Aramus guarauna
Limpkins were originally confined to southern Florida. After 2017, sightings began to be reported in numbers north of Florida, and along the Gulf coast. Then, in 2022 and 2023, they exploded throughout the eastern United States (Kaufman 2024). There were sightings of at least three individuals in our area in 2023: One was at Shawnee Lookout July 18 through July 20; one was at Sharon Woods July 21 through August 5; one was at Island Metropark, in Dayton, August 5 through August 15; and one was at Hueston Woods August 5 through August 16. Based on the times of the reports, the Sharon Woods (eBird checklist S146542893), Dayton (eBird checklist S152684307), and Hueston Woods (eBird checklist S146595079) birds must have all been different. These extended stays were followed by shorter stays at Caesar Creek September 2 – 3, Ripley, Ohio on September 5, and Kingswood Park, Warren County, on November 6 (eBird records, the first three and the Ripley bird photographed).