Oct 13, 2012 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Blendon Woods Metro Park -- Goldenrod Loop, Franklin

Comments:     Patty and I arrived just before light at the nature center (a
Barred Owl calling closely as we left the car).  Overall, a very active
morning, although we only used the first loop of the goldenrod trail.
 Sunny, high clouds, chilly, calm.  Sparrows were common in the grass path
along the last leg of the loop and a good variety of warblers and other
small land birds were noted where ever the sun warmed an edge/margin or
weedy corner.  Still a good variety of warblers, although species other
than Myrtle were in ones and twos.  Highlights:  a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in
the grass/weeds/deciduous scrub on the grass path---it was alone, no other
sparrows/birds with it and was rather skittish but seen well (< 25 ft.)
after flushing into low shrubs, perching alertly and moving briskly from
one woody tangle to another.  Although seen well and closely, it kept
moving (always < 5 ft. up) and was lost to sight along the woodland
margin after a short 2 min; (2) Orange-crowned Warblers; (1) Philadelphia
Vireo, working through a leafy hedge with a Blue-headed Vireo; and other
migrants.
54 species

Doves:  Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove
Owls: Barred Owl (4)     Along the loop path, we stepped into the woods in
an effort to see a White-breasted Nuthatch that was sounding very excited.
 Almost immediately a Barred Owl rose to a bare limb and took a perch next
to the tree trunk.  It remained, within 40 ft,, for over 10 minutes (giving
Patty a close up personal view of her first Barred; she loves owls!)
Woodpeciers: Numerous as usual here--Downies now coming out to use the weed
stalks and twigs......Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(3), Downy
Woodpecker (Eastern), Hairy Woodpecker (Eastern), Northern Flicker
(Yellow-shafted), Pileated Woodpecker
Flycatchers: Eastern Phoebe
Vireos: Blue-headed Vireo (3), Philadelphia Vireo (1)  Rather late.  Nice
look as it worked the leafy twigs of a sapling in a hedgerow along the last
leg of the loop.  Small, plump, domed head, small bill and short tail.
 Blue-gray head, white eye line, greenish mantle including wings,
contrasting with clear bluish head.  Clear bright yellow breast, sides,
and, (paler) underparts and throat.  Gray panel on wing coverts.  With two
Blue-headed Vireos, a gnatcatcher and more.
Jays/crows: Blue Jay (21), American Crow (9)
Swallows:  Tree Swallow (1)
Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse
Nuthatches/Creepers:  White-breasted Nuthatch (3), Brown Creeper (1)
Wrens: House Wren (1), Carolina Wren (12)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4),Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3)
Thrushes: lots of bluebirds, small processions flying over, others perched
on highest overlook of goldenrod field---their voices were constant.
 Eastern Bluebird (70), Swainson's Thrush (5), Hermit Thrush, American
Robin (55)
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Warblers:  By far the most numerous was Myrtle, but several others species
lingered.  Seems like a good fall for Nashville, Cape May's and
Bay-breasted (not really late for either).  Didn't see any Tennessee, but
two nice Orange-crowned Warblers were welcome. Nashville Warbler (1), Cape
May Warbler (1), Northern Parula (1), in a thicket on the last leg where
all the sparrows were flitting about -- Small; round, bright but small
white wing bars; olive middle of back; short tail; white around eye, yellow
bib, orange wash on breast; Bay-breasted Warbler (1), Palm Warbler, Pine
Warbler (1),Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (75),Wilson's Warbler (1), male;
glossy black cap.
Sparrows  all sparrows were actively feeding in the weeds and grass on the
last leg of loop (except Clay-colored, which was on the first leg of loop
without any company.:  Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow (50), Clay-colored
Sparrow (1)  by itself,  alone, not with any sparrows.  Plain face, eye
ring, dark streak behind eye, bottom of auriculars and malar.  Very pale,
sandy, clear distinct gray collar broadly seperating face markings from
mantle; very pale to whitish eye brow, malar, throat for unique look.
 Crown, mantle lacked any color or reddish, crown flecked brown and black.
 Pale buff chest, white underparts, very pale; Field Sparrow (15), Vesper
Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow (3), Swamp Sparrow (5),
White-throated
Sparrow (30), White-crowned Sparrow (2), Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (1)
Northern Cardinal
Blackbirds: Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle
Finches: Purple Finch (8), American Goldfinch (3)

Good birding to all,

David Tan
Columbus
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