Spent some time at Pickerel Creek WA, this morning, covering most parts of the 
refuge.  To and from the wildlife area, there were 2-3 Cattle Egrets along US-6, 
just west of Walnut Street, near the large red barn.  Two grazed north of 6 in 
the morning, and three on the south side around 12:20 PM.  Also noteworthy were 
the abundance of Dicksissels in these parts.  This species is certainly on the 
upswing in the north this year, finally occupying fields which looked suitable 
for the past couple years.  I counted 15 birds in the Pickerel area - including 
five on TR 216, and five more on TR 253 just east of TR 216.  Finally, a 
Semipalmated Sandpiper occupied mudflats in the northern reaches of the wildife 
area - a bit puzzling until the bird began hopping around sporting one obviously 
gimped foot.  Good numbers of breeding Pied-billed Grebes, moorhens, and Orchard 
Orioles (ridiculously common in this region these days) were noted, and a Great 
Horned Owl hooting mid-morning was neat.  A single Snowy Egret joined other 
waders.

Good birding -
Gabe Leidy
Sheffield Lake

______________________________________________________________________

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]