I've had to head to western Licking County a few times in the past week and have brought my binoculars along for the ride. A few spots may be of interest to birders.

The egg farms north of Johnstown are always the most reliable place near Columbus to find Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings, and this year is no exception. From Johnstown head north on Croton Rd. to Westley Chapel Rd. (old DeLorme p.58 C-4) and drive around. I have been by there a few times now and Lapland Longspurs have been easily seen for a couple of weeks along Tagg Rd. between Westley Chapel and Roberts Roads where there are some cornfields and regularly spread manure. Today I finally saw a few Snow Buntings too, right along Westley Chapel Road picking at the salt or gravel on the road. There are also more egg farms on the east side of Croton Road (try Benner and Jacob White Roads) where Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs mixed with the Horned Larks can be found most years.  Now that there is some snow cover they're easier to find. Besides the manure spreads and salt on the road, they also congregate wherever there is spilled grain. This area isn't far from the N end of the Hoover Reservoir, but if you're coming from the S end to see the kittiwake, it's probably easiest to take 161 east then head NE on Rt. 62 to Johnstown. 

Also near Johnstown is the always pleasant Morris Woods State Nature Preserve on Dutch Lane Road about a mile east of Rt. 62.  Field Sparrows have been present in the fields near the parking lot for a few weeks. I was glad to see them still there today even though all the brush is covered with ice now.  Groups of Wild Turkeys can be easily found on back roads between Sprtsman Club and Dutch Lane Roads.

If anyone is still looking for vutlures for 2009, both Black and Turkey Vultures can't be missed by driving through Granville.

Bob Royse


Robert Royse
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www.roysephotos.com

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