This morning I checked Areas M and N in Galena
for signs of Prothonotary Warbler second broods. The water level is as high as
it was in early spring. Between the ideal water level and the warm temperatures
several Prothonotaries apparently thought they were further south, like maybe
South Carolina? In areas M and N I located and observed fully 7 adult Prothonotary
Warblers, an unusually high number for late July. Possibly some were merely
transients passing through on their fall migration south, although a few were
definitely local nesters. They were collecting insects and taking them up into
the canopy and the sounds of hungry fledglings could be heard. Every year I
seem to find 1 or 2 pairs raising a second brood. Last year I located a pair
feeding fledglings in early August. I only accessed the close areas in N as the
boots I had were not high enough to navigate the high water. I still get to
enjoy my guys a little longer before they are gone until next April. 
 
I saw Rob Thorn’s posting yesterday and much of the
same species were evident today. Rob is like an extra set of eyes, very good
eyes. Over the years we have helped each other with the Christmas Bird Counts.
If you see Rob listed for a Columbus Audubon bird walk think about joining as
he is great at finding the unexpected.
 
As Rob mentioned the water level is very high
and unless we experience a drought quickly I doubt there will be any habitat
for shorebirds and they will overfly us. The last time I remember the water this
high in late July was 1993. Think Killdeer Plains, Big Island and the Hebron
Fish Hatchery for shorebirds in 2013.
 
My highlights other than the Prothonotary
Warblers included:                     
 
6 Osprey, seen both at the platforms (2) and the
dead trees (4) along the opposite shore,
4 Red-headed Woodpeckers,
1 adult and 1 immature Bald Eagle,
1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
2 Green Herons back in Area N,
Several small groups of Cedar Waxwings, and 
the usual common species.
 
On my way out I filled two trash bags with empty
beer cans that I dropped off at the Genoa Township recycling collection site.
From the amount of fishing lures and bobbers in the trees I think they were
drinking while fishing, while safer than drinking and driving for them, doesn’t
help the local bird population.
 
I got my reward for the good deed as I drove
south on Old 3C Highway as I first heard, then spotted 9 Sandhill Cranes flying
overhead. They were on a southwest course and maybe they will drop in somewhere
local such as Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Not as exciting as the Wood
Storks up north, but still a nice way to finish a morning.
 
Charlie Bombaci
Hoover Nature Preserve

______________________________________________________________________

Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.

You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]