Today Bruce Simpson, Bill Kinkead and I checked the activity at Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, Upper Sandusky Reservoir and County Roads 112 & 29 in Wyandot County, then Big Island Wildlife Area in Marion County. We did okay but nothing over whelming. At Killdeer Plains WA the Upland Reservoir was mainly open water but had no birds on it. Pond 27 was frozen over and had lots of waterfowl standing on the ice. Go figure. Killdeer Plains continues to host many Bald Eagles. We tallied 26 for the day. At Washburn Road we encountered a flock of 140 Mourning Doves. They were on the road gathering grit rather than feeding. On County Road 67 we located a flock of 44 Tundra Swans, most of which were tucking their heads and settling down. But I think the biggest surprise, and not a pleasant one, was the condition of the pine grove off County Road 71. We parked in the parking area near the barn and walked back to the grove where we discovered major damage from the last wind storm. It appears that wind shear tore through the middle of the grove creating a huge open area in the middle. Something like 5 or 6 major pine trees were toppled and created an obstacle course we had to navigate. The damage this grove has sustained in the last several years has dramatically altered the habitat making it less desirable for Long-eared Owls. Hopefully we will still see these delightful winter visitors there.     

Wayne County Road 112 was quiet with only a few Horned Larks. Wayne County Road 29 had 4 Bald Eagles in the area where the old nest site is.

The Upper Sandusky Reservoir was unfrozen. Canada Geese and Mallards made up the majority of the birds. We also located a Horned Grebe, American Black Ducks, a Hooded Merganser hen and 4 Ruddy Ducks.

Big Island Wildlife Area was frozen over. Watching 2 Tundra Swans trying to take off from the ice was like a skit from the Comedy Club. We walked the levee where we located numerous American Tree Sparrows and two surprise birds, a Killdeer and a Wilson's Snipe. There also were Bald Eagles and Northern Harriers scattered about the area, but basically things were quiet.

Our species list included:
Horned Grebe (1)
Great Blue Heron (2)
Canada Goose (est 650)
Trumpeter Swan (2)
Tundra Swan (68)
American Black Duck (24)
Mallard (est 650)
Northern Pintail (5)
Hooded Merganser (1)
Ruddy Duck (5)
Bald Eagle (26)
Northern Harrier (19)
Red-tailed Hawk (21)
Rough-legged Hawk (1)
American Kestrel (25)
Killdeer (1)
Wilson's Snipe (1)
Ring-billed Gull (6)
Rock Pigeon (est 165)
Mourning Dove (est 200)
Barred Owl (1)
Red-headed Woodpecker (1)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (6)
Downy Woodpecker (3)
Northern Flicker (10)
Blue Jay (41)
American Crow (65)
Horned Lark (17)
American Robin (2)
European Starling (est 1,000) 
American Tree Sparrow (est 50-60)
Song Sparrow (2)
Northern Cardinal (15)
Red-winged Blackbird (est 40)
American Goldfinch (11)
House Sparrow (40)
  
Charlie Bombaci


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