The public window for viewing the bird has past, and by all accounts it was a complete success. About 150-160 showed up, and virtually everyone got at least a glimpse. The overwhelming majority of people were kind and courteous, and the owners couldn't be happier. That being said, I think they are relieved it's over!
The odds are, one or two people will try to see it after today, but to be honest, I can't imagine the bird staying around for more than a day or two. The will change so dramatically this weekend, with strong south winds, that the bird would be a fool to stay.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Golden-crowned Thursday
The Golden-crowned was still present Thursday, early afternoon. I was almost convinced it was leaving last night. Well, shows what I know.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Golden-crowned Update
As a general FYI: The Golden-crowned was still present Sunday afternoon, April 12. I imagine tomorrow (Tuesday) that one or two other people will check again.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Eurasian Wigeon
This seems to be a good year for 'goodies'. On Saturday morning a drake Eurasian Wigeon was observed at Springville Marsh Nature Preserve.
It was observed on the "main" pond, that is, enter the marsh via the boardwalk heading straight from the lot (not past the info board). After a while, the boardwalk splits, take it to the left. In about 100yds you'll come to the bird blind. He was out on the pond.
Stricktly speaking, Springville Marsh is Seneca County, in the SW corner on CR24 (Muck Rd.) It doesn't look like much at the entrance, but it's generally worth it to walk the boardwalk.
It was observed on the "main" pond, that is, enter the marsh via the boardwalk heading straight from the lot (not past the info board). After a while, the boardwalk splits, take it to the left. In about 100yds you'll come to the bird blind. He was out on the pond.
Stricktly speaking, Springville Marsh is Seneca County, in the SW corner on CR24 (Muck Rd.) It doesn't look like much at the entrance, but it's generally worth it to walk the boardwalk.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Golden-crowned Sparrow
East of Findlay, Ohio April 08, 2009
The exact location is currently being kept secret at landowners' request.
The habitat is rural farmland, and the landowners' property is about 5 acres of mostly thick, over-grown grass with many brush piles and several bushes and trees.
It cannot be a coincidence that a Golden-crowned Sparrow (state 1st), and a Mountain Bluebird (state 2nd) show up at roughly the same time, within 45 miles of each other. The only reason this bird was sighted and reported is it just so happened to find an isolated (for Hancock County) house with ideal habitat. It doesn't hurt that the landowners' are wildlife nuts and know when they see an "odd" bird!
This is what gets me; how many other rarities are there in NW Ohio (and elsewhere) that are currently being overlooked? Argh! Enough to make me want to quit my jobs and go birding! So, if anyone out there would like to hire a full-time bird watcher in Northwest Ohio, let me know. I'll be happy to apply. :)
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Spring migration warming up.
It's definately looking a lot like April in the area. I took an early morning, pre-church hike Sunday to Riverbend Recreational Area. For those who don't know, Riverbend is immediately North, North-East of Findlay Reservoir #2, along the river, right where it makes a 90 degree turn west.
Migrants seen were Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes, Fox Sparrows, White-throat and White-crowned Sparrows and many, many Juncos and Song Sparrows.
Also of note, observed flying overhead was one Common Loon and about 125 Bonaparte's Gulls, and along the wires just outside of Riverbend were my first Tree Swallows of the year.
The weather is suppose to turn nasty around here Monday and Tuesday; this will probably slow migration up quite a bit.
Migrants seen were Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes, Fox Sparrows, White-throat and White-crowned Sparrows and many, many Juncos and Song Sparrows.
Also of note, observed flying overhead was one Common Loon and about 125 Bonaparte's Gulls, and along the wires just outside of Riverbend were my first Tree Swallows of the year.
The weather is suppose to turn nasty around here Monday and Tuesday; this will probably slow migration up quite a bit.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Early spring migrants
Migration is well underway. I took a quick trip to Oakwoods Nature Preserve this afternoon with Jeff (Mon.). It was mostly quiet, but a few of the early migrants were present. Seen or heard were Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (2+), Fox Sparrows (6), Eastern Towhee, Golden-crowned Kinglets (several), plus many, many Song Sparrows some of which must have been migrants.
Later in the day I took a quick trip to the Findlay Reservoirs to check on waterfowl. The water was glass-smooth and fairly quiet. Red-breasted and Common Mergansers, Common Loons, Lesser Scaup and Redheads were present.
All in all not exciting, but it's always good to get out and get birding.
Later in the day I took a quick trip to the Findlay Reservoirs to check on waterfowl. The water was glass-smooth and fairly quiet. Red-breasted and Common Mergansers, Common Loons, Lesser Scaup and Redheads were present.
All in all not exciting, but it's always good to get out and get birding.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Sunday Banding at Springville Marsh
Hi all,
This is a late post, but the 2009 bird banding season started on Sunday March 15 at Springville Marsh Nature Preserve in Seneca County.
If you have never been to a banding operation, I highly recommend it. I've been to perhaps a dozen different operations, and the SMNP is easily my favorite, but all of the banding operations were highly interesting.
I will try to do a more complete write-up of an average banding day in the future, but to summarize last Sunday, Tree Sparrows and Song Sparrows were in abundance in the nets. The best banded bird was a Fox Sparrow, and the best birds in the marsh were about 35 Rusty Blackbirds.
This is a late post, but the 2009 bird banding season started on Sunday March 15 at Springville Marsh Nature Preserve in Seneca County.
If you have never been to a banding operation, I highly recommend it. I've been to perhaps a dozen different operations, and the SMNP is easily my favorite, but all of the banding operations were highly interesting.
I will try to do a more complete write-up of an average banding day in the future, but to summarize last Sunday, Tree Sparrows and Song Sparrows were in abundance in the nets. The best banded bird was a Fox Sparrow, and the best birds in the marsh were about 35 Rusty Blackbirds.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Waterfowl starting to move
Friday after brought strong winds, warmer weather, and me to the Findlay Reservoirs to look for waterfowl.
Present on reservoir #2 (the large one) was three rafts of ducks: a small flock of Canada Geese (around 20), a flock of about 50 lesser scaup, and one raft of around 300 mixed divers. This mixed flock contained Lesser Scaup, Canvasbacks, and Ring-necked Ducks. There could have been more species, but viewing conditions were poor, mostly because of the gusty winds making it difficult to keep any piece of optics or persons steady.
The Findlay Reservoirs, for those who don't know, are found a couple miles SE of Findlay. Any half-decent map will show them. If you are new to birding it, I recommend starting at #1's boat ramp, which is on the southern side of the reservoirs about 1/4 mile west of the Blanchard Rivers. From there, walk around reservoir #1 (the small reserevoir). It's an easy walk and gives you good views of both reservoirs.
Present on reservoir #2 (the large one) was three rafts of ducks: a small flock of Canada Geese (around 20), a flock of about 50 lesser scaup, and one raft of around 300 mixed divers. This mixed flock contained Lesser Scaup, Canvasbacks, and Ring-necked Ducks. There could have been more species, but viewing conditions were poor, mostly because of the gusty winds making it difficult to keep any piece of optics or persons steady.
The Findlay Reservoirs, for those who don't know, are found a couple miles SE of Findlay. Any half-decent map will show them. If you are new to birding it, I recommend starting at #1's boat ramp, which is on the southern side of the reservoirs about 1/4 mile west of the Blanchard Rivers. From there, walk around reservoir #1 (the small reserevoir). It's an easy walk and gives you good views of both reservoirs.
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