OHIO-BIRDS Archives

August 2011

OHIO-BIRDS@LISTSERV.MIAMIOH.EDU

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From:
rob thorn <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
rob thorn <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 5 Aug 2011 22:32:28 -0400
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I used a free morning to mop up some little-visited OBBA2 blocks along the Pickaway-Fairfield County border.  They roughly extended along St 188 through the 3 towns mentioned in the subject line, and mostly hit a gently rolling upland near the sources of Little Walnut Creek and Clear Creek.  The area is extensively farmed, so I wasn't expecting much, but was quite surprised by the diversity of birds even this late in the breeding season.  Unfortunately, the best birds were all past the Safe Dates, but that's how it sometimes happens in August.  Highlights included

Shorebirds - a brief stop at nearby Slate Run Wetlands netted Kildeer, Spotted, Solitary, & Pectoral Sandpipers.

Raptors - fledgling Red-tails were begging in several locations, and Kestrels were also present (though not as obliging with juveniles)

Yellow-billed Cuckoos - calling birds at both Turkey Run riparian (in Ringold) and Slate Run wetlands adds evidence that this species is having a good year.

Red-headed Woodpecker - an adult defending a lonely patch of forest near Cedar Hill had no obvious evidence of nesting.  Most other woodpeckers were hard to find in this woodlot-sparse area.

Flycatchers - surprisingly, Pewees, Acadians, Phoebes, and Great Cresteds were still feeding fledglings at this late date, proof that early August can be a great time for OBBA2 confirmations

Black&White Warbler - another male was lurking in a riparian strip, this one along Turkey Run north of Ringgold.

Blue Grosbeak - yet another was singing along the Turkey Run riparian strip north of Ringgold
Rose-br.Grosbeak - the other grosbeak was represented by a female in a woodlot near Cedar Hill

Grassland Birds - you would think that the fields would be swarming with these birds, but you would be wrong.  High commodity prices have tempted farmers to plant every acre this year, so the only spots to search for grassland birds are the pastures near horse & cattle farms.  The best one was along Dillon Rd between Ringold & Cedar Hill, where a large cloverfield held singing Savannah Sparrows, food-carrying Horned larks, and just-hanging-around Bobolinks.

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