I checked out the Deer Creek Reservoir one more time for the year on Sunday.

It was cold, heavily overcast, and windy all morning when I scoped out the reservoir. By far the most abundant bird present was Ring-billed Gull, with perhaps 6000+ present as a conservative estimate. In any case it was easily the largest concentration of gulls I have ever seen in Ohio away from Lake Erie. Also lingering were ~500 Bonaparte's Gulls, but I didn't pick out a single Herring Gull in the madness.

Despite numerous duck hunters in their blinds with decoys set up, there were several hundred dabbling ducks that knew where they were safe. They were mostly Mallards and Am. Black Ducks, but about a dozen N Shovelers were also seen. ~100 Ruddy Ducks were also seen in various places in the reservoir. A single Horned Grebe and a few Am Coots were also seen.

Raptors were well represented all day in the area. In the fields were several N Harriers and at least 2 Rough-legged Hawks. In the state park campground I saw a Red-shouldered Hawk. 2 adult Bald Eagles were near the dam wall this morning. Red-tailed, Cooper's and a Sharp-shinned Hawk were also seen during the course of the day. As is typical in winter at Deer Creek, a few Black Vultures were found without much difficulty. I have not seen any N Shrikes this winter yet.

The highlight of the day was the afternoon for me when the sun came out and provided photo ops on the numerous (~25) American Pipits poking around on the icy rocks in the northern stretch of the reservoir. Joining them were about 10 Savannah Sparrows. I don't know what books they might have read, but apparently those Savannah Sparrows were under the impression that they were common Ohio winter birds along moving streams with icy rocks.

There were a lot of hunters out today, so I didn't check out any fields away from the car, but hundreds of American Tree Sparrows were found in flocks throughout the area in addition to the more reclusive Song Sparrows. A large House Finch flock (50+ birds) was also in one of the fields.

Bob Royse



Robert Royse
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www.roysephotos.com


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