwise, it was similar looking to a grasshopper sparrow. The wing coverts and upperparts had buffy edges. It's a really intersting looking plumage. It also sang once or twice. The bobolinks are beginning to molt, and the males in particular have all sorts of different looks.
Date: 7/3 & 7/4/03
Location: BSA Camp Friedlander (Near Wards Corner, I275)
Reporter: Joe Kappa
Other Birders:
On 7/3, I witnessed a cedar waxwing chase down a grasshopper (in flight on a gravel road) for an apparent afternoon meal. On 7/4 I watched 2 more cedar waxwings chasing insects on the same road. (All these years I thought they were dedicated berry eaters.)
Date: 7-06-03
Location: Cowan Lake spillway
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders:
Today there was a lone Spotted Sandpiper on the Cowan Lake spillway and yesterday there was one on the beach at Caesar Creek. Shorebird migration has started in SW Ohio.
Date: 7/5/03
Location: Boone County Cliffs
Reporter: Lori Brumbaugh
Other Birders:
Watched Acadian Flycatcher, Scarlet Tanager and Ovenbird feeding fledglings.Also found a Red-eyed Vireo nest about 4-5 feet from the ground with both adults feeding 3 nestlings.
Date: 5 July 2003
Location: Watertown Yacht Club, Campbell Co., KY
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
What was just scrubby growth on the edge of the dredge disposal area is quickly succeeding into a riparian grove of cottonwoods and willows. Consequently 3 Willow Flycatchers, 2 Warbling Vireos, 1 Yellow Warbler and 2 Common Yellowthroats are now in residence. Also an American Goldfinch setting on a nest about 8 ft up in a silver maple sapling.
Date: July 3, 2003
Location: Oxbow
Reporter: Jon Seymour
Other Birders:
Correction: 20+ Tree sparrows in the previous entry should have read 20+ Tree Swallows. Late night!!!!
Date: July 3, 2003
Location: Oxbow
Reporter: Jon Seymour
Other Birders: Rick Pope
Another working day in the Oxbow getting ready to plant prairie on 21 acres adjacent to Osprey Lake. The water level in the Oxbow has almost dropped back to normal and the herons are coming back in. I had one view with 7 great-blue herons and 2 great egrets. Saw only a pair of double-crested cormorant and a family of wood duck. There was a flock of tree sparrows (20+) on the entrance road, two pairs of killdeer, one red-tailed hawk, and many goldfinches, indigo buntings, field sparrows, and song sparrows. Another observer told me that a mute swan had landed in the oxbow this last week. This might simply be a Miami-Whitewater bird out for stroll. Oxbow has a new web site at "oxbowinc. org". Please visit us and put in your bookmark.
Date: 3 July 2003
Location: Voice of America, Butler Co., OH
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
Another foray into the (late) afternoon heat. Another surprising burst of activity. At least 10 singing Sedge Wrens (good looks at many), 10 Bobolinks, 1 fledgling Horned Lark, 8 Savannah Sparrows, 2 Grasshopper Sparrows, 2 Henslow's Sparrows. Tree Swallows (5) had both bluebird boxes near the entrance covered. Lots of Barn Swallows (30) congregating in the parking area with the mini tower.
Date: 2 July 2003
Location: Bullitsburg Rd., Boone Co., KY
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
A good bit of activity for a hot mid afternoon. 2 Eastern Phoebes, 2 Eastern Pewees, 1 Acadian Flycatcher, 3 White-eyed Vireos, 4 Red-eyed Vireos, 2 Wood Thrushes, 4 Northern Parulas, 1 Louisiana Waterthrush. Also 1 Ovenbird singing in the upland woods - I don't think I've found them at this location in summer before - missed the usual sycamore warbler, however.
Date: July 2, 2003
Location: Voice of America 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders: Bob Lacker, Jon Woolf
1 killdeer, 2 mourning doves, 5 eastern kingbirds (incl. 3 hatch year birds), 1 tree swallow, 3 barn swallow, 4 sedge wrens, 1 robin, 6 starlings, 2 savannah sparrows, 11 Henslow's sparrows, 1 song sparrow, 49 bobolinks (20 of which were females or possibly hatch year birds recently fledged), 38 red-winged blackbirds, 16 meadowlarks, 1 cowbird.
We also heard 2 bobwhite quail, 4 additional savannah sparrows, and 1 willow flycatcher off of the transects. There seemed to be a few extra Henslow's sparrows and sedge wrens between the transects, as well. The prior high count for female bobolinks was 10 on June 11, so it's likely that the young have fledged or are off the nests at least.
The work crews digging the MetroParks' lake have set up light banks and are working until at least dark, so there's lots of extra vehicle noise.
Date: 7-02-03
Location: Caesar Creek beach
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders:
There was no sign of the Franklin's Gull this AM which disappointed several birders. Fortunately, Bill Hull photographed the bird yesterday when it was being very cooperative.
Date: 1 July 2003
Location: Campbell Co., KY
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
At the Watertown Yacht Club in Dayton - 60 Canada Geese, 1 Willow Flycatcher, 10 Barn Swallows, 1 Warbling Vireo.
At Frederick's Landing in Wilder - 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Yellow Warbler, 1 pair BLUE GROSBEAKS, 1 Baltimore Oriole.
Date: 6-30-2003
Location: Riley (nr Oxford), OH
Reporter: David Russell
Other Birders:
I stopped by to see if the Dickcissels had fledged in the fields outside Riley--with class in previous weeks we found as many as 12 singing males and at least four females. A female ducked into a dense tuft of grass and weeds with a bill full of insects on June 21, so I was anticipating a crop of young Dickcissels, instead ALL the fields had been cut and bailed and were mere couple inch high wastelands--not a single Dickcissel seen or heard. Depressing.
Date: 6/27-28/2003
Location: Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, Monroe Co., MI
Reporter: Neill Cade
Other Birders: Input from Tim Smart & Greg Links
Since there's no more message board, I thought I'd post this. The birding this past weekend was UNBELIEVABLE! Nineteen (!) species of summering waterfowl (as in geese, swans, and ducks...nothing else) were headlined by a female Common Eider. Shorebirds were headlined by two pairs of nesting Black-necked Stilts, a lone American Avocet, and Black-bellied Plover. A King Rail joined the more expected Virginias and Soras. A Yellow-headed Blackbird is still present.
Seven heron species (featuring both bitterns), four wren species, sixteen shorebird species, four tern species, and the possibility of some profound rarities ought to be enough enticement for anyone to go. Another bonus is the great variety of juvenile and immature birds. It's a great opportunity to study a staggering array of plumages, everything from downy young through adult alternate, with every concievable interval in-between.
Have Fun!
Date: 6-28-03
Location: little miami river
Reporter: jack zimmerman
Other Birders: sandy bosely
While kayaking, we saw an osprey where the East Fork of the Little Miami River flows into the Little Miami.
Date: 6-30-03
Location: Caesar Creek beach
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders: Dan Sanders and others
This morning the Franklin's Gull was still present usually seen on the beach though from time to time it flew over to the grass aaea to feed.
Date: 6/22/03 not 6/21/03, Correction!
Location: East Fork State Park, north side of lake
Reporter: Jay G. Lehman
Other Birders:
Please note that the date for the previous post was Sunday, 6/22/03 and not Saturday, 6/21/03! Sorry for the confusion.
Date: 6/21/03 Belated Report
Location: East Fork State Park, north side of lake
Reporter: Jay G. Lehman
Other Birders:
Sorry about the late report. Here are high-lights of hiking the horse trails from Horseman's Parking Lot east on the north side of the lake. This was approximately a six-mile hike roundtrip.
Blue-winged Warbler 5, Northern Parula 1, Prairie Warbler 6, Prothonotary Warbler 1, Ovenbird 4, Louisiana Waterthrush 1, Kentucky Warbler 4, Common Yellowthroat 4, Hooded Warbler 2, Yellow-breasted Chat 4.
Searched for but did not find Worm-eating Warbler in one of the ravines where I have found it breeding in previous years. But did find Red-headed Woodpecker again this year in a cove with dead trees, where I found it visiting a nest hole last year. The Prothonotary Warbler is back at the usual location in a willow-lined cove just west of the north boat ramp, which is west of North Beach.
Other birds: Wild Turkey 1, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3, Mourning Dove 4, Red-headed Woodpecker 1, ad., Red-bellied Woodpecker 2, Downy Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 3, Northern Flicker 1, E. Wood Peewee 1, Acadian Flycatcher 4, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, White-eyed Vireo 6, Yellow-throated Vireo 1, Red-eyed Vireo 12, Am. Crow 8 (also young birds), Tree Swallow 1, N. Rough-winged Swallow 3, Carolina Chickadee 6, Tufted Titmouse 11, White-breasted Nuthatch 4, Carolina Wren 4, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7, Wood Thrush 5, American Robin 1, Brown Thrasher 2, European Starling 2, Cedar Waxwing 2, Summer Tanager 1, Scarlet Tanager 2, Eastern Towhee 8, Field Sparrow 3, N. Cardinal 8, Indigo Bunting 5, Brown-headed Cowbird 3, Am. Goldfinch 2.
Date: 6/28/03
Location: Cincinnati Nature Center & Crooked Run
Reporter: Darlena Graham
Other Birders: Jenny Lanham (at the CNC)
There was an adult Pied-billed Grebe on the lake at the visitors' center at Rowe Woods. Some other people said that they saw young Pied-bills but we did not.
At Crooked Run, birding alone I found a single singing male Black & White Warbler.
Date: 6-29-03
Location: Caesar Creek beach
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders:
At 9 AM there was a Franklin's Gull in breeding plummage on Ceasar Creek beach. The bird was not skittish and I studied him at close range and with my scope for forty miinutes when it flew off. It did not return for the next 15 minutes and the beach was starting to fill up with bathers. I hope it will come back for others to see.
Date: 6-28-03
Location: Waynesville Oh
Reporter: Diane Colvin
Other Birders:
In our purple martin house, we have an albino purple martin baby. The albino and a normal colored baby were found by me on the grass below the house. I took pictures of them and returned the 2 to the nest. I'm looking forward to seeing the albino start to fly.
Date: June 24, 2003
Location: Hueston Woods and Brookville Lake
Reporter: David Russell
Other Birders: Advanced Ornithology Class
Sorry for the delay in posting. Tuesday we found a number of intersting and unexpected birds; a basic plumage Common Loon was at the Fairfield Causeway. Also there was an adult Bald Eagle, nesting? The young Ospreys are fully feathered now and they are getting so big mom has a difficult time shading them with her wings on these hot days. The Blue Grosbeaks have successfully fledged one youngster, it is noisily flying around following the adults at Brookville Dam. My last check of the nest in early June showed three eggs-we didn't see any other fledgelings.
We also found a male Black and White Warbler singing in a Walnut tree at the Sugar Shack at Hueston Woods.
Date: June 25, 2003
Location: Gilmore Ponds
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders: Jack Busam
7 great blue herons, 20 Canada geese, 4 wood ducks (2 ducklings), 10 mallards, 2 killdeer, 2 woodcock, 20+ mourning doves, 2 downy wp, 2 willow flycatcher, 1 great crested flycatcher, 4 Carolina chickadee, 1 Carolina wren, 2 house wren, 10 robins, 10 catbirds, 2 mockingbirds, 1 brown thrasher, 20+ starling, 3 warbling vireo, 2 red-eyed vireo, 3 yellow warbler, 1 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, 2 prothonotary warblers, 2 common yellowthroats, 5 cardinals, 2 field sparrow, 5 song sparrow, 10+ red-winged blackbirds, 2 orchard orioles, 5 goldfinch.
The black-and-white warbler, an adult male, was along Walker's Run on the east side of South Pond. It had what was to my ears a peculiar song--the identifiable "typical" B&W portion was rather rushed and the song finished off in a twittering flourish. Until I saw the bird, I thought it might be a redstart, since I wasn't familiar with the song. Of the five samples of B&W warbler on the Cornell Warblers tape, three are similar to the song I heard today. I initially thought there were two black-and-white warblers, but a little tribe of chickadees came along with the warbler, so I'm only certain I saw and heard one bird.
Date: 6/22/03
Location: Morgan's Canoe Livery -- Ft. Ancient
Reporter: Sue Cline
Other Birders: L. Lose
While biking the Little Miami trail we stopped to rest at Morgan's 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening. The mulberry tree next to the trail was like Grand Central Station: 12+ cedar waxwings chowing down; scarlet tanager, hairy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, and a prothonotary warbler working his little self like crazy to feed a fledgling brown-headed cowbird three times his size -- sad. Also a warbler-size bird next to the cowbird that I took to be a fledgling prothonotary, but I am not sure: still very "downy" with developing gray/blue wings, white breast with fairly bright long yellow patches along the breast next to the wings. Couldn't find any pictures in any of my field guides.
Also heard and/or seen on the trip from Morrow to Corwin and back: red-tailed hawk, turkey vultures, several indigo buntings, northern parula, wood thrush and other usual suspects.
Date: 6-22-03
Location: Clinton County field
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders:
There are at least 10 singing Dickcissels in a field at the juncture of Polk and Weaver Roads in Clinton Co. This AM one very cooperative bird was singing on the phone wire. I also heard Grasshopper Sparows but could not see them. Polk Road goes right from SR 72 which is about 7 miles from Wilmington.
Date: 06/21/03
Location: Shawnee Lookout Area
Reporter: Jane Van Coney
Other Birders: 1
About 15 black vultures were on and around a small shed next to some kind of fenced-in tank on Lawrenceburg Rd. between Mt. Nebo and Dugan Gap. About 8 huddled together on top of the shed, several walked around on the ground, and 2 or 3 were flying low around the shed.
Date: June 20th 2003
Location: Downtown Cincinnati/ Over-the-Rhine
Reporter: Sam Corbo
Other Birders:
On June 20th I saw one Peregrine Falcon circling just south of Elm and 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine.
On June 11th, two Falcons were perched on top of and flying around Music Hall, viewable from Elm, and the next day (June 12th) I saw at least two birds behind the Kroger's on Vine, also in Over-the-Rhine.
Date: 20 June 2003
Location: Banklick Creek (Covington),Kenton Co., KY
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
A second thought on that juvenile Hooded Merganser - The fledging period of the ducklings with the female is about 70 days. It is possible that the family group may have wandered down the Licking (or up from the Ohio)a considerable distance. This would make the location of the original nesting impossible to determine. However this is the 2nd juvenile to show up in N. KY in the past few years, so a local origin might be suspected.
Date: 20 June 2003
Location: Banklick Creek area (Covington), Kenton Co., KY
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
Checked for sapsucker near KY 17 and 1501. No luck, but didn't know exactly where to look. However, I did find a juvenile HOODED MERGANSER on Banklick Creek just behind the Banklick Christian Church off of KY 3035 (beneath the KY 17/1501 intersection). This bird was considerably less mature than the juvenile that I had found in Campbell Co. several summers ago. It had virtually no crest and the wings were very short. It did not seem to be capable of full flight. Although very skittish at my presence, it only flew up when closely pressed (got some photos), and then for only 10-20 ft. This would indicate that it must have fledged in N. KY - probably Kenton Co., although it could possibly have swam up several miles from the Licking River on the Kenton/Campbell Co. Border. Also 1 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 20 Rough-winged Swallows, 1 Warbling Vireo, 1 Yellow Warbler.
Date: June 18, 2003 2-5pm
Location: East Fork SP - Afton Boat Ramp
Reporter: Donald Morse Jr.
Other Birders: 1
1 American Coot, Mallards, 2 Green Herons, TVs, 1 E. Screech-Owl calling in the middle of the day, NRW Swallows, Tree Swallows, Other Heard over the boat noise (or some seen) birds: Prothonotary Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, YB Chat, lots of White-eyed Vireos, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireos, YB Cuckoo, Baltimore Oriole, Indigo Buntings, EW Pewee, Cedar Waxwings, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker and other more common birds. I thought I might have heard other species, but with the boat noise, could not make them out good enough.
Date: June 17, 2003
Location: corner of Gilmore and Mack Road
Reporter: Peter Graham
Other Birders:
Mature hen turkey strutting her stuff--just up the hill from the Meijer store there.
Date: 06/17/03 (around 6:00 pm)
Location: Miami-Whitewater Visitor Center
Reporter: David A. Brinkman
Other Birders: Bridget and baby Emily
At least six RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS put on quite a show at the feeder behind the visitor center and adjacent to the snack bar. They were zipping and zooming back and forth and becoming very feisty with one another. I identified at least two adult males, one adult female, one juvenile of undetermined sex, and two birds of undetermined age and sex.
BTW, Emily is starting to become more aware of things, but was sleeping at the time that we watched the hummers. She awoke while we fed her at the snack bar but was content with her bottle. She does have an ear for birds on occasion, however. She is five weeks old today.
Date: 6/17/03
Location: Stonlick Twp, Clermont
Reporter: Bob Foppe
Other Birders:
Interesting backyard birds today included my first summer record of Black Vulture and there were 2. Also 2 Barred Owls calling back and fourth.
Date: 6/16/03
Location: Northern Kentucky HWY17 and Hands Pike
Reporter: Michael Clark
Other Birders:
I have seen what I believe is a female Yellow Bellied Sapsucker 3 times in the last week. She has landed on my deck near my Suet feeder two times but is too shy for me to get a good picture. She is very small, only 6 inches long, has a red patch on the top of her head bordered in black, a thin black stripe that extends through the eye but stops short of the back of the neck, and a very thin black line behind her long bill. She also has very big feet and is quite clumsy walking on the railing of my deck. Has any one else seen this species (Sphyrapicus varius) in this area at this time of year?
Michael Clark
kygolfer@msn.com
Date: 6/15/2003
Location: Great American Ballpark
Reporter: Erich Baumgardner
Other Birders: Emily
Before the game was cancelled due to rain, my daughter and I were treated to a fly-by kill attempt by a Peregrine Falcon. The doves all escaped safely, and the Falcon turned south to the river, and headed downstream.
Date: 6/15/03
Location: East Fork State Park: 9:30-11:30
Reporter: Jason Hovekamp
Other Birders:
yellow-breasted chat(6), Indigo Bunting(10),common yellowthroat(5), blue-winged warbler(4), kentucky warbler, yellow-billed cuckoo(2),blue-gray gnatcatcher(3),eastern kingbird, wood thrush(2) american goldfinch(10), eastern meadow lark, field sparrow(5), song sparrow(7), blue jay, turkey vultures(5), red-shouldered hawk, cardinal(3), American robin(2), barn swallow, northern rough-winged swallow, red-bellied woodpecker,downy woodpecker, northern flicker, belted kinfisher, great blue heron(2), common grackle
Date: 6-13-03
Location: Caesar Creek beach
Reporter: Larry Gara
Other Birders:
This AM from 9;15 to 9;30 there was a Laughing Gull still in winter plummage on the beach along with an adult Herring Gull and about 10 Ring-bills. The two were not there when I checked on the beach an hour later.
Date: 6/12/03
Location: Red River Gorge
Reporter: Darlena Graham
Other Birders: Sara Krailler & Katherine Miller
We realize that this is out of range here but wanted to share what a great time we had. We found more Hooded Warblers than a person could want, as well as Pines, Black-throated Greens, & Black & Whites. There were also at least 3 Swainsons Warblers and several Wormeating Warblers heard, 1 of each seen really well. Thanks to Frank Renfrow for directions. We were unable to locate the reported Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near Paris.
Date: 12 June 2003
Location: Campbell Co., KY
Reporter: Frank Renfrow
Other Birders:
MISC. CAMPBELL COUNTY BREEDERS
Catching up on local birds after a number of trips elsewhere. One pair of BLUE GROSBEAKS in the field south of "The Escape Theatre" at I-275 and the AA Hwy. Also 20 Rough-winged Swallows, 10 Barn Swallows, 2 Eastern Kingbirds, 2 Common Yellowthroats. At Frederick's Landing - 1 Willow Flycatcher, 1 Yellow Warbler, 1 Warbling Vireo, 2 American Kestrels. At Taylor Park - 1 Warbling Vireo. At Watertown Yacht Club (11 June) - 1 Willow Flycatcher, 8 Barn Swallows, 3 Warbling Vireos, 2 Yellow Warblers.
Date: 6/12/03
Location: Delhi/Price Hill
Reporter: Jane Van Coney
Other Birders:
A Baltimore oriole was in the trees behind my deck. Also further into the woods was some kind of empid, I'm thinking Acadian flycatcher because of habitat but it didn't call and didn't stay long. A male ruby throated hummingbird hovered 3 inches from my face, staring at me for several seconds before buzzing off.
Date: 6.12.03
Location: Covington, KY at base of the suspension bridge
Reporter: Bill Zimmerman
Other Birders:
Peregrine Falcon seen around 8:30 this morning alighting atop the office tower next to the Roebling Bridge in Covington.
Watched him for several minutes before a Catbird distracted me... when I turned back, it was gone.
Date: 6/11/03
Location: Miami Whitwater Bike Trail
Reporter: Joe Kappa
Other Birders:
While biking on the trail, I almost hit a hen turkey. She was in no hurry to get out of the way. I stopped and walked to withing 10' of her before she trotted into the woods. About 1 mile later, I saw three "Toms" in the grass about 25' from the trail.
Date: 06/11/2003
Location: Cincinnati
Reporter: Ken Phillips
Other Birders:
While working in an animal hospital in Mt. Lookout a customer brought in a Norther Flicker (Yellow Shafted) that had been hit by a car nearby. It was DOA, unfortuneatly, but offered a rare chance to see this beautiful bird up close.
Date: June 10, 2003
Location: missing link...
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders:
Here's the link I mentioned below: http://www.josephbeth.com/html/rookeventsmain2.html
It's the Joseph Beth bookstore at Rookwood Pavillion. 7:00 p.m., I believe.
Date: June 10, 2003
Location: David Sibley @ Joseph-Beth
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders:
Greetings... I happened to notice this, by accident, but David Sibley is coming to Cincinnati, tomorrow (Tuesday the 10th). Details at the following link: > I'm not sure how much this event has been advertised. I haven't seen anything until today, but I thought maybe others might be interested.
Date: 6.6.03/6.7.03
Location: Mill Creek near Hopple viaduct; also Price Hill
Reporter: Bill Zimmerman
Other Birders:
Went back later in the day to spot some Herons.
Great Blue Herons, Black-Crowned Night Herons, Barn Swallows, N. Rough Winged Swallows, Eastern Kingbirds, Willow Flycatchers (heard but not seen), Indigo Buntings
Also, on Saturday, my wife and I both heard our neighborhood Mockingbird singing a rather strange song. We both heard it two times... an incredibly loud, piercing two-noted whistle that sounded like the warning beep of a backing garbage truck.
I can't imagine it being an imitation of anything but a mechanically produced sound. If anybody has had any similar encounters, please let me know.
Date: 6/8/03
Location: VOA, Spring Valley, Caesar Creek area
Reporter: Darlena Graham
Other Birders:
VOA was really fun. I counted 18 singing Bobolinks & 4 females, 5 Sedge Wrens, 6 Henslow Sp, 3 Mallards & umpteen Red-wings and E. Meadowlarks.
Spring Valley was no surprise. Other than the usual to-be-expected was 1 Great Egret, 5 Green Herons,and 1 Spotted Sandpiper. No Little Blue, I had hopes but oh well.
The wet prairie area of Caesar Creek yielded little other than E.Bluebirds and Tree Swallows chasing a Kestrel.
By the time I got to the Gorge I was out of energy for hiking so I sat in the parking lot, eating my lunch and listening to Yellow-throated, No. Parula and Cerulean Warblers.
Date: 6/7/03
Location: East Fork State Park - Tate Boat Ramp ~9:30pm
Reporter: Donald Morse Jr.
Other Birders: 1
1 Black-crowned Night-heron flying over top of us vocalizing. I have never seen one here (at EF) before.
Date: 6-7-03
Location: Backyard/Rapid Run Park
Reporter: Ann Oliver
Other Birders:
Trying to get some studying in on the back deck... but it's difficult.
A male Wilson's warbler was foraging throughout the day in the dense vegetation between our backyard and the park. Observed at noon, 6pm and 7pm with several sightings from only 6-8 feet away. Very responsive to my "pishing".
Also, there is a Wood thrush calling from the park most nights about 7-ish. I also have heard a Yellow-throated warbler several times a week since early May, including today. Nighthawks every "night".
Two weeks ago, two adult White-breasted nuthatches were feeding three noisy, begging, fluffy young in a tree above our deck. A similar (same?) group of five nuthatches appeared in the same tree tonight, but less begging behavior observed.
Thought I was going to loose an eye to a hungry female hummingbird who hovered two to three feet away from my face today ... seems the feeder was dry.
Date: June 7, 2003 7:00 pm
Location: Camp Dennison
Reporter: Bob Lacker
Other Birders:
A first summer Common Loon remains on the middle lake.
Date: June 7, 8 am
Location: Home at N end of Sycamore Twp
Reporter: Ev Kitchen
Other Birders: Susan
Blue Grosbeak plus question on Mallard possibly moving eggs.
First year blue grosbeak male feeding on scrubby weed heads on lot adjacent to kitchen window.
Question: Can mallards move eggs without evidence of damage or can hatching occur without evidence of shell remnants? We had nesting female in yard for about 21 days disappear leaving empty nest which contained 10 plus eggs on previous day. Neighbor reported seeing duck trying to sit on eggs in street 150 feet away on day after empty nest.
Date: June 7
Location: Home at N end of Sycamore Twp.
Reporter: Ev Kitchen
Other Birders: Susan
Blue Grosbeak plus question on Mallards moving eggs
Date: 6/7/2003 1500-1600
Location: Gilmore Ponds
Reporter: Scott Reeves
Other Birders:
Inspired by Sam Corbo's report of good shorebird habitat I headed to Gilmore this afternoon and was rewarded with a single white-rumped sandpiper in alternate plumage - the only shorebird present other than killdeer.
Although there are no other peeps for comparison all the field marks are present - elongated appearance with long primary-tip projection, white breast with streaking laterally and of course the white rump. I tried to get a photograph but the killdeer are extremely skittish and will not allow close approach.
Date: June 5, 2003
Location: Voice of America
Reporter: Mike Busam
Other Birders: Bob Lacker, Scott Reeves, Jeff Brown, Lori Brumbaugh, Jon Woolf
3 sedge wrens, 10 Henslow's sparrows, 3 savannah sparrows, 31 bobolilnks (8 of which were females), 22 red-winged blackbirds, 24 meadowlarks. Those are the counts for the two transects. Everyone spread out and walked the property, searching for dickcissel and grasshopper sparrows, none of which were found. We did total, though, 10 sedge wrens, and numerous additional bobolinks, meadowlarks, red-winged bbs, and song sparrows. Plus 1 empid, likely a willow flycatcher, 1 warbling vireo, 3 purple martins. The northern MetroParks section that Jay Lehman mentioned in a posting below, is closed. However, it so torn up at present that you are not missing anything other than a view of a moonscape-like surface. You can wander around the rest of the park, particularly the middle portions, and do pretty well. Indeed, unless the birds can adapt to twelve-foot tall piles of dirt and construction equipment rambling about at will, the majority of the grassland birds will be far from the construction zone.
Date: 06/07/03 8: am - 10:40 a.m.
Location: Gorman Heritage Farm (Evendale)
Reporter: David A. Brinkman
Other Birders: Sandra (GHF staff) for first half hour
Note: This site will no longer be open to the public by this fall.
Mourning Dove 31, Great Horned Owl 3 (1 ad., 1 juv., 1 unknown that flew away), Chimney Swift 43, Northern Flicker 2, Red-bellied Woodpecker 3, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Downy Woodpecker 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 5, Empidonax sp. 1*, Eastern Wood-Pewee 2, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2, Barn Swallow 8, Blue Jay 6, American Crow 8 (harassing owls), Carolina Chickadee 10, Tufted Titmouse 1, Carolina Wren 9, Northern Mockingbird 3, Brown Thrasher 1 (juvenile), American Robin 31 (including several juveniles), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7 (includes a family of five plus), Cedar Waxwing 16, European Starling 60, Red-eyed Vireo 1, Yellow Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted Chat 1, Red-winged Blackbird 13, Common Grackle 7, Brown-headed Cowbird 5, Baltimore Oriole 1, Northern Cardinal 18, Indigo Bunting 19, House Finch 2 (1 ad. male, 1 juv.), American Goldfinch 2, Eastern Towhee 8 (including one very agitated pair, probably near a nest), Song Sparrow 20, House Sparrow 40.
* Empidonax sp. - lack of any green or yellowish tones and very indistinct eyering eliminate Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and short primary projection further eliminates Acadian Flycatcher.
Overall back color grayish, bill not paid much attention to as much as tertials and primary projection, so bill size cannot be used to eliminate or favor Least. Tertials were edged cleanly in pure white and the bird had two bold white wing bars. My guess is a Traill's type (i.e., Willow or Alder). The bird was NOT vocal.
Date: 6-6-2003
Location: Gilmore Ponds
Reporter: Sam Corbo
Other Birders:
Pretty good shorebird habitat at Cattail Marsh, however, not much more than Killdeer. 2 Least Sandpipers were the only other species.
Many Willow Flycatchers in the meadow behind the observation point, many Yellow Warbler, and several Prothonotary.
Behind Hamilton Fixture, there is some shorebird habitat. However, again, only Killdeer and a Spotted Sandpiper. A pair of Hooded Merganser were on the pond.
Date: 6-6-2003
Location: VOA
Reporter: Sam Corbo
Other Birders:
Many, many Bobolink, Henslow's Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Sedge Wren, Eastern Kingbird, Great Blue Heron
Date: 06/04/03, approx. 7:30 -8:30 pm
Location: VOA Park, near Mason, north of Tylersville and east of Cox Roads
Reporter: Jay G. Lehman
Other Birders:
Sedge Wren 5, Henslow's Sparrow 6. All birds singing and/or calling. Bobolink many, 20-30, mostly males displaying, singing and calling, only a few females. This probably means most females are still on the nest.
I walked the mown trails that criss-cross the highest area of the grassland. This area is east of the pavilion and south of the MetroPark area where the dredging of the lakes continues. There may be more birds in this northern area that is currently not accessible.
Date: 06/05/03
Location: Spring Valley WA
Reporter: Jay G. Lehman
Other Birders:
Observed from the dam parking lot
Great Egret 1, with many Gret Blue Herons
In the northeast corner of the emptied lake, looking northeast from the parking lot near the severed dam breast:
Semiplamated Plover 6, Semipalmated Sandpiper 3, Least Sandpiper 1, Spotted Sandpiper 1 (heard, there's a pair at SVWA). Note sure which direction these birds are moving, since it is getting late...but then the migration is late this year.
Note: this is a long reach requiring a good scope and high power (I was using 60X) and good light (the sun was still above the trees but in the west). It is probably better to walk along the east side of the empty lake and look out from the southeast (or even the northeast) corner, as suggested by Scott Reeves in a post earlier this month on 05/07/03.
Date: 06/05/03, approx. 7:15
Location: Caesar Creek SP, Beach
Reporter: Jay G. Lehman
Other Birders:
Herring Gull (HEGU) 1, nearly in adult breeding plummage. HEGU in this plummage is somewhat unusual here in SW Ohio this time of year. This bird is intermediate between 3rd winter and adult breeding plummage. The head, eye and eye ring color, and mantle are in adult breeding plummage. The head is completely white, no streaking. The mantle is pearly gray. The bill is completely yellow with the normal reddish-orange spot near the gonydeal angle. However, the primaries when the wings are folded are completely black without any white tips. See Sibley, which shows the 3rd winter plummage with completely black primaries, and imagine an intermediate bird between this plummage and breeding plummage.
Date: 6.6.03
Location: Mill Creek near Hopple viaduct
Reporter: Bill Zimmerman
Other Birders:
Willow Flycatcher and a couple of Indigo Buntings.
Also saw a male Red-Winged Blackbird hover a few inches above the head of large muskrat swimming downstream. He stayed there for about 5 or 6 seconds and then flew off. The muskrat didn't seem to pay him any attention.
Date: June 4, 2003
Location: West Chester, Ohio
Reporter: Sky Brann
Other Birders:
2 Peregrin Falcon Chicks
I'm not a birder and don't know much about birds. I don't even know what chicks are called that look to have just left the nest. But I do know that I just saw two falcons, and both looked like they had some baby fuzz still moulting off of them.
Why am I so certain that they are falcons? I SAW THEM FROM ABOUT THREE INCHES AWAY!!! They were (I SWEAR) on my window's outside ledge at my apartment teasing my cat. My fiance and I came up to the window and watched them watch us for about five minutes before they flew off.
AMAZING! I've never had such a rush!
Date: 6/4/03
Location: Loveland
Reporter: Laura Owens
Other Birders:
The pileated woodpeckers have a really cute baby. It follows a parent to our feeder and waits patiently until the parent feeds it. We are so glad to see it because last year there were no babies. Just a lone male. If anyone wants to see the baby, email me!
Date: 06/04/03
Location: Spring Valley WA; LBHE, No
Reporter: Jay G. Lehman
Other Birders:
Tried for the Little Blue Heron this morning before work. The Little Blue Heron was not present in the dam area and the flats formed by the drained lake. I did not have time to check the marsh and boardwak area, so the bird could still be there. Just as I was leaving, some men came by to evaluate how to repair the dam, which means that this spring shorebird habitat may disappear sometime soon or perhaps later this year.
Date: May 31, 2003
Location: Oxbow
Reporter: Jon Seymour
Other Birders: Kani Meyer and Rick Pope
Tried to add this the other day but the system would not accept it. We were working in the Oxbow and saw 3 G.B. Heron, 4 Great Egrets, a spotted sandpiper, and 15-20 D-c. Cormorants.
Date: 7-3-03
Location: Cemetary at Montgomery and Cornel Rd
Reporter: YP
Other Birders:
Spotted many red winged black birds. Also spotted 2 swallows which apparently have a nest under a small foot bridge. Not certain what type of swallows ...got close enough to get a couple shots of them...the link is
http://www.pbase.com/image/17416048 and http://www.pbase.com/image/17416049
Also spotted this bird on a reed...don't have my bird book handy
http://www.pbase.com/image/17416047
If you could let me know what these two birds are...thanks...YP
Date: 6/1/2003 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Several Spots in Warren & Butler Co., OH
Reporter: Neill Cade
Other Birders: None
A very good day to be out. Highlights only (no time for exhaustive analysis):
Spring Valley WA: Least Bittern; Little Blue Heron; Semipalmated Plovers and Sandpipers; Dunlin; Virginia Rail; Prothonotary Warblers (nesting).
Caesar Creek SP: Red-shouldered Hawk; Bald Eagle; Great Horned Owl; Magnolia Warbler; American Redstart.
VOA Park: Purple Martins; Sedge Wrens (8+); Dickcissel; Grasshopper, Henslow's, and Savannah Sparrows; Bobolinks.
Gilmore Ponds: Great Egrets; White-rumped Sandpipers; Prothonotary Warblers (nesting).
103 species for the day, including 5 herons. Very nice!
Date: 6/2/2003 6-8 pm
Location: VOA Park
Reporter: Erich Baumgardner
Other Birders: Jerry Lippert (Emily and Sarah)
Took a short hike from the new parking area north and east into the Butler County area. Of note were 8 male and 5 female Bobolinks, 20+ Meadowlark, and at least 3 Sedge Wrens were calling. We found it interesting that the wren call would always sound much closer than their actual location. And when we strayed from the mowed area to find them, they would stop calling; until we turned our backs and took a step or two away. Then they'd take a higher perch and begin singing again. Also, NO TICKS!!! Where do we send donations to keep this park Tick-free??? :)
Date: 6.1.2003
Location: French Park, OH (Amberley Village)
Reporter: Sam Corbo
Other Birders:
1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo
1 Indigo Bunting
1 Eastern Kingbird
2 Baltimore Orioles
I did not go into the woods, where there are surely a few more species.
Date: 6.1.2003
Location: Finneytown, OH
Reporter: Sam Corbo
Other Birders:
1 White-crowned Sparrow (late?)
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, being mobbed by a flock of at least 25 Common Grackle
Date: 06/01/03 3pm to 9pm
Location: Miami-Whitewater woodlands and wetlands
Reporter: David A. Brinkman
Other Birders: ran into two from Oxford, but didn't get names
It was great to get out again and do some birding. Areas visited within the park included Bowle's woods horseshoe picnic area (just up the hill and across the access road from the ballfields), Tallgrass Prairie trail, Badlands trail (outer loop) and a few stops in the Timberlakes area. People were everywhere on this nice Sunday, but some secluded areas can still be found within the park, and even with noisy kids following me on the Tallgrass Prairie trail, I was still able to get good looks at Scarlet Tanager, Acadian Flycatcher and Indigo Bunting. That is also where I heard two BARRED OWLS. There are dirt paths leading from the paved horseshoe area in Bowle's woods that have a lot of potential. Hoping to find a Hooded Warbler, I walked this trail a little ways down the slope and ran into a slew of CERULEAN WARLBERS instead. I spished one down from the top of a large White Oak into the lower third of a Sugar Maple sapling within just a few feet of me. Nice! Other highlights there included a female PILEATED WOODPECKER foraging on a log in front of me, just off the trail, and a WOOD THRUSH NEST with FIVE YOUNG! The Badlands trail provided six of the seven OVENBIRDS that I heard, one of them glimpsed deep in the outer loop. Another highlight of the Badlands trail was a pair of YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS that were giving very Carolina Wren-like scolding calls at eye level just off the trail. One of the SUMMER TANAGERS was seen on this trail too. The wetlands provided additional highlights, including either one or two singing male BELL'S VIREOS. I first sighted a singing male in a Black Walnut along the treeline that runs from Baughman Rd. to the farm lane. This first bird was near the beginning of the weedy path (inaccessable by the way if you are allergic to bee stings) that leads to the Wildlife Viewing Shelter. The second, or same?, bird was more than 300 yds further down the treeline near the farm lane in a Honey Locust. Also in this tree were a female BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER and a WARBLING VIREO. This tree was 228 degrees SSW of the martin house (I carry a compass with me always during breeding season, primarily for nest finding purposes). While standing in this spot, I looked at the reeds and cattails on the opposite side of the lake. I light object caught my eye and I knew when I put my scope on it that it would turn out to be a male LEAST BITTERN! I heard two others calling, as well as a SORA. Unexpected waterfowl included a lingering male RING-NECKED DUCK and a male RUDDY DUCK who was displaying toward an unseen source with raised tail and rapid head bobbing displays. Two female or young HOODED MERGANSERS, a calling WOOD DUCK, three male BLUE-WINGED TEAL and several mallards rounded out the waterfowl mix. On the walk back to the car along the bike path I heard a SEDGE WREN and, to my amazement, an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was sitting on the gravel path that leads to the Wildlife Viewing Shelter, just before dusk. I tallied 72 species for the day, spending time as follows: 3:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. in the woodland areas of the park and 6:50 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the wetlands. Daylight was fading too fast to look for the Henslow's Sparrows near the farm lane, because I spent a good bit of time with the Bell's Vireos and also practicing my digiscoping skills (a new thing for me) on the martin house.
The list: Pied-billed Grebe 1, Least Bittern 3, Great Blue Heron 1, Green Heron 1, Wood Duck 1, Mallard 8, Blue-winged Teal 3, Ring-necked Duck 1, Hooded Merganser 2, Ruddy Duck 1, Turkey Vulture 4, Red-shouldered Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Northern Bobwhite 4, Sora 1, Killdeer 3, American Woodcock 1, Mourning Dove 5, Barred Owl 2, Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 6, Downy Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 2, Pileated Woodpecker 2, Eastern Wood-Pewee 5, Acadian Flycatcher 15, Willow Flycatcher 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, Eastern Kingbird 2, Purple Martin 2, Tree Swallow 8, Barn Swallow 12, Blue Jay 6, Carolina Chickadee 2, Tufted Titmouse 6, White-breasted Nuthatch 4, House Wren 1, Sedge Wren 1, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 9, Eastern Bluebird 3, Wood Thrush 12, American Robin 21, Gray Catbird 2, Brown Thrasher 1, European Starling 200+, Yellow-throated Vireo 4, Warbling Vireo 4, Red-eyed Vireo 25, Bell's Vireo 1-2, Yellow Warbler 6, Blackburnian Warbler 1, Cerulean Warbler 6, Ovenbird 7, Louisiana Waterthrush 1, Common Yellowthroat 5, Hooded Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted Chat 2, Summer Tanager 2, Scarlet Tanager 7, Northern Cardinal 7, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2 (both heard only near Tallgrass Prairie and Sassafrass Dell), Indigo Bunting 3, Eastern Towhee 1, Field Sparrow 17, Song Sparrow 19, Red-winged Blackbird 50+, Eastern Meadowlark 14+, Common Grackle 22, Brown-headed Cowbird 6, Orchard Oriole 2, Baltimore Oriole 1, American Goldfinch 6.
Date: June 1 2003
Location: gilmore ponds
Reporter: Brandt Schurenberg
Other Birders: a lovely couple whose names I didn't get
Plenty of water at gilmore ponds and, amazingly enough, no ticks! That's quite a change from my usual hangout @ Miami-Whitewater wetlands. Aside from ticks life is truly abundant at gilmore, and I was thankful for the Nature Conservancy and the local activists who saved the place. Orioles, kingbird, yellow-breasted chat, great blues and great egrets, phoebe, a great crested flycatcher and a dozen other cool birds were all evident in an early afternoon hour-and-a-half. Not to mention an incredible assortment of turtles, frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies....
Date: 6/1/03
Location: Spring Valley
Reporter: Lsrry Gara
Other Birders:
The adult Little Blue Heron that Scott
Reeves found yesterday is still visible from the lower parking lot of Spring Valley. It was some distance when I first saw it this morning so a scope is needed. It did come closer for a few minutes while feeding and flying over the mud.
Date: 6/1/03
Location: Miami Whitewater Wetlands
Reporter: Lori Brumbaugh
Other Birders:
Bell's Vireo is still there but along the tree line along the plowed field. Heard it just as I was coming up to the path along the dike.
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