We arrived at The Conneaut Sandspit in Ashtabula County at 8:10AM. It was overcast, not raining, and 70 degrees. Independence Day highlights were 2 Willets, possibly the same ones from last Friday; 2 male American Wigeons in breeding plumage, a single Short-billed Dowitcher, 2 Least Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Sandpipers, a single Bonaparte's Gull, and a new high count of Bald Eagles. Scattered along the breakwall and adjacent area were 25, 3 adults and 22 juveniles. Visible from the marina road, are hundreds of Bank Swallows entering their nest burrows on the side of The Matterhorn looking white material pile. Belted Kingfishers can also be seen sharing this nesting area. Also of note, last Saturday, Bob Krajeski had a Common Merganser family, mom and four kids, close to shore in the bay. This would be at least the third year of evidence of nesting upstream on Conneaut Creek. It is presently 9:50AM and we are on our way to Holden Arboretum in hopes of seeing the Mississippi Kite.

Bob and Denise Lane / Mahoning County                                     
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