Greetings all - 
A well-highlighted local birding workshop today in Lorain County wracked up an excellent 86 species for the day between Lorain Harbor impoundment mudflats, the Bridgeview Trail bike path, Sandy Ridge Reservation, and Margaret Peak Preserve. Highlights were many, with top rarities of: LARK SPARROW, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, and DICKCISSEL. 

Lorain Harbor mudflats (behind the Spitzer Marina) held 6 species of swallows and 8 species of waterfowl, including American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck and Gadwall. Two DUNLIN and a Black-crowned Night-Heron were a surprise. 
A pair of LARK SPARROWS, originally found by *Sally Deems-Mogyordy* in late May at the Bridgeview Trail bikepath off of Route 611, was seen again today after successfully nesting and raising three young. Sally originally located the Lark Sparrow pair on a routine walk through this property - originally owned by a steel mill - watched the birds copulating, and returned in early June to document their continued presence at the site. The sparrows nested just off of the path, were observed with three young on the nest, and the young fledged earlier this week. A brilliant find by Sally. This Lark Sparrow pair represents one of the farthest NE records for the species, in Ohio, in 50+ years, I believe. Today, the adult Lark Sparrows were observed well; one of the adults for an extended period of time as it sat on a trailside fence, with a caterpillar hanging from its bill. Bridgeview Trail is easily accessed off of Route 611/Colorado Avenue. Go south on Lakebreeze Road, and you will easily find the large gravel parking lot for the trail. Take the trail from the parking lot, hang a LEFT, go over the massive bridge, and once you enter the wide-open, reclaimed mill area, begin looking on the east (left) side of the trail. The pair was observed about a quarter mile south of the bridge. 
Sandy Ridge Reservation held the single American White Pelican as was reported by Michael Stetz yesterday. Additional highlights included Sandhill Crane (2) and Blue-winged Teal. It appears that Red-headed Woodpecker and Prothonotary Warbler are absent from this location this year as breeders. 
Margaret Peak Preserve was hot at 3 pm, but made for an ultimate grand finale, in the way of point-blank looks at GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, and the big highlight: a singing male DICKCISSEL observed very well for an extended period of time. Multiple Horned Larks, Savannah Sparrows, and an Orchard Oriole were additional highlights. 

Best of birding, and thanks again to Sally Deems-Mogyordy for a BRILLIANT find of the Lark Sparrow pair (now, family) at Bridgeview Trail. 
best of birding - Jen


Jen Brumfield 
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Cleveland, Ohio
330-701-6452
                                          
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