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December 2008

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From:
Jim McCormac <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Jim McCormac <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:15:46 -0500
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Hi all,

I was out in the wilds of Jackson County today, helping with the Beaver
Christmas Bird Count. This is in southeast Ohio hill country, and the birds
that we found provide a stark contrast to the polar conditions being
reported by the Tundra-people of the extreme northern part of the state. The
weather was a relatively balmy low to mid 30's, with no snow and open water.

I haven't yet heard reports from any of the other parties, but compiler Tom
Bain will no doubt inform us if anything really great surfaced. My group's
highlights included two Eastern Phoebes, three Pine Warblers, and one
Chipping Sparrow. These half-hardy birds may well regret their decision to
tarry come the next few days, with Sunday night's low predicted to be 7
degrees. Three Black Vultures among nine Turkey Vultures was nice, as were
two Hermit Thrushes. A noteworthy contrast to last weekend's Columbus CBC,
where I found at least 245 American Robins gorging themselves on abundant
non-native bush honeysuckles, was only 16 robins. This in spite of covering
lots of ground - far more than on the Columbus count. But, non-native
honeysuckle is nearly nonexistent in the area of the Beaver CBC circle where
they deploy me.

On the way back to Columbus, I stopped to check the massive Conservation
Reserve Program fields near Charlie's Pond in Pickaway County, just south of
Circleville. This is the area where the Black Rail delighted scores last
summer. I've got a map and photos of this area from a past blog right here:
http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2008/06/black-rail.html

This impressive thousand-acre stand of Indian grass and other natives is an
outstanding example of what can be done to reclaim former prairies. If you
haven't visited this locale and get the chance, do it. Tonight, shortly
before dark, over a dozen Northern Harriers were coursing about, and at
least two Short-eared Owls were putting on a show. One of these odd
anti-social barking owls with the moth-like flight landed close by and
allowed me decent shots as he sat on a stop sign. Unfortunately, the only
Rough-legged Hawk that I saw was a beautiful light-morph bird lying dead at
the base of a power pole, the apparent victim of electrocution. Finally,
incredible was the number of Ring-necked Pheasants! I counted 36 at one time
in one spot, and saw over 50 all told, and this was just in a 20 minute
visit.

For a neat birding trip, park yourself somewhere near the intersection of
Radcliff and River roads late in the afternoon, and watch the raptor and
pheasant show. The latter come out into the corn and bean stubble fields
just to the north of the tall prairie grasses towards dusk and put on a
spectacle. I know, they aren't native here, but these spectacular pheasants
are probably in part what inspired the planting of all this magnificent
grassland and many other similar areas, which in turn provides outstanding
raptor habitat and breeding sites for Bobolinks, Dickcissels, Henslow's
Sparrows, etc. Besides, few sights are grander than a rooster ring-neck
strutting his stuff, and there's plenty of that to be seen here.

I'll toss some photos of most of these birds up on my blog later - address
below in the signature line - should you like to take a gander.

Jim McCormac



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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