I grew up in Massachusetts and my wife grew up in Maryland, so we're used to
seeing mockingbirds all the time when we visit our familes.  I hardly
ever see them
here, though, so I was surprised today to see one in the grassy area
near the Q's
parking garage in downtown Cleveland.   It was eating berries from the
trees and
looking around on the ground for food.   I saw it on my way to lunch,
and it was
still there about 45 minutes later when I returned.   Was there a time
when they
were more common in Ohio, or are they primarily coastal birds?

Also, I didn't post about it at the time, but while out running Saturday night
I saw a screech owl in Lakewood, on Nicholson Ave, between Detroit and
Clifton.  It let me watch it for about ten minutes, quite close.   It was the
best view I'd ever had of an owl, even without binoculars.  It was dark, of
course, but the street was lit and when cars came down the street I got
a very nice view of it.   After all of the time I've spent looking for owls in
the woods, it was quite a surprise to see one on a populated residential
street.

Still no horned larks or snow buntings this winter, though.  Has anyone seen
them in Cuyahoga or Lorain County?

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