This morning I hosted Christy (Naturalist) and some volunteers from Highbanks Metro Park at the Hoover Nature Preserve. Our main objective was to enjoy the Prothonotary Warblers and what else Mother Nature would dish up for us. As we began the first stage of our walk into Area N we ran into two gentlemen who had come from Ontario, Canada, specifically to photograph Prothonotary Warblers and of course, the Prothonotary Warblers. The two men had secured directions from one of the photographers that had visited from Ontario last year. Apparently Area N is becoming a Canadian birder's tourist stop. The Prothonotaries did not disappoint any of us. Other warblers at this location included Palm and Yellow-rumped. As we walked further back into Area N we added additional warblers, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Baltimore Orioles, Warbling Vireos and Spotted Sandpiper. A Red-shouldered and a Broad-winged Hawk soared above us as we walked along Big Walnut Creek. I also
 noted that the Cliff Swallows are back under the bridge into Galena via Old 3C Highway.

After lunch the others returned to Highbanks Metro Park to monitor Eastern Bluebirds and other duties. I continued on to Hoover Meadows to walk and check the conditions there. I observed 5 Green Herons in the wetland ponds as I walked to the back area. The fields and edge area produced 10 Yellow Warblers and 5 Common Yellowthroats, Eastern Kingbirds, a few Brown Thrashers and a Blue-winged Warbler. My best find though was at the very end of the trail along the eastern side of the property where I saw 2 male Black-throated Blue Warblers. I phished to attempt to have them come closer. They obliged and brought along a friend, a beautiful male Golden-winged Warbler. All three hung around within about 6 feet for almost 5 minutes. A great way to finish my day. I figure I couldn't better this so I walked back to the car a little more light-footed and with a big smile.

Charlie Bombaci
Hoover Nature Preserve

______________________________________________________________________

Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.


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