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Date: | Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:20:38 EST |
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With an additional night of cold and with this morning's snow, the two holes
in the quarry lake adjoining the intersection of US 33 (Dublin Road) and the
exit ramp off of I-670 westbound are now down to one. The coot population
from yesterday appears to have dropped by half -- but they are now so tightly
bunched that they are really tough to count.
At one point yesterday, an estimated 150 (by count) Canada geese joined the
party -- but they were a bit too far away to scan the group for other goose
species with binocs.
This morning, the group was joined by a bald eagle -- probably the same bald
eagle that is at least semi resident along the Scioto and along Griggs
reservoir.
The eagle spent a good deal of time just standing along the margin of the
one remaining open hole. The coots did not seem bothered. At one point, the
eagle flew up around 15 feet and flew over to a neighboring group of gulls --
who decided that they needed to be elsewhere and scattered, flying off. The
eagle wheeled and settled back down alongside the same hole.
About 20 minutes later it flew up and then flew over the group of coots,
stooping for a good bit of time. The coots didn't fly, but bunched up into a
tight knot, splashing about in the process of getting closer. The eagle then
settled back down to its spot, then left the area about a half hour later.
When it settled back down, the coots opened up the knot a bit more.
Great behavioral demonstration -- different responses to a perceived threat.
And great views of the eagle -- a really nice treat on a snow-covered lake.
Howard Mueller
Columbus, OH
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
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