I went down to Killdeer Plains yesterday (Feb 24th) after
seeing some interesting geese had been reported down there.  I was
fortunate enough to have all five species.  There were 11 Greater
White-fronted Geese and a Cackling Goose in with the Canada Geese in the
impounds on the south side of the wildlife area.  14 more Greater-white
fronted Geese, 2 “blue” Snow Geese, and a single Ross’s Goose were on the
pond at the intersection of Township Hwy 108 and CR 71.  The pond on
Township Hwy 123 was covered in geese but Canada Goose was the only species
I found.  That said, there was one Canada that was all white except for a
few dirty brown markings on the back and a chocolate-brown head that
certainly had me scratching my head when I initially saw it with its head
down.  On this pond was the greatest collection of ducks including Hooded
Merganser, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, and
Redhead.  I have a few photos of the Cackling, GWF, and white Canada Goose
that I will post to the Birding Ohio Facebook page which can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BirdingOhio/

                Another notable bird was a Sandhill Crane that flew over
calling while I was watching the Cackling Goose.  On a side note, 2-3
Sandhill Cranes have been hanging out in the Magee Marsh/Ottawa National
Wildlife Refuge area in the past 2 weeks.  I have been frequently seeing
them along Rt-2.

                Lastly, I also had what I am nearly positive was a Brewer’s
Blackbird in a flock of starlings and Red-winged Blackbirds on the south
side of Killdeer Plains.  The bird was a male with a light-colored eye and
was very glossy with a purplish sheen on the head going to a greenish sheen
on the back.  The glossy colors of the bird were fairly obvious which is
what makes me lean towards Brewer’s Blackbird as opposed to Rusty.



Good Birding!

-Ryan Steiner

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