For those in Southern Ohio, periodical cicadas are starting to emerge.
 Gene Kritsky's website at
http://inside.msj.edu/academics/faculty/kritskg/cicada/Site/Cicada_home.html
has a map of emergences.  After the rain, I figure they will pick up.
The website also has daily soil temperatures.

In the upcoming weeks, one should be on the lookout for kites.  Since
the range for Mississippi Kites appears to be expanding, chances are
good that some should be found soon.  During the emergence of Brood X
in 2004, 4 kites were observed in SW Ohio (1 swallowtail, the rest
Miss.)  I have learned to bird conditions (weather, biological, etc.)
to find rarities - with somewhat success.

Also, this emergence coincides with the OBBA II.  One could get a lot
of confirmed "CF" observations.  Doing some reading on the subject, it
seems that the Cuckoos are benefited the most from the cicadas.  An
interesting study on periodical cicadas and effects on birds is at:

http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3710&context=postprints




-------------
Don Morse Jr
http://donaldthebirder.blogspot.com/ - my blog

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