This afternoon Medusa Marsh (
www.ohiobirds.org/birdingsites/showsite.php?Site_ID=17 ) contained an impressive  number of Northern Shovelers - at
least 143.  There were also many Ruddy  Ducks - at least 80.  Another nice
surprise was a Horned Grebe.  Also  present were Gadwall, Black Duck, Mallard,
Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal,  one Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser
Scaup, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser,  Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, one
Belted Kingfisher, and Bonaparte's  Gull.  A pair of Trumpeter Swan were on
the main impoundment and a Mute  Swan was in a smaller impoundment near the
western edge of the marsh.  Many  tree swallows were feeding low over the
water.  It's nice to have them  back.

Phragmites now covers much of the roadside edge of the impoundment, making
viewing the area more difficult than it had been a few years ago.  Law
enforcement has been tolerant of birders pulling off the road, but do be
cautious of fast moving traffic and do not trespass on this private  property.
In the nearby town of Bay View, the old bridge abutment (which  had been
closed for the winter) is often another good place to observe waterfowl  but
today all I saw were a few Ruddy Ducks and one male Red-breasted Merganser
actively courting three females.

Sheryl Young
Sandusky

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