Vesper Sparrow and more

 

April 10th

          We had no time for birding yesterday, so we were both enthusiastic about going out today.  We were anxious to see the Magee Marsh boardwalk which just reopened a couple of days ago.  There was a strong storm that went through that area last August causing significant damage.  Numerous trees snapped off or were uprooted and there was major damage to the boardwalk.  One of the eagle nests was also blown down.  The area has been closed for tree removal and repairs and just reopened.

          It really is a little early for most Spring migrants, but it was good to be back on the boardwalk.  It was amazing and heartbreaking to see the devastation but hopefully the birds will be back.  It was quiet but we did see our first of the year Hermit Thrush.  It is a medium-sized thrush that is brown above with a distinctive reddish tail.  It is a hardy bird that migrates north earlier in the Spring and stays later in the Fall than other similar thrushes.

          After leaving Magee Marsh, we went to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and saw several Purple Martins setting up housekeeping in their gourd-shaped communal nest boxes.  Our next stop was Maumee Bay State Park where we finally saw four Caspian Terns on the inland beach.  There were also large numbers of migrating Bonaparte’s Gulls.

          We were headed home when I just happened to notice a report about a Vesper Sparrow sighting at the Sandhill Crane Wetlands.  We decided to check it out and were excited to see two Vesper Sparrows including one singing in the top of a tree.  That was the grand finale for a wonderful day of birding. 

(4 new species, total 152)

          Caspian Tern

          Purple Martin

          Hermit Thrush

          Vesper Sparrow  

                                       Vesper Sparrow

                                       Vesper Sparrow (another view)

                                       Hermit Thrush
                                       Eastern Towhee (male)

                                       Purple Martin (male)

                                       Caspian Terns



  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January Summary

Image
  February 1 st           The first month of our Birding Big Year has drawn to a close.   Mike and I have worked hard to find the important winter target birds as well as some rarities.  We are pleased with our progress.   Here is a list of the winter target birds that we have found:           Snow Goose                                           Snowy Owl           Ross’s Goose                                        Long-eared Owl           Greater White-fronted Goose                   Short-eared Owl           Cackling Goose                                       Northern Saw-whet Owl           White-winged Scoter                               Northern Shrike           Long-tailed Duck                                    Purple Finch           Iceland Gull                                            Common Redpoll           Glaucous Gull                                         Lapland Longspur           Rough-legged Hawk                                Snow Bunting
Read more

Chuck-will's-widow

Image
  May 22 nd             This morning Mike and I left for southern Ohio but took a round about way of getting there.   First, we went east to Lorain to look for several birds that had been reported there.   We did find a Cattle Egret at the Lorain Impoundment which is a marshy area near the boat launch and pier.   Cattle Egrets are common in the South but are scarce in Ohio.   Our view of the egret was somewhat obstructed, but it was definitely in full breeding plumage.           From here we headed south for our destination which was Shawnee State Park.   Some of you will remember that we were here just about a month ago with Ann and Howard Rosenberg. That trip ended with the “stomach flu” episode.   We arrived about 4:00pm today and went out for a walk.   There had been a report of a pair of Mississippi Kites seen near the firepit in the cabin area.   We found the spot and immediately saw a kite perched high on a dead snag.   As Mike was taking pictures, I spotted the second kite.
Read more

Saturday March 25th - Black-legged Kittiwake

Image
  Saturday March 25 th – Black-legged Kittiwake           A Black-legged Kittiwake had been hanging around at the Spitzer Riverside Marina in Lorain, Ohio for more than a week and was seen by many birders.   Mike and I had actually gone to chase this bird the previous Sunday without success.   Since so many people had found the bird, we decided to give it one more try.           We drove 1 ½ hours to Lorain, pulled up to the marina and immediately saw the kittiwake floating by itself really close by.   Mike was able to get some great pictures, and it was worth the trip.   This is only the second time we have seen a Black-legged Kittiwake in Ohio.   The previous time was in 2015.           A Black-legged Kittiwake is a type of gull that gets its name because of the shrill sound of its call “kittee-wa-aaake”.   A kittiwake is a small gull and the breeding adults are pale gray above with black wingtips, white below and a yellow bill. The legs are jet black.   Juveniles are quite st
Read more