Hi all,

Sorry for the delayed posting. The Ohio Ornithological Society hosted its 9th annual raptor foray to the Wilds, in Muskingum County, Saturday. About 150 sets of eyes scoured the area and some noteworthy birds turned up. Foremost was one and possibly two Golden Eagles. Nearly everyone had great looks at this often elusive bird. All sightings took place along International Road, east of the Wilds’ main parking area. A short distance east of this parking lot is a gated road leading back into the Wilds, and along that road – barely visible from International Road – is a pond. There was some sort of carcass on the pond’s shore, and the eagle returned multiple times to feed on it. Best views were from atop the hill where the restaurant is located; unfortunately the access road is gated off at this time of year (they opened it for our event). Nonetheless, watching for the eagle(s) along International Road may well pay off.

The Northern Shrike turned up along Coal Hill Road, and at least one Common Redpoll turned up in the area. The usual cast of grassland raptors was in evidence: both morphs of Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, and several Short-eared Owls were seen from Jeffrey Point, but the latter did not take wing until it was nearly dark. Encouraging is the increase in American Kestrels; it seems that they are increasingly utilizing the nest boxes that were placed by the OOS, American Electric Power and partners a few years ago. Last Saturday was sunny with highs in the 50’s, prompting the Eastern Meadowlarks to song. Conditions will be far more Arctic-like for a while, I’m afraid.

If you would like to see some photos of the OOS raptor day, feel free to visit my blog: http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com

Fore more info about the Wilds, visit: http://www.ohiobirds.org/site/library/sites/showsite.php?Site_ID=2

Jim

Jim McCormac
Columbus, Ohio
Like Nature? http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/
Like Birds? http://www.ohiobirds.org/

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