Here is a link to the pictures. http://s559.photobucket.com/albums/ss36/Al_LaSala/Blackhand%20Gorge/ -----Original Message----- From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask] Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 10:48 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [Ohio-birds] Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve, Licking County Monday Al LaSala and I visited Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve in Licking County. This is a wonderful area to bird or just visit. My favorite trail is the Marie Hickey Trail which is on the north side of the Licking River. The entrance is off Rockhaven Road. We began on the east trail entrance which goes along an area of field with flora that is attractive to numerous species. We were immediately greeted by White-eyed Vireos calling from either side of the trail. Soon they were joined by Blue-winged and Prairie Warblers. The day got better as it went along. We worked our way around the trail adding Northern Parula , Louisiana Waterthrush , American Redstarts, , Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black & White, Black-throated Green, Yellow , Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumped, and Cerulean Warblers. Both Scarlet and Summer Tanagers were in good numbers, two Barred Owls and a Red-shouldered Hawk. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo played tease with us calling from a low tree line but not coming out into where we could view it. After breaking for lunch we worked the Blackhand Trail and the Quarry Rim Trail on the south side of the river. Activity was continuous during the early afternoon as we worked the river edge, adding Magnolia, Yellow-throated, and Bay-breasted Warblers, Then along the Quarry Rim Trail we suddenly encountered ground zero for Hooded Warblers. It began when I phished with hopes of bringing in a Hooded Warbler for Al to photograph. Instead of one Hooded Warbler, we had Hooded Warblers everywhere we looked. A nice situation to get into. Several of the previously seen warblers made reappearances and Ovenbirds joined in. Al spotted a Great-crested Flycatcher and then the mate showed up. We watched them at their chosen nest cavity. As we walked the last part of the trail back to the car a White-eyed Vireo called, then got out shown by a Yellow-throated Vireo. Flitting side-by-side made their different field marks obvious. A nice finish to the day. It's always great to get out on a day like Monday, especially when shared with friends. Charlie Bombaci ______________________________________________________________________ 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] ______________________________________________________________________ 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]