- RBA 
* Ohio 
* Statewide 
* July 2, 2009
* OHST0907.02

- Species Mentioned (Caps denote a review list species)

American White Pelican
BROWN PELICAN
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret
WHITE-FACED IBIS
MISSISSIPPI KITE
King Rail
Upland Sandpiper
Black Tern
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE
WHITE-WINGED DOVE
Barn Owl
COMMON RAVEN
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird

- Transcript

This is the Ohio Rare Bird Report for July 2, 2009. 
Compiler: Gabe Leidy. Email: [log in to unmask]
 
Species in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS ARE REVIEW LIST SPECIES. Details of these sightings are desired by the Ohio Bird Records Committee. Careful observation, not ornithological expertise, is the only qualification for submitting your data. For details and pointers see: http://www.ohiobirds.org/records/documentation.php

American White Pelican:  On 25 June, 12 were reported at Clay’s Park Resort near Canal Fulton in Stark Co, fide Dan Kramer.  The number of birds quickly escalated to 21 later that afternoon (Jack Perry) and a whopping 28 the following day (Gabe Leidy, Su Snyder).  Reports quickly died off, with only nine reported later that day (Renee Tressler).  It is possible that there are still birds present here.  See http://CLAYSPARK.COM/09-directions.html for directions, or perhaps call ahead to 330-854-6691 to see if they‘ve been sighted.  Dane Adams photographed two off the beach at Magee Marsh WA 21 June.  

BROWN PELICAN:  John Pogacnik relayed a report that one was found by Jim Smallwood in Fairport Harbor on the 2nd.  Shortly thereafter, John and multiple other observers were able to view the bird sitting along the banks of the Grand River and later perching on top of one of the large gravel piles here.  After 8 PM, Emil Bacik and Jerry Talkington watched the bird leave this perch and head west out of sight over Headlands Beach SP, and it was not relocated this evening.  This confirmed record came of the heels of three separate unconfirmed reports from Berlin Reservoir and another mention of a bird near Marblehead back in May.  To reach Fairport Harbor, Take Rt. 2 to the Fairport Harbor/Richmond Street exit and go north to the light at the Richmond Street/Rt. 283 intersection. Proceed north (straight) for about 1/4 mile to High Street. Turn right on High Street and proceed to the harbor.  However, this weekend marks the Mardi Gras festival in Fairport, so
 it’s possible that some of these roads may be closed for parades or difficult to pass.  If still in the area, viewing the bird from the Coast Guard beach or breakwall at Headlands Beach SP may be other options.

American Bittern:  While exploring Metzger Marsh via fishing boat, Brian Zwiebel observed three on the 21st and another on the 23rd.

Least Bittern:  Bill Osborne reports a calling bird along Wyoga Lake Rd. in Summit Co.  Wyoga Lake Rd is located on the border of Cuyahoga Falls and Stow. The cattail marsh is on the West side of Wyoga Lake Rd. It is located South of Steels Corners Rd about 1/10th of mile or North of Graham Rd 1.1 miles.  Bob Powell observed one on 30 June at Spring Valley WA with one of his ornithology students.

Little Blue Heron:  John Pogacnik observed one flying over farm country in Geauga Co. on the 28th.

Cattle Egret:  One was observed along Park Colony Rd., in Reno Beach on 21 June. It was in the first field on the right going North. 

WHITE-FACED IBIS:  On the 29th, Rebecca Hinkle discovered a bird along the entrance road at Ottawa NWR, feeding in a small pool just southeast of the visitors center.  It was seen through the 30th at this location, and on 1 July out along the dikes at Ottawa, in Pool 2A (Sherrie Durris).  

MISSISSIPPI KITE:  Bill Whan reports that one of the Brass Ring Golf Club birds was reliably observed on the 17th.  Additionally, while visiting the Cincinnati Zoo with his family on the 30th, Troy Shively photographed one overhead!

King Rail:  One was heard along Clark Rd in Killbuck Marsh WA on the 27th (Emil Bacik, Gabe Leidy).  This was at the large marsh just west and north of the small bridge.  

Upland Sandpiper:  Doug Overacker discovered Uppies at yet another locale while atlasing.  He observed three birds in Madison county along State Route 41 at Harold Road and near the DTI railroad tracks. This is about a mile north of South Solon and 3 or 4 miles south of South Charleston.  They were hanging around a soybean field east of SR 41 and north of Harold Rd, with the best viewing from Harold Rd.  On the 28th, Rob & Sandy Harlan observed four birds at the Harrison Co. spot - along the access road next to the ODNR's Mine Safety Training Center along Industrial Park Drive, south of Cadiz

Black Tern:  Bruce Glick observed one at a farm pond two miles northeast of Walnut Creek on the 23rd.  Brian Zwiebel saw at least two while exploring Metzger Marsh by fishing boat on the 21st. 

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE:  Sightings have popped up and here and there in the Holmes Co. area throughout the past month or so, however, it seems like the most reliable of these birds has been present along Township Road 629, near TR 652.  The bird likes to perch in the dead trees in front of the first farmhouse just west of TR 652.  After a 20-minute wait or so, it flew in for Emil Bacik and I on the 27th.

WHITE-WINGED DOVE:  A bird showed up a farm in Sugarcreek, Holmes Co on 25 June and was heard again the next morning, but not subsequently relocated (fide Robert Hershberger).

Barn Owl:  One was observed on private property in Brown Co (John Troyer Jr).

Bell’s Vireo:  The pair at Kilby Rd. gravel pits near Cincinnati were reported yesterday by Brian Wulker.

COMMON RAVEN:  While observing Upland Sandpipers in Harrison Co on the 28th, Rob & Sandy Harlan heard a raven call, and looked up to see a group of four heading east.  This was on the access road next to the ODNR's Mine Safety Training Center along Industrial Park Drive, south of Cadiz

Western Meadowlark:  Troy Shively, fide Bill Whan, reports a singing Western Meadowlark about 1/2 mi east of the town of Jacksonburg in Butler Co on 1 July (old Delorme 64:D3/4 (about where the "a' of Jacksonburg appears in the map, on Oxford-Middletown Road (looks like it's Rte. 744 but it is not): N 39.53874, W 084.50661. It was in a mowed 8-10 acre field surrounded by a white picket fence.

Yellow-headed Blackbird:  Birds continue at Metzger Marsh where Brian Zwiebel had 2-3 via fishing boat on the 21st.  A pair were viewed on the monthly auto tour at Ottawa NWR by Ken Beers.  For future reference for next month’s tour, here’s the location: We saw the birds from the location of the two cottonwood trees right at the auto tour stop 7 sign (north side of Moist Soil Unit 3, about .5 mile from the final left turn). The birds were periodically flying up from a spot just to the right of straight out from the two trees, and about 20 yards back into the cattails.  

- End transcript

Gabe Leidy
Cleveland, OH




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