Hi all,

About 40 of us had a great field trip to Killdeer Plains today, sponsored by
Great Mohican Audubon, Greater Akron Audubon, and the Ohio Ornithological
Society. Kudos to Cheryl Harner and Marc Nolls for orchestrating an
excellent day, and to the Division of Wildlife for allowing us the use of
the Sportsmen's Center.

Early avian signs of spring were obvious today; surefire indicators that
spring is just around the corner. We had a number of Killdeer passing over,
and scattered flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, and a few Rusty Blackbirds as
well. Killdeer Plains is teeming with waterfowl trying to push their way on
north, and among the masses of Canada Geese we found nine Greater
White-fronted Geese. Thirty or so Tundra Swans were also seen, as were a
smattering of Ring-necked Ducks and Lesser Scaup, as well as a Canvasback
and a few American Wigeon. That earliest of dabbler migrants, Northern
Pintail, was present in good numbers. Mallards and American Black Ducks were
plentiful.

The place was thick with Northern Harriers; I estimated that perhaps 25 were
seen. Smaller numbers of Rough-legged Hawks are also there; maybe three dark
morphs and a few light morphs. We must have left before the Short-eared Owls
became active, but Warren Uxley reports at least a dozen were hunting the
fields at dusk last evening. Four or five Bald Eagles were also observed.

At least a dozen Lapland Longspurs were along Washburn Road, and 150-200
Snow Buntings whirled in briefly, making for quite a show.

Very nice were four cooperative Long-eared Owls in a pine grove. Better yet,
thanks to the sharp eyes of Marty Dermody, we were able to spot the owls
some distance off, and everyone could admire them from afar without
agitating or flushing the birds.

Killdeer is quite birdy now, and worth a visit. Pick through all those
honkers for Greater White-fronted Geese, and Cackling Geese, too.

Jim

Jim McCormac

Columbus, Ohio

Like nature? Visit my blog: http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/

Like birds? Join the Ohio Ornithological Society: http://www.ohiobirds.org






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