Hi, To add data to the question: During the 2007-2011 OBBA2 Ovenbird was found in 1320 of 4432 blocks (29.7%) and in every atlas region, except Lake Erie Islands. This distribution was similar for the atlas completed in 1987 At Holden the habitat ranges from awful in secession areas that were not managed for invasives as the trees came back, to pristine in old growth areas. As I said there are some areas where earthworms have destroyed the lower forest layers, Keep in mind invasive earthworms are mostly a problem in glaciated areas that have no native worms. Given the ideal habitat and reports from nearby areas I wonder if our lack of Ovenbirds is has more to do with methodology than actual decline? Perhaps because we move rapidly through the woods rather than using a point count as was done in 2001, or maybe we just are not out early enough to catch Ovenbirds singing on territory? Perhaps it is just random variation in our area? We see this year to year and over long periods with some species. I guess time and ongoing study will answer the question. Haans ______________________________________________________________________ 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]