Today is the first day this year, that we have seen the Cliff Swallows at three of their traditional nesting areas at the northeast end of Berlin Lake. They were not present on Easter Sunday, last weekend. By the small numbers, it appears that these are probably the first to return. They are already claiming what remains of last seasons globular nests. Less work and nest building for the early arrivals; little faces already looking out of, in need of repair, nest entrance holes. Jeff Harvey, leading a group on on a walk this morning along The Berlin Lake Trail, located the first returnees at the old railroad bridge in Portage County. Tonight, we had Cliff Swallows at the US224 Causeway Bridge in Mahoning County, and also at the Berlin Lake Dam off of Bonner Road on the Portage~Mahoning County Line. Waterfowl in the lake above the dam tonight were: Common Loon, American Black Duck, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, and Double-crested Cormorant. A new, occupied Bald Eagle nest, is nearby! There are now at least seven active Osprey nests ln the 8518 acre Berlin Lake Wildlife Area.
 
Bob and Denise Lane / Damascus~Mahoning County

                                          
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