- RBA 
* Ohio 
* Statewide 
* February 15, 2010
* OHST1002.15

- Species Mentioned (Caps denote a review list species):

Long-tailed Duck
NORTHERN GANNET
Golden Eagle
Merlin
Least Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
Iceland Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Glaucous Gull
Long-eared Owl
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Cape May Warbler
“Gambel’s” White-crowned Sparrow
Indigo Bunting

- Transcript

This is the Ohio Rare Bird Report for February 15, 2010.  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

Long-tailed Duck: A nice mid-winter surprise was one along the Ohio River seen from Bellesville Lock & Dam, Meigs Co. 11 Feb (Barb Hohman, et al). 

NORTHERN GANNET: On 6 Feb, Mike Miller of New Bedford spotted “a large seabird flying - white with long-pointed wings, and the bird was close enough that he even saw the tan coloring on the head” - the makings of an adult Northern Gannet. He was traveling along SR 651 near New Bedford. (fide Bobolink Area RBA). If this sighting mirrors similar inland gannet occurrences, area birders should keep their heads up, as the bird may continue to wander this general area; most inland birds don’t last long before they perish, or are taken into rehabilitation. 

Golden Eagle: A cooperative juv. treated Matt Carity, Heather Chute, and John Kuenzli at Killdeer Plains WA 15 Feb. - the first reported from this locale this winter.

Merlin: The ultra-cooperative male at Greenlawn Cemetery, Franklin Co. was found around the chapel building 13 Feb (Cheryl Harner, Gabe Leidy, Jim McCormac, Bob Placier). A field trip 13 Feb located the Lakeview Cemetery resident (Cole DiFabio, et al).

Least Sandpiper: The bird continues at Hamilton Riverside Natural Area, Butler Co. 14 Feb (Mike & Jack Busam, Charlie Saunders). Look for it on the gravel bar in the river.

Wilson’s Snipe: John Habig spotted one crouched in the ditch “along SR 123 in Warren County midway between Lebanon and Red Lion. The bird was feeding on the east side of SR 123 about 150 feet south of Kirby Road. This is about 1.5 miles south of Red Lion.”

Iceland Gull: A bare minimum four were noted at E. 72nd St. 14 Feb: 1st & 2nd-cycle birds, and two adults (Gabe Leidy, John Pogacnik). Also, a first-cycle was photographed in the Dayton-area recently (fide Rick Asamoto, Troy Shively).

Thayer’s Gull: The least common of our “white-winged” species, both 2nd-cycle and adult birds were well-studied 14 Feb at E. 72nd St. (Gabe Leidy, John Pogacnik).

Glaucous Gull: At least five were tallied at E. 72nd St., Cuyahoga Co. 14 Feb - where gulling is finally starting to pick up pace (Gabe Leidy, John Pogacnik).

Long-eared Owl: Up to two were in the legitimate “Owl Grove” at Killdeer Plains 13 Feb (Bob Baran, Dave Collopy, Shane Egleston, John Habig). A President’s Day visit yielded four owls for Matt Carity, Heather Chute, and John Kuenzli - two outside of, and two within, the grove.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: A Mountwood Bird Club venture along the Ohio River between Belpre and Reedsville found one of these hyperactive sprites (Barb Hohman, et al).

Cape May Warbler: The Hocking Co. bird continues to tough it out - present through at least 11 Feb (Jim Fry). 

“Gambel’s” White-crowned Sparrow: Two more reports emerged this week, of feeder birds from the northeast (Greg Cudworth, Judy Semroc). Careful study and photo documentation of close-range feeder birds will continue to aid our understanding of the subspecies’ winter distribution.

Indigo Bunting: Another feeder male has come to our attention, wonderfully photo-documented by Yvonne Surfronko in the southeast quadrant of the state (no specific locale given).

-End transcript

Gabe Leidy
Cleveland, OH




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