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January 2008

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From:
Howard Mueller <[log in to unmask]>
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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



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