Thanks Jen for posting this very important reminder!
Mary L. Warren
Wildlife Communications Specialist
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
13229 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449
419-898-0960 #31
FAX: 419-898-4017
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Keep the WILD in Ohio, learn how you can help @ wildohiostamp.com
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in
order."
John Burroughs
-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
jen brumfield
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 1:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: COLISEUM NESTING BIRDS
Greetings all -
A quick note/suggestion about birding the Richfield Coliseum grasslands.
The grassland is a SENSITIVE BREEDING BIRD area, and as it goes with
ground-nesting species, walking through a large open field this time of
the year puts well-camouflaged sparrow, Bobolink, blackbird, and
meadowlark nests/young in immediate danger and causes adults to waste
energy in warding off predators/threats (us). Should you desire to view
the excellent species (Bobolink, Henslow's and Savannah Sparrows,
Eastern Meadowlark) at the Richfield Coliseum (Cuyahoga Valley National
Park property), there is a recommended way of going about accessing the
grassland to seriously limit foot traffic and disturbance. I would
strongly suggest limiting your presence there, and keep in mind that the
majority of the birds (Bobolink in particular) can be enjoyed from very
near the roadside. Park in the designated "IBA" parking spot or in one
of the large gravel pulloffs along Route 303. Instead of walking
straight out into the tall grass, walk north along the slight ridge that
is vegetated with brush and trees. This mini "hill," with trees and
shrubs, creates a sort of "peninsula" that sticks out into the
grassland. Hugging this small, sparse treeline as you walk, instead of
wandering around the grassland, ensures that you're respecting these
uncommon birds' habitat/nests/success.
best of birding - Jen
Jen Brumfield
[log in to unmask]
Cleveland, Ohio
330-701-6452
> Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:49:52 -0400
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [Ohio-birds] CVNPCVNP - Colosseum Field - Bobolinks,
> Meadowlarks, Sparrows
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Thanks to Craig Caldwell for advice about when to go.
>
> I stopped by this large field at about 9 am. I walked through three
> groups of bobolinks with at least 10 males in each group:
>
> - One was in the SW corner of the field not too far from the road.
> - One was in the NWW area of the field.
> - One was pretty much in the center of the field.
>
> It was wonderful to walk slowly by or stand there and have the bird
> fly around bubbling. Some of them had a beak full of insects.
>
> I did see four meadowlarks. They were scattered throughout the area.
>
> I also saw two sparrows that could have been Savannah Sparrows. I
> don't know my sparrows. But, from looking online and in a field guide,
> I can say that I did clearly see a yellow eye brow on these birds.
> And, the birds were much smaller than the female bobolinks in the
> area. The two sparrows were in the N Central park of the field just to
> the NW of a fenced-in area.
>
> (You might want to wear light gaiters or something to cover your
> shoes. I had to empty a lot of grass seeds out of my shoes when I was
> finished walking.)
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
>
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______________________________________________________________________
Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional
discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.
You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]
______________________________________________________________________
Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.
You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]
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