Black Swamp Bird Observatory/Ohio Young Birders Club Winter Blues Blowout

Killdeer Plains & Big Island Wildlife Areas

Saturday, February 12, 2011



A hardy crowd of nearly 50 Black Swamp Bird Observatory and Ohio Young
Birders Club members shrugged of the winter blues by making the annual
February trek to Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area (KPWA)! The weather was great
with sunshine for most of the day and temperatures hovering around freezing.
The BSBO Bird Bus led a large caravan around Killdeer Plains for the
morning. We had good looks at Bald Eagles on a nest, Northern Harriers, and
Rough-legged Hawks. Some of the group saw Red-tailed Hawk courtship with
talon locking and falling from the sky. Others were rewarded with close
views of a Rough-legged Hawk devouring a small mammal.



Before lunch the group ventured to the "owl woods", but we were unsuccessful
at finding any owl sign. A Northern Mockingbird was spotted near the owl
woods parking area.



A potluck lunch was enjoyed by the masses, and not a hungry soul left the
Sportsman's Center. Many thanks go to the Ohio Division of Wildlife and Tim
Daniel for their support and allowing us to utilize the building for lunch.



In the afternoon, we explored the south side of KPWA and then headed to Big
Island Wildlife Area. Most of the group saw 14 Wild Turkey on TH 68 near
Washburn Road. Heading down to Big Island there were many Horned Larks along
the road, including a group of 7 that were synchronized preening on the
snow. At Big Island there were several Northern Harriers and three
Rough-legged Hawks viewed.



The sun was still shining as we ended the field trip at the Big Island WA
Platform on SR 95. A great day was had by all, despite not having any luck
locating owls.  Many life birds were located, especially for the Ohio Young
Birders Club members.



The Winter Blues Blowout is an annual event, and we hope you can make it
next year!



Here is the species list for the trip (35 Species):



Mallard (25 +)

Wild Turkey (14)

Great Blue Heron (1)

Bald Eagle (6+)

Northern Harrier (20 +)

Cooper's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk (8+)

Rough-legged Hawk (9 +)

American Kestrel (1)

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove (4+)

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker (5+)

Blue Jay

American Crow (12+)

Horned Lark

Black-capped Chickadee

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Eastern Bluebird (5+)

American Robin (1)

Northern Mockingbird (1)

European Starling

American Tree Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Snow Bunting

Northern Cardinal

Eastern Meadowlark (10+)

House Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow



Thanks,

KEN



Ken Keffer

Education Director

Black Swamp Bird Observatory
13551 West State Route 2
Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449
419-898-4070

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