To add to Tara's observations on the bay there were large numbers of diving ducks along the Lake Erie coast at Magee this morning. Estimated ~ 35,000 birds approximately 300 yards from shore as far as could be seen both east and west. Mostly Lesser Scaup (75%), Redhead (20%), and a smaller mix of Canvasback, Bufflehead, Goldeneye, Common Merganser, and Red-breasted Merganser. Did not observe any Ruddy's but not unusual the first seen along the coast is in the bay. Mark Shieldcastle Research Director Black Swamp Bird Observatory Oak Harbor, Ohio 419-898-4070 (Ext. 201) BSBO WEBSITE FACEBOOK TWITTER -----Original Message----- From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tara Baranowski Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2015 2:48 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [Ohio-birds] Nearshore Sightings There were scattered rafts of ruddy ducks on Sandusky Bay today as well as canvasbacks, red heads, and ring-necked ducks on the Portage River. In Sandusky we observed over a dozen black-crowned night herons sharing a small estuary with hooded mergansers. With Lisa's announcement of the ferry start-up, the welcome warmth and sun today and these sightings, spring has officially arrived to the coastal area! Happy April All! Tara B. Ottawa County ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.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. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]