Oct 13, 2012 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM Blendon Woods Metro Park -- Goldenrod Loop, Franklin Comments: Patty and I arrived just before light at the nature center (a Barred Owl calling closely as we left the car). Overall, a very active morning, although we only used the first loop of the goldenrod trail. Sunny, high clouds, chilly, calm. Sparrows were common in the grass path along the last leg of the loop and a good variety of warblers and other small land birds were noted where ever the sun warmed an edge/margin or weedy corner. Still a good variety of warblers, although species other than Myrtle were in ones and twos. Highlights: a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in the grass/weeds/deciduous scrub on the grass path---it was alone, no other sparrows/birds with it and was rather skittish but seen well (< 25 ft.) after flushing into low shrubs, perching alertly and moving briskly from one woody tangle to another. Although seen well and closely, it kept moving (always < 5 ft. up) and was lost to sight along the woodland margin after a short 2 min; (2) Orange-crowned Warblers; (1) Philadelphia Vireo, working through a leafy hedge with a Blue-headed Vireo; and other migrants. 54 species Doves: Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove Owls: Barred Owl (4) Along the loop path, we stepped into the woods in an effort to see a White-breasted Nuthatch that was sounding very excited. Almost immediately a Barred Owl rose to a bare limb and took a perch next to the tree trunk. It remained, within 40 ft,, for over 10 minutes (giving Patty a close up personal view of her first Barred; she loves owls!) Woodpeciers: Numerous as usual here--Downies now coming out to use the weed stalks and twigs......Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (3), Downy Woodpecker (Eastern), Hairy Woodpecker (Eastern), Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted), Pileated Woodpecker Flycatchers: Eastern Phoebe Vireos: Blue-headed Vireo (3), Philadelphia Vireo (1) Rather late. Nice look as it worked the leafy twigs of a sapling in a hedgerow along the last leg of the loop. Small, plump, domed head, small bill and short tail. Blue-gray head, white eye line, greenish mantle including wings, contrasting with clear bluish head. Clear bright yellow breast, sides, and, (paler) underparts and throat. Gray panel on wing coverts. With two Blue-headed Vireos, a gnatcatcher and more. Jays/crows: Blue Jay (21), American Crow (9) Swallows: Tree Swallow (1) Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse Nuthatches/Creepers: White-breasted Nuthatch (3), Brown Creeper (1) Wrens: House Wren (1), Carolina Wren (12) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4),Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3) Thrushes: lots of bluebirds, small processions flying over, others perched on highest overlook of goldenrod field---their voices were constant. Eastern Bluebird (70), Swainson's Thrush (5), Hermit Thrush, American Robin (55) European Starling Cedar Waxwing Warblers: By far the most numerous was Myrtle, but several others species lingered. Seems like a good fall for Nashville, Cape May's and Bay-breasted (not really late for either). Didn't see any Tennessee, but two nice Orange-crowned Warblers were welcome. Nashville Warbler (1), Cape May Warbler (1), Northern Parula (1), in a thicket on the last leg where all the sparrows were flitting about -- Small; round, bright but small white wing bars; olive middle of back; short tail; white around eye, yellow bib, orange wash on breast; Bay-breasted Warbler (1), Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler (1),Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (75),Wilson's Warbler (1), male; glossy black cap. Sparrows all sparrows were actively feeding in the weeds and grass on the last leg of loop (except Clay-colored, which was on the first leg of loop without any company.: Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow (50), Clay-colored Sparrow (1) by itself, alone, not with any sparrows. Plain face, eye ring, dark streak behind eye, bottom of auriculars and malar. Very pale, sandy, clear distinct gray collar broadly seperating face markings from mantle; very pale to whitish eye brow, malar, throat for unique look. Crown, mantle lacked any color or reddish, crown flecked brown and black. Pale buff chest, white underparts, very pale; Field Sparrow (15), Vesper Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow (3), Swamp Sparrow (5), White-throated Sparrow (30), White-crowned Sparrow (2), Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (1) Northern Cardinal Blackbirds: Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle Finches: Purple Finch (8), American Goldfinch (3) Good birding to all, David Tan Columbus [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]