Monday  Al LaSala and I visited Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve in 
Licking County.  This is a wonderful area to bird or just visit. My favorite 
trail is the Marie  Hickey Trail which is on the north side of the Licking 
River. The entrance is  off Rockhaven Road. We began on the east trail 
entrance which goes along an area  of field with flora that is attractive to 
numerous species. We were immediately  greeted by White-eyed Vireos calling from 
either side of the trail. Soon they  were joined by Blue-winged and Prairie 
Warblers. The day got better as it went  along. We worked our way around the 
trail adding Northern Parula , Louisiana  Waterthrush , American Redstarts, 
, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat,  Black & White, Black-throated 
Green, Yellow , Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided,  Yellow-rumped, and Cerulean 
Warblers.  Both Scarlet and Summer Tanagers were in good numbers, two Barred 
Owls  and a Red-shouldered Hawk. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo played tease with us 
calling  from a low tree line but not coming out into where we could view 
it. After  breaking for lunch we worked the Blackhand Trail and the Quarry 
Rim Trail on the  south side of the river. Activity was continuous during the 
early afternoon as  we worked the river edge, adding Magnolia, 
Yellow-throated, and Bay-breasted  Warblers, Then along the Quarry Rim Trail we suddenly 
encountered ground zero  for Hooded Warblers. It began when I phished with 
hopes of bringing in a Hooded  Warbler for Al to photograph. Instead of one 
Hooded Warbler, we had Hooded  Warblers everywhere we looked. A nice 
situation to get into. Several of the  previously seen warblers made reappearances 
and Ovenbirds joined in. Al spotted  a Great-crested Flycatcher and then the 
mate showed up. We watched them at their  chosen nest cavity. As we walked 
the last part of the trail back to the car a  White-eyed Vireo called, then 
got out shown by a Yellow-throated Vireo. Flitting  side-by-side  made their 
different  field marks obvious. A nice finish to the day. It’s always great 
to get out on a  day like Monday, especially when shared with friends.  
Charlie Bombaci

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