Thanks to Rob's post I headed to Alum lake beach just before dawn this morning and located four Franklin's Gulls (juveniles) mixed in with the hundreds of Ring-bills and occasional Herring. I also saw a nice breeding plumage common tern. Unfortunately the Franklin's took flight just as I was getting enough light for a decently crisp photo (took a few low light ones that are a bit rough). The gulls appeared to be feeding on the far side of the reservoir, but it was more difficult to ID them that far away in flight. Hopefully they will will come back to the beach so a few more folks can get good views.
I also stopped by the South end of Hoover to try to relocate the Franklin's that were reported there (or anything else interesting) but didn't see anything unusual. I didn't have time to try the North end, but it might worth a visit if you're in the neighborhood.
Cheers,
Heather
--- On Mon, 9/28/09, rob thorn <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> From: rob thorn <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Franklin'sGulls,Avocet, Alum Lake,9-28
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Monday, September 28, 2009, 10:41 PM
> Sorry about the late post, but I
> rushed off to work (where I can't use outside Email).
> There were 12 FRANKLIN'S GULLS this morning among the gull
> throng on the beach at Alum Lake State Park. They were
> in the midst of 500 Ring-bills, 10 Herring, and 1
> Bonaparte's, so the blustery weather had filled a gull
> cornucopia. At one point, the poor Bonapartes had
> grabbed a minnow and was being pursued by members of the
> other 3 species! Also along the beach were 20 Kildeer
> and 1 AMERICAN AVOCET, so it was a bustling place.
>
> The beach wasn't the only star spot at Alum Lake.
> Despite the strong wind, I also spent time over at New
> Galena, where there was a decent movement of waterfowl
> (small flocks of Mallards, Wigeon, and Green-winged
> Teal,....well, the 70 Teal weren't exactly a small flock)
> and some migrant blue jays (50/45 minutes) & hawks
> (Sharpie, Red-tail, and 6 Turkey Vultures in the same time
> span).
>
> Finally, I walked around the visitor's center above the
> beach, which was in a small windless area that attracted a
> nice fallout of smaller landbird migrants. Highlights
> included:
>
> Woodpeckers: red-bellied, Downies, Hairy, 5 Flickers, 1
> sapsucker
>
> Flycatchers : 3 E.Wood Pewees and 1 Least Flycatcher
>
> Vireos: 1 each of Philadelphia & Blue-headed
>
> Thrushes: 6-7 Swainsons, along with a flock of 6
> E.Bluebirds
>
> Warblers: 12 species, all within 100 yards of the
> visitor's center: Parula, Nashville, Magnolia (6),
> Black-thr.Green (5), Cape May, Blackpoll, Bay-breasted,
> Yellow-rumped, Black&White, Redstart (6), CONNECTICUT (1
> female/juv), Hooded, plus some 6-8 individuals that weren't
> identified.
>
> Sparrows: Chipping, Field, Song, White-throated,
> Lincoln's
>
> Others: 1 Rose-br.Grosbeak, 1 Scarlet tanager
>
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