Did a little cold weather birding today with the target species being staked-out year birds for Liz and I both east and west of our home in North Olmsted.  Three Long-eared Owls were observed around noon in Caley Reservation (Lorain County Metroparks) just south of Oberlin.  We had some intermittent sunshine that afforded nice looks of their distinctive plumage.  Only other birds seen in the reservation were a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches.

We scooted down to Wellington Reservoir to check out the waterfowl and found several species, mostly at the west end and difficult to see from the parking lot.  Among the throngs of Canada Geese and American Coots were several dozen Ring-necked Ducks, Mallards, several Ruddy Ducks, a pair of Bufflehead, a couple Gadwall, and a single Canvasback.  One or two Pied-billed Grebes were also seen.  I'm certain there were missed birds here but the cold and wind made it difficult for lengthy viewing.

En route to these two locations, we also had a single American Kestrel, a single Northern Harrier and a single Horned Lark.

We ended our afternoon at around 2:30pm south of Cleveland at Calvary Cemetery where we found one of the wintering Merlins.  It allowed beautiful looks while perching in a tree just off the road in Section 85.  This was a much sought-after lifer for Liz who dipped on this species several times last year at Big Met GC in the Metroparks.  We drove the cemetery for about 30 minutes but did not find any of the other Merlins.

Good birding.

Tim and Liz Colborn

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