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November 2001

Here is a photograph of the Brown-headed Nuthatch; a potential first state record pending OBRC review. - photo courtesy Larry Rosche on behalf of Linda & Warren Gilbert.



Although only a rear-view is offered here, the back color and head pattern are diagnostic for the species. As to further extra-limital records, Larry informs me that the species was in Chicago this past summer. Also, the species has expanded its home range northwards into Kentucky very recently.

Paul Chad relays that 2 Snowy Owls were present in the vicinity of Bayshore Power Plant according to a plant employee on Thanksgiving. Allowing that one was the bird reported earlier from Maumee Bay State Park, that would make the bird recently reported from SE Ohio the 10th Snowy Owl of the season or about as many as this time last year. Here is the report from Jon D. Benedetti of a bird quite literally ON the Ohio River.

Bill Thompson III of BWD e-mailed today [FRIDAY] that a Snowy Owl has been hanging around the Willow Island power station along Rte 2 in Pleasants County [West Virginia]. This morning the owl was seen in the river by the workers at the Willow Island L&D. They threw out a life jacket with a rope attached. The owl climbed onto the life jacket and flew to the Ohio shore! Rexine Johnson and I went up to the Willow Island L&D on the Ohio side along Rte 7. We found the young Snowy Owl right where Bill said it was. It was sitting on an abandoned white house a few hundred yards south of the dam on the river side of Rte 7. (Behind all the "No Trespassing" signs.)

Highlights from Friday's shorebird round-up in the Western basin included a Hudsonian Godwit, 7 Black-bellied Plovers, and 7 Long-billed Dowitchers along the Crane Creek estuary. The Hudsonian was studied in flight - have to check those underwings this late in the season to make sure they're as dusky as they should be. I failed to locate the American Avocet Friday, yet John Pogacnik was able to see it yesterday. A Pectoral Sandpiper was present along Turtle Creek at Lemon Rd. Almost the exact complement of shorebirds as that of last Sunday was again present at Metzger Marsh W.A. Friday; 26 Lesser and 2 Greater Yellowlegs, and 265 Common Snipe - the latter were much more spread out than the last visit. Once again, Snow Buntings were interspersed amongst the dead willows; 210 this time. Overall shorebird numbers were much reduced from last week with nothing present at the Rt. 163 site opposite Christy-Chapel Rd. Curiously, the number of Least Sandpipers at Meadowbrook Lake continues to grow with 6 present Friday. Another Least Sandpiper was present at Ottawa N.W.R. both Friday and Saturday (V.W.F.III, John Pogacnik). Finally, to round out the shorebirds, the Huron Red Phalarope was still present yesterday - Thomas Archdeacon. Thomas also noted at least one of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls from the pier at Huron.

Following up on Bob Royse's report of 4 Forster's Terns at East Harbor State Park, I found 2 Friday foraging over the adjacent West Harbor although none at East Harbor S.P. proper. The Port Clinton beach (from the Municipal Parking Lot) held another 8 Forster's Terns. Canada Goose numbers greatly increased this week with 1400 along the Port Clinton Beach and 3000+ from the Cedar Point Chaussee. After a curious absence, bay duck are once again in obvious rafts at various lakeshore locations. Largest of these was the flock of 110 Lesser Scaups at East Harbor S.P. The Crane Creek estuary was also home to 193 Tundra Swans, 43 Snow Geese (17 blue, 26 white), 130 Northern Pintails, and 2 Great Egrets on Friday. John's numbers from yesterday indicate that a great many of these birds moved on just ahead of this weather front. John did relocate the two Cattle Egrets still in the vicinity of the entrance of Ottawa N.W.R. - they were a few hundred yards away to the west just off Rt. 2 on Rt. 590. John's late season highlight was the Barn Swallow over the middle pool at Maumee Bay State Park.

A Brown-headed Nuthatch was verified (photographed) from a Geauga County feeder yesterday by Larry Rosche. The bird was first seen Tuesday and proceeded to make daily visits principally in the morning - fide Joe Hammond. The early word today is that it was a no-show under extraordinarily mild weather conditions - Jim McCormac. The Brown-headed Nuthatch is a southern species favoring pine forests. The history of extra-limital wanderings north of its range is rather limited. A brief review of regional monographs lists records from Milwaukee (WI) from Oct. 1971 - Jan. 1972, and spring records from Whiting IN, and St. Louis MS. There are hypothetical records from the 1880's from Iowa, Illinois, and curiously NE Ohio - an early report by Dr. Kirtland of a specimen that was taken not very far from the current report. Unfortunately, that specimen was lost (if ever held in the first place). As to visiting the home hosting the bird, Joe Hammond has given these instructions

The property owners (Gilberts)are very hospitable and relayed that it was alright for people to visit tomorrow (Saturday 11/24). If you arrive before 9:00 a.m., please be quiet (don't slam car doors, talk loudly, etc.) so you don't wake them or their neighbors up. Their home is located east of the town of South Russell (DeLorme 42:A1) at 1604 Bell Street. The house is on the south side of the road. People can park carefully in the grass along the sides of the driveway (don't peel out and leave big ruts please). To view the feeders, go along the east side of the house till you can view the backyard. The feeders are along the back of the house.

Please be courteous. These folks are extremely nice and are doing us a huge favor by allowing us the opportunity to view a first state record. Let them know how much we appreciate it.

News of another rarity . . . this from the NW. A park naturalist [Oak Openings, Lucas Co.] gave Tom Kemp a convincing description of a female Pine Grosbeak, relayed thusly from Marcus England

at the new 'Window on Wildlife' in the park on Wednesday, 21 November. The window--near Mallard Lake--also overlooked about 50 Pine Siskins today.

Another word on the Red-necked Grebe below - two observers have added their field observations regarding the plumage of this bird. Although differing somewhat on the particulars, they agree that the bird did not match the plumage of a bird mostly in alternate plumage as I assert in yesterday's entry. As to how far it departed from that plumage, the opinions varied from transitional to well into non-breeding. I saw and photographed adult alternate birds with juveniles as well non-breeding plumage in northern Minnesota and southern Manitoba as recently as this past September; even allowing for photo enhancement, one has to have something of the features there to enhance. I therefore lean toward the interpretation the bird is in transitional plumage - still well beyond the date by which this transition is completed in most individuals.

This past Sunday, a shorebird survey of the Western Basin marshes detected 15 species: American Avocet, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, Sanderling, Wilson's Phalarope, Red Phalarope, Common Snipe. Those in bold are decidely unseasonable. You may recall my excitement at the discovery of a flock of 17 Stilt Sandpipers a month ago. The sudden appearance of 11 near Port Clinton Sunday renders that excitement both moot and mute. The Wilson's Phalarope recalls the bird discovered during a similar warming trend in late November of 1998. That bird was found the 27th by Mike Busam along the Cedar Point Chaussee and was studied almost daily through 5 December by myself as reported in these pages.. If 15 species is surprising consider that for the southern shore of Lake Erie over the course of the 5 days leading up to and including the 18th, there was not less than 20 species present. The five others were Long-billed Dowitcher (Erie Co. OH), Purple Sandpiper (Ashtabula Co.), and in Erie Co. PA - Semipalmated Plover, Spotted Sandpiper, and Ruddy Turnstone (see PA birds listserv link above).

Lingering songbirds include a Lincoln's Sparrow in downtown Cleveland on Tuesday - Mike Egar. Last Saturday's census on Kelleys Island by Tom Bartlett turned up Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Gray Catbird. More surprising perhaps was to find the island depauperate of Golden-crowned Kinglet and Hermit Thrush; typically fairly numerous here in November.

A point regarding the plumage of the Red-necked Grebe below. The bird, with its bright yellow bill, red neck, whitish cheek, is largely in alternate (breeding) plumage. Sibley (200), among others, indicates the plumage is generally not held after September. An important point in light of an early Dec. 2000 report of two birds holding such a plumage - OBNH Vol 2(3) in press.

The Red Phalarope remains at the Huron impoundment - Bob Royse. Bob has taken some very nice pictures of this bird - Go Here. The Ottawa N.W.R. Northern Shrike was resighted yesterday - Carol Ball. Carol also had the Snowy Owl along side the Sandusky Bay Bridge (Rt. 2). The bird was sitting on the rocky outcrop at the western end.Another Snowy Owl report comes from a new, albeit expected, location - the Burke Lakefront Airport yesterday - Frank Greenland. This individual is apparently very white. Also very white, a Cattle Egret was at Pond 6 Killdeer Plains W.A. yesterday - Ron Sempier.

A reminder while visiting relatives this holiday season, check out their feeders. Pictured below is one of the two male White-winged Crossbills from a NW Columbus feeder back on the 5th. Photo courtesy Joe Hammond. More recently, a male and female arrived at a Cuyahoga Co. feeder Monday - Craig Rieker. Alternatively one may watch for a Red Crossbill. One appeared at the feeder of the Bruckner Nature Center near Dayton (Montgomery Co.) Tuesday - fide Laurel Theriault Although it was not seen yesterday. Meanwhile Common Redpolls continue at Maumee Bay State Park with 10 present yesterday - Bob Royse. These lakeshore sightings in fall seem to follow a trend in a recent years. Early arriving birds seem to prefer weedy fields and it is not until the advent of the snows of December that the species descends on area feeders. Pine Siskins continue here and there especially in the SW. Word of Evening Grosbeaks has largely dried up during this recent warm spell. A fly-over was heard Monday at the Cincinnati Nature Center (Clermont Co.) - Bill Creasey.

Apparently, in addition to the 300 Sandhill Cranes in Montgomery Co. Tuesday, another 400+ were observed high overhead from Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati - Brian Jorg. This single one-day flight already exceeds the fall 2000 season - OBNH Vol 2(3) in press. Another 40 were viewed from the blind at Miami-Whitewater Wetlands yesterday - Andy Bess.

A Red-necked Grebe discovered yesterday at Hoover Reservoir - Rob Thorn - remains as of this morning - Randel Rogers; north side of the Sunbury Rd. bridge.

Yesterday saw the dramatic arrival of Tundra Swans and Sandhill Cranes across the state. The cranes are right on schedule but the swan movement is about two weeks behind the norm of 5-6 November. Swans were recorded heading east in the early am yesterday off Sherod Park (Erie Co.) with 127 totalled by 9:00 am - V.W.F.III. Mary Huey had over 100 birds in a couple of flocks over Willoughby (Lake Co.). John Pogacnik noted 80 over Concord Twp., Lake Co. The movement persisted throughout the day as that afternoon (3:45 pm), in Shaker Hts. (Cuyahoga Co.), I was able to pick out a flock of 10 high overhead heading east in the general direction of La Due Reservoir. Birders in the northeast should check on the various reservoirs of Geauga, Trumbull, and Portage Counties for birds that have just arrived. The swans were noted across the state however, with birds on the Paulding Reservoir (Paulding Co.) - Doug & Micki Dunakin; 65 set down on Lake LeComte just outside Fostoria (Hancock Co.) - Bill Rinehart; and for what is one of the best counts from the central portion of the state in years, Gene Stauffer had in excess of 100 birds heading SE over the northern end of Hoover Reservoir (Delaware Co.). Where would those birds be today - Buckeye Lake - Salt Fork - the Ohio River - or beyond?

The "300-500" Sandhill Cranes setting down on Englewood Reserve near Dayton (Montgomery Co.) yesterday must have been a spectacular sight - fide John Wilson. Further east a dozen birds were seen coming into Cowan Lake (Clinton Co.). SW & Central Ohio birders should be checking traditional resting areas the next few days; e.g. Deer Creek W.A., Killdeer Plains W.A., Big Island W.A., Indian Lake S.P., Caesar Creek S.P., etc.

The Salisbury Quarry (Lucas Co.) Black Scoter remains as of yesterday - Matt Anderson. This bird is apparently a hold-over from the incursion 10 days ago along the lakefront. The peak came with the report of 17 birds off Fairport Harbor (Lake Co.) on the 11th by Jay Lehman. Jay provides the photo below from that day.

The Selasphorus hummingbird in Wood Co. was last reported Friday. Here is an image of the bird; photo taken last Thursday.

The Red Phalarope was still present at the Huron impoundment yesterday - m.obs. The American Avocet was still present along the Crane Creek estuary yesterday. Here is an image of the latter species; photo taken yesterday. The estuary was also home to almost 1000 Dunlin and 39 Black-bellied Plovers yesterday. Both large flock sizes this late in the season. At nearby Metzger Marsh W.A., the newly exposed mudflats offered prime habitat for migrant Common Snipe. Not less than 310 were detected yesterday. Below is a snapshot of 40 or so birds settling back down.

The past 6 days has seen an incursion into the state by Snowy Owls. Six birds have appeared all along the Lake Erie shoreline; in Lucas (1), Erie (2), Lorain (2), and Ashtabula County (1). This period has also seen a marked passage of Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs along the shoreline of Lake Erie. The largest single flock of Snow Buntings was that of 280 birds in a recently plowed field along the entrance road to Metzger Marsh W.A. (Lucas Co.) yesterday. The first wave of the species reached the Cincinnati area back during the first few days of November. West-central and southwest Ohio may anticipate another wave. Below is an image taken at Ferguson Reservoir (Allen Co.) by Mike Busam on Saturday. -

A Selasphorus hummingbird has been coming to a Bloomdale (Wood Co.) feeder the past couple of days. The owner Bill Rinehart has invited interested parties to stop by 205 N. Maple St. (one block east of Rt. 18).

Yesterday morning, while looking for the Cattle Egret reported for several days this week at Big Island W.A., I found this immature female Snowy Owl along La Rue-Prospect Rd. just east of the white barn on Unit B. (Marion Co.). Later that evening, just after sunset, I spied another Snowy Owl at Huron out on the breakwall of the impoundment. This latter bird had been brought to my attention by Jim Glover who I met walking out the pier. Noting the couple of recent reports of other Snowys in the Lake Erie region plus the wayward bird just across the river in Kentucky earlier this week, I naturally assumed my B.I. bird to be a natural migrant. However, there may be another explanation for the origin of the bird. Readers may recall the report a couple of weeks ago of the Logan County bird brought to a wildlife rehabilitator. It is my understanding that this bird was released at Killdeer Plains W.A. (just 8 miles N of the BI bird) this past Monday. I would like clarification on the age and sex of the Logan County bird as it had been tentatively reported as a male. One can clearly see here that the bird is a dark immature female. Were it the release bird, there would be some symmetry to the story added courtesy Jim Glover. Seems Jim was at Killdeer Plains W.A. about the same time I was at Big Island W.A. Only in his case he was looking at a Cattle Egret foraging along side the road in front of the headquarters building - almost certainly the bird I had been hoping to photograph at Big Island. And so much for this week's episode of As The Birding World Turns.

On to shorebirds, a group I have had marginally better luck figuring out. To a man Wednesday, all the network weatherman swore it would not rain - I think we need to check our definitions of precipitation. It POURED Wednesday during what ostensibly was another shorebird survey. My usual 2.5 hrs along the Crane Creek estuary was cut to 15 minutes, just long enough to scan the immediate mudflat getting a sense of at least 480 Dunlin. All the while the first basic American Avocet happily foraged not 10 yards away (this from the first bend). A single Black-bellied Plover form resolved itself through the Wet. What lay beyond a few hundred yards, I have no idea. For the day, I exceeded 1000 Dunlin, including a nice flock on Catawba Island - an interesting location just east of Port Clinton that could prove fruitful next year. The Least Sandpipers were still present on Meadowbrook Lake. Both yellowlegs were around; here and there including a bird at the Huron impoundment. That bird remained after sunset yesterday in the company of 2 Dunlin and a Long-billed Dowitcher. The dowitcher was especially tame. Of course, the shorebird attraction at Huron remains the Red Phalarope. It too was present after sunset yesterday although not as cooperative for me as it has been for others.

The past week has seen a flight of Black Scoters into the Central Basin especially along the Cleveland lakefront. As of yesterday, Paula Lozano still had nine birds just west of the fishing pier at Bradstreet's Landing on the West Side. Wednesday, Dan Sanders had eight birds off Oberlin Beach (Erie Co.) accompanied by a couple of Surf Scoters. A lone Black Scoter was found on the Salisbury Quarry in Maumee (Lucas Co.). The bird was still present yesterday - Matt Anderson.

A Red Phalarope was reported from the Huron impoundment (Erie Co.) this morning by Dan Sanders

The Vermilion Flycatcher was in residence at Ottawa N.W.R. yesterday - many thanks to the staff at Ottawa N.W.R. for being such gracious hosts opening up an otherwise off-limits area for birders. An unidentified Empidonax flycatcher was reported from Sandy Ridge MP in Lorain Co. yesterday - John Pogacnik. Late word was received that two Rufous Hummingbirds appeared at an Adams Co. feeder around 1 October. That same feeder entertained a THIRD bird on Wednesday - fide Bill Whan. That same day, a hummingbird was reported in Columbus - Diana Morawetz. It has been tentatively identified as a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. If verified that would tie the latest documented record of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Ohio; a bird photographed by Hank Armstrong in southwest Ohio. It has been my standing advice these past 6 years that hummingbird feeders remain up through Thanksgiving in northern Ohio and Christmas in southern Ohio. The late season passage of Rufous Hummingbird is an ANNUAL FALL event through the Midwest and until we have the network of observers as other states have developed we remain in the dark as to their true status. Further reading

An American Avocet and Hudsonian Godwit headlined the shorebird diversity along the Crane Creek estuary yesterday. Numbers of Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover were scattered around the more than 2000 Dunlins that remain. Least Sandpipers were still to be found at Meadowbrook Lake (Ottawa Co.) yesterday. The Northern Shrike at Ottawa N.W.R. was viewed by many yesterday - Jenny Brumfield & Ted Gilliland. Jenny also had 22+ Snow Geese as a background to the Vermilion Flycatcher at Ottawa yesterday. A Common Yellowthroat was seen in the same vicinity. Along the Crane Creek estuary waterfowl numbers had dropped off dramatically but for Tundra Swan which had increased to 152 - V.W.F.III

A Virginia Rail and American Bittern were interesting at Sandy Ridge MP yesterday - John Pogacnik. John also reports a couple of Tree Swallows there.

There will be one last opportunity to look for the Vermilion Flycatcher. The staff at Ottawa N.W.R. will open the short driving loop tomorrow from 7:30 am to 4:15 pm. Map and details.

No later than the 31st October, an emaciated Snowy Owl was retrieved from Indian Lake State Park (Logan Co.) - fide Troy Shively. The bird is presently in the care of the Glen Helen Raptor Center in Yellow Springs.

Saturday morning, Joe Hammond discovered a Red-necked Grebe on Metzger Reservoir (Allen Co. in the vicinity of Lima). After relocating the bird that afternoon, Greg Miller pulled into Indian Lake State Park to discover a Sabine's Gull. As part of a tour by the Columbus Avid Birders, 5 Franklin's Gulls were detected on the beach at Buck Creek State Park, a Golden Eagle overhead along I75 just so. of Findlay (Hancock Co.), and a Snow Goose across from Clear Fork Reservoir; at left. The Red-necked Grebe was present after sunset - Thomas Archdeacon.

Jeff McCoy and Andy Sigler thoroughly scanned the waters of Metzger Reservoir Sunday coming up empty on Red-necked Grebes, indicating that the two later that day seen by Dan Sanders were altogether different birds. One of these birds remained late into the afternoon for Jay Lehman. At Indian Lake S.P., Jeff found two more Franklin's Gulls; an adult (photo provided) and a juvenile bird. Another Franklin's Gull was located Sunday at Grand Lake/St. Mary's (Auglaize Co.) on the beach - Joe Hammond et al.. Joe's group also encountered a Cattle Egret along Rt. 33 just east of Wapakoneta. A Red Phalarope was independently reported for Saturday from Rocky River Park - Norm Walesch / Paula Lozano et al. Paula's group also had 3 Black Scoters off Bradstreet Landing at Rocky River (Cuyahoga Co.). Dan Sanders had a female Black Scoter at Metzger Reservoir on Sunday. Another female Black Scoter was found Sunday on the Olentangy Reservoir - Marcus England. Marcus also discovered a late Common Moorhen on the reservoir (actually at the grassy margin). Saturday, at Springville Marsh SNP (Seneca Co.), Tom Bartlett et al. enjoyed a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. As of yesterday, 8 Long-billed Dowitchers remain at Hoover Reservoir - Brad Sparks. My Monday tally of 48 Great Egrets in the Western basin marshes is half that of this time last year.

Moments ago (8:40 am) the word came through that the Vermilion Flycatcher is still present and "putting on quite a show" - Troy Shively fide Joe Hammond.

2001 © with Brian Zweibel

Yesterday, Brian Zweibel accompanied by Sharon Cummings discovered a Vermilion Flycatcher in an off-limits area of Ottawa N.W.R. at 11:00 am. The immature male was photographed by both parties who then informed the regular Ottawa N.W.R. monthly census crew. This included Ed Pierce who was able to relocate the bird at 3:30 pm. Today, unprecedented access was provided by the staff at Ottawa N.W.R. to visiting birders, opening up the western access gate along the county line road at noon. The early afternoon hours saw the arrival of many who form the usual cast of characters at the outset of the appearance of a very rare species for Ohio. The subsequent socializing held the crowd together long past the time when it seemed reasonable to hold out hope for an appearance of the bird. Then at 4:59 pm, just a few minutes before sunset, Brian Barchus and Brian Zweibel caught sight of a small bird exhibiting a shallow undulatory flight making for yesterday's perch. And just like that, there it was. Although the crowd kept a respectful distance from the roadside, I suspect the bird was not quite ready for the audience. It soon flitted to a nearby tree and moved once or twice more branch to branch before one final flight westward against the fading light. In all, less than 2 minutes worth of study but the scopes had been ready and everyone took in some nice looks.

As to the bird, although noted as variable regarding the extent of red in the first-year male plumage by various field guides, there are some discrepancies that suggest something more than a hatching-year bird. The wing coverts are prominently tipped whitish as in the adult. The facial mask is developed beyond that typically depicted for a HY bird. Although the crown is splotchy in the fashion expected for an immature bird, the crest was distinctly developed. While not so prominent in the photo supplied, I was impressed with this feature in the field today. Pyle (in Identification Guide to North American Birds 1997) states

Mottled AHY/ASYs with adult wing feathers might be SY/TYs, but more study is needed.

It is entirely possible these intermediate characters indicate the plumage of a second-year bird rather than a hatch-year.

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