2022 Ohio Birding Big Year

  Monday February 6 th – All Around the Town           Mike and I   have developed a bad habit of chasing birds all over the state of Ohio.   We are really trying to stay closer to home and find birds locally.   Today was a free day so we decided to go to the Sandhill Crane Wetlands this morning. This is a new park which adds 280 acres to the Kitty Todd Nature Preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy.             We saw several raptors at this location including a Rough-legged Hawk, two Red-tailed Hawks, an adult Bald Eagle, a Red-shouldered Hawk and a Cooper’s Hawk.   We also saw a huge flock of Common Grackles which was a FOY (first of the year) bird for us.   Grackles are one of the very early Spring migrants and they are just starting to head north in large numbers.           After returning home for lunch we headed to Bay View Park in north Toledo to look for gulls and waterfowl.   We saw some Greater and Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a nice variety of ducks.   We walked ar

  Sunday January 29 th – Birding with Ann and Howard           We had not been birding with our good friends and birding buddies Ann and Howard for way too long.   Howard has been recuperating from surgery and we were excited to go birding together in their fancy new Tesla.   We went to some of the usual spots along the lakeshore and saw a variety of gulls and ducks.   As we were driving along Route 2 at about 60mph, eagle-eyed Ann calmly says, “There’s a pheasant in that field.   We made a quick U-turn and sure enough there was a Ring-necked Pheasant sitting right there.   We ended the month with 105 species and NO we are not doing another Big Year.                                               Ring-necked Pheasant                                            Another view        

Thursday January 26 th – Gulls in Cleveland           At this point in the month, we had seen 97 species of birds in Ohio.   We only needed three more to get our “January 100” but we were running out of days.   Today was a free day so we decided to head toward Cleveland once again in hopes of seeing several gulls that had been reported.           First, we stopped at a spot near Ottawa National Wildlife refuge to look for a Northern Shrike.   As we pulled up to the parking area, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was perched right in front of us.   We both got a quick look before it flew away.   We didn't see any sign of the shrike but we had picked up bird #98.           We continued on to the Ninth Street Pier in downtown Cleveland where a Black-headed Gull had been reported.   This time of year a Black-headed Gull does not have a black head and looks quite similar to a Bonaparte’s Gull.   There were dozens of Bonaparte’s on the water and flying around the pier as well as plenty of Ring

  Tuesday January 24 th – Wood Duck           On Tuesday afternoon I made a solo excursion to the Findlay water treatment plant where  warm water is discharged into the Blanchard River.   Two Wood Ducks had been seen here the day before.   It was about a 45-minute drive, and I was a little conflicted about whether I should chase these birds.   Mike had already seen a Wood Duck this year at Woodlawn Cemetery, so he had one more bird than I did.   Now if I waited until Spring, I would surely see a Wood Duck, but I really didn’t like being one behind Mike.           So, I took off, found the spot and there were two beautiful male Wood Ducks.   It was very easy and worth the trip.   For now, we are even.   No pictures because I’m not the photographer.

  Sunday January 22 nd – Turkey in a Tree           Today we stayed closer to home and went to Wildwood Metropark and saw two turkeys perched high in a tree.   This was a strange sight, but we were happy to see our first Wild Turkeys of the year.   Apparently, there is a small flock of turkeys that have been seen at the feeders eating seed on the ground.           While looking at the turkeys, I heard a distant Pileated Woodpecker calling and we were lucky to see it when it flew in closer to us.   Several days later Mike got a tip about where to find an Eastern Screech Owl in a nest box at Wildwood.  We returned and got to see him too.   No Pileated pictures because the camera was still on the fritz!                                               Wild Turkey                                            Eastern Screech Owl

  Saturday January 21 st – “January 100"?           After our previous excursion we realized that our total number of species for the year was now at 84.   This meant we had a realistic possibility of attaining the January 100 if we went into chase mode.   We couldn’t help ourselves and took a trip to Lorain where we saw many Bonaparte’s Gulls and a Common Loon.   We continued on to the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve and after a lot of hiking, we finally found a Red-necked Grebe.   Unfortunately, Mike’s camera was not working, and he wasn’t able to get any pictures.   We think it had something to do with the cold, damp weather.                                            Distant view of a Red-necked Grebe                                                                                                                 (photo taken  last year)

  Thursday January 19 th – Evening Grosbeaks           Of the 304 species that we saw last year, we did not see an Evening Grosbeak.   It is an irruptive species, not following regular patterns of movement.   They can be seen in huge numbers and then not be seen again for years.   In general, their population has been declining dramatically and they are rare in Ohio.           The best place to see an Evening Grosbeak would be in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or Duluth, Minnesota which is a very accessible and friendly place.   There you can find Snowy and Northern Hawk Owls and occasionally a Great Gray Owl.   There are “winter finches” such as the Pine and Evening Grosbeak and Purple Finches.   There are Red and White-winged Crossbills and Canada Jays (a.k.a. Gray Jays).   Sometimes there are Bohemian Waxwings, Boreal Chickadees and Ruffed or Sharp-tailed Grouse.   Any trip to Duluth must include a visit to the famous Sax-Zim Bog.   Wait a minute! I digress.   This is a story for a

  Thursday January 12 th – Geese Galore           On Thursday morning we drove to the Bowling Green Golf Course which is adjacent to the football stadium to see a gaggle of geese.   There is a large retention pond on the golf course where dozens of geese were flocking.   We were able to see lots of Canadians as well as about 25 Greater White-fronted Geese and 3 Cackling Geese.   Three days later we went back and saw a Snow Goose at the same spot.           Greater White-fronted Geese are scarce in Ohio but are usually found in small numbers every winter.   Vagrants often join flocks of other geese whenever they are found.   The White-fronted Goose is a stocky brown goose that has a patch of white feathers bordering the base of its bill.   It is somewhat smaller than most Canadian Geese.           The Cackling Goose is a small compact goose, with a short neck, and a rounded head.   It has short legs and a small stubby bill.   Some are not much bigger than a Mallard.   The snow

  Wednesday January 11 th – Falcon Trifecta           This year we completed the “Falcon Trifecta” by seeing an American Kestrel which is the most common of the three falcons seen in our area.   Kestrels are often seen perched on telephone wires along country roads especially in the wintertime.   The Kestrel is our smallest falcon and has a boldly patterned head and habitually bobs its tail when perched.           Merlins are uncommon in Ohio and are generally seen during spring and fall migration.   A small number spend the winter in large cemeteries where mature scattered trees mimic the savannas and open woodlands favored by this species.           Peregrine Falcons typically nest on the ledges of rocky cliffs.   However, they have been able to adapt to an urban setting and use tall buildings and skyscrapers with a nest box to lay their eggs.   Peregrines seem to thrive in cities because there is an abundance of prey such as pigeons, starlings, and blue jays and not much comp

  Sunday January 8 th – Short-eared Owls           We spent Sunday morning at Oak Openings Metropark and saw a Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-headed Woodpecker and Brown Creeper.   There was also a male Purple Finch at the Windows on Wildlife (feeders).           In the afternoon we saw a Northern Mockingbird in east Toledo and Snow Buntings on the beach at Maumee Bay State Park.   We ended our day at Howard’s Marsh where at least three Short-eared Owls were flying around at dusk.   During the day the marsh is often patrolled by Northern Harriers (also known as Marsh Hawks).   The Harrier has a disk-shaped face much like an owl’s that directs sound to its ears.   It relies on its hearing as well as vision to capture mice and voles found scurrying beneath the vegetation. In the evening there is a shift change and the Short-eared Owls take over.   It is always interesting to see these two raptors in search of their prey.                                            Short-eared Owl          

Saturday January 7 th – Harlequin Ducks           On Saturday morning we birded locally along the lakeshore and saw a number of ducks, swans, cormorants, and a horned grebe.   In the afternoon, we decided to chase a Slaty-backed Gull which was being seen along the Cuyahoga River in downtown Cleveland.   This would have been an Ohio life bird for us and was a mega rarity in our area.   The only time we had seen this bird was in Alaska on a trip to Gambell located on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea.   You really can see Russia from there! Unfortunately, after spending a lot of time looking, we were unable to find the Slaty-backed Gull.           Mike and I were disappointed but decided to stop at Rocky River Park on the way home.   Rocky River is a nice suburb on the west side of Cleveland.   The park sits high above the lake and is a good vantage point for viewing the lake.   There was a group of four female Harlequin Ducks sitting very close to shore, so we got great scope

  Friday January 6 th - Three Phone Calls           After the end of our Big Year, I was hoping for some R & R, some quiet time, some time to get things done around the house, but it was not meant to be.   On Friday morning I had a doctor’s appointment and Mike was going to Woodlawn Cemetery for Sherry Plessner’s weekly bird walk.   As I was driving home from the doctor’s office, I got an urgent phone call from Mike.   He said, “Where are you?   We’ve got a Merlin at the cemetery.” I said, “Is it perched?   I guess I could drive over there.   I don’t have my binoculars or a hat or gloves or the right shoes but I’m on my way.”   I arrived and there was Mike with a very cooperative Merlin perched in a tree.   I got a good look and said, “Normally I would stay for the rest of the bird walk but I’m really not dressed for the occasion so I’m going home.”           I went home and was busy working on my latest art project when I got a second phone call from Mike.   He said, “I’m at

  Opening Commentary Mike and I are definitely NOT doing another Birding Big Year in 2023.   However, birding is always somewhat of a numbers game.   Do you think you’ll get a “January 100” this year?   How many “20 warbler days” have you had?   Do you have the “falcon trifecta” or have you seen all the woodpeckers yet this year?   As one of the top Ohio birders said on Facebook, “It’s January 1 st and we get to start all over again!”   Mike said recently, “This “birding bug” is a disease and I’m not sure if it’s curable.”             We now record all of our bird sightings on ebird and are supposed to list the number of birds seen not just the number of species.   So, there are always numbers questions.   How many starlings are in that tree?   How many scaup are out on the lake?   Did you see seven or eight robins?             Even though we don’t have a numbers goal this year, we hope to be out there birding and I will continue to periodically post on the blog with a few new bir