West Woods (Rte. 87, a couple of miles west of Rte 306, Geauga County
Metropark):

1 Red Crossbill - this wonderful bird was heard calling in the parking lot
at the Nature Center and finally located at the top of a tall evergreen.   It
flew off in a NNW direction and could not be refound.  The type of call  seemed
to be a location call, as though the bird were looking for other  crossbills
to join.  Unlike the very few other Red Crossbills seen or heard  during this
fantastic crossbill year, this individual was at a site that has  seen zero
White-winged Crossbills.

The feeders that can be viewed from within the Nature Center were full of
birds.  During the late morning, the ground was alive with Pine Siskins,
estimated at 60 individuals.  One Common Redpoll joined the siskins.

A return visit in mid-afternoon found only a handful of siskins.  On  the
other hand, the Redpoll situation had turned into a good-better-best  viewing.
One had a small dark red spot on the crown (good), a second  sported a bright
red spot on the crown (better), and the prize was a gorgeous  male with a
brilliant red spot on the crown and lovely raspberry flowing down  its throat and
chest (best).

Additionally, there was one Red-breasted Nuthatch and an interesting Hairy
Woodpecker with the red on the back of its head split into two large spots with
 a grey/black stripe between rather than the usual single splotch of red.
There were tons of normal feeder birds as well.

Suzanne Wagner, Mentor
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