Here’s an update from Mohican country.  Yes, we have Evening Grosbeaks- and we know you want to see them.

Unfortunately, we also have tight roads that have many hills and more snow than most of Ohio.  So if you come to Mohican State Park to see Evening Grosbeaks in 2013, we want you to be safe and avoid traffic congestion and car wrecks!  Here are a couple suggestions from one of our most respected local patch birders, Gary Cowell:

1.       Park at the Mohican Gorge Overlook parking lot.  (Map can be found on ODNR’s website.)

2.       Walk  Mohican Rd #51 (the road that runs from the Fire tower to the Gorge Overlook) back towards the west.  It is a fairly level, easy ½ mile walk though the most enjoyable pine woods.  

3.       Watch for the birds along the way and at the feeders.   One of the home owner’s  has large (very large) dogs.  Just stay on the road, you will be fine.

4.       Be alert for traffic- this is a low visibility area.

5.       The grosbeaks tend to come to this area to feed between 9:00 and 11:00 am. This is the optimum time to visit.

6.       All “Lakewood etiquette” rules apply:  respect people’s property lines.

Evening Grosbeaks have a long history in the Mohican area and we are happy to share them with you.  It is likely that they will remain all winter as they have in the past- if they have food.  Consider donating a bag of black/oil sunflower seeds to help them through the winter.  These birds are voracious! 

If you can’t make the trip in January, do not despair- we will try to make some special arrangements during the Ohio Ornithological Society’s Owl Conference in February.

 Good luck and good birding from Greater Mohican Audubon.  

Cheryl Harner

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