Greetings birders - 

As mentioned by Greg Miller and others, the strong prevailing west and west/northwest winds today, associated with the front, offer the intrepid birder a chance for lakewatching. The possibility of observing a fair to strong movement of terns, gulls and shorebirds as well as much-wanted rarities is high. Rough birding conditions (rain/high wind) are an issue but the reward can be great. Long-tailed Jaeger is a very real possibility, although exceedingly rare. LT Jaeger moves through the Great Lakes region in small numbers from late August through September, and it relies on these strong W/NW winds to carry it eastbound. Realistically, one could witness the year's first movement of Common Terns and Bonaparte's Gulls, and perhaps have some shorebirds moving eastward along the lake. Certainly the regular sightings on a day such as this would be Ring-billed and Herring Gulls, Caspian Terns, and Double-crested Cormorants cruising along the lake. Oftentimes, Ohio birders don't begin lakewatching until October and November, so if you want to venture out and take part in deciphering September 'seabirding' in Ohio, than cheers to you. Greg did a fantastic job of outlining some of the rarer bird species that could be "blown in" with the front. Keen and patient birders, making a full morning of observation, armed with a steady scope (and warm clothes) may want to post up at these key locations for lakewatching: 

Avon Lake Powerplant, Avon
Rocky River Park, Rocky RiverLakewood Park, Lakewood

Edgewater State Park in Cleveland
Kenneth J. Sim’s Park in Euclid
Sunset Park in Willoughby
Mentor Beach Park, Mentor
Headland’s Beach State Park, Mentor
Painesville Township Park, Painesville
Madison Township Park, North Madison
While the weather isn't optimal for "pleasant" birding, as it often goes, some of the rarer species can only be found by going out into it. 

You can be sure that several NE OH birders will be out at some of these spots today. We'll let you know how it goes. See you out there...

Best of birding - 
Jen







Jen Brumfield 
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Cleveland, Ohio
330-701-6452

Bird Illustrator / www.jenbrumfield.com

Birding Tour Guide (Ohio), Local Patch Birding / www.jenbrumfield.com
Birding Tour Guide (worldwide), Tropical Birding / www.tropicalbirding.com
Outdoor Education Specialist/Artist, Cleveland Metroparks / www.clemetparks.com
Nikon Birding Optics ProStaff / www.nikonusa.com





                                          
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