Hi,

During our bbs survey hike up Stebbins' Run (~ 41deg 36min N, 81deg 16 min
W)  yesterday we found 9 Louisiana Waterthrushes in 6 distinct territories,
over a 1.8 km length of stream bed.  The territories are remarkable in the
regularity of their spacing of about 300m.  We can determine boundaries
because the birds will move up stream ahead of us to the edge of their
territory and then will fly back past us.  The boundaries are also distinct
features such as a waterfall or side run.  I also mark each location as a
point using GPS and can review the location data later.

Louisiana Waterthushes are now fully established on nesting territory over
most of their range.  They are among the earliest and most regular warbler
migrants we find, and are found on or about the first of April in northern
Ohio.

Louisiana Waterthushes are a habitat specialist and make their living in
and around running water with a rocky or gravel bed. They are seldom if
ever found along still waters which are the realm of the closely related
Northern Waterthrush.  Also northern Ohio and and southern Ontario are the
northern end of the breeding range for Louisiana Waterthrush and the
southern end of the breeding range for Northern Waterthrush.

As previously stated extreme care is needed to identify a Louisiana
Waterthrush found in inappropriate habitat after the 3rd week of April. Due
to the similarity and often overlapping morphology of the Waterthrush
species this should only be done if you are very familiar with Louisiana
Waterthrush after extensive study becoming familiar with all their
vocalizations in the appropriate habitat. The probability far and away
favors any Waterthrush found along a lake, pond or marshy area being
Northern, in spite of what you might find on eBird.

Haans

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