I spent some time birding the back country of Lake Hope SP &
Zaleski SF, this weekend.  The highlight was a territorial male
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, which I viewed daily May 24-26.  I tried
diligently to discern a mate for this bird (Golden-winged or otherwise), but had no luck in this department.  The bird is clearly occupying a
territory, and as we know, Golden-winged is basically extirpated as a
breeder in this state.  As a matter of fact, the only breeding record
I'm familiar within the twenty or so
years was a bird I was lucky enough to document rearing hybrid young at
Horseshoe Pond (Summit Co.), several years ago.

Directions:  From SR-278, turn onto Irish Ridge Rd. immediately before
the campground entrance to Lake Hope SP.  At 3.5 miles, Irish Ridge
intersects with Long Ridge Rd., at which point you will make a left.
One half-mile up Long Ridge you will pass a gated gravel driveway on the left, and .2-mile beyond you'll come to a large cut log on the left,
with an obscure pull-off, and more obvious dirt bike trail.  Park here
and follow the trail down the hill to the far side of the clear-cut
the bird is occupying a territory on the left side of the trail, often
singing from the dead snags.  I should also add that there are an
awesome selection of typical clear-cut species present in good numbers -
Prairie, Blue-winged, & Chestnut-sided Warblers, and Yellow-breasted Chats, and Red-headed Woodpeckers.


Retracing your steps, there is a another fantastic clear-cut along Irish Ridge Rd., 2.5 miles from
SR-278.  This one is also marked by a large, cut log and overgrown
pull-off.  I didn't discover this area until midday on my last day, but
it's most extensive than the first, and features some open oak
woodlands, which look great for Summer Tanager, and with more
imagination, Mississippi Kite, a species known to breed in this region
in recent years.

I'm hopeful that those with more frequent
access to this area than I may be able to keep an eye on this bird in
the coming weeks.  A Golden-winged in this region, near its natural
range, has a exponentially better chance of attracting a Golden-winged
female as a mate.  The return of this species to our state as a breeder
would be great news!

Good birding -
Gabe Leidy
Sheffield Lk

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