I made a quick visit to the Deer Creek Reservoir this afternoon. Unfortunately it turned out to be a crappy day with rain or drizzle the whole time I was there, so birding was limited. The water level is finally being let down there, and mudflats are beginning to appear at the north end near Pancoastburg. Some of the birds seen at the few vantage points I checked included  :

~75 Killdeers
~25 Greater Yellowlegs
~12 Lesser Yellowlegs
4 Dunlins
~60 Gr Blue Herons
3 Great Egrets
~450 Ring-billed Gulls
~50 Bonaparte's Gulls
~150 Am Coots
~10 Green-winged Teals
~10 Ruddy Ducks
~85 Tree Swallows

Water was still high in the wetlands area along Dick road. I spent some time looking for LeConte's and Nelson's ST Sparrows there, of course without any luck. If there is any spot in central Ohio where I think they probably would occur, that would be the place. Knee high boots (and more time on a nicer day) would be needed to really check the area properly. Sparrows were abundant throughout the whole Deer Creek area, but only the expected species were seen (all in good numbers). The massive Am Goldfinch flocks are gathering again in the sunflower fields. Deer Creek Reservoir/Wildlife Area/State Park is my favorite birding area during the late fall in central Ohio. I hope for a free day to get back there when the sun is shining before the season ends, but that never seems to happen.

Bob Royse


Robert Royse
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www.roysephotos.com

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