We look for Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, and and all finches in the ample supply of Sweet Gum in NW Ohio—Hancock County. > On Jan 31, 2018, at 7:12 PM, James Muller <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > I believe there were posts here or on Facebook about Red Crossbills feeding > in gum trees as well. > > James Muller > > On Wed, Jan 31, 2018, 7:10 PM Joseph Lautenbach <[log in to unmask]> > wrote: > >> Hi All, >> >> I had the day off from work, so I went to Delaware SP and surrounding area >> this morning. While I was there I encountered the previously reported >> Common Redpoll (at least 2), Pine Siskins (at least 6), and very large >> flock of American Goldfinch (~200). It was fascinating watching these birds >> forage in the sweetgums, I watched them for 30 or 40 minutes. I recently >> moved to Ohio from further north and had no idea that sweetgums provided a >> valuable food source. I thought it was very interesting to see northern >> species like redpolls and siskins foraging on a relatively southern tree >> species. I was also curious as to whether the finches were drawn to the >> sweetgums because of quality or quantity. >> >> Once I got home, I tried to do a little research on food quality of >> sweetgums. I was able find a manuscript focused on pen-reared quail food >> preferences (Journal of Wildlife Management, 1945). In the manuscript, they >> discuss protein and fat levels of various wild food sources. Sweetgums >> average almost 15% crude protein, a pretty high content, not as high as >> other species tested, but in the upper tier of native species evaluated in >> the study. Given the number of sweet gum trees in the area and the >> relatively high nutritional value, it is no wonder there are so many >> finches there. I would have to assume that sweetgums may be difficult for >> other species to access. >> >> The whole time I was there, the only other species I saw foraging on >> sweetgum was the Carolina Chickadee. I would be curious to hear what other >> species people have observed foraging on sweetgums (specifically on the >> seeds, I would imagine woodpeckers would forage on decaying and dying trees >> for insects etc.), as well as more information on the value of sweetgums as >> a food resource. I'm new to Ohio, so I don't have a ton of experience with >> sweetgum, any information would be interesting to me. >> >> I checked other sweetgums in the state park for finches, but did not see >> any today. The Sweetgum picnic area was a little more sheltered from the >> wind than the other other areas I saw lots of sweetgums. Given the strong >> winds today, perhaps all the finches were concentrated in the picnic area >> to avoid wind. On a less windy day the finch flock may disperse more to >> take advantage of all the sweet gums planted throughout the park. >> >> I also saw the northern shrike that was previously reported along Panhandle >> Road at the Delaware Wildlife Area. It was great to see some northern birds >> today. >> >> Best, >> >> Joseph Lautenbach >> Delaware, OH >> >> ______________________________________________________________________ >> >> 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] ______________________________________________________________________ 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]