Saturday started with some birders from California - we visited the Dundee fields just east of Ohio Rt. 93, south of U.S. 250 in Tuscarawas County. Good looks at Henslow's, Grasshopper, Bobolink, Prairie and Blue-winged Warblers.
Next stop was Sugarcreek where we picked up Ed and Leroy Schlabach and two of Ed's children, drove to nearby Ragersville, stopping to see a soaring Broad-winged Hawk, and then had good looks and photos of an Alder Flycatcher, singing on territory.
Leaving our California friends to head back to Wooster, the rest of us took as straight line as possible to Logan to look for Mississippit Kites. At around 3 pm we arrived at the golf course (good directions, but it is only one-fifth of a mile from the Rt 33 exit to the golf course entrance where you immediately turn right.(as posted). There we met Jay Lehman and in less than 10 minutes, Leroy found one Mississippi Kite, soaring high and quite far away. We watched it in the scope for several minutes. Five minutes later, it or a second bird appeared in the same general area but much closer. We watched this kite show off a bit and dive at a local Red-shouldered Hawk. There was also at least one Broad-wing and a couple Red-tails in the same area. All of this was looking south across the golf course and in a "gap" in the trees in the distance. So, if you go after these birds be sure to check even distant soaring specks, especially to the south. We didn't explore options of
roads that might offer views to the south of the golf course.
Having so much daylight left made it easy to decide to head west for the E-c Doves. We arrived at Fort Jefferson at 6 pm and spent an hour searching the entire area, talking to the two neigbors on the north side of the intersection (neither one knew what was going on but said they had been hearing this strange dove song for quite awhile - a month or more?). There was a light drizzle at times but no sign or sound of the famous doves. There were many Mourning Doves. We decided to leave at 7:15, Leroy stating that we probably would see the bird as we left town. Sure enough, the target bird was on a low pole just east of the intersection as we were heading for home. It sang rather persistantly for a minute or so. After about 5 minutes the bird flew east along Weaver-Fort Jefferson Road (maybe 3/10 of a mile) landing on another pole where there was a second E-c Dove. Both birds then flew northwest across the big field, landing in a fencerow (which would be 100-200 yards east
of Rt. 121, north of the intersection). I guess these birds are moving around although they obviously come back to the intersection to reward die-hard birders.. It will be interesting to see what develops with this situation.
Then it was grab a bite to eat, gas up, and drive back to Sugarcreek and Millersburg. Miles for the day - 550. Hours birding and driving - 16. New state birds - 2 (first time that has happened for us in many years)...Thanks to each person who gave directions, found the birds, made the postings, etc. Give us a call when you come to Holmes County..
Bruce
Bruce
Bruce Glick
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Millersburg, Ohio
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