It always seesm strange to talk about strays in the beginning of Summer, but this is a reliable time to find out-of-place landbirds in central Ohio. I've been mopping up OBBA blocks in southern Franklin, western Fairfield & Pickaway Counties over the past week and have noticed a definite bloom of strays. While warblers lead the pack, there are a variety of birds to keep an eye out for, including
Wood Pewees - numbers have exploded at several sites, presumably from post-breeders and juveniles starting to move around. I've had them in the tiniest fragments of woodland
Crested Flycatchers - many family groups of this large flycatcher are along most of the watercourses in Columbus right now. They seem to have had a very successful year, and it's allowing them to stray into lots of habitats.
Belted Kingfishers - after a very low-key summer, I've started to find them in a variety of locations. Watch for them along Columbus-area streams and ponds over the rest of this month.
Rose-breasted grosbeaks - very hit-or-miss, but I've found adults and youngsters in a variety of locations recently. Watch for them around young trees near woodland edges.
Black & White Warblers - What's Black and White and found all over? These warblers, apparently. I've had 3 in the last 5 days in very unlikely locations, including a very urban stretch of Alum Creek. Look for them around vine-covered tangles along streams and creeks.
Kentucky Warblers - I've had singing males lurking near Lithopolis, Pataskala, and Innis Park in Columbus, all in rather unlikely spots, so these birds may be moving around as well.
Hooded Warblers - looks like a banner year for these birds as well, with large numbers in traditional spots like Blendon Woods (3-4) and Slate Run (2-3). I've also found singing birds at several unexpected locations.
American Redstarts - stray singers at Rockmill wildlife area and near New Albany, neither places I would expect to find them, so they also seem to be exploring new terrain.
Scarlet Tanagers - these birds have also had a population surge in eastern & central Ohio, and we seem to be reaping the benefits, with singers in many small woodlots around Columbus.
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