Wonderful mixed flocks for a few hours at Clear Creek. Started well at the cabin pullout near the entrance. At least 4 if not 6 Red-breasted Nuthatches in a noisy group heralding a brief but exciting mixed warbler flock: Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Tennessee, American Redstart, Wilson's, Orange-crowned, Hooded and the real prize for me, a drop-dead gorgeous male Black-throated Blue 8 feet in front of me at eye-level (with a luscious caterpillar hanging from his bill). There were also White-eyed, Red-eyed & Blue-headed Vireos, E Phoebe, Swainson's Thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and a calling Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I know I missed some as it was v busy for about 15 minutes, then poof, they were gone. Later in the morning, a female Blue-headed Grosbeak was seen briefly.

At the first picnic area (Creekside), I ran into some birders from Columbus and we had productive birding for quite awhile. Many of the same species mentioned above w/a few more Orange-crowneds & RB Nuts noted. Added Blackpoll, poss Bay-breasted and Blackburnian. Also picked up Philadelphia Vireo.

Butterflies were a bit scarce: Black Swallowtail, E Tiger ST, Great Spangled Fritillary, American Lady, Com-Chkrd Skipper, Silver-spotted Skipper, lots of Pearl Crescents, Com Buckeyes and Clouded Suphurs.

Peggy Wang
Lancaster, OH

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