Today's sighting of this year's marbled godwit (#150) seems an appropriate time for my biannual report on MCWS -- located south of Youngstown. We have 150 species, with expectations of several more, listed so far this year with the help of NE Ohio's intrepid birders, Jim Dolan (BB Atlas), Bob and Denise Lane (of Ohio magpie fame), and Jeff Harvey (Wild Birds Unlimited). Although we have many interesting species, a main focus of the sanctuary is to provide resting and feeding habitat for migrating shorebirds for almost eight months of the year. The list of sb migrants to date this year includes: black-bellied plover semipalmated plover killdeer American avocet black-necked stilt (possible) spotted sandpiper solitary sandpiper greater yellowlegs willet (probable) lesser yellowlegs WHIMBREL MARBLED GODWIT ruddy turnstone semipalmated sandpiper least sandpiper Baird's sandpiper white-rumped sandpiper pectoral sandpiper dunlin stilt sandpiper short-billed dowitcher long-billed dowitcher Wilson's snipe American woodcock All of the above were reported in "normal" numbers relative among them, e.g., 1 godwit so far, 2 Baird's sandpipers, but hundreds of least sandpipers and dunlin. I am expecting Wilson's and red-necked phalarope, western sandpiper (which we may well have simply missed) and red knot, all of which have appeared the last few years, and hopefully, if we're vigilant, a few other interesting shorebird spp. The eagle pair is still loyal to the site, along with nesting green heron, pied-billed grebe, common moorhen and American coot. The young of all of the above (except the eagle) were devastated by an over population of hungry snapping turtles in the ponds. Black-crowned night heron, which has been seen all summer is also very possibly nesting. There are presently at least two adults and three juveniles in the sanctuary. I'll be happy to supply full lists and details to anyone interested. The sanctuary is restricted, but as always, I will accompany any serious birder around the site. Just email me. Good birding. Bill Jones Canfield **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) ______________________________________________________________________ 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]