Today, my wife Denise and I, decided to walk at one of our old birding hotspots, a location we had not been to for many years; a seldom visited wetland area at Berlin Wildlife Area, in southeast Portage County. This site had always been good for Red-headed Woodpeckers, our visit today did not disappoint, there were plenty! We checked out the area from 2PM to 4PM, recording 34 species of birds, and seeing at least 10 adult and 22 juvenile Red-headed Woodpeckers. Some of the other interesting birds seen were: Green-winged Teal, Green Heron, Bald Eagle, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Great Horned Owl. Other than individual pairs here and there, this is the only Red-headed Woodpecker colony we know of in our area. Directions to this interesting birding destination are: from the intersection of US224 and SR225 go south 1.5 miles; or go north 1.4miles from the SR225 Bridge over Berlin Reservoir. There is a gravel parking lot on the east side of the road. Walk past the gate following the gravel access road  for a short ten minute walk to the large wetland on the right. Check out all the dead trees toward the back corner, watch for the white flashes when the Red-headed Woodpeckers fly, and also listen for their call. If you have time, continue along the gravel trail past the high tension tower with the Osprey nest on top, this was the first Osprey nest location at Berlin Reservoir. Then go past the end of the wetland a short distance and watch for a trail to the right into the woods. It will take you to another access to the Red-headed Woodpeckers. There are mushrooms in the woods everywhere right now. Take your spotting scope with you. Bob Lane / Mahoning County                                               
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