Hi all,

          Today I had the chance to bird Oak Openings, Maumee Bay, Ottawa NWR, Huron Pier and some back roads. Since most of those places are pretty well covered I guess I'll just talk about Ottawa.  Spent a few hours and walked the main dike out to the mouth of Crane Creek.  Waterfowl and raptor numbers were impressive on the way out. Quick run down of birds in the impoundments.
    Gadwall - dominant duck species (350-400)
    American Wigeon- close second for numbers as far as ducks
    American Black Duck - 130
    Mallard - 60
    Northern Pintail - 15
    American Coot - 100
    Wood Duck - 35
    Tundra Swan - 175
      Out at the river mouth the highlight was a ROSS' GOOSE.
  The Ross' was mixed in with 33 Snow Geese 30 of which were Blue morph. Also present were 270 Tundra Swans .

  Raptors seen out  and about were
    Bald Eagle - 5
    Red-tailed Hawk - 3
    Cooper's Hawk - 2
    Northern Harrier - 8+

    On the way back, I was nearly at the parking lot when I saw a distant swallow coming in from the North-east.  A single CAVE SWALLOW came in low. It circled around the impoundment closest to the parking lot (to the NW) making several low passes of the more open water before continuing west ( Maybe to Lake Erie Metropark or Moullie). Several of us tried to relocate the bird, but in typical fashion it appears to have booked.

     At Huron I was amazed when Ben Morrison told me he had also had a Cave Swallow. Even more interesting, it appears the bird may have gone to roost in a crumbling pylon along the breakwall. So for those interested it might be worth arriving at dawn to see if the bird emerges - there are some very suitable looking crevices. On a last note - the Huron Gull spectacle is something you don't want to miss. The numbers are staggering, the Little Gull flew in within 10 feet of me and the Sabine's came nearly as close. With the thousands of Bonapartes and Ring-billed Gulls it would be very worthwhile for someone to spend a day picking through all of the birds - if I could I would.  It was a rather fantastic day of Ohio birding.

  Good Birding,

  Phil Chaon




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