This morning, Wednesday, from about 9:00AM to about 12 noon, I did my annual check on this years active Osprey nests and the abundance of Cliff Swallows in and around the Berlin Lake Area. Berlin Lake stretches thru three counties in northeastern Ohio, the western edge of Mahoning, the southeastern corner of Portage, and the northeastern corner of Stark. Twenty-four nest sites were found. Of the nests, 15 are on cell towers, 3 on transmission towers, 4 on wooden utility poles, and 2 on wooden hacking structures, all provided by man. Amazing is the fact that during The Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas of 1982 thru 1987, there were no Osprey nests recorded in Ohio. A brief description of Berlin Lake taken from US Army Corps Of Engineers data is, in summer the length of the lake at normal pool is 18.6 miles long, with 70 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 76 feet at the dam. To anyone wishing to observe an Osprey nest up close and personal, go to the southeast corner of SR225 and Greenbower Road, a short distance north of the city of Alliance. The nest is about thirty above the edge of the road. Look for the House Sparrows residing in the lower part of the nest. A couple of interesting finds this morning were, an Osprey nest on a light pole right on the edge of daily action, at the boat ramp at The Mill Creek Recreation Area, and a last years Osprey nest on a cell tower on German Church Road just west of SR225, now occupied by Bald Eagles. The Berlin Lake Osprey count by the end of the summer could be, with an average of two youngsters per nest, an amazing total of ninety-six. As for the Cliff Swallow population, it seems to be booming. I found nesting at eight bridges and The Berlin Dam. On the inlet structure above the dam, were approximately 215 active nests attached to and around the concrete face. For e-birders, the inlet structure is in Mahoning County. The eastern portion of the concrete dam is in Mahoning County, while the western portion is in Portage County. Berlin Lake spillway discharges into the Mahoning River hemlock laden rocky gorge, which is totally in Mahoning County. Of interest to wildflower enthusiasts, presently downstream of the gaging station, the hillside is a floral display of Fire Pink (Silene virginica), and the potentially threatened species Showy Skullcap (Scutellaria Serrata). What a pleasurable three hour morning close to home.


Bob Lane / Mahoning County

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