Devoted to the Study and Appreciation of ’s Birdlife • Vol. 43, No. 3, Spring 2020 An exciting find for Gautam Apte, this fledgling Eastern Screech-Owl posed at Shaker Lakes,Cuyahoga , on 08 May.

On the cover: The first state record Hooded Oriole was the highlight of spring migration for Bruce Miller, who masterfully photographed it at a private residence in Columbus on 02 April. Vol. 43 No. 3

Devoted to the Study and Appreciation of Ohio’s Birdlife

EDITOR OHIO BIRD RECORDS Craig Caldwell COMMITTEE 1270 W. Melrose Dr. Westlake, OH 44145 Jay G. Lehman 440-356-0494 Secretary [email protected] 7064 Shawnee Run Rd. , OH 45243 [email protected] PHOTO EDITOR Jamie Cunningham PAST PUBLISHERS [email protected] John Herman (1978–1980) Edwin C. Pierce (1980–2008) LAYOUT Roger Lau PAST EDITORS [email protected] John Herman (1978–1980) Edwin C. Pierce (1980–1991) Thomas Kemp (1987–1991) CONSULTANTS Robert Harlan (1991–1996) Ron Canterbury Victor W. Fazio III (1996–1997) Tim Colborn Bill Whan (1997–2008) Bob Dudley Andy Jones (2008–2010) Stefan Gleissberg Jill M. Russell (2010–2012) Rob Harlan Andy Jones Kent Miller Brian Wulker And the 27 eBird county reviewers

ISSN 1534-1666 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

COMMENTS ON THE SEASON

By Craig Caldwell al, with some places getting as little as 75% of their usual rainfall, most of the southern half got This issue reaches you with the hope that you between 125 and 200% of the norm with Cin- and your loved ones are healthy and that the cinnati’s 15 inches being triple the usual amount. COVID-19 pandemic affected only your access continued to be over-filled. Its level to your favorite birding events and spots. The in both Mar and Apr set new records for those Biggest Week in American Birding was cancelled months; May’s level, though not a record, was as were the annual OOS bash at Shawnee and still far above normal. many more local get-togethers. Magee closed Weather data are from the National Weather on the evening of 23 Mar and didn’t reopen Service (http://water.weather.gov/precip/), the until late Jul. Many park systems closed their NOAA (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/temp-and- nature centers and rest rooms; fortunately por- precip/maps.php, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. tables were usually provided, if not always well There’s not much to summarize beyond the maintained. new norm: Individuals of many migrants got But the birds didn’t care, birders still went to here earlier than their historical arrival dates, and open venues to see them, and yard birds received for many of them sightings were continuous from more attention than usual. Observers filed 1.7 the early date. million eBird entries, a surprise increase over This issue of the Cardinal contains reports of last spring’s 1.6 million. But primarily because of 315 species. That’s the highest ever for the spring Magee’s closure, Lucas provided only 6% of the season, a slight increase over the previous record entries instead of the usual quarter of them. For- of 313 set in 2014 and tied in 2018. Fourteen ty-six species were reported in either 87 counties hybrids were reported. Not surprisingly, eight of or in all 88, a slight increase from last spring’s 44. them were ducks, a family famous for interbreed- The temperatures in Mar continued the pre- ing. Seven entries below the species level and vious three months’ heat wave, with the overall four unusual (for Ohio) color morphs are also average being the 11th highest of the 126 years included. Twenty-three species were reported in with data. The average minimum and maximum all 88 counties and another 23 were seen in 87. had similar rankings. Apr and May temperatures Forty-one more were seen in at least 80 counties. reversed the trend: Both were in the lower third Underbirded Van Wert was the missing county of the rankings. for three quarters of the “87s”; only 52 species As well as being hot, Mar was very wet, com- over all were reported there. ing in at number 112 of the 126. A wide swath A whopping 32 review species were reported across the middle of the state from the southwest during this season; their names are underlined. to the northeast received five to eight inches of Eleven of them were formally reported to the rain with Carroll and the Columbus area ap- OBRC. Six of those species also had sightings proaching 10 inches, which is four times their elsewhere that were only posted to eBird or oth- average. A few pockets in the southeast received er on-line venues, and 22 species’ sightings were only about 90% of their normal rainfall, but the only posted that way. At least some reports of the rest of the state, especially the northwest, got up majority of the posted species included photos to double its long-term average. or descriptions which will allow review, but two Apr was drier, with rainfall overall being right species’ reports have no supporting information. at the average. It was not evenly distributed, (These numbers don’t include Trumpeter Swans, however. Most of the southeastern quadrant had whose establishment or not is under study. Nor close to double its usual amount of rain with a are the two exotic species, Chukar and European few pockets getting up to triple the norm. From Goldfinch, among the 32.) there to the northwest was a decreasing gradient The OBRC and this editor continue to urge with some areas near Toledo receiving only 25% birders to formally report all sightings of Review of their usual rainfall. Ironically, though, two to List species, of Core List species found at unusual four inches of snow fell on Cleveland and to its times, of nesting by birds previously not known east during the night of 15 to 16 Apr. to nest in the state, and of course sightings of May went back to very wet, ranking at number birds never before found in Ohio. An easy-to-use 101 with number 126 being the wettest. Though on-line form is available at http://ohiobirds.org/ the northern half of the state was dryer than usu- rare-birds/report-a-rare-bird-sighting/.

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Data for the following Species Accounts come BSBO = Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Otta- from reports submitted directly to The Cardinal wa (http://www.bsbo.org) and The Bobolink (the latter courtesy of its pub- Buck Creek = , Clark lisher, Robert Hershberger), eBird (http://ebird. Burke Airport = Cleveland Burke Lakefront Air- org/content/ebird), and the Ohio-birds listserv port, Cuyahoga (http://birding.aba.org/maillist/OH). In the Caesar Creek = , War- species accounts, “normal” departure and arrival ren, unless the lake itself is specified; a bit of dates are from Harlan et al., Ohio Bird Records Com- the lake is also in Clinton mittee Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ohio, 2008. CBC = Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count Taxonomic order and nomenclature follow CCE = Crane Creek Estuary, Lucas and Otta- the Check-List of North American Birds, 7th Edition wa, viewable from both ONWR and the CCE (1998) as updated through the 60th Supplement Trail which originates at Magee (2019). These documents are produced by the Clear Creek = ; the east- North American Classification Committee of the ern 2/3 is in Hocking, the rest in Fairfield American Ornithological Society and are avail- Clear Fork = Clear Fork Reservoir (or Lake), able at http://www.checklist.aou.org/. partly in Morrow but most of the birding is County names are in bold italics. Locations done in the larger Richland section whose counties are of the same name, for ex- CLNP = Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve ample Ashtabula (city) and Delaware Wildlife (the former Dike 14), Cuyahoga Area, usually do not have the counties repeated. CNC = Cincinnati Nature Center, a non-govern- County names for sites described in Cincinnati mental entity whose Long Branch Farm and (Hamilton), Cleveland (Cuyahoga), Columbus Rowe Woods units are in Clermont (Franklin), Dayton (Montgomery), and Toledo Conneaut = the mudflats to the west of Con- (Lucas) are also omitted. Shortened names and a neaut Harbor, Ashtabula few sets of initials are used for locations and or- CP = County Park ganizations which occur repeatedly; these abbre- CPNWR = Cedar Point National Wildlife Ref- viations are listed here. The term “fide” is used in uge, Lucas some citations; it means “in trust of ” and is used CVNP = Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where the reporter was not the observer. Cuyahoga and (mostly) Summit Darby Creek = Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, almost entirely in Franklin but with bits in Abbreviations: other counties as well. The Wet Prairie, Teal, and Harrier trails are the most often cited. Alum Creek = Alum Creek Reservoir, Dela- Deer Creek = the State Park is in Pickaway, the ware, unless otherwise noted Wildlife Area is in Fayette, and Deer Creek Armleder Park = a Cincinnati city park on the Lake is in both but mostly Pickaway , Hamilton EcOhio = EcOhio Farm and Wetland, Warren Audubon = the National Audubon Society East Fork = , Clermont (http://www.audubon.org) East Harbor = , Ottawa Aullwood = Aullwood Audubon Farm and Sanc- Edge Preserve = The Nature Conservancy’s tuary, Montgomery Edge of Appalachia Preserve, multiple par- Bayshore = a fishing access site near a power cels mostly in Adams and extending a bit into plant a bit east of Toledo Scioto. Barrow FS = James H. Barrow Field Station, Edgewater = the Edgewater unit of Cleveland Portage Lakefront Metroparks, Cuyahoga BBS = the North American Breeding Bird Sur- Englewood = Englewood MetroPark, vey, a joint project of the Geo- Montgomery logical Survey (USGS) and the Canadian Fernald = Fernald Preserve, Butler and Wildlife Service Hamilton Berlin Lake = Berlin Lake (or Reservoir), Ma- Findlay Reservoirs = several contiguous water honing and Portage bodies east of town in Hancock Big Island = Big Island Wildlife Area, Marion Funk = Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area, Ashland Blendon Woods = Blendon Woods Metro Park, and (mostly) Wayne Franklin Gilmore = Gilmore MP, Butler The Bowl = a limited-access area near the Har- Grand Lake = Grand Lake St. Marys. The State rison airport Park, the state fish hatchery, and the eastern BRAS = Black River Audubon Society

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20% of the lake itself are in Auglaize. The Medusa = Medusa Marsh, Erie, an informally rest of the lake is in Mercer. named and privately owned area between Great Miami WMB = Great Miami Wetlands Sandusky and Bay View Mitigation Bank, Montgomery Mentor Lagoons = Mentor Lagoons Nature Pre- Headlands = Headlands Dunes State Nature serve, Lake Preserve, Headlands Beach State Park, and Mentor Marsh = Mentor Marsh State Nature adjoining waters, Lake Preserve, Lake Holden = Holden Arboretum, Lake, except for Metzger = Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area, Lucas, its Stebbins Gulch unit in Geauga not to be confused with Metzger Reservoir, Hoover NP = Hoover Nature Preserve, Allen Delaware Mill Creek = Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, a Hoover Reservoir = the northern 80% is in Del- limited-access area in Mahoning aware, the rest and the dam in Franklin Mohican = Mohican State Forest and State Park. Howard Marsh = Howard Marsh Metropark, a Many trails cross the boundaries so some re- recently opened bird magnet in Lucas ports include sightings from both without Hueston Woods = , distinction. which contains Acton Lake, about half is in Mohican SF = Mohican State Forest, Ashland each of Butler and Preble. Mohican SP = , (mostly) Huron = the harbor, breakwalls, and old dredge Ashland and (slightly) Richland spoil impoundment in that Erie city, unless Mosquito Lake = Mosquito Lake State Park, noted otherwise formerly Mosquito Creek SP, and also called Indian Lake = Indian Lake State Park, Logan Mosquito Creek Reservoir, Trumbull. Mos- Jones Preserve = Jones Preserve at Long Point, on quito (Creek) Wildlife Area adjoins it. Kelleys Island, Erie Motus = a wildlife tracking system managed by Kelleys Island = the island and adjoining waters, Bird Studies Canada Erie Nimisila = Nimisila Reservoir, Summit Killbuck = Killbuck State Wildlife Area, Holmes MP = Metro Park, MetroPark, or Metropark de- and Wayne pending on the system Killdeer = Killdeer Plains State Wildlife Area; a NC = Nature Center bit is in Marion but it’s mostly in Wyandot NF = National Forest Kiwanis Park = Kiwanis Riverway Park, on the NP = Nature Preserve, except as part of CVNP Scioto River in Dublin, Franklin OBBA II = the second Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas LaDue = LaDue Reservoir, Geauga OBRC = Ohio Bird Records Committee Lake Erie Bluffs = a Lake Metroparks parcel Old Highland Stone = that company’s wa- overlooking the eponymous water body ter-filled gravel pits, Highland Lake Hope/Zaleski = and Old Woman Creek = Old Woman Creek Nation- surrounding , Vinton al Estuarine Research Reserve, Erie Lake Loramie = , OOPMP = Oak Openings Preserve MetroPark, Shelby Lucas Lorain = the dredge spoil impoundment east of ONWR = Ottawa , Lu- downtown in the city and county of the same cas and Ottawa name, unless otherwise noted ONWR Blausey, Boss, Koontz, and Navarre = Lost Bridge = a Great Miami River crossing units of ONWR separate from the main area, on Lawrenceburg Road near Elizabethtown, all in Ottawa; of them Boss and Koontz are Hamilton, where a covered bridge was lost open to the public to fire in 1903 ONWR WD = Ottawa National Wildlife Ref- m. obs. = multiple observers uge Wildlife Drive, the monthly opening of Magee = the boardwalk and immediate vicinity areas otherwise closed to vehicles, Lucas and in Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Lucas, unless Ottawa otherwise noted. The northern third of the OSU = The Ohio State University, of course; causeway is also in Lucas, the rest in Ottawa. sites are in Franklin unless noted otherwise Club = Mallard Club Marsh Wildlife Painesville TP = Painesville Township Park, over- Area, Lucas looking Lake Erie in Lake = Marblehead Lighthouse Pearson MP = Pearson Metro Park, Lucas State Park, Ottawa Pickerel Creek = Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area, Maumee Bay = , Lucas, Sandusky unless otherwise noted

111 Vol. 43 No. 3 Pickerington Ponds = Pickerington Ponds Metro Winous Horseshoe = a limited-access part of Park, Fairfield and Franklin Winous Point Shooting Club, Ottawa Pipe Creek = Pipe Creek Wildlife Area, in the Winous Point = Winous Point Shooting Club, city of Sandusky, Erie Ottawa Pleasant Hill Lake = an impoundment straddling Wintergarden Woods = Wintergarden Woods the Ashland/Richland line and Saint Johns Nature Preserve, Wood Quail Hollow = , Stark Woodman Fen = a natural area, part of Dayton’s Rocky Fork = Rocky Fork State Park, Highland Five Rivers MetroParks system, Montgomery Salt Fork = , Guernsey WRGBT = Western Reserve Greenway Bike Sandy Ridge = Sandy Ridge Reservation, Trail, Trumbull Lorain Wright Marsh = a hotspot in Killbuck WA north Seneca Lake = most of the lake and the (non- of Shreve, Wayne state) Park are in Noble, while the dam is in WWTP = Wastewater Treatment Plant Guernsey Zaleski = Zaleski State Forest, Vinton SF = State Forest Shawnee = , Scioto, unless otherwise noted Shawnee Lookout = Shawnee Lookout County Park, Hamilton Sheldon Marsh = Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve, Erie Sherod Park = a city park overlooking Lake Erie in Vermilion, Erie SNP = State Nature Preserve SP = State Park Springfield Lake = in Greater Akron, Summit Springville Marsh = Springville Marsh State Na- ture Preserve, Seneca Spring Valley = Spring Valley Wildlife Area, al- most entirely in Greene but extending into Warren Stillfork = The Nature Conservancy’s Stillfork Swamp Preserve, Carroll Sunset Park = a city park overlooking Lake Erie in Willoughby, Lake SWA = State Wildlife Area TNC = The Nature Conservancy (http://www. nature.org) TP = Township Park Vinton Furnace = Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest, Vinton Villa Angela = the Villa Angela unit of Cleve- land’s Lakefront Reservation WA = Wildlife Area Wake Robin = a trail and boardwalk in Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve, Lake Wendy Park = a lakeshore Cleveland park, Cuyahoga Wilderness Road = a road which traverses Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area, Wayne, and adjoining farmland The Wilds = a limited-access big-mammal breed- ing and research facility in Muskingum, also used generically to include the surrounding reclaimed strip mines Willow Point = Willow Point Wildlife Area, Erie

112 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

SPECIES ACCOUNTS

By Craig Caldwell last one, at the Hebron fish hatchery,Licking , on 29 Mar. Three sites each hosted two. (9 counties) Black-bellied Whistling-Duck The OBRC has a report from Delaware and Douglas Vogus et al. counted 1587 during the 01 posts from Butler and Warren that have photos Mar ONWR census. The most elsewhere were and descriptions. about 500, seen at Killdeer on 01 Mar (m. obs.) Snow Goose and at Sandy Ridge on 05 Apr (Hilary Peterson). The last spent from 17 Apr to 16 May in Wal- (all 88 counties) ton Hills, Cuyahoga, and was last seen by Ken Cackling/Canada Goose Andrews. The highest count was the five blue Indeterminate birds were seen in Athens, morphs that Joan Scharf saw fly past Sims Park, Cuyahoga, and Franklin. Cuyahoga, on 30 Apr. (10 counties) Mute Swan Ross’s Goose Brian Wulker saw 15 at Fernald on 27 May. Ian Several observers saw the last; it spent 12 and Ruppenthal counted 12 at Pipe Creek on 18 May. 13 Apr on the Bowling Green University golf (44 counties) course, Wood. Josh King and Ethan Rising saw two at Mercer WA on 14 Mar. Mahoning and Trumpeter Swan Wyandot also contributed sightings. The most were Margaret Bowman’s 200 at Kill- deer on 05 Mar. Rob and Sandy Harlan saw 161 [Snow x Ross’s Goose] at ONWR on 03 May. Counts of exactly 134 Lucas Weaver photographed this hybrid at the came from ONWR on 01 Mar (Douglas Vogus All Seasons Golf Center in Zanesville, Musking- et al.) and Metzger on 23 May (Jim and Linda um, on 13 Mar. Ackerman). (39 counties) Greater White-fronted Goose Tundra Swan The last wandered the Alliance, Stark, vicini- Bob and Denise Lane saw the last, at Lake Park ty between 20 and 25 May; Shari Jackson and SWA, Mahoning, on 04 May. The next to last Ronnie Macko saw it last. Observers reported be- were at Howard Marsh; George Novosel and tween 60 and 80 at Killdeer on 01 Mar. The most Bruce Arnold weren’t together, but both of them elsewhere were seven that Josh King and Ethan saw two there on 19 Apr. Douglas Vogus’ census Rising saw at Mercer WA on 14 Mar. Josh saw crew counted 1723 at ONWR on 01 Mar. The them there again on 30 Mar. (12 counties) most elsewhere were about 300 seen at Killdeer on several dates (m. obs.). (22 counties) Erin Allen and Andy Avram watched about 200 fly over Wake Robin, apparently bound for nearby Mentor Lagoons, on 03 Apr. The next most were Robert Hershberger’s 108 along the Holmes Rail Trail on 16 Apr and Andy Brown’s 100 at Killdeer on 13 Mar. Only Fayette and Van Wert didn’t have sightings. Blue-winged Teal Brian Jorg provided the high count of 152, on 06 Apr at the EcOhio Farm and Wetland, Warren (hereafter EcOhio). (81 counties) [Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal] One individual spent 18 Apr to 04 May in Hil- A brisk morning walk in New Russia Township Cemetery, Lo- rain, on 01 Mar netted Chad Wilson this Greater White-front- liard, Franklin (m. obs.). ed Goose. Northern Shoveler The season’s last date was 26 May; Ryan Smy- Cackling Goose lie saw a duo that day at Bradstreet’s Landing, Cynthia Anderson and Matthew Plante saw the

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Cuyahoga. (Sightings resumed at Metzger in Green-winged Teal mid-Jun.) Metzger provided the high count of Kevin Pero saw the last, off CLNP on 18 May. 300, on 21 Mar (Jeff Sailer) and counts of up to Josh Yoder found about 400 at Wilderness Road 200 on other dates. The most elsewhere were 150 on 14 Mar and up to 300 were seen there on oth- at Pickerington Ponds on 15 Mar (Bob and Sara er dates. Cory Chiappone and Doug Marcum Crist). (75 counties) counted 256 along the ONWR WD on 21 Mar Gadwall for the most seen elsewhere. (66 counties) David Hochadel and George Novosel saw the last [Gadwall x Green-winged Teal] of the season, one bird at Nimisila on 29 May. Julie Karlson and Doug Overacker saw one at Warren Leow found 250 at Metzger on 20 Mar. Buck Creek on 01 Mar; it might have been the The most not in Lucas or Ottawa were about same bird that was at Old Reid Park, Clark, 180, at both Killdeer on 19 Mar (Irina Shulgina) about a month earlier. and Mosquito Lake on 21 Mar (Larry Richard- Canvasback son). (71 counties) The last one spent from 20 to 26 May at Fernald American Wigeon (Brian Wulker). Craig Caldwell saw the last oth- Lori Brumbaugh saw the last, off the Euclid erwise, at Sandy Ridge on 02 May. Two sites held Creek Reservation, Cuyahoga, on 28 May. at least 1000 on 05 Mar, Winous Point (Doug Wright Marsh hosted about 150 on 12 Mar for Marcum) and Muddy Creek Bay, Sandusky Lucas Weaver, and Delaware WA held 120 for (Jessica Schmit). The 01 Mar ONWR census Troy Herrel on 18 Mar. (66 counties) crew tallied 570 (Douglas Vogus et al.) and the Mallard most away from Lake Erie were 70 at Mosquito Doug Marcum found about 800 at Winous Point Lake on 03 and 04 Mar (Larry Richardson). (36 on 05 Mar. Erin Allen and Andy Avram noted counties) about 600 passing Wake Robin on 03 Apr for Redhead the second highest number. The most away from One or two were seen at Howard Marsh from Lake Erie were the 500 that Cam Lee and David early May well into Jun. The last sighting other- Lehner saw at Killdeer on 01 Mar. Only Gallia wise was at ONWR on 16 May (m. obs.). Doug- and Pike didn’t have sightings. las Vogus’ ONWR census crew found 1465 on [Wood Duck x Mallard] 01 Mar. The next most were Geoff Malosh’s Allen and Daniel Stutzman saw a male south of 1200 at Metzger on 04 Mar, and the most inland Millersburg, Holmes, on 14 Mar; it was appar- were Carl Winstead’s 600 at Alum Creek on 15 ently paired with a female Wood Duck. Mar. (62 counties) American Black Duck [Canvasback x Redhead] Several observers saw the last, one or two at the David English photographed this hybrid at La- Burton Wetlands, Geauga, on 26 May. Jessica Due on 06 Mar. Schmit found 200 at Winous Point on 09 Mar, Ring-necked Duck and other Lucas and Ottawa sites had up to 100 George Novosel saw an apparently injured bird birds. The most away from those counties were at Nimisila on 29 May. Jon Costanzo saw the 50, at Firestone-Yeagley WA, Columbiana (Pe- second last, at Quail Ridge Farm, Preble, on 27 ter Wilson). (56 counties) May. Wright Marsh hosted about 1000 for Josh [Mallard x American Black Duck] Yoder on 27 Mar and up to 800 on other dates. These common hybrids were identified in 15 Steve Jones found the most elsewhere, 400 at counties. Alexandria Horne saw the most, four at Killdeer on 15 Mar. (78 counties) Voice of America MP, Butler, on 01 May. Greater Scaup Northern Pintail Ken Lebo found the last of the season, on 26 Ron Morgan saw the last, two at Howard Marsh May at Taylorsville MP, Montgomery, though on 06 May. A trio of birders found 700 at Funk there was also one early Jun sighting elsewhere. on 08 Mar and up to 600 were reported there Robert Sams counted 371 at the Findlay Res- on other dates. The most elsewhere were 446 at ervoirs on 19 Mar and 200 remained there for ONWR on 01 Mar (Douglas Vogus et al.). (48 Amy Downing on 25 Mar. Two other sites each counties) hosted about 100. (56 counties) [Mallard x Northern Pintail] [Ring-necked Duck x Greater Scaup] Ed Wransky photographed one at the Crook Karl Overman identified one of these at Arch- Street wetlands, Lorain, on 16 Mar. bold Reservoir, Fulton, on 02 Mar.

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Lesser Scaup last. LaDue hosted the most, 12 on 27 Mar (Dick Sightings continued into Jun at several locations. Hoopes, Gavin Nupp). (20 counties) Paul Sherwood saw the most, about 5000 at the Bufflehead Bayview borrow ponds, Erie, on 19 Mar and An injured bird that Matt Mason found at Alum again at East Harbor on 08 Apr. Paul also saw the Creek on 30 May was the last. One or two at Ni- most away from Lake Erie, 2000 at Willard Res- misila on 28 and 29 May were second last (m. ervoir, Huron, on 17 Mar. Carl Winstead count- obs.). Jason Bojczyk provided the high count ed by 10s and arrived at 1420 at Alum Creek on of 275, from Mallard Club Marsh on 28 Apr, 21 Mar. (76 counties) and two other counts exceeded 200 birds. (78 Harlequin Duck counties) Philip Steiner saw the last, two off Beulah Beach, Common Goldeneye Erie, on 14 Apr. The most were four, a count One Jun sighting followed this season’s last, which that was found both off Rocky River,Cuyahoga , was at Alum Creek on 28 May (m. obs.). Mandy on 07 Mar (Ian Anderson) and off Lakeside, Ot- Roberts made the second last report, from Bresler tawa, between 02 and 09 Mar (m. obs.). Other Reservoir, Allen, on 10 May. Patrick Coy saw Cuyahoga sites and Lake also had sightings. about 400 off Sims Park, Cuyahoga, on 07 Mar. The next most were Tom Bartlett’s 275 at Kelleys Island on 17 Mar, while the most away from Lake Erie were the 71 that Larry Richardson counted at Mosquito Lake on 08 Mar. (47 counties) Hooded Merganser Doug Davis saw the most, 75 at Hoover Reser- voir on 16 Mar. Three sites each hosted about 50. (78 counties) Common Merganser The last date of the season was 30 May, when Debbie Parker got great up close views of this Harlequin Duck on 04 Mar off Rocky River,Cuyahoga . sightings came from three sites. But they’re now known to nest is several locations, so sightings Surf Scoter continued all summer. Douglas Vogus and his Clear Fork hosted the last, for Gary Cowell on 26 ONWR census team counted 2132 on 01 Mar. May. The second last was seen at Tappan Lake, Kenn Kaufman found 350 at East Harbor on 17 Harrison, on 09 May (m. obs.). Eight were off Mar for the second highest number. Gary Cow- Sims Park, Cuyahoga, on 31 Mar for m. obs.; ell’s 96 at Pleasant Hill Lake on 01 Mar were the the remaining sightings were of one or two birds. most away from the Lake Erie area. (67 counties) (8 counties) Red-breasted Merganser White-winged Scoter Scattered Jun sightings in Cuyahoga followed Atlee Yoder saw one at Willard Reservoir, Hu- this season’s last, which was on 31 May at Fer- ron, on 16 May and it was still there for Adrian guson and Metzger Reservoirs, Allen (Tim Smith on 18 May. Bob and Denise Lane saw the Krynak). The most were about 3500 that Ra- last otherwise, five at Berlin Lake on 04 May; that chael Kaiser saw from CLNP on 01 Apr, and was also the highest count. (11 counties) Jen Brumfield saw 2900 from Wendy Park on 15 Mar. Ryan Tomazin provided the inland high Black Scoter count of 425, from Seneca Lake, Noble, on 15 All of the sightings were of single birds. The last Mar. (74 counties) was at Pleasant Hill Lake on 22 May (George No- vosel). Cuyahoga and Harrison and Paulding Ruddy Duck also produced reports. Sightings continued into Jun. Rachael Kaiser saw 3229 in “multiple large rafts- individually count- Scoter sp. ed--includes entire surrounding of wildlife area” Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Ottawa, Richland, and at Pipe Creek on 08 Apr. Barbara James’ 750 at Summit had sightings of indeterminate birds. Berlin Lake on 07 Apr were “scattered over a Long-tailed Duck very large area.” (74 counties) The first sighting since 22 Feb was of five birds Northern Bobwhite by several birders at Bass Lake Preserve, Geau- Ryan Byler saw the season’s first, along Township ga, on 12 Mar. Larry Richardson also saw five, Road 560, Holmes, on 21 Mar. Ron Bicknell re- at Mosquito Lake on 11 Apr, and they were the ported about 20 in a “large covey [that] flushed 115 Vol. 43 No. 3 as I was following tree line” at the Great Miami reported there on other dates. OSU Waterman WMB on 05 Apr. Jonathan Goolsby’s 11 at Old Farm hosted about 120 for Rachael Kaiser on Highland Stone on 30 May was the second high- 05 Mar. Only Gallia, Pike, and Shelby didn’t est count. (26 counties) produce reports. Chukar Eurasian Collared-Dove Every once in a while, one of these hunt-club Josh King found four at Montezuma, Mercer, on birds makes a break for it. Douglas Vogus saw 11 Apr. (11 counties) this spring’s escapee along Wilderness Road on White-winged Dove 14 Mar. Posts from Cuyahoga and Hamilton have pho- Ring-necked Pheasant tos but no one filed a formal report. Bruce and Kelly Miller counted 18 along River Mourning Dove Drive, Pickaway, on 07 Mar. The next highest Gautam Apte saw 117 in “many small groups count was six, by Cam Lee at Beaver WA, Mari- westbound” at CLNP on 29 Mar. Jack Leow on, on 24 May. (43 counties) found about 55 in fields near Bowling Green, Ruffed Grouse Wood, on 10 Mar. (all 88 counties) Vinton Furnace hosted the first of the season, on Yellow-billed Cuckoo 05 Mar for Tyler Ficker. The next was quite a Jane Balbo reported the first, from Strouds Run bit later; Lucas Weaver and Atlee Yoder heard SP, Athens, a bit early on 19 Apr. Several birders it near Coshocton (city) on 26 Mar. Three loca- noted the second, at CNC’s Rowe Woods on 25 tions had two sightings (or hearings), all in Apr. Apr. Joshua Davidson noted the first in the far (8 counties) north, at Headlands on 29 Apr. Three miles of travel in OOPMP produced seven for Jacob My- Brenda Meese counted 79 at Killbuck on 08 Mar. ers on 30 May. (80 counties) Ethan Maynard’s 59 were the next most; he saw Black-billed Cuckoo them in Huntsburg Township, Geauga, on 23 Jamie Cunningham saw the first, at Lake Hope Mar. (82 counties) SP, Vinton, on 28 Apr. Brian Tinker records noc- Pied-billed Grebe turnal flight calls at his Cuyahoga Falls,Summit Carol Bates provided the high count of 38, at home, and noted the first record for the far north ONWR on 04 Apr. (81 counties) on 29 Apr. His equipment also tallied the two Horned Grebe highest counts, nine on 29 Apr and five the next Shelley Funai saw the last, at West Branch SP, night. (55 counties) Portage, on 28 May. Robert Sams saw the sec- ond last, at the Findlay Reservoirs on 18 May. Gautam Apte counted 55 from CLNP on 22 Mar. (68 counties) Red-necked Grebe The reports, all of single birds, are: At Caesar Creek from 07 to 21 Mar (m. obs.) At the Edgewater Marina, Cuyahoga, on 07 Mar (Joshua Davidson, Bill Ohlsen) The same bird an hour later at nearby Wendy Park (Bill Ohlsen) At Rocky Fork on 13 Mar (Dale Bailey) Eared Grebe The reports, all of single birds like those of Red- necked Grebes, are: At Rocky Fork on 22 Mar (Bill Stanley) At Wauseon Reservoir, Fulton, from 24 to 30 Apr (m. obs.) At Englewood on 26 Mar (Eric Elvert, Ken Lebo) Rock Pigeon Andy Sewell found about 200 at the OSU Live- stock Facility on 17 May, and up to 150 were On 17 May Alex Eberts spotted this Black-billed Cuckoo at OSU’s Waterman Farms.

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Common Nighthawk Nirschl counted 12 there in five hours that day. The first was near Brunswick, Medina, on 25 The most elsewhere were the 10 that Tyler Mc- Apr for Joe Wojnarowski. Vernon E. Yoder Clain found at the Jones Preserve on 25 May. counted 67 over Millersburg, Holmes, on 19 Only Meigs, Mercer, and Van Wert didn’t have May. The next most were 34 at Killbuck on 22 sightings. May; Rebecca Garonzik and Jelmer Poelstra Yellow Rail wrote, “Great to see so many!” (62 counties) A post from Lake has a description and a photo. Chuck-will’s-widow King Rail The first date was 27 Apr, when Jeremy Several observers heard the first, at the Tappan Dominguez heard one along Hamilton Road, Wetland Mitigation Bank, Harrison, on 11 Apr. Adams, as did Dale Bailey at Sinking Spring, Often they’re not discovered until May. The high Highland. That’s a week or so later than their count was by Jessica Schmit, three at Winous historical arrival date. Several birders heard Point on both 12 and 29 May. (6 counties) three along Hamilton Road on 02 May. The only other location was Waggoner Riffle Road, Virginia Rail Adams. The first report after the scattering of winter records was by Jeff Peters; he heard one by the Eastern Whip-poor-will Tecumseh Trail, Clark, on 02 Mar. Bill Ohlsen’s The first report was by Bryan Smith, who heard at Sandy Ridge on 19 Mar was the first of the far one at his Lawrence home on 06 Apr. Jaret north. Darby Creek hosted 13 for David Dona- King’s at Mogadore Reservoir, Portage, on 22 hue on 03 May. (47 counties) Apr was the first far northern record. Bob Lane heard 12 along Foundry Hill Road, Columbi- ana, between 9:00 and 9:30 pm on 21 May. The next were the eight that Elizabeth Ames heard at Vinton Furnace beginning at 4:00 am on 09 May. (29 counties including most of those bordering Lake Erie)

Patience paid off for Chad Wilson at Sandy Ridge when he found this Virginia Rail on 19 Apr.

Sora The first find was at Wake Robin on 28 Mar (m. obs.), almost two weeks early for so far north. Da- Leslie Sours quietly photographed this sleeping Eastern Whip- vid Lehner and Cam Lee saw 15 at Killdeer on poor-will on a visit to Whetstone Park in Columbus on 07 May. 24 Apr and thought they heard others as well. (54 counties) Chimney Swift Louis Hoying’s at Lake Loramie SP, Shelby, on Common Gallinule 29 Mar was the first sighting. Jason Bojczyk spent Chad Wilson photographed the first, at Lorain on most of 15 May counting migrants passing the 06 Apr. Josh King counted 20 along the ONWR Maumee Bay observation mound and tallied WD on 14 May. The next highest number was 777. John Mark Hershberger estimated 500 to 12, shared by Nicky Rosner at Killbuck on 25 600 were over Winesburg, Holmes, on 03 May. Apr and Ned DeLamatre at Howard Marsh on Only Meigs didn’t have a sighting. 14 May. (36 counties) Ruby-throated Hummingbird American Coot David Swanson and Caitlin Harley saw the first, Matt Kemp estimated that 800 were at Howard at Amann Reservoir, Morrow, on 14 Apr. Ed Marsh on 04 Apr; Cynthia Norris had found Wransky’s at his Lorain home on 29 Apr was about 600 at Nimisila on 28 Mar. (75 counties) the first near Lake Erie. Jason Bojczyk’s vigil at Limpkin Maumee Bay on 15 May produced 35, and Rick The OBRC has a report from Fairfield.

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Black-necked Stilt and the first in the far north were 78 near Shelby, Craig Moore saw the first, near Groveport, Richland, on 10 Apr (Jason Larson). The last Franklin, on 10 Apr. Two at Howard Marsh on one was by Wilderness Road on 15 May (Aar- 11 Apr were the first near Lake Erie (m. obs.). on Nisley). The high count was 500 to 600 near The high count of seven was shared by Metzger Alger, Hardin, on 12 Apr (Steve Jones, Mandy on 09 May (Don Pfouts) and Howard Marsh on Roberts). (26 counties) 15 May (Jamie Cunningham). The most away Killdeer from Lucas and Ottawa were duos at Pickerel Jen Brumfield counted 57 at Cahoon Park, Creek on 04 May (Michelle Liebold) and Wilder- Cuyahoga, on 26 Mar. Very young families were ness Road on 08 May (Ray Miller and Marvin R. seen as early as 01 May. (all 88 counties) Yoder). (74 counties) Semipalmated Plover American Avocet The Ellis Lake wetlands, Butler, hosted the Gautam Apte saw the first, two at Burke Airport first, for Brandt Schurenberg on 16 Apr; that’s on 13 Apr, and wrote that they “came in from the a week earlier than their historical date. A single NE and landed in the impoundment”. The last Jun sighting followed this season’s last, which was were two at Howard Marsh on 14 May (Cynthia by Cole Hoffman at Port Clinton, Ottawa, on Beans). Shelby Reservoir Number 3, Richland, 31 May. Jeremy Dominguez found about 80 at hosted 35 on 26 Apr for Michael and Trevor Metzger on 14 May. (52 counties) Zook, and several birders saw the second most, 15 at Bath NP, Summit, on 23 Apr. Uncharac- Piping Plover teristically, these last were swimming in the small Posts from Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, and Lake lake. (12 counties) have photos. Sandhill Crane Upland Sandpiper Atlee, Cristy, and David Miller saw at least 120 Scott Pendleton saw the first, three at the Har- at Killbuck on 21 Mar. Atlee Yoder and Lucas rison airport on 08 Apr and the most, six near Weaver had made an exact count of 65 there on Cadiz, Harrison, on 02 May. Three sites hosted 04 Mar. The most away from the Killbuck/Funk them on 31 May, and they remained to nest in at area were 60 northbound over Rocky River Park, least one of them. (8 counties) Cuyahoga, on 08 Mar (Jon Cefus and Ben Mor- Whimbrel rison). (58 counties) Josh King and Ethan Rising photographed the first, at the Coldwater Creek Treatment Train, Mercer, on 08 May. Usually they don’t arrive in the state until the middle of the month. One reached Lorain by 23 May (m. obs.). Teresa Cur- tiss saw the last, along the Hockhocking-Adena Bikeway, Athens, on 29 May. Birders found up to 90 in a flooded field near Hebron, Licking, in late May; all the other sightings were of single birds. (7 counties) Marbled Godwit Big Island hosted the first, for m. obs. on 19 Apr. Erin Allen and Andy Avram saw the first for the north coast, 11 at Mentor Lagoons on 26 Apr; Wetlands in Allen held a Sandhill Crane family which Mandy that was also the high count. Barry McEwen’s at Roberts documented on 09 Apr. Metzger on 16 May was the last, and the only Black-bellied Plover other sighting that month was by William L. Several birders saw the first, at Mentor Lagoons Jones at Mill Creek on 08 May. Cam Lee and on 25 Apr. Cole Hoffman’s at Port Clinton, Ot- Ron Sempier found the second highest number, tawa, on 31 May was the last. Cam Lee counted six at Big Island on 27 Apr. All of the sightings 40 at Big Island on 16 May; Dawn Parker found were in Lake, Lucas, Mahoning, Marion, and 20 at Metzger on 14 May. (25 counties) Trumbull. American Golden-Plover Ruddy Turnstone The first were two at Lake Barber,Hamilton , on The first date was 06 May, when Troy Shively 19 Mar (Richard Payne), next were seven by So- saw four at Indian Lake SP, Logan, and Warren lon Road, Greene, on 26 Mar (Lee Funderburg), Leow saw one at Maumee Bay. One or two at

118 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Wendy Park on 30 May (m. obs.) were followed Darke, on 09 Apr, at least a week early for the by two early Jun sightings. Maumee Bay provided northern half of the state. The first on the north the two highest counts, 12 on 14 May (Derek and coast were Jessica Schmit’s 40 at Winous Point on Levi Parker) and seven on 16 May (Paul Jacyk). 18 Apr. Several birders saw the last, at the Stark (11 counties) landfill on 29 May. Vera Davis’s 70 at Howard Ruff Marsh on 09 May were the most, and 55 at the A post from Marion has a description. Ellis Lake wetlands, Butler, on 10 May came in second (m. obs.). (53 counties) Stilt Sandpiper Steve Jones and Cam Lee separately reported the White-rumped Sandpiper first, at Big Island on 19 Apr. Donna Kuhn and The first was seen at Big Island from 19 to22 George Novosel each saw one at Howard Marsh Apr (m. obs.). Don Pfouts saw the first for the far on 03 May, the earliest date for the north coast. north, two at Howard Marsh on 03 May, about (These were very early – the species’ historical when they’ve historically arrived in the state. The arrival date is about 08 May.) Jelmer Poelstra last of the season were seen on 30 May, though and Josh Yoder weren’t together, but both saw there were also early Jun sightings. Alvin Miller the last, at Wilderness Road on 18 May. Leslie saw the most, six at Funk on 25 May. (17 counties) Sours’ three at Howard Marsh on 09 May were Pectoral Sandpiper the most and there were several reports of two. Phil Cantino saw the first, at Lake Snowden,Ath - (9 counties) ens, on 08 Mar. Ron Sempier saw the next, a Sanderling total of 25 throughout Killdeer on 14 Mar. The The first sighting was all the way north, at How- north coast’s first were seven at CLNP on 26 Mar ard Marsh on 03 May (Pam Houston); usually (Gautam Apte, Sameer Apte). Jason Bojczyk’s at they haven’t even crossed the Ohio River until Metzger on 27 May was the last. Brandon Bry- the second week of May. The last northbound wcznski and Greg Links saw the most, 400 of birds were three at Maumee Bay on 24 May (Ja- them north of Toledo Airport on 19 Apr. The son Bojczyk). Pipe Creek hosted the most, five on next most were 300, near Rockford, Mercer, on 16 May (Donna Parrish). (8 counties) 13 Apr (Jamie Cunningham) and near Shelby, Crawford, on 19 Apr (Devon Zimmerman). (53 Dunlin counties) The first report came from ONWR Boss, two birds on 23 Mar (m. obs.); that’s about when Semipalmated Sandpiper they’ve usually entered the state. Paul Jacyk and Howard Gratz was the first to see any, two near Debra Sweeney separately reported the last of Utica, Knox, on 19 Apr. Mentor Marsh hosted the season, at Howard Marsh on 31 May, though the first for the far north, two on 02 May, their several more were seen there on 06 Jun. Jason historical date for crossing the Ohio River (m. Bojczyk provided the high count of 770, from obs.). Migration continued into the first week of Metzger on 10 May, and up to 600 were reported Jun. The most were 40 at Metzger on 27 May there on other dates. The most elsewhere were (Jason Bojczyk). (39 counties) the 544 that Geoff Malosh counted among sever- Western Sandpiper al flocks at Howard Marsh on 03 May. The most Up to three were seen at Wilderness Road be- away from Lake Erie were 60 at the Coldwater tween 09 and 14 May (m. obs.). On 01 May Creek Treatment Train, Mercer, on both 05 and Eli Miller saw one at a farm pond near Baltic, 09 May (m. obs.). (34 counties) Holmes, and Keith Schlabach saw two there Purple Sandpiper later that same day. Historically they’re typically These are normally here only Nov through Jan, first seen during the last week of May. but this year there were Feb sightings and then Short-billed Dowitcher the following two very late birds. Several birders Helen and Ken Ostermiller found six near Shel- saw one at Wendy Park on 05 May. So did anoth- by, Crawford, on 22 Apr, about when they usu- er group at Lakefront Park in Fairport Harbor, ally enter the state. Ed Wransky saw the first near Lake, on 28 May. Lake Erie, on 26 Apr. Cynthia Anderson and Baird’s Sandpiper Matthew Plante watched about 40 fly over the These are very seldom seen in spring, but one Hebron fish hatchery, Licking, on 24 May; they spent 24 and 25 May near Hartford, Licking, for were the last. About 100 graced Howard Marsh multiple observers. on 14 May for Josh King. The most inland were Ken Lebo’s 50 at Spring Valley on 14 May. (37 Least Sandpiper counties) Regina Schieltz saw the first, near Versailles, 119 Vol. 43 No. 3

Long-billed Dowitcher wa, on 12 Mar, the next date. A few lingered into Three showed up north of Toledo Airport on 14 Jun at Howard Marsh. Two flocks of at least 200 Apr and were there until 19 Apr (m. obs.); that’s were reported, by Matt Anderson west of Toledo two weeks early for the far north. The last date on 29 Apr and by Jamie Koller and James Small- of 15 May was shared, by Bill Stanley at Indian wood at Mentor Marsh on 02 May. (65 counties) Creek WA, Brown, and Regina Schieltz near Willet Rossburg, Darke. Lots of folks saw about 20 at Lower Shaker Lake, Cuyahoga, hosted the first, Darby Creek on 03 May. (19 counties) on 21 Apr (m. obs.), and Prairie Lane, Wayne, Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher the last, on 13 May (also m. obs.). The arrival Anthony Tambini saw one at Prairie Oaks MP, date is two weeks early for so near Lake Erie. Paul Franklin, on 08 Apr, but it didn’t stay long enough Jacyk’s 60 at Metzger on 29 Apr were the most. for a species determination. Philip Steiner saw a Benjamin Miller’s 44 at Kokosing Lake WA, flock of about 75 at Pipe Creek on 14 May that he Knox, on 07 May were the most away from Lake thought included both species. (18 counties) Erie. (28 counties) American Woodcock Greater Yellowlegs Austin and Mollie Langdon found about 20 at Doug Marcum saw the first, at Wake Robin on Miller Ecological Park, Warren, on 17 Mar and 08 Mar; migration continued into Jun. Mentor wrote, “Underestimate. 7 seen in flight and many Marsh hosted about 120 on 02 May for Joshua many [sic] different individuals heard peenting Davidson. (67 counties) in all directions (woods and prairie). Flight dis- Wilson’s Phalarope play also heard many times.” Jon Cefus and Kent Jeff Brown and Katherine Lorencz independent- Miller found about 15 at Jockey Hollow WA, ly reported the first, from EcOhio on 27 Apr, a Harrison, on 14 Mar. (73 counties) bit earlier than usual. Gautam Apte saw the last, Wilson’s Snipe flying over CLNP on 24 May. Three sites each Sally Isacco was at Wake Robin at 7:30 on the hosted three. (12 counties) evening of 20 Apr and wrote, “First saw 5 then Red-necked Phalarope 22 then 29. Two large groups were calling. No Three locations hosted single birds, each for mul- photos-too dark. Never saw so many snipe!!” tiple observers. They were Frohring Meadows, Zebedee Muller came in second with 30 at Darby Geauga, on 03 May, Rocky River Reservation’s Creek on 11 Apr. (51 counties) Little Met Golf Course, Cuyahoga, on 09 and Spotted Sandpiper 10 May, and Little Killbuck Creek WA, Holmes, Jacob Raber saw the first, at Lake Logan SP, on 28 May. Hocking, on 14 Mar, three weeks before their historical arrival date. Next was Lee Funder- burg’s at the Osborne Road gravel pits, Clark, on 30 Mar, and Robert Salata saw the far north’s first, three in the Pymatuning area, Ashtabu- la, on 14 Apr. Robert Sams counted 59 in two groups at the Findlay Reservoirs on 18 May; the next most were Buster Banish’s 26 at Conneaut on 17 May. (82 counties) Solitary Sandpiper Michele Skolmutch saw the first, by Schwartz- walder Road, Wayne, on 31 Mar, almost two weeks early for so far north. Lisa Brohl saw the The Little Met wetlands, Cuyahoga, held a special visitor, a Red-necked Phalarope, which Kevin captured at water’s edge first near (very near!) Lake Erie at Middle Bass Is- on 10 May. land SP, Ottawa on 13 Apr. Kathy Jakischa saw the last of the season, at Howard Marsh on 31 Long-tailed Jaeger May; some mid-Jun birds could have lingered or A post from Delaware has a photo. be early arrivals from the north. Eli Miller count- Bonaparte’s Gull ed 34 at a farm pond near Baltic, Holmes, on 11 Gautam Apte noted about 3800 off CLNP on May. (79 counties) 12 Apr, and up to 3600 were reported in the Lesser Yellowlegs Cleveland area on other dates. The most not Julie Karlson and Doug Overacker found the in Cuyahoga were about 2000 at Lorain Har- first, a week early at Buck Creek on 08 Mar. Ob- bor on 10 Apr (Greg Pasek) and 11 Apr (Joshua servers saw up to three near Oak Harbor, Otta- 120 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Vardous). The most away from Lake Erie were Lesser Black-backed Gull George Billman’s 480 at O’Shaughnessy NP, The last of the season spent from 21 to 27 May at Delaware, on 28 Mar. (67 counties) Maumee Bay (m. obs.), but there were also early Little Gull Jun sightings there and elsewhere. The most were Philip Chaon saw one from Wendy Park on 05 the 17 that Janice Farral saw at Lakeview Park, Apr. Multiple observers delighted in one that Lorain, on 18 May, and the most inland were spent from 05 to 12 May at Lorain. Robert Sams’ seven at the Hancock landfill on 11 Apr. (14 counties) Laughing Gull Several birders saw one at Mentor Lagoons on Glaucous Gull 06 May. Erin Allen saw the last, at Headlands on 12 May; usually they’re gone by mid-Apr. Four Cuyahoga Franklin’s Gull and two Lake sites each hosted two birds. Erie, The reports, all of single birds, are: Lorain, Lucas, and Mercer also had sightings. Near Mt. Eaton, Wayne, on 28 Mar (Atlee Yoder) [Herring x Glaucous Gull] At Lorain on 29 Mar (Kevin and Patty McKelvey) Troy Shively photographed this hybrid at Grand At Maumee Bay from 25 to 28 May (m. obs.) Lake SP on 29 Apr. Laughing/Franklin’s Gull Great Black-backed Gull Louis Hoying saw a distant candidate at Lake Lo- About 100 were at Wendy Park on 07 Mar for relei, Shelby, on 02 Apr. Rachael Kaiser and up to 90 were there on other dates. Jen Brumfield saw the most elsewhere, 42 at Ring-billed Gull nearby Edgewater on 13 Apr. Brian Tinker’s four Cynthia Norris saw at least 8000 off Wendy at Springfield Lake, Summit on 01 Mar were Park on 09 Mar. Amy Winningham found 6000 the most inland, and singles at two Hancock sites at Lorain on 01 Mar, the second most. Marc were the other inland sightings. (9 counties) Hanneman’s 960 at Pymatuning SP, Ashtabula, on 01 Mar were the most away from Lake Erie. [Herring x Great Black-backed Gull] (76 counties) Joshua Davidson saw one at Wendy Park on 21 Mar. California Gull Posts from Cuyahoga have photos. Least Tern Posts from Delaware and Wayne have photos. Herring Gull At least 5000 were off Wendy Park on 09 Mar for Cynthia Norris, and up to 4000 were there on other dates. The most away from Cuyahoga were 1200 at Lorain harbor on 09 May (Jen Brumfield), and the most inland were 1000 at Sippo Lake, Stark, on 01 Mar (Teresa Kaminski). (56 counties) Iceland Gull Gautam Apte’s at CLNP on 22 Mar was the last; the second last was Cynthia Norris’s at Wendy Park on 09 Mar. Wendy Park also provided the Alum Creek had a rare Least Tern visit the beach on 25 May; high count, six on 25 Mar for Jen Brumfield. Alex Eberts captured it perfectly. Erie, Lake, and Lorain had counts of up to four, and solo birds were in Morrow and Richland. Caspian Tern Reports of duos on the first date of 28 Mar came from Grand Lake SP (Terri Gorney and John Sharits) and Hueston Woods SP (Heather Angst). The next were singles at three sites on 05 Apr. Ken Andrews saw about 225 on the ore piles visible from Wendy Park on 09 May. The most away from Cuyahoga were 135 at Lorain harbor on 22 Apr (Debbie Parker), and the inland high count was 19, at Mosquito SP on 20 Apr (Rick Nelson). (51 counties) A chilly afternoon at Lorain was worth a visit when Debbie Parker photographed this Iceland Gull on 14 Apr.

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Black Tern 07 Apr were the second most. As usual, sightings Several birders saw the first, at Big Island on 15 continued well into Jun. (73 counties) Apr, three weeks early for the northern half of the Great Cormorant state. The next was near Greenville, Hancock, on Posts from Cuyahoga have photos. 01 May (fide Regina Schieltz), and the first near Lake Erie flew past Mentor Lagoons on 05 May Double-crested Cormorant (Leslie Sours). The most were Bill Johnson’s six at Rachael Kaiser saw about 4200 “flying- estimat- Howard Marsh on 09 May. (24 counties) ed in groups of 10--very large groups coming from east” at Sheldon Marsh on 08 Apr. The next most were 2000 that Ken Andrews saw from Wendy Park on 21 Apr. The most inland were at least 1100; David English saw them at LaDue on 15 Apr. (79 counties) Neotropic Cormorant The OBRC has a formal report from Wayne and posts with photos from Franklin and Lake.

This Black Tern, an unusual record at Ferguson Reservoir, Al- len, surprised Mandy Roberts on 11 May. Common Tern Brandon Henneman saw four at West Branch SP, Portage, on 06 Apr, and one got to Pickerel Creek two days later for Amy Didion. Gautam Apte was at CLNP on 12 May and counted 274 “streaming primarily west throughout the morn- ing and afternoon, in close to shore.” Greg Pasek On 27 Mar, Leslie’s walk at Kiwanis Riverway Park, Frank- lin, helped her spot this sunning Neotropic Cormorant. provided the second highest count, 140 at Lorain also on 12 May. Jon Cefus’ 26 at Nimisila on 10 American White Pelican May were the most at an inland site. (37 counties) Josh King saw the first of the season, at Grand Forster’s Tern Lake SP on 02 Mar. The last of the season were a The first sighting was at Lorain, by Joe Woyma few flocks on 31 May though sightings continued on 02 Apr. About 100 were there for Ian Ruppen- throughout Jun. Josh King photographed part of thal on 08 May. Gautam Apte’s vigil at CLNP on a flock of about 600 at Mercer WA on 10 Apr, 12 May tallied 75, mostly westbound. The most and up to 200 were reported there on other dates. inland were the 21 that Dick Hoopes and Mark The most elsewhere were Jessica Schmit’s 100 at Shaver found at LaDue on 10 May. (47 counties) Winous Point on 18 Apr. (30 counties) Red-throated Loon Brown Pelican Single birds were seen thusly: A post from Hamilton has a brief description. At Buck Creek on 24 and 25 Mar (m. obs.) Posts from Clinton and Knox have photos. At Hoover Reservoir on 25 Mar (m. obs.) American Bittern At Alum Creek on 14 Apr (Beth Lenoble, Carl Anne Mauro saw the first, at Gahanna Woods Winstead) SNP, Franklin, on 20 Mar, a week early for mid- At Ferguson and Metzger Reservoirs, Allen, on state. Darby Creek hosted six for Andy Brown on 15 Apr (Mandy Roberts) 14 Apr. (36 counties) At Perry Township Park, Lake, on 16 Apr (Tom Least Bittern Frankel) These usually arrive around 01 May, but one was At Lake Logan SP, Hocking, on 01 May (m. obs.) at Lake Loramie, Shelby, on 18 Apr (Louis Hoy- Pacific Loon ing) and another at Sandy Ridge the next day Posts from Meigs have photos. (Debbie and Mark Raven, Mike Sustin). Shane Common Loon Myers found five at Howard Marsh on 16 May. Brad Imhoff counted 129 at Buckeye Lake,Lick - (25 counties) ing, on 17 Apr. Gautam Apte’s 58 off CLNP on

122 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Great Blue Heron on Overton Road, Wayne, on 31 Mar. That’s al- Michael Lamont provided the high count of 125, most two weeks early for so far north. Jeffrey Roth at Shrum Mound, Franklin, on 11 Mar. Only saw the next, on the Hocking River in Fairfield Van Wert didn’t have a sighting. on 05 Apr, still a bit early. Kevin Pero counted Great Egret 18 at CLNP on 18 May and up to 14 were seen Pipe Creek hosted the most, 132 on 22 May there on other dates. The most elsewhere were (Cynthia Norris) and up to 105 on other dates. the 11 that Cory Chiappone and Cole DiFabio The most elsewhere were about 100 at Turn- found at Hidden Lake MP, Lake, on 20 May. ing Point Island, Erie, on 30 May (James Tom- Black-crowned Night-Heron ko) and the most inland were 84 at McKinley Lorain hosted 20 for Chad Wilson on 28 Apr Quarry, Franklin, on 23 Apr (Jerald Reb). (73 and up to 15 on other dates. The most elsewhere counties) were 12, at the McKinley Quarry, Franklin, on Snowy Egret 30 Apr (James Muller) and Sheldon Marsh on 01 These arrived somewhat later than usual; the first May (Greg Pasek). (30 counties) sightings were on 12 Apr. That day a trio of bird- Yellow-crowned Night-Heron ers found two along the Holmes County Trail, Observers found one or two at Gilmore MP, But- and Paul Jacyk and David Riddle separately re- ler, from 08 May until late Jun. Do we have a ported one at Howard Marsh. Pat Ivan counted new colony beginning? eight at Metzger on 09 May. The duo in Holmes Glossy Ibis were the most away from Lake Erie. (11 counties) Posts came from 10 counties. Every site generat- Little Blue Heron ed photos but none prompted a formal report to The reports are: the OBRC. At Howard Marsh, one on 26 Apr (Tom Frankel) White-faced Ibis At the Ellis Lake wetlands, Butler, one on 27 A post from Geauga had photos as did many Apr (Rick and Susan Dunning) from Knox. At and near Killbuck, one from 28 Apr to 01 May (m. obs.) Plegadis sp. Ibis At Mentor Lagoons, one or two from 29 Apr to A sighting in Hancock produce a description, 10 May (m. obs.) one in Lucas produced photos, and one in Mar- At Metzger on 30 Apr (Jason Bojczyk) ion produced both. Black Vulture Wayne Wauligman counted 69 at Addyston, Hamilton, on 27 Mar. (68 counties all the way to Lake Erie) Turkey Vulture Jen Brumfield counted 4236 passing Cahoon Park, Cuyahoga, in three hours on 26 Mar. Gautam Apte’s 5½ hours at CLNP on 20 Mar produced 2172. (all 88 counties) Osprey The first was a couple of weeks early when Mick- ie Getz saw it along the Chippewa Inlet Trail, Medina, on 04 Mar. James McCarty and Jeff A Little Blue Heron tried hiding from Debbie Parker on 05 May Wert counted 16 on nests and in the air at Ni- at Mentor Marsh. misila on 05 Apr. Kurt Garver spent five hours near Conneaut on 29 Apr and saw nine pass his Cattle Egret station. (80 counties) Their historical arrival is in early Apr, but the first wasn’t seen until 24 Apr. Anna Kilian found it at White-tailed Kite East Fork that day. Ruby Mast saw three along the A post from Coshocton has photos. A bird in ONWR WD on 13 May. Erie, Hamilton, Lo- Medina prompted two (!) reports to the OBRC gan, Sandusky, and Wayne also had sightings. and a post with photos. Green Heron Swallow-tailed Kite Kisa Weeman photographed the first, at a pond A post from Coshocton has a photo and descrip- tion; a Holmes report had no details.

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Golden Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk We’re seeing more of these each year, with a Jen Brumfield photographed some of the 51 she dozen reports this spring. The first were singles saw pass Cahoon Park, Cuyahoga, on 26 Mar. on 09 Mar near Dundee, Holmes (Atlee Yoder Rick Nirschl counted 41 passing Maumee Bay on and Duane Miller) and near Fresno, Coshocton 26 Mar. (79 counties) (Benjamin H. Yoder). The last were singles on 19 Broad-winged Hawk Apr in Crawford, Holmes, and Pike. Benjamin Ethan Kistler and Billi Krochuk saw the first, H. Yoder saw two adults over Fresno in 06 Apr. in Newton Falls, Trumbull, on 20 Mar, almost Singles were also seen in other Coshocton and three weeks early for so far north. The next, Tony Holmes sites, Lucas, Richland, and Wayne. Dornbusch ’s in Norwood, Hamilton, on 02 Apr Northern Harrier was about on schedule. Jason Guerard counted Brad Imhoff saw eight near Cadiz,Harrison , on 350 passing Trowbridge Road, Ottawa, in two 05 Mar. (71 counties) hours on 19 Apr. Alvin E. Miller spent 6½ hours Sharp-shinned Hawk watching from the Happy Hill area, Holmes, on Kurt Garver’s five hours near Conneaut on 29 19 Apr and tallied 273. (74 counties) Apr produced 260. Jen Brumfield saw eight pass Swainson’s Hawk Edgewater in two hours on 29 Mar. (70 counties) The OBRC has a report from Holmes plus posts Cooper’s Hawk from Lake and Ottawa with descriptions. Mark Shaver counted 13 passing Malek Park, Red-tailed Hawk Ashtabula, on 29 Apr. Two observers each saw Jen Brumfield’s vigil at Cahoon Park,Cuyahoga , eight, Rick Nirschl at Maumee Bay on 26 Mar on 26 Mar produced 68, and her watch from and Gautam Apte at CLNP on 04 Apr. Only Edgewater on 29 Mar produced 26. Rick Lu- Jackson, Meigs, and Pike didn’t have sightings. ehrs sighted one from Solon Road, Greene, on Northern Goshawk 26 Mar and wrote, “Darkest RT Hawk I’ve ever A report from Wayne had no details. seen. I posted on Raptor ID FB page and more knowledgeable raptor people I.D.’ed it as calurus/ Bald Eagle abieticola.” (all 88 counties) The Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) announced that researchers found 707 active Rough-legged Hawk nests this spring. It was the first formal count William Schieman saw the last, over Oregon, Lu- since 2012, when the tally was 281 nests. Lisa cas, on 10 May. Erin Allen and Andy Avram saw Cellura provided the season’s high count by an the second last, at Mentor Lagoons on 06 May. individual, 33 birds at Pickerel Creek on 12 May. Brad Imhoff saw four near Flushing, Harrison, Only Gallia and Pike didn’t a sighting. on 05 Mar and Josh Yoder counted 10 there on 08 Mar. (21 counties) Mississippi Kite The OBRC has reports from Clermont and Barn Owl Cuyahoga. Posts from two Ross locations have Alayna Call banded seven in a nest box in Cum- photos. berland, Guernsey, on 26 May. One posed for many birders at Cleveland’s Erie Street Ceme- tery on 21 Apr. (13 counties)

Jared Mizanin was excited to see a Barn Owl in the open on 21 Leslie Sours was thrilled to find the returning Mississippi Kite at Apr at Cleveland’s Erie Street Cemetery. Junction Earthworks, Ross, on 29 May.

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Eastern Screech-Owl there on 30 May and taken to a rehabilitation The high count of six was shared by Regina center, where it died during treatment (Manon Schieltz at her Darke home on 02 May and VanSchoyck fide Bob Scott Placier). Thomas Reiter in Middlefield, Geauga, on 30 Belted Kingfisher May. (51 counties) Gautam Apte saw eight at CLNP on 04 Apr. Snowy Owl Only Jackson, Pike, and Van Wert didn’t have The season’s only bird spent from 02 to 07 Mar sightings. at Burke Airport (m. obs.) But see the separate Red-bellied Woodpecker article “Buckeye” for news of an old friend. Jane Riker counted 31 while paddling five miles Barred Owl of the Blanchard River in Hancock on 09 May. The high count of five was shared by four loca- Van Wert alone didn’t have a sighting. tions. (75 counties) Red-headed Woodpecker Great Horned Owl Jeremy Miller found 16 in a Wayne woodlot on Amy Holloway found six in Marion (city) on 14 19 Apr, and there were nine reports of 12 birds Apr. (61 counties) elsewhere. (85 counties)

On 09 May this handsome Red-headed Woodpecker posed for Jared Mizanin at Sheldon Marsh.

Downy Woodpecker Janice Farral spotted a young Great Horned Owl testing his Van Buren SP, Hancock, hosted 20 for Robert wings on 24 Apr at Sandy Ridge. Sams on 08 Apr. Underbirded Van Wert didn’t have a sighting. Long-eared Owl Hairy Woodpecker The last was straggling a bit when several bird- Three miles of kayaking the upper Cuyahoga ers saw it at Headlands on 29 Apr. David Factor River in Geauga on 04 Apr produced eight for heard the second last, at the Barrow FS on 14 John Kolar. As was the case with its close (but not Apr. Byers Woods, Ashland, hosted three on 16 closest) relative the Downy, only Van Wert didn’t Mar (Christina Stump). (8 counties) have a sighting. Short-eared Owl Northern Flicker Often a few are still here through May, but this A host of birders found a host of flickers, 69 to be year’s last sighting was by Scott Pendleton, near exact, while at CLNP on 09 Apr. (all 88 counties) Cadiz, Harrison, on 19 Apr. He also had the two highest counts, nine on 23 Mar and five on Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 19 Apr, both at that same location. Triples at two Moira McCarthy saw what was probably the other sites were the most elsewhere. (16 counties) last migrant, in the Rocky River Reservation, Cuyahoga, on 20 May. However, some that were Northern Saw-whet Owl further south on that date might have eventually One spent from 06 to 21 Mar at the Cooke Fam- crossed the lake instead of settling in to one of ily Conservation Park, Richland (m. obs.). Den- the northeastern nesting areas. Joel Throckmor- nis Jaworski’s in Avon Lake, Lorain, on 23 Mar ton counted 22 at CLNP on 23 Apr and later that was the only other sighting. But a tantalizing re- same day Gautam Apte counted 44 there. The port came from Wood: A juvenile bird was found most elsewhere were 12 in Cleveland’s Erie Street

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Cemetery on 21 Apr (Gautam Apte and Kevin in Holmes near Sugarcreek on 19 Apr. Five sites Pero). (76 counties) each hosted three. (36 counties) Peregrine Falcon Three sites produced counts of three. (38 counties) Great Crested Flycatcher One in Darke on 16 Apr was a week or so ear- ly for the northern half of the state (fide Regina Schieltz). Lake and Lucas had sightings on 28 Apr, the first near Lake Erie. Cory Chiappone and Cole DiFabio counted 13 at Hueston Woods on 03 May. Carroll, Gallia, Pike, and Van Wert didn’t have sightings. Eastern Kingbird Molly Gurien well described the very early arriv- al that she saw at Zaleski on 21 Mar. Samantha Hartzell’s at Armco Park, Warren, on 11 Apr was also early (and also well described). Lori Brumbaugh saw one in the Big Creek Reserva- tion, Cuyahoga, on 24 Apr, about when they’re expected in middle of the state. A trio of birders Alex Eberts witnessed a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drilling holes during his visit to Chadwick Lake, Franklin, on 11 Apr. spent 5½ hours at CLNP on 15 May; they tallied 230 kingbirds in a “constant westward movement Pileated Woodpecker throughout the morning, both in small groups David Factor found seven at the Barrow FS on 19 and large flocks of up to 40 or 50.” Gautam Apte Apr. (83 counties) counted 185 passing there on 18 May, and Jason Bojczyk’s sojourn at Maumee Bay on 15 May produced 181. (all 88 counties) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Many posts from Cuyahoga had descriptions; a few had photos. Olive-sided Flycatcher Laurie Mills saw the first, near Mechanicstown, Carroll, on 08 May, a little later than usual. Sightings continued into Jun. Seven locations each held two birds. (36 counties) Eastern Wood-Pewee Jonathan Rice saw the first, at Beaver Creek SP, Columbiana, on 25 Apr. Paul Cary’s at Lake Abrams, Cuyahoga, on 28 Apr was the first for a north coast county. Gary Cowell walked four miles of trails at Clear Fork on 20 May and tallied 30. Only Pike and Van Wert didn’t have sightings. Acadian Flycatcher The first two were a little early; Scott Pendleton Kathy Mock saw this impressive Pileated Woodpecker on 11 Apr saw them at Clendening Lake, Harrison, on 24 at Bath NP, Summit. Apr. Fred Losi saw the first in the far north, in American Kestrel the Bedford Reservation, Cuyahoga, on 03 May. The high count of eight was shared by several Linda Ar counted 33 along 2.5 miles of the Bar- birders near Dundee, Wayne, on 07 Apr and rett’s Rim Trail, Highland, on 30 May. Karen James Smallwood at Park, Lake, Markey’s 23 at next-door Miller Sanctuary SNP, on 01 May. Carroll, Jackson, Morgan, and Highland, on the same day were the next most. Van Wert didn’t have sightings. (78 counties) Merlin Alder Flycatcher Ed Schlabach achieved a personal best with five Andrew Hood’s find at O’Shaughnessy NP, Del-

126 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020 aware, on 06 May was a week early for mid- CLNP on 09 Apr. Only Van Wert didn’t have state. One got to the Rocky River Reservation, a sighting. Cuyahoga, on 10 May for Allen Rand. The most Say’s Phoebe were 10, a count shared on 25 May by Tyler Mc- Single posts from Cuyahoga and Delaware and Clain at the Jones Preserve and Ronnie Macko several from Franklin had photos. and Shari Jackson at Berlin WA. (53 counties) Northern Shrike Willow Flycatcher All of the sightings, from 13 counties, were of Ken Petren saw the first, right on time in Spring single birds. The last bird was at Lake Erie Bluffs Grove Cemetery, Hamilton, on 02 May. The on 02 and 03 Apr (m. obs.). next day, Brennan Stokkermans saw one all the way up at Maumee Bay. Gautam Apte counted White-eyed Vireo 55 at CLNP on 24 May and up to 40 were re- Terry Bronson saw and heard an early arrival, ported there on other dates. The most elsewhere in Wayne NF, Washington, on 31 Mar; Michael were Kevin Pero’s 40 at Wendy Park on that same Schramm saw and heard it the next day as well. 24 May. (80 counties) Gabe Hostetler’s at Killbuck on 08 Apr was the first north of mid-state, and one at Chagrin Alder/Willow “Traill’s” Flycatcher River Park, Lake, on 25 Apr, was the first near Fred Losi saw the first, at CLNP on 01 May. Lake Erie (m. obs.). Counts of 13 came from Wendy Park held the most, 17 for Jen Brumfield The Wilderness Center, Stark, on both 15 May on 23 May. (38 counties) (Lucas Weaver) and 18 May (Jelmer Poelstra). (79 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher counties) Quarry Park, Marion, hosted the first, on 06 Bell’s Vireo May (Cam Lee). Winous Point had the far north’s Micki Dunakin’s find at her Paulding home on first sighting, on 09 May (Kaylie Simpson). Re- 04 May was a bit early for so far north. The north ports continued into Jun as usual. Kevin Pero was coast’s first delighted several birders at Maumee at Wendy Park on 24 May and said they were Bay on 17 May. Darby Creek hosted six on 30 “everywhere throughout the woodlot”; he tallied May for Linda Benner; duos there and at three 25. Gautam Apte counted 14 at CLNP the same other sites were the next most. (15 counties) day, the most elsewhere. (51 counties) Yellow-throated Vireo Joe Brehm saw the first, in Wayne NF, Athens, on 11 Apr. It took until 27 Apr for one to show up in a north coast county; Janice Farral and James Kerner separately saw one at Bacon Woods, Lo- rain that day. The next most were the nine that Ethan Kistler and Billi Krochuk found at Mos- quito WA on 03 May. (81 counties) Blue-headed Vireo The first date, 28 Mar, was a bit early, but was shared: Brian Wulker saw one at Buzzard Roost Bernard Master enjoyed watching this Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Rock, Adams, as did Kori Gasaway in Hocking on 24 May at his home in Worthington, Franklin. SF. Ken Vinciquerra saw the far north’s first, at Least Flycatcher East Cleveland Township Cemetery, Cuyahoga, Shawnee Lookout produced the first sighting, for on 16 Apr. Doug Whitman and Will Babb saw Andrew O’Connor on 20 Apr. The next sight- 20 at Glen Echo Park, Franklin, on 28 Apr and ings, on 25 Apr, were shared by three locations, wrote, “Nearly every tree had a BHVI, flocks of and the far north’s first was at CVNP on 28 Apr them. This is a conservative estimate.” Jen Brum- (Doug Marcum). Jen Brumfield saw about 60 at field’s 13 at Cleveland’s Erie Street Cemetery on Wendy Park on 15 May; Jason Bojczyk’s 38 at 16 May were the second most. (83 counties) Maumee Bay the same day were the most else- Philadelphia Vireo where. (77 counties) Dawn Hewitt saw the first, in Marietta, Wash- Eastern Phoebe ington, about on schedule on 29 Apr. It took Sightings were scattered throughout winter and only until 02 May for them to get to Lake Erie; migrants began arriving in Feb. Aubrey Bartman on that date Michael Hensley saw one at Sheldon found 20 at Duranceau Park, Franklin, on 23 Marsh and Jamie Koller another at Headlands. May; the next most were Mike Sustin’s 14 at The last date of 31 May was shared by Nancy

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O’Bryan, who saw three along the CVNP Wet- chel McKinney counted 81 along nearby Hayes more Trails, and Louise Acheson and Ken Vin- Road the same day. Up to 50 were reported at ciquerra, who saw one at Mentor Lagoons. Gau- both sites on other dates. The most in another tam Apte counted 23 at CLNP on 24 May. Jen county were 40; Mark Prinster saw them at the Brumfield’s 10 at Wendy Park on 23 May was the Union Sports Complex on 08 Mar. (70 counties) second highest number. (65 counties) Bank Swallow Warbling Vireo Karen Zeleznik saw the first, five at Nimisila on The first sightings were on 15 Apr. Scott Pend- 07 Apr, somewhat early for that latitude. Up to leton’s was at Clendening Lake, Harrison, and 275 were working CLNP on 15 May (m. obs.) (71 another was at Gilliom-Cherp Nature Park, counties) Richland, fide Gary Cowell. It took until 20 Tree Swallow Apr for William Albrecht to see one near Lake Their historical arrival date is about 23 Mar, but Erie, at Kopf Farm Reservation, Lorain. Wen- the first showed up on 02 Mar, for Dale Bailey dy Park hosted 26 on 23 May for Jen Brumfield. at Adams Lake SP, Adams, and they were seen Only Fayette, Gallia, and Van Wert didn’t have almost daily from then on. The first far north sightings. sighing was by Quentin Skrabec, two birds at Red-eyed Vireo Secor MP, Lucas, on 07 Mar. Gary Cowell was Jordan West saw the first, in Cincinnati’s Burnet at Clear Fork on 13 Apr and came up with 1250 Woods on 15 Apr. The next was Ronnie Clark’s “counted by 50’s four different times with scope at Prairie Oaks MP, Franklin, on 18 Apr. Noah to obtain a rough estimate, all were feeding low Goodwin-Bain and Kate Wise saw the far north’s over the reservoir waters”. Several observers saw first, at French Creek Reservation,Lorain , on 27 about 1000 at Tappan Lake, Harrison, on 09 Apr. Seven and a half miles of travel in Shawnee May. (all 88 counties) SF on 02 May allowed a trio of birders to tally 62. Northern Rough-winged Swallow Jelmer Poelstra’s 45 at The Wilderness Center, Irina Shulgina gave a good description of her find Stark, on 18 May were the second most. Only at Killdeer on 13 Mar, a good two weeks earlier Defiance and Van Wert didn’t have sightings. than expected for so far north. But Tom Kemp Blue Jay saw another at Grand Rapids, Lucas, only three Derek and Levi Parker only needed a little over days later, and sightings came almost daily from an hour at Metzger on 15 May to tally 700. Two 21 Mar on. Erin Allen and Andy Avram saw hours there the day before had rewarded Jeremy about 400 working Mentor Lagoons on 08 May. Dominguez with 300. The most elsewhere were For a change, only Henry didn’t have a sighting. Gautam Apte’s 217 at CLNP on 17 May. Only Purple Martin Van Wert didn’t have a sighting. Lee Funderburg photographed one at Spring Black-billed Magpie Valley on 05 Mar, at least two weeks ahead of the The OBRC has a report from Cuyahoga. usual date. There was a gap before Lucas Weav- American Crow er saw the next one on 20 Mar, near Mt. Hope, Terry Bronson saw a single flock of about 700 Holmes, and sightings came almost daily after in a field near Rolandus, Meigs, on 09 Mar. Jen that. Ian Ruppenthal found about 200 along the Brumfield counted 254 passing Cahoon Park, ONWR WD on 18 May and counts of about 100 Cuyahoga, on 26 Mar. (all 88 counties) came from there and two other sites. (80 counties) Fish Crow Barn Swallow Posts came from many Cuyahoga sites; some Dale Bailey saw the first two, at Adams Lake had descriptions, photos, or audio clips. Single SP, Adams, about as expected on 23 Mar. Lori posts from Erie and Lorain had brief descrip- Brumbaugh saw the far north’s first, two in the tions. Posts from a few Lake sites had photos, small Cuyahoga section of CVNP on 28 Mar. as did some from Summit. But no one filed a Tappan Lake, Harrison, hosted 3000 on 09 formal report. May (m. obs.). Jason Bojczyk noted 1225 from his Maumee Bay post on 15 May; some were “lo- Common Raven cals” but most were westbound. (all 88 counties) Dan Kramer found six at the Gnadenhutten mine pits, Tuscarawas, on 24 May. (13 counties) Cliff Swallow Brian O’Connor photographed two at Darby Horned Lark Creek on 14 Mar, a week before they’re expected Matthew Valencic found the most, about 200 near the Ohio River. David McConnell saw the along Soltis Road, Geauga, on 01 Mar, and Ra- next, at Killbuck on 31 Mar, and Cole DiFabio

128 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020 the north coast’s first, at Lake Erie Bluffs on 06 Sedge Wren Apr. Tappan Lake, Harrison, attracted these Ronnie Clark saw the first, at Darby Creek on 20 as well as some other swallows; a quartet birders Apr, a good two weeks early for mid-state. The made a “conservative estimate” of 1200 there on far north’s first were seen on 02 May, duos at 09 May. Jason Bojczyk’s vigil at Maumee Bay on ONWR (Jenifer Russell) and Irwin Prairie SNP, 15 May produced 480. (68 counties) Lucas (Matt Anderson). Joseph Lautenbach Carolina Chickadee found four at Big Island on 13 May. (18 counties) Counts of 30 came from Camp Otyokwa, Hock- Marsh Wren ing, on 24 Mar (Brett Smith) and East Fork on 22 Like so many other species, these arrived a Apr (Patrick Oakes). While banding at Springville month earlier than expected. Dennis Mersky’s at Marsh, Seneca, on 14 Mar, Tom Bartlett caught Springfield Lake, Summit, on 02 Mar was the two that by measurements were Carolinas, but he first, and next was Janice Farral’s at Lorain on suspects they were hybrids. (67 counties) 09 Mar. The ONWR WD produced 70 for Paul Black-capped Chickadee Jacyk on 31 May and 35 for several birders on 23 The most were the 35 that Alex Garrote found at May. The most away from Lucas and Ottawa the Hinckley Reservation, Medina, on 08 Mar. were 26 at Killbuck on 27 May for Susan Evanoff (37 counties) and Su Snyder. (38 counties) Carolina/Black-capped Chickadee Carolina Wren Indeterminate birds were reported in 23 counties. Douglas Vogus contributed the high count of 24, along the CVNP Towpath Trail on 04 Apr. Only Tufted Titmouse Van Wert didn’t have a sighting. Erica Hoffman’s 37 at Woodward Park, Frank- lin, on 18 Apr were the most. Only Van Wert Blue-gray Gnatcatcher didn’t have a sighting. The first date was 28 Mar, about right for the sightings in Adams, Clinton, and two Ham- Red-breasted Nuthatch ilton locations. Martyn Drabik-Hamshare and Two birders each found four: Don Kosmider at Morgan Pfeiffer saw the north coast’s first, at OOPMP on 15 Mar and Jim Page near Vermil- Pipe Creek on 31 Mar. Jane Riker counted 51 ion, Lorain, on both 05 and 08 Apr. (32 counties) near Findlay, Hancock, on 12 May. The next White-breasted Nuthatch most were 44 at Bacon Woods, Lorain, on 19 Douglas Vogus counted 21 in CVNP on 04 Apr. May (Janice Farral and Joshua Vardous). (all 88 Only Van Wert didn’t have a sighting. counties) Brown Creeper Golden-crowned Kinglet Roy Ketchum and Josh Hargrave provided the Bill Deininger and Jelmer Poelstra separately re- two highest counts, respectively 19 on 26 Apr and ported one at Wendy Park on 19 May. It might 15 the next day, both at Mentor Lagoons. Josh’s have been the last migrant, but Bill Stanley saw 12 at Chagrin River Park, Lake, on 12 Apr were another at his Clermont home on 24 May. Joel the next most. (75 counties) Throckmorton saw about 80 pausing at Mentor Lagoons on 07 Apr. The second highest number, House Wren 55, was achieved at four locations. (77 counties) These have historically arrived about 08 Apr, but several sightings were significantly earlier. Next Ruby-crowned Kinglet was Jeremy Dominguez’s at Caesar Creek on 17 Many of these apparently overwintered; at least Mar, and two Hamilton sites each hosted one on there were many Feb sightings. The last was 27 Mar. Penny O’Connor saw the first in the far Kathy Murphy’s along the Chippewa Inlet Trail, north at CLNP on 06 Apr. Gilmore MP, Butler, Medina, on 30 May. The Shaker Lakes area hosted 19 for Mike Busam on 02 Apr. Only Gal- produced the two highest counts, 100 on 25 Apr lia didn’t have a sighting. for Sameer Apte and 85 on 13 May for Gautam Apte. (84 counties) Winter Wren Ian Lynch saw what was probably the last mi- Eastern Bluebird grant, at Mentor Lagoons on 20 May, though of Dan Gesualdo made the two highest counts, both course sightings continued in their nesting areas. at Volunteer Bay, Erie: 97 on 29 Mar and 59 on The Atlee Miller family counted 17 at their home 26 Mar. Laura Jenkins came in close behind with near Kidron, Wayne, on 01 Apr. Bill Deininger’s 55 at Englewood on 09 Apr. (all 88 counties) 10 at CLNP on 05 Apr was the second highest Veery number. (63 counties) The first date was 18 Apr; it was shared by Louis

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Hoying at Minster, Auglaize, and David Acker- European Starling man at Armleder Park. Paul Sherwood saw the Margaret Bowman estimated that a single flock north coast’s first, at Sheldon Marsh on 22 Apr. at Killdeer on 05 Mar contained 7500. Ryan CLNP hosted 22 for Gautam Apte on 18 May. Tomazin saw several flocks totaling about 6100 (76 counties) at Egypt Valley WA, Belmont, on 15 Mar. (all Gray-cheeked Thrush 88 counties) The first sighting was by Zachary Allen and Jes- Cedar Waxwing sica Westbrook, in Wayne NF, Lawrence, on 21 Jason Bojczyk counted 1085 during his long day Apr; it was a week or so early. The next were Deb at Maumee Bay on 15 May. Kevin Pero came Eiger’s two birds at CLNP on 27 Apr. Two Jun in second with 825 at CLNP on 24 May. Jack- sightings were the last. CLNP also produced the son, Meigs, Mercer, and Van Wert didn’t have high count, 10 on 19 May for Jelmer Poelstra; sightings. three other sites each hosted seven. (67 counties) House Sparrow Swainson’s Thrush Harris Abramson had about 150 at his Cincin- Beth and Steve Cagan saw one at CLNP on 09 nati home on 27 Apr. Four locations each hosted Apr, about when they usually cross the Ohio Riv- about 100. (all 88 counties) er. The next was Eric Juterbock’s at Miller Eco- American Pipit logical Park, Warren, on 17 Apr. Tyler Ficker’s Robert Sams saw the second last, at the Find- nocturnal flight call recorder inClermont tallied lay Reservoirs on 18 May, and Rob and Sandy 230 in the first hour of 19 May. Ryan Eldridge Harlan the last, along Toussaint-Portage Road, had eyes on about 135 at CLNP on 18 May, while Ottawa, on 24 May. Sightings often continue to Wendy Park hosted 80 that day for Jen Brumfield. the end of the month. Steven L. Hochstetler saw (80 counties) a flock of at least 150 north of Loudonville,Ash - Hermit Thrush land, on 09 May, and Mandy Roberts saw about A few apparently northbound birds were still be- 100 near Ada, Allen, on 05 Apr. (51 counties) ing seen in Jun. Karen Lakus’ 35 at CLNP on 27 House Finch Apr were the most for the season. (82 counties) Connie Gheer saw about 50 at Lakeview Park, Wood Thrush Lorain, on 07 Apr. Only Van Wert didn’t have Michael Clark’s at Woodman Fen, Montgom- a sighting. ery, on 29 Mar jumped the gun by more than a Purple Finch week. The next was at Salt Fork SP, Guernsey, Bruce Buell had eight visit his feeder in Medina on 08 Apr for Rachel Stewart, and two days lat- on 09 May. (55 counties) er Debra Sweeney saw one at CLNP. Greg and Jamey Emmert counted 29 at Scioto Trail SP, White-winged Crossbill Ross, on 07 May. Only Van Wert (sigh) didn’t Two were photographed, by Ken Kneidel in Alli- have a sighting. ance, Stark, on 18 Mar and by Eric Bruckner in Ravenna, Portage, on 23 May. American Robin Gautam Apte counted by 10s for 5½ hours at European Goldfinch CLNP on 29 Mar and saw 1870. Gregory Ben- Feeders in Cuyahoga, Lucas, and Ottawa host- nett counted 1140 in only 23 minutes passing ed these probable escapees. Sherod Park, Erie, on 20 Mar. (all 88 counties) Pine Siskin Gray Catbird Jassen and Laura Tawil saw the last, at San- Joel Throckmorton found about 150 at Wendy dy Ridge on 19 May. Scott Pendleton’s eight in Park on 15 May. Jason Bojczyk “individually tal- Flushing, Harrison, on 21 Mar were the most; lied throughout park” at Maumee Bay, also on two locations each hosted four. (22 counties) 15 May, and noted 142. Only Van Wert didn’t American Goldfinch have a sighting. Jason Bojczyk counted 495 westbound birds from Brown Thrasher his Maumee Bay vantage point on 15 May; he The most were Geoff Malosh’s 15 along the Wa- had seen 195 from there on 10 May. The third bash Cannonball Trail, Fulton, on 19 Apr. And most were the 85 that Gautam Apte saw at again, Van Wert was the only miss. CLNP on 17 May. Only Van Wert didn’t have a sighting. Northern Mockingbird Brenda Corbett found eight in Chilo, Clermont, Lapland Longspur on 09 May. (83 counties) Usually these are gone by mid-May, but Brian

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Tinker recorded a flight call at 3:00 am on 28 Cadiz, Harrison, on 02 May, and several birders May over his Cuyahoga Falls, Summit, home. found 15 along Busby Road, Harrison, on 30 The last eyes-on report was by Jim Proffitt, at May. (58 counties) Side Cut MP, Lucas, on 09 May. Devon Zim- Lark Sparrow merman saw about 30 near Shelby, Crawford, Matt Anderson saw the first, at OOPMP on 23 on 19 Apr. (19 counties) Apr, about when they’re first expected in the far Smith’s Longspur southern counties. OOPMP also twice provided The OBRC has a report from Holmes. the high count of five, for Tyler McClain on 29 Snow Bunting Apr and for Josh King on 13 May. (10 counties) The reports are: Chipping Sparrow Up to 30 along Soltis Road, Geauga, on 01 Mar Erin Allen and Andy Avram saw about 100 “for- (Sally Isacco, Matthew Valencic) aging in the parking lot” at Headlands on 27 Apr. One or two along Hayes Road, Geauga, on 01 Counts of 40 came from Perrysburg, Wood, on Mar (m. obs.) 15 Apr (Casey Binggeli) and CLNP on 29 Apr Three at Williams Reservoir, Allen, on 01 Mar (Joel Throckmorton). (all 88 counties) (David Smith) Field Sparrow Three at East MP, Erie, on 07 and CLNP hosted about 85 for Gautam Apte on 28 08 Mar (Dan Gesualdo) Apr. Mike Busam saw the second most, 50 at Elk Six at Pymatuning SP, Ashtabula, on 02 Mar Creek MP, Butler, on 03 May. (all 88 counties) (Margaret and Roger Higbee) and one there on 16 Mar (Barbara and John Griffith) Fox Sparrow Usually these are gone by the second week of Clay-colored Sparrow May, but stragglers were at Killbuck on 13 May Lorain provided the first sighting, for multiple (Gordon Maupin) and CLNP on 23 May (Gau- observers on 29 Apr. The next date was 03 May, tam Apte, Brennan Stokkermans). Ashli Gorbet when Rob and Sandy Harlan saw one in Oregon, saw 15 around Oak Harbor, Ottawa, on 31 Mar. Lucas, and another along Toussaint-Portage (64 counties) Road, Ottawa. One spent from 31 May well into Jun at Poland Township Park, Mahoning American Tree Sparrow (m. obs.), but the last otherwise were two at Wen- The last date was 12 May, when Cam Lee saw dy Park on 19 May (m. obs.). Gautam Apte saw one lingering at Killdeer and Steven Klingler an- three at CLNP on 14 May. (10 counties) other at Hogback Ridge MP, Lake. Douglas Vo- gus et al. counted 133 during the 01 Mar ONWR census. Michael Crouse’s 60 at Killdeer on 01 Mar were the second most. (67 counties) Dark-eyed Junco (slate-colored) Ryan Lesniewicz’s at the Turtle Creek fishing access, Ottawa, on 15 May was the last surely northbound bird, though sightings continued in the far northeast. Tim Haney found about 80 in Toledo’s Woodlawn Cemetery on both 23 Mar and 02 Apr. Only Meigs, Pike, and Van Wert didn’t have sightings. Dark-eyed Junco (other) Pink-sided birds were photographed in Athens Lynn Harris wonderfully captured this Clay-colored Sparrow at (city) and well described at two Lucas sites (all Oakwoods NP, Hancock, on 03 May. m. obs.). Michael Crouse photographed an “Or- egon” morph at his Hardin home on 05 Apr. Grasshopper Sparrow Matt Anderson hosted one all winter at his Lu- Greg Caspers is sure he heard one in Jefferson cas feeders, and it was joined by a second on 21 on 04 Apr, but as is common with the species, he Mar. Birds identified as probably belonging to couldn’t see it. That’s just a few days earlier than subspecies cismontanus were seen at two Mont- usual. Randy Mickle found one in Pike Town- gomery locations and single sites in Clark, ship, Perry, on 08 Apr. Chris Pierce’s at Mar- Hancock, Medina, and Summit. garet Peak Preserve, Lorain, on 20 Apr was the White-crowned Sparrow far north’s first. Scott Pendleton counted 21 near Sightings were steady to the last, which was at the

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Ryan Smylie Wilson home, Lorain, on 31 May. Strassfeld found one at Bacon Woods, Lorain, Jen Brumfield saw about 300 at Wendy Park on and Ami Horowitz saw two at ONWR. Wendy 15 May and more than 200 were noted there on Park provided the highest counts, 180 on 15 May other dates. The most elsewhere were Jason Bo- (Jen Brumfield) and up to 70 at other times. The jczyk’s 74 at Maumee Bay, also on 15 May. (83 most elsewhere were the 30 that Jason Guerard counties) found at Maumee Bay on that same 15 May. (62 Harris’s Sparrow counties) A post from Richland and several from Holmes Swamp Sparrow have photos. Ethan Maynard and Rachel McKinney count- White-throated Sparrow ed 41 at the Tare Creek Marsh, Geauga, on 11 Sightings were fairly steady towards the end Apr. The second most were Brian Wulker’s 31 at of May and a few continued into Jun. Gautam the Shaker Trace wetlands in Miami Whitewater Apte saw about 145 at CLNP on 29 Apr. (all 88 Forest, Hamilton, on 19 Apr. (80 counties) counties) Eastern Towhee Vesper Sparrow Wyatt Flood noted about 40 along Chapel Drive, Ronnie Clark saw the first, at Darby Creek on 20 Noble, on 12 Apr. Only Van Wert didn’t have Mar, about as expected for mid-state. One got to a sighting. Lorain on 29 Mar for Kevin and Patty McKelvey. Yellow-breasted Chat David Donahue found eight in Heritage Trail The first date was 25 Apr, when birders found MP, Franklin, on 14 Apr. (55 counties) chats at two Hamilton sites and one in each of LeConte’s Sparrow Clermont, Greene, and Holmes. The next was Two singles were reported, at the Granville a bit early for so far north, but Janice Farral saw Schools Land Lab, Licking, on 12 May (Brad one at Lorain on 29 Apr. Cole DiFabio and Brian Imhoff) and at Mentor Lagoons on 14 May (Erin Wulker counted 12 at Woodland Trails WA, Pre- Allen and Andy Avram) ble, on 15 May. (68 counties) Nelson’s Sparrow The reports are: Two at Wendy Park on 15 May (Alex Garrote) One at Lorain on 16 May (m. obs.) One at Killdeer on 16 May (Cam Lee and David Lehner) Henslow’s Sparrow Darby hosted the first, up to three on 04 and 05 Apr, a couple of weeks early for the middle of the state (m. obs.). But one got all the way to Wake Robin on 07 Apr for Cole DiFabio and Tom Frankel. Scott Pendleton counted 32 near Cadiz, Harrison, on 02 May. (42 counties) Sue Snyder followed the jumbled song of this Yellow-breasted Savannah Sparrow Chat to grab this shot at Killbuck on 21 May. Several observers saw about 80 at Edgewater on 28 Apr, and on that same date Gautam Apte Yellow-headed Blackbird found 65 at CLNP. (72 counties) A couple of Feb sightings preceded this season’s first, which Dan Gesualdo made at Volunteer Song Sparrow Bay, Erie, on 02 Mar. Jamie Cunningham found Ethan Kistler and Billi Krochuk wielded a click- 11 at Howard Marsh on 15 May and others saw er at Mosquito WA on 03 May and tallied 153. up to 10 there on other dates. The most else- Three locations each hosted about 100. (all 88 where were duos at Lorain on 28 Apr (Chris counties) Pierce) and along the ONWR WD on 12 May Lincoln’s Sparrow (Susan Brickner-Wren). Ashland and Franklin One had spent from 16 Dec to 17 Feb at CLNP; also had sightings. it or another there was the season’s first on 01 Bobolink Mar (John Petruzzi). The next was also John Busby Road, Harrison, produced the first sight- Petruzzi’s, at Mill Creek on 11 Mar. An anoma- ing, two birds for Jon Cefus on 20 Apr. A trio of lous late Jun sighting followed the last of this sea- birders counted 215 at CLNP on 15 May; see son, which were on 31 May. That day Jonathan

132 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Field Notes for more. Busby Road also provid- ma’s at the Canalway Center, Cuyahoga, on 22 ed the second-highest count, 85 on 22 May (m. Apr was the far north’s first. Jason Bojczyk tallied obs.). (64 counties) 461 passing Maumee Bay on 15 May; Gautam Eastern Meadowlark Apte counted 74 from CLNP on 17 May. Only Jon Cefus and Kent Miller found about 50 along Gallia didn’t have a sighting. Airport Road, Harrison, on 18 Apr. For a Bullock’s Oriole change, only Shelby didn’t have a sighting. The OBRC has a report from Cuyahoga. Western Meadowlark The unusually high number of reports, all of sin- gle birds, are: Near Mt. Cory, Hancock, from 12 to 26 Apr (m. obs.) Near Oak Harbor, Ottawa, on 28 Apr (Ryan Le- sniewicz) and 07 May (Matt Kemp) Near Advance, Fulton, from 19 to 30 May (m. obs.) Near Cecil, Paulding, on 23 May (m. obs.) Near Millersburg, Holmes, on 24 May (John Mark Hershberger and Lucas Weaver) 24 May was a special day for Crystal Mansfield when this pos- Hooded Oriole sible Bullock’s Oriole visited a feeder at her Cuyahoga home. The OBRC has a report and many posts with photos from Franklin. Orchard Oriole The first was about on time; several birders saw it in the Valley View Preserve, Clermont, on 19 Apr. The next date of 27 Apr was shared by four Franklin sites. One got to the north coast on 29 Apr, for Philip Steiner at Beulah Beach, Erie. Eight miles of travel in Hueston Woods SP pro- duced 16 for Cory Chiappone and Cole DiFabio on 03 May, while David Russell needed only two miles there on 02 May to tally 11. Only Fayette, Morgan, and Van Wert didn’t have sightings. Red-winged Blackbird Will Babb and Doug Whitman estimated 16,000 were in a massive mixed flock that they saw at Darby Creek on 23 Mar. Margaret Bowman saw the second most, about 7500 at Killdeer on 05 Mar. (all 88 counties) Brown-headed Cowbird Birders found about 2000 at Lorain on three dates. (all 88 counties) Rusty Blackbird Lori Brumbaugh estimated that 460 were at Lake Abram, Cuyahoga, on 09 Mar. Mandy Kachur saw the last, at Howard Marsh on 24 May, about a week later than their usual departure.(61 It was no joke on 01 Apr when Tim Hutson spotted what we counties) expect to be formalized as the state’s first Hooded Oriole at his home near Columbus. Brewer’s Blackbird Lucas Weaver gave an excellent description of Baltimore Oriole the one he saw in Salt Creek Township, Holmes, The first was almost two weeks early when R. on 06 Mar. Lee Reed saw it in Miami north of Dayton Air- Common Grackle port on 05 Apr. Troy Fultz’s at Grant Lake WA, David English saw about 10,000 near Nelson, Brown, on 19 Apr was the second, and Joe Woy- Portage, on 16 Mar. Joshua Vardous found

133 Vol. 43 No. 3

about 5000 during each of two visits to Lorain, the Buckeye Trail, Athens, about on time on 22 on 13 Mar and 02 Apr. (all 88 counties) Mar. The far north’s first was at Penitentiary Glen Ovenbird Reservation, Lake, on 29 Mar for Andy Avram Ed Wransky fully described a very early arrival and Andrew France. Steven L. Hochstetler tallied at his Grafton, Lorain home, on 05 Apr. The 12 at Mohican on 05 May. (72 counties) next sighting was Bryan Smith’s duo in Wayne Golden-winged Warbler NF, Lawrence, on 11 Apr, about when the first is The first were seen on 30 Apr, at Darby Creek usually expected. Jamie Cunningham’s 25 miles by Heather Luedecke and in Glen Echo Park, of travel in Lake Hope/Zaleski produced 36, Franklin, by a host of birders. The last sight- while a day in Mohican on 05 May yielded 31 for ings, on 24 May, were shared by Erica Reese Steven L. Hochstetler. (81 counties) at CLNP and Matt Kemp at Island View Park, Worm-eating Warbler Wood. Eleven locations each hosted two. (44 Jack Verdin saw the first, at Spring Valley on 17 counties) Apr, a little behind schedule. They slowly made their way north: Green Lawn Cemetery in Co- lumbus hosted one on 24 Apr (m. obs.) and the Metzger woodlot another on 02 May (m. obs.). Andrew Hood found 10 at Clear Creek on 30 May. (39 counties)

Chad Wilson captured this stunning Golden-winged Warbler in CVNP on 07 May.

Blue-winged Warbler Katie Burnside and David Rudemiller found the first, at Shawnee Lookout on 15 Apr, about a This singing Worm-eating Warbler was documented by Bruce week later than usual. Tim Colborn and Rachael Miller at Scioto Trail SP, Ross, on 25 Apr. Kaiser separately saw the far north’s first, in the Northern Waterthrush Huntington Reservation, Cuyahoga, on 28 Apr. The first sighting was all the way north, in CVNP Bryan Smith tallied 17 in 5½ miles at Wayne on 13 Apr, about two weeks ahead of schedule NF, Lawrence, on 02 May, while Henry Trimpe (Bill Ohlsen). Sightings were fairly steady to the needed 10 miles of CVNP Wetmore Trails to last date of 31 May and two Jun reports followed. find 13 on 16 May. (76 counties) Four miles of hiking in East Fork produced 12 on 03 May (Cassidy and Tyler Ficker). (68 counties)

Cassidy Ficker tracked down this Northern Waterthrush at East Fork on 03 May. The buzzy song of this Blue-winged Warbler helped Craig Cald- Louisiana Waterthrush well locate him at Hampton Hills MP, Summit, on 26 May. Joe Brehm and Sarah Fisher found the first, along

134 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

[Golden-winged x Blue-winged field (James Amos Gore and Stacy Gore) and “Brewster’s” Warbler] Franklin (Gregory Allen) remained until late Several birders saw the first, at Glen Echo Park, Apr and early May respectively. The first oth- Franklin, on 30 Apr. Don Danko found two at erwise were Leroy Schlabach’s find in Tuscar- OOPMP on 24 May. Fairfield, Geauga, Lake, awas near Sugarcreek on 08 Apr and Brian and Lucas also had sightings. Wulker’s at Shawnee Lookout on 09 Apr. Lisa [Golden-winged x Blue-winged Cellura saw the north coast’s first, at CLNP on 14 “Lawrence’s” Warbler] Apr. Several birders saw the last, at East Harbor Brian Tinker saw the first of this less common SP, Ottawa, on 24 May. (54 counties) hybrid at Turkeyfoot Lake, Summit, on 29 Apr. Connecticut Warbler Ron Marek was rewarded with two at Blendon Susan Carpenter saw the first, at Turkeyfoot Woods on 15 May. Athens, Lorain, and Lucas Lake, Summit, on 14 May, perhaps a bit early also had sightings. for so far north. Six locations each hosted one [Golden-winged x Blue-winged Warbler?] on 25 May and John Dreves saw one at Maumee One that spent 21 to 29 May at the Burton Wet- Bay on 28 May, but there were also good 01 Jun lands, Geauga, was an anomaly. It had the black reports from Franklin. Several birders found throat of a “Lawrence’s” but only a little yellow two at Wendy Park on both 24 May and 25 May, under it, and the otherwise whitish breast of a and Tyler McClain also found two, at the Jones “Brewster’s” (m. obs.). Preserve on 25 May. (29 counties) Black-and-white Warbler Joshua Eastlake saw the first, about two weeks early in Indian Hill, Hamilton, on 16 Mar. The next were seen on 29 Mar, at French Park, Ham- ilton (Katie Burnside) and Jeffrey Park, Frank- lin (Zebedee Muller). Nicole Moscollic found the north coast’s first, in Cleveland on 12 Apr. Jen Brumfield counted 28 at Wendy Park on 18 May. (82 counties) Prothonotary Warbler The first report came about a week early for its location: Lucas Weaver saw the bird at Killbuck Mandy Roberts managed a great shot of a normally secretive Connecticut Warbler at Kendrick Woods MP, Allen, on 23 May. on 05 Apr. Richard Payne’s two at Armleder Park on 10 Apr were next, and Metzger hosted one on Kentucky Warbler 28 Apr for several birders. Michael Hershberger Wayne Wauligman’s at Addyston, Hamilton, counted 19 at Killbuck while he biked the area on 16 Apr was the first. Ginny Fantetti found the on 30 Apr. The second highest count of 14 came second, two at East Fork on 20 Apr. Bill Ohlsen twice to canoeists on the upper , saw the first of the far north, in Brecksville, Geauga, by Scott Huge on 16 May and Dan Best Cuyahoga, on 06 May. Eight miles of travel in and Rachel McKinney on 28 May. (73 counties) Shawnee yielded 15 for a group of birders on 02 Swainson’s Warbler May. (57 counties) A post from Lucas has a description. Tennessee Warbler Michael Schramm was the first to see one, in the Washington section of Wayne NF on 18 Apr, about when expected. Gautam Apte saw the far north’s first, at CLNP on 28 Apr. Four locations had sightings on 31 May, but a single bird was found a few days later as well. Lucas Weaver trav- eled 15 miles of the Kokosing Gap Trail, Knox, on 18 May and found an astonishing 100. Tyler Ficker and Cassidy Ficker counted 41 at East Fork on 17 May. (80 counties) Mandy Roberts snapped a picture of a county first Kentucky Orange-crowned Warbler Warbler near Ottawa MP, Allen, on 17 May. Birds that showed up in Jan at feeders in Fair-

135 Vol. 43 No. 3

Nashville Warbler American Redstart Richard Payne saw the first, at Armleder Park on Tyler Ficker’s was the first; it was a bit tardy at 10 Apr. Lorain hosted the far north’s first, on 23 East Fork on 15 Apr. The far north’s first date of Apr for Janice Farral. Ryan Yanchar’s at Head- 26 Apr was shared by Aubrey Myers in Solon and lands on 29 May was the last. Lucas Weaver’s 15 several birders in Brecksville (both Cuyahoga). miles of the Kokosing Gap Trail, Knox, yielded Jason Bojczyk’s vigil at Maumee Bay on 15 May 30 on 18 May. (82 counties) produced 56. Only Fayette and Van Wert didn’t Mourning Warbler have sightings. Several birders saw the first, along the ONWR Cape May Warbler WD on 03 May, about when they’re expected to The first arrived right on time for Peggy Rud- cross the Ohio River. Their migration extend- man, at Ault Park, Hamilton, on 22 Apr. Dave ed into Jun as usual. Ryan Smylie counted 11 at Chase saw the north coast’s first, at Headlands on Wendy Park on 24 May and Tyler McClain tallied 28 Apr. Matt Mason’s three at SNP, eight at the Jones Preserve on 25 May. (46 counties) Adams, on 28 May were the last. Jason Bojczyk Common Yellowthroat counted 35 passing through Maumee Bay on 15 Debbie and Mark Raven found one in the Crook May; others birders who spent less time there Street wetlands, Lorain, on 31 Mar, two weeks that day also saw large numbers. Ned DeLama- before they usually arrive in the state. Wendy Park tre’s 20 at Firestone MP, Summit, on 21 May hosted 52 on 18 May for Jen Brumfield. Only were the most elsewhere. (74 counties) Fayette and Van Wert didn’t have sightings. Cerulean Warbler [Mourning Warbler x Common The first date was 18 Apr. That day, Zachary Al- Yellowthroat] len and Jessica Westbrook saw one in Wayne NF, Jason Bojczyk photographed what was potential- Lawrence, and Brandt Schurenberg another at ly this hybrid at Maumee Bay on 20 May; the Shawnee Lookout. One reached Sandusky, Erie, jury is still out. on 29 Apr for Martyn Drabik-Hamshare and Morgan Pfeiffer. Jamie Cunningham found 15 Hooded Warbler throughout Lake Hope SP, Vinton, on 28 Apr. Jacob Raber and James Stammen saw one in the (64 counties) Athens section of Wayne NF on 15 Apr, perhaps a bit later than usual. Mid-state’s first was at Glen Northern Parula Echo Park, Franklin, on 21 Apr (John Finn). Brian Wulker’s by Ohio Brush Creek, Adams, Multiple observers saw one on 29 Apr at each of on 28 Mar, was only a few days early. Next were Swan Creek Preserve, Lucas, and Sandy Ridge. two at California Woods, Hamilton, on 03 Apr Henry Trimpe counted 33 along the Wetmore (Richard Payne), and one got to Volunteer Bay, Trails in CVNP on 16 May and Bryan Smith Erie, on 09 Apr (Dan Gesualdo). A trio of bird- found 23 in the Scioto section of Wayne NF on ers counted 26 along eight miles of road in Shaw- 02 May. (71 counties) nee on 02 May. Only Carroll, Gallia, and Van Wert didn’t have sightings. Kirtland’s Warbler Posts from several Lucas locations and one in each of Erie and Geauga had photos, but one from Warren had no supporting information.

Tyler Fick’s 28 Apr visit to East Fork was timed perfectly to capture this beautiful Northern Parula in a redbud tree.

A chase through the woods helped Kevin Perozini freeze on this Magnolia Warbler Kirtland’s Warbler on 12 May at Headwaters Park, Geauga. William Schieman saw the first, a week or so early at Spring Valley on 16 Apr. Jonathan Wil-

136 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020 helms saw the far north’s first, at Cahoon Park, Wendy Park on 18 May; three sites each held the Cuyahoga, on 28 Apr. Jason Bojczyk counted 78 second highest number of 16. (72 counties) passing Maumee Bay on 15 May. (77 counties) Palm Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler These have historically arrived around 08 Apr, Bob and Elaine McNulty saw one at Blacklick but they really jumped the gun this year. Phil Woods, Franklin, on 28 Apr, a week or so early Cantino’s at Lake Snowdon, Athens, on 08 for mid-state. Sites in Athens, Cuyahoga, and Mar was the first, Bryan Smith’s at Proctorville Greene each hosted one the next day. A single Park, Lawrence, on 13 Mar was next, and two Jun record followed this season’s last. Birders far north sites hosted singles on 31 Mar. Peter found up to 60 at Firestone MP, Summit, in Keefe saw the last, by the Zimmerman Trail on May. Trish Guenther’s 40 at Mill Creek Park, 26 May. Tom Frankel found about 150 at Men- Mahoning, also on 20 May, were the most else- tor Lagoons on 30 Apr and two sites each hosted where. (70 counties) about 100. (73 counties) Blackburnian Warbler “Yellow” Palm Warbler The first was about a week early for mid-state; This variety is almost never seen west of the Ap- Michael Goldman found it at Scioto Audubon palachian Mountains, but this spring produced MP, Franklin, on 15 Apr. Joshua Davidson saw two reports with adequate descriptions, at Nimis- one at the Zimmerman Trail on 28 Apr, the ila on 30 Apr (Jennifer Allison) and in Oberlin, north coast’s first. Kirk Denton saw the season’s Lorain, on 07 May (Diana Steele). last, at Clear Creek on 31 May. (That’s a poten- Pine Warbler tial nesting site, but the only Jun reports were The one that arrived at Doug and Micki from Mohican.) Kenn Kaufman counted 65 at Dunakin’s Paulding home on 24 Jan stayed until Meadowbrook Marsh, Ottawa, on 15 May, and 01 Mar, and there were a couple of other late Jason Bojczyk’s 29 at Maumee Bay that same day Feb sightings. The first otherwise was Jacob Ra- were the second most. (76 counties) ber’s in the Athens section of Wayne NF on 05 Yellow Warbler Mar. Jeff Sailer saw one at Maumee, Lucas, on Lane Champa saw the first, in Dublin,Franklin , 13 Mar for the north coast’s first. Bryan Smith about two weeks early for mid-state on 08 Apr. found 15 in the Lawrence section of Wayne NF Sandra LaFaut’s at Maumee Bay on 18 Apr was on 02 May. (68 counties) the first near Lake Erie. Jason Bojczyk counted Yellow-rumped Warbler 343 during his long day at Maumee Bay on 15 Kevin Soncrant saw the last, in Powell, Dela- May. Jelmer Poelstra found 180 at CLNP on 19 ware, on 29 May. Steven L. Hochstetler counted May. Only Van Wert didn’t have a sighting. 289 throughout Killbuck on 06 May and Mentor Chestnut-sided Warbler Lagoons hosted about 220 for Lisa Cellura on 03 Bruce Simpson saw a very early arrival, at Lake May. Only Gallia didn’t have a sighting. Hope/Zaleski on 05 Apr. Matthew Shumar’s Yellow-throated Warbler find a bit east of Zaleski on 24 Apr was the next. Zachary Allen and Jessica Westbrook saw the first Cuyahoga, Lake, and Lucas each had sightings two, at Lake Vesuvius, Lawrence, on 27 Mar. on 29 Apr. Gautam Apte and Kevin Pero saw Tom Frankel and the duo of Ann and Dwight about 40 at Wendy Park on 18 May. (77 counties) Chasar each reported one in CVNP on 08 Apr, Blackpoll Warbler the first of the far north. Cory Chiappone and Darren Cohen heard one at his Athens home on Cole DiFabio’s travels through Hueston Woods 23 Apr and one got to Mentor Lagoons on 02 on 03 May produced 16. (79 counties) May for Sarah Preston. Their migration contin- Black-throated Green Warbler ued through the first week of Jun. Gautam Apte Carl Burdick’s find on the Little Miami Scenic counted 21 at CLNP on 24 May. (71 counties) Trail, Hamilton, on 31 Mar was only a smidge Black-throated Blue Warbler early. Next were two there on 03 Apr for Kirk Abbey Albrecht gave a good description of her Westendorf. Andy Jones saw one in Cleveland very early sighting at Buckeye Woods Park, Me- Heights on 12 Apr, the far north’s first. Henry dina, on 06 Apr. The next bird was Jane Balbo’s Trimpe counted 30 along the CVNP Wetmore at the Baker Tract, Athens, on 26 Apr, but one Trails on 16 May, but Steven L. Hochstetler edged was at the Rocky River Reservation, Cuyahoga, him with 33 in Mohican on 05 May. (83 counties) on the next day (Aaron Morgan). Three sites each Canada Warbler hosted one on 30 May, but a few lingered into The first date, 01 May, was a week or so later Jun. Gautam Apte and Kevin Pero counted 24 at than their historical arrival. That day Edward 137 Vol. 43 No. 3

Ingold saw one at the Hancock landfill wetlands Dykstra saw it at Hocking Woods NC, Athens, and a quintet of birders another along the Cu- on 16 Apr. Louise Acheson and Ken Vinciquerra cumbertree Trail, Athens. Kim Smith’s at Swan saw the far north’s first on 25 Apr, at Hogback Creek MP, Lucas, on 13 May was the far north’s Ridge MP, Lake. Four miles of trail around first. Tyler McClain encountered 10 at the Jones Clear Fork yielded 30 for Gary Cowell on 20 Preserve on 25 May. (61 counties) May. (84 counties) Prairie Warbler Northern Cardinal David Kuehner found the first, in southern Ad- John Petruzzi counted 123 in 2.5 miles at Mill ams on 07 Apr. Three sites held one or two the Creek on 02 Apr, while Amy Collins-Warfield next day, but the far north’s first wasn’t seen until and Doug Warfield needed four miles of the 19 Apr, in Tallmadge, Summit (Bob Patetta). Olentangy Trail, Franklin, on 16 May to tally Linda Ar counted 33 along the Kamelands Trail, 58. (all 88 counties) Highland, on 31 May. Tom Frankel counted 19 Rose-breasted Grosbeak in TNC’s Edge Preserve on 14 May. (56 counties) Kirk and Mikki Doeger gave a good description of a very early arrival in Withamsville, Cler- mont, on 14 Mar. Jill and Larry Early saw the second when it came to their feeders in Port Wil- liam, Clinton, on 04 Apr, still somewhat early. Andy Jones’s in Cleveland Heights on 19 Apr was the first in the far north. A trio of birders counted 45 at CLNP on 15 May; most were flyovers. Only Meigs and Van Wert didn’t have sightings. Blue Grosbeak The first date of 28 Apr was shared by David Russell, who found one at Hueston Woods, and Linda Hamilton, who saw two in Hillsboro, Highland. One got to the Carlisle Reservation, Lorain, on 30 Apr for Mike Smith. Three were found in two Hamilton locations and in each in Adams, Butler, Greene, Lawrence, and Vin- ton. (29 counties) Indigo Bunting Troy Fultz saw the first, at East Fork on 16 Apr. The far north’s first date was 28 Apr, when Gau- Tyler Ficker’s quiet morning of 02 May at East Fork was perfect for viewing this Prairie Warbler. tam Apte saw one at CLNP and Debbie and Mark Raven another at Bacon Woods, Lorain. Wilson’s Warbler A trio of birders tallied 315 at CLNP on 15 May Sites in Franklin, Montgomery, and Richland and wrote, “Unbelievable flight, constant stream shared the first date of 30 Apr, and one got to of buntings overhead in multiple directions all the Rocky River Reservation, Cuyahoga, on the morning. Groups of around 10 birds common, next day (Mike Sandy). Tyler Lookabaugh saw we’d rarely go more than 30 seconds without the last, at Kiser Lake SNP, Champaign, on 31 hearing flight calls when we were in the field.” May. The high count of 20 was also shared, by The next most were Jason Bojczyk’s 222 at Mau- Jason Bojczyk and Jason Guerard at Maumee mee Bay, also on 15 May. Only Van Wert didn’t Bay on 15 May and Tyler McClain at the Jones have a sighting. Preserve on 25 May. (64 counties) Painted Bunting Summer Tanager A host of posts from Stark had photos as did one Sandy Garrison saw one at CNC’s Long Branch from Muskingum. Farm on the first date of 22 Apr, as did Laura Dickcissel Dykstra at Shawnee Lookout. Jeff Sailer saw the Rita Stec and Jane Stewart photographed one north coast’s first, at Maumee,Lucas , on 29 Apr. in Madison, Lake, on 11 Apr, at least two weeks Miami Whitewater Forest hosted 10 for Jason before they usually cross the Ohio River. The and Neill Cade on 02 May. (49 counties) next was also early; Manon VanSchoyck photo- Scarlet Tanager graphed it in Johnstown, Licking, on 23 Apr. The first was a bit later than usual when Laura Sightings became regular after 01 May. Charles 138 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Bombaci found 11 in Jackson Township, Har- din, on 23 May, and Jeff Lamson tallied eight at the Chudzinski Johannsen Grassland NP, San- dusky, on 29 May. (36 counties)

Errata

Tundra Swan In the winter issue, Su Snyder’s photo of Tundra Swans was mislabeled as Trumpeter Swans. Piping Plover The Spring 2019 issue stated that reports from Lucas had photographs. Those sightings were in Logan.

Addendum

Prairie Falcon An observer at last filed a report with the OBRC of the Dec bird in Wood.

139 Vol. 43 No. 3

CONTRIBUTORS

Here we list all the birders who sent reports directly to the Cardinal or the Bobolink, and those whose posts to eBird or the Ohio-birds listserv we specifically cited. We also list everyone who contributed photographs, even if we weren’t able to publish them. We regret that the available space doesn’t allow us to list everyone who contributed to one of the e-venues, though those sightings provide the bulk of the county counts. The editors thank all of you.

Harris Abramson Linda Ar Jason Bojczyk

Louise Acheson Bruce Arnold Margaret Bowman

David Ackerman Andy Avram Joe Brehm

Jim Ackerman Will Babb Susan Brickner-Wren

Linda Ackerman Dale Bailey Lisa Brohl

Abbey Albrecht Jane Balbo Terry Bronson

William Albrecht Buster Banish Beth Brow

Erin Allen Tom Bartlett Andy Brown

Gregory Allen Aubrey Bartman Jeff Brown

Zachary Allen Carol Bates Eric Bruckner

Jennifer Allison Cynthia Beans Lori Brumbaugh

Elizabeth Ames Linda Benner Jen Brumfield

Cynthia Anderson Gregory Bennett Brandon Brywcznski

Ian Anderson Dan Best Bruce Buell

Ken Andrews Ron Bicknell Carl Burdick

Heather Angst George Billman Katie Burnside

Gautam Apte Casey Binggeli Mike Busam

Sameer Apte Charles Bombaci Ryan Byler

140 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Jason Cade Amy Collins-Warfield Jeremy Dominguez

Neill Cade Brenda Corbett David Donahue

Beth Cagan Jon Costanzo Tony Dornbusch

Steve Cagan Gary Cowell Amy Downing

Craig Caldwell Patrick Coy Martyn Drabik-Hamshare

Alayna Call Bob Crist John Dreves

Phil Cantino Sara Crist Doug Dunakin

Susan Carpenter Michael Crouse Micki Dunakin

Paul Cary Jamie Cunningham Rick Dunning

Greg Caspers Teresa Curtiss Susan Dunning

Jon Cefus Don Danko Laura Dykstra

Lisa Cellura Joshua Davidson Jill Early

Lane Champa Doug Davis Larry Early

Philip Chaon Karen Davis Joshua Eastlake

Ann Chasar Vera Davis Ales Eberts

Dwight Chasar Bill Deininger Deb Eiger

Dave Chase Ned DeLamatre Ryan Eldridge

Cory Chiappone Kirk Denton Eric Elvert

Michael Clark Amy Didion Greg Emmert

Ronnie Clark Cole DiFabio Jamey Emmert

Darren Cohen Kirk Doeger David English

Tim Colborn Mikki Doeger David Erb

141 Vol. 43 No. 3

Norman Erb Dan Gesualdo Sandy Harlan

Reuben S. Erb Mickie Getz Caitlin Harley

Susan Evanoff Connie Gheer Lynn Harris

David Factor Michael Goldman Samantha Hartzell

Ginny Fantetti Noah Goodwin-Bain Jonlyn Hartzler

Janice Farral Jonathan Goolsby Brandon Henneman

Cassidy Ficker Ashli Gorbet Michael Hensley

Tyler Ficker James Amos Gore Troy Herrel

John Finn Stacy Gore John Mark Hershberger

Sarah Fisher Terri Gorney Kevin Hershberger

Wyatt Flood Howard Gratz Michael Hershberger

Lisa Ford Vickie Gregory Perry D. Hershberger

Andrew France Barbara Griffith Philip Hershberger

Tom Frankel John Griffith Robert Hershberger

Troy Fultz Trish Guenther Dawn Hewitt

Shelley Funai Jason Guerard Margaret Higbee

Lee Funderburg Molly Gurien Roger Higbee

Rebecca Garonzik Linda Hamilton Kathryn Hill

Sandy Garrison Tim Haney David Hochadel

Alex Garrote Marc Hanneman Steven L. Hochstetler

Kurt Garver Josh Hargrave Erica Hoffman

Kori Gasaway Rob Harlan Cole Hoffman

142 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Amy Holloway Andy Jones John Kolar

Andrew Hood Steve Jones Jamie Koller

Dick Hoopes William L. Jones Don Kosmider

Alexandria Horne Brian Jorg Dan Kramer

Ami Horowitz Eric Juterbock Billi Krochuk

Gabe Hostetler Mandy Kachur Tim Krynak

Pam Houston Rachael Kaiser David Kuehner

Nancy Howell Teresa Kaminski Donna Kuhn

Louis Hoying Julie Karlson Sandra LaFaut

Scott Huge Kenn Kaufman Karen Lakus

Tim Hutson Peter Keefe Michael Lamont

Brad Imhoff Matt Kemp Jeff Lamson

Edward Ingold Tom Kemp Bob Lane

Sally Isacco James Kerner Denise Lane

Pat Ivan Roy Ketchum Austin Langdon

Shari Jackson Anna Kilian Mollie Langdon

Paul Jacyk Jaret King Jason Larson

Kathy Jakischa Josh King Joseph Lautenbach

Barbara James Ethan Kistler Ken Lebo

Dennis Jaworski Joel Kline Cam Lee

Laura Jenkins Steven Klingler David Lehner

Bill Johnson Ken Kneidel Beth Lenoble

143 Vol. 43 No. 3

Warren Leow Bernie Master Cristy Miller

Jack Leow Gordon Maupin David Miller

Ryan Lesniewicz Anne Mauro Duane Miller

Michelle Liebold Ethan Maynard Eli M. Miller

Greg Links Moira McCarthy Ian Miller

Tyler Lookabaugh James McCarty Jeffrey A. Miller

Katherine Lorencz Tyler McClain Jeremy Miller

Fred Losi Levi McCollister Kelly Miller

Heather Luedecke David McConnell Kent Miller

Rick Luehrs Barry McEwen Moses C. Miller

Ian Lynch Kevin McKelvey Ray Miller

Ronnie Macko Patty McKelvey Laurie Mills

Geoff Malosh Rachel McKinney Jaren Mizanin

Crystal Mansfield Bob McNulty Kathy Mock

Laura Marcero Elaine McNulty Craig Moore

Doug Marcum Brenda Meese Aaron Morgan

Ron Marek Dennis Mersky Ron Morgan

Karen Markey Randy Mickle Ben Morrison

Don Martin Alvin E. Miller Nicole Moscollic

Matt Mason Atlee Miller James Muller

Nathan Mast Benjamin Miller Zebedee Muller

Ruby Mast Bruce Miller Kathy Murphy

144 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Aubrey Myers Debbie Parker Mark Prinster

Jacob Myers Derek Parker Jim Proffitt

Scott Myers Levi Parker Elias A. Raber

Shane Myers Donna Parrish Jacob Raber

Rick Nelson Greg Pasek Allen Rand

Rick Nirschl Bob Patetta Jody Raubenolt

Aaron Nisley Richard Payne Debbie Raven

Cynthia Norris Scott Pendleton Mark Raven

George Novosel Kevin Pero Jerald Reb

Gavin Nupp Jeff Peters R. Lee Reed

Patrick Oakes Hilary Peterson Erica Reese

Nancy O’Bryan Kathy Peterson Thomas Reiter

Andrew O’Connor Ken Petren Jonathan Rice

Brian O’Connor John Petruzzi Larry Richardson

Penny O’Connor Morgan Pfeiffer David Riddle

Bill Ohlsen Don Pfouts Jane Riker

Helen Ostermiller Chris Pierce Ethan Rising

Ken Ostermiller Bob Scott Placier Mandy Roberts

Doug Overacker Matthew Plante Nicky Rosner

Karl Overman Jelmer Poelstra Jeffrey Roth

Jim Page Morgan Pfeiffer David Rudemiller

Dawn Parker Sarah Preston Peggy Rudman

145 Vol. 43 No. 3

Ian Ruppenthal Troy Shively Philip Steiner

David Russell Irina Shulgina Jane Stewart

Jenifer Russell Matthew Shumar Rachel Stewart

Jeff Sailer Bruce Simpson Brennan Stokkermans

Robert Salata Kaylie Simpson Jonathan Strassfeld

Robert Sams Michele Skolmutch Christina Stump

Mike Sandy Quentin Skrabec Allen Stutzman

Regina Schieltz James Smallwood Daniel Stutzman

William Schieman Adrian Smith Marty Stutzman

Ed Schlabach Brett Smith Wayne R. Stutzman

Keith Schlabach Bryan Smith Mike Sustin

Leroy Schlabach David Smith David Swanson

Norman D. Schlabach Kim Smith Debra Sweeney

Jessica Schmit Mike Smith Anthony Tambini

Michael Schramm Ryan Smylie Jassen Taswil

Brandt Schurenberg Su Snyder Laura Tawil

Ron Sempier Kevin Soncrant Joel Throckmorton

Andy Sewell Leslie Sours Brian Tinker

Kathy Shank James Stammen Ryan Tomazin

John Sharits Bill Stanley James Tomko

Mark Shaver Rita Stec Henry Trimpe

Paul Sherwood Diana Steele Albert Troyer

146 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Allen W. Troyer Jordan West Keith Yoder

Andy R. Troyer Jessica Westbrook Leroy E. Yoder

Anthony R. Troyer Kirk Westendorf Marvin R. Yoder

Duane Troyer Doug Whitman Vernon E. Yoder

Eli A. Troyer Jonathan Wilhelms Karen Zeleznik

Jesse Alan Troyer Donita Wilks Anthony Lee Zimmerman

Sarah Troyer Chad Wilson Devon Zimmerman

Matthew Valencic Peter Wilson Michael Zook

Manon VanSchoyck Amy Winningham Trevor Z

Joshua Vardous Carl Winstead

Jack Verdin Kate Wise

Ken Vinciquerra Joe Wojnarowski

Douglas Vogus Joe Woyma

Stephen Wagner Ed Wransky

Alan Walter Brian Wulker

Doug Warfield Ryan Yanchar

Wayne Wauligman Aaron M. Yoder

David Weaver Aden M. Yoder

Lucas Weaver Atlee Yoder

Kisa Weeman Benjamin H. Yoder

Jack Weisenstein Erwin A. Yoder

Jeff Wert Josh Yoder

147 Vol. 43 No. 3 CLEVELAND LAKEFRONT NATURE PRESERVE: Six Years of Systematic Bird Surveys

By Laura Gooch After dredge disposal stopped, Dike 14 was closed and unused for over 10 years. The Cleve- land-Cuyahoga County Port Authority (which Introduction now controls the area) considered further raising In 2014, three Cleveland-area ornithology the elevation of the area for continued dredge clubs initiated a series of systematic, volun- spoil disposal, but abandoned that proposal, in teer-led avian population surveys at the Cleve- part due to community advocacy for a nature land Lakefront Nature Preserve (CLNP) on the preserve at the site. By 2012, the Port Authority south shore of Lake Erie northeast of downtown had tested the surface soils to ensure that con- Cleveland, Ohio. This paper describes the survey taminant levels allowed for safe recreational use, protocol and survey effort to date and offers some capped an area that had higher contamination preliminary analysis of the data collected during with clean topsoil, and opened the former Dike the first six years of surveys. 14 as Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. Not surprisingly, birders’ interest in Dike 14 began as soon as new land began to be built into CLNP Location, History, and Habitat Lake Erie, decades before the inauguration of Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve is an the nature preserve. When the area was a dump 88-acre undeveloped peninsula that pokes out and an active dredge spoil disposal site, it provid- into Lake Erie about 7 km northeast of down- ed shorebird habitat, a rarity along this part of town Cleveland. Today’s nature preserve began the modern Lake Erie shore. Once dredge spoil its life as a garbage dump. Between the late 19th disposal stopped, nature began to reclaim the century and the 1950s, the Lake Erie shoreline at landscape. Although the area was closed to the the mouth of Doan Brook was part of Gordon public until 2012, birders visited regularly, bird- Park and was home to a swimming beach, a bath- ing along the fences, or entering the site with, and house, boating, and an impressive landscaped sometimes without, permission. More than 266 park. In the 1950s, the construction of Interstate species were documented at Dike 14 between 90 cut the park in half and isolated the shoreline. 1980 and 2000 (Gooch 2001). Trash was subsequently dumped on the shore After dredge spoil disposal stopped in 1999, at the mouth of Doan Brook, ostensibly to pro- volunteer vegetation took over most of CLNP, tect the Gordon Park beach, and eventually two with the exception of a line of planted conifers lake freighters were sunk in Lake Erie to form a along part of the south perimeter fence. By 2012, breakwall. These freighters are now beneath the the site was covered by a mixture of early-succes- northwest perimeter of CLNP. Dumping contin- sional forest consisting primarily of cottonwoods, ued, and there are reportedly as many as 8000 willow-dominated scrub, and a relatively small automobiles among the debris beneath your feet area of meadow. Dense stands of Phragmites when you walk the CLNP trails (Lanese 2020). australis covered much of the more open area, After the 1972 passage of the Clean Water along with poison hemlock (Conium macula- Act (formally the Federal Water Pollution Con- tum), mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and other ex- trol Act Amendments of 1972), the U.S. Army otic invasive species. The area in the west central Corps of Engineers needed to build a confined part of the site that was capped with clean fill disposal facility (CDF) for containment of the prior to the 2012 opening was seeded with na- contaminated sediment that was dredged from tive grasses and forbs and has been maintained the Cuyahoga River and Cleveland Harbor, and as meadow by periodic mowing. which could no longer be dumped directly into Habitat at the site has not remained static Lake Erie. The garbage dump and lake freighters since surveys began in July 2014. Since the late at CLNP became the core of the Dike 14 CDF. summer of 2015, much of the area has been Doan Brook was enclosed in an approximately repeatedly treated with herbicide to control in- 600 m long culvert under the dike, and a barrier vasive species. These treatments have been ef- of steel sheet pile and rock riprap was built to fective in controlling the phragmites, while other enclose the full 88-acre area. Between 1977 and invasive species have continued to recur and still 1999, dredged material was pumped into Dike others have appeared anew. The removal of the 14, bringing the land surface at CLNP to its cur- phragmites has had a significant impact on the rent configuration. habitat, creating more open areas and less dense

148 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020 understory through much of CLNP. Several hun- two or three surveys a week preferred, particular- dred native bare stick trees were planted at the ly during the migration seasons. Some deviation site beginning in 2019, and a small area of more from the ideal protocol is allowed, depending intensive native plant restoration was created in on weather conditions and volunteer surveyor the southeast corner of the site. While the trees availability. and native plants may eventually produce good Results of each survey are submitted electroni- habitat, they are too new to have yet had signif- cally to the survey coordinator. All data are main- icant impact. tained in a survey-specific database and archived on eBird.org (Sullivan et al. 2009), both as indi- vidual point counts and as a checklist for the day. Survey History and Protocol In 2014, Kirtland Bird Club, Western Cuyahoga Audubon, and Greater Cleveland Analysis Methods Audubon received an Important Bird Area small I analyzed data from complete point counts projects grant from Grange Insurance Audubon. for the five calendar years with 12 months of The purpose of this grant was to initiate a series survey data (2015-2019) to examine population of volunteer-led and conducted systematic bird trends over the period. For species that are nu- surveys at CLNP, and to continue those surveys merous enough at the site to be observed with for three to five years. I was asked by the board of some consistency (those counted during at least the Kirtland Bird Club to coordinate the surveys. 10% of the surveys), I performed a linear regres- Working with Mark Shieldcastle of Black sion to determine the straight trend line that best Swamp Bird Observatory, we developed a survey reflects the observed data. An r-squared value in- protocol for point counts at CLNP, focusing on dicating how well the trend line fits the data was use of the site by landbirds. The protocol con- calculated for each analysis. I analyzed breeding forms to guidelines developed by the Midwest season data (June-August) for all species. For Migration Network to allow data collected at species that were present at CLNP year-round, different monitoring sites and banding stations I also analyzed data from the full year. I used R to be compared across space and time (Midwest statistical software (R Core Team 2020) with the Migration Network Banding and Ground Survey ggplot2 package (Wickham 2016) to perform the Working Group 2018). In July of 2014, we estab- analyses. lished 17 survey points spread at intervals of ap- Trend analysis was performed on the number proximately 150 m throughout the site. Julie West of individual birds observed per complete sur- and Gary Neuman conducted the first survey on vey to correct for variation in the survey effort. 04 Jul 2014. However, I made no attempt to correct for the Surveyors collect two kinds of data during each presence of more than one surveyor at a point, site visit: a simple checklist of all birds observed for seasonal variation in the number of complete during the visit, and detailed counts of all species surveys, or for other possibly confounding factors seen or heard during uninterrupted five-minute (see further discussion in the Results section). counts at each defined survey point. Data- de In addition, five years are insufficient to allow a scribing survey timing, number of observers, and trend analysis to have statistical significance. The weather are submitted with the count data. The trends presented here should therefore be viewed survey protocol stated that (1) Each survey par- as a preliminary and inexact starting point. ty should have at least one member with good knowledge of the appearance and vocalizations of birds likely to be observed at the site. (2) Sur- Results veys should begin at sunrise, and, when possible, SURVEY EFFORT TO DATE (01 JULY 2020) should be conducted in good weather, without Seven hundred and eighty surveys have been significant precipitation or high winds. (3) More conducted in the six years since the surveys began than one observer may count at a point (submit- on 04 July 2014 (see Table 1). Of these, 720 have ting one record of their observations), and sur- been complete surveys, with point counts con- veyors may split the survey between more than ducted at all 17 points. Approximately 20 people one party, with each party surveying a subset of have participated in the survey effort, with a core the points. (4) Surveys should be complete (that is, group of about 10 regular surveyors conduct- including point counts at all 17 points) if possible, ing over 95% of the surveys. Surveys have been but data from partial surveys may be submitted. conducted over 2,742 hours, representing 3,563 Our goal was to conduct at least one complete hours of surveyor effort (because some surveys survey each week year-round, with completion of included more than one surveyor). This effort

149 Vol. 43 No. 3

Table 1 - Summary of CLNP Survey Effort: 4 July 2014-1 July 2020 # of Survey Effort Points Hours/ Chief Observer Surveys Hours Hours Counted Survey Ken Vinciquerra 254 982 1,077 4,299 3.9 Laura Gooch 231 819 1,025 3,890 3.5 Dick Hoffman 135 436 449 2,258 3.2 Liz McQuaid 55 157 572 855 2.9 Anna Kozlenko 31 100 148 473 3.2 Ron Baker 26 92 101 442 3.5 Julie West 22 75 85 373 3.4 Claire Johnson 12 39 42 191 3.3 Others 14 42 64 203 3.0

Total 780 2,742 3,563 12,984 3.5 does not include time for travel, data entry, and weather in 2015. Survey effort has been greater data handling. during spring migration. Over the five full survey Over the six years, there has been an average years (2015-2019), the total number of complete of 2.5 surveys per week, with an average of 2.3 surveys each year has increased from a low of just complete surveys. Surveys were missed during over 100 in 2015 and remained steady at about only 11 weeks, mostly during severe winter 130 since 2017 (Figure 1).

150 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

SPECIES OBSERVED species documented at the site during our surveys Surveyors have documented 213 species at sorted by the percentage of visits during which CLNP since surveys began in 2014 (Figure 2, each species has been observed. As would be ex- Appendix). Of these, 203 species have been ob- pected, year-round residents such as Northern served during point counts, with the remaining Cardinal (98% of surveys) and American Robin 10 species only observed off point. Since the (93%) top the list, followed by gulls and waterfowl completion of the first full survey year in 2015, that regularly utilize Lake Erie near CLNP, and new species have continued to be added to the common and hardy breeding birds such as Song CLNP list at the relatively steady rate of be- Sparrow and Red-winged Blackbird. Unusual or tween five and eight species each year. Some of difficult to observe migrants (e.g., Sedge Wren, these new species are fairly common in northeast Clay-colored Sparrow, or LeConte’s Sparrow) Ohio, but uncommon in the habitat at CLNP and genuine vagrants such as Cattle Egret have (e.g., Louisiana Waterthrush and Bobolink). been least frequently observed. Others represent sightings of species that are in- The varied habitat structure at CLNP results creasing in the area (Sandhill Crane). Still others in a wide variety of breeding species, with 47 are rare visitors, such as Pacific Loon and Cattle species that are either confirmed or very prob- Egret. able breeders and six more species that may The number of species observed each year breed there. The breeding species range from has remained fairly steady at between approx- woodland specialists such as Red-eyed Vireo and imately 150 and 165 species per year and has Wood Thrush, to grassland species such as In- tracked with hours of survey effort (Figure 1). digo Bunting and Field Sparrow, to species that However, an analysis of species observed per prefer shrub habitat such as Willow Flycatcher survey hour (Figure 3) understandably shows and Yellow Warbler. In terms of sheer num- that spending more time at the site does not yield bers typically observed, Red-winged Blackbirds, a corresponding increase in the number of spe- American Robin, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, cies documented. Why understandably? I’d think and American Goldfinch dominate the breeding increased effort would lead to an increase of spe- birds. cies, though not necessarily linearly. CLNP visits by eBirders, including those not The Appendix gives the complete list of all involved with this survey, have reported 248 spe-

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cies at CLNP since July 2014 (eBird 2017), 36 (Table 3), and five species of aerial insectivores of which have not been observed by CLNP sur- that commonly forage there (Table 4). Table 5 veyors. Of these 36 species, 19 are species that summarizes the number of positive and negative would be expected to be seen on or over Lake trends within each group of species, as well as the Erie. Although our surveyors record species that number of positive and negative trends for which are observed on the lake, it is not the focus our the calculated r-squared value was greater than surveys, and only birds within binocular range 0.8, indicating that the trend was consistent over are reported. The 17 additional species are rare the 5-year period (these species are shown in bold migrants or vagrants at CLNP (e.g., Lapland in Tables 2 through 4). Longspur, Cerulean Warbler, Henslow’s Spar- Of the 43 breeding species (Tables 2 and 3), row, and Nelson’s Sparrow) that have only been 15 show positive population trends, only one of reported to the site’s eBird list once or a handful which (House Finch) has r-squared greater than of times. This difference between the number 0.8. Twenty-eight species show negative pop- of species reported in eBird and by our surveys ulation trends, of which seven have r-squared highlights the differences between the two data greater than 0.8. These seven species (Common sources. Simply going out and birding (and re- Grackle, Willow Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, porting your sightings) may be the best way to see Cedar Waxwing, Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern To- the most species and to record rarities. By con- whee, and Ruby-throated Hummingbird) are trast, systematic surveys provide consistent data all migratory birds. Four species (Common on the number of birds present and particularly Grackle, Willow Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, on breeding and wintering populations. These and Cedar Waxwing) are all fairly numerous at systematically collected data can more readily be CLNP during breeding season, with an average compared across space and time. of between three and seven birds observed per complete survey. The remaining three species are POPULATION TRENDS: 2015-2019 infrequently observed, so that a year’s absence of Results of the population trend analyses are single individual or an individual nesting in an summarized in Tables 2 through 5. Tables show interior part of CLNP that is not covered by the apparent trends for 12 year-round resident birds survey would skew the results. (Table 2), 31 migratory birds that breed at CLNP As a group, aerial insectivores have experi-

152 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Table 2 - Preliminary Assessment - CLNP Population Trends - 2015-2019: Selected Year-round Resident Species Breeding Season (June-August) Year-Round Species Avg. Avg. Birds per Birds per American Robin 41.4 2.1 0.07 5 24.9 (0.2) 0.02 (1) American Goldfinch 18.7 0.9 0.10 5 12.8 0.0 0.00 0 Northern Cardinal 7.0 0.2 0.26 4 6.5 0.4 0.60 7 Downy Woodpecker 2.2 (0.6) 0.38 (28) 3.6 (1.1) 0.54 (30) Mourning Dove 1.4 0.2 0.18 11 2.1 0.5 0.45 24 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1.0 0.3 0.78 27 1.0 0.3 0.92 29 Black-capped Chickadee 0.9 (0.1) 0.04 (7) 2.0 (0.3) 0.26 (15) Blue Jay 0.8 0.0 0.02 3 4.3 0.0 0.00 0 Carolina Wren 0.5 0.3 0.77 64 0.6 0.3 0.85 52 White-breasted Nuthatch 0.3 0.0 0.17 12 0.5 0.1 0.43 18 Northern Mockingbird 0.2 0.0 0.08 (13) 0.2 0.0 0.38 13 Tufted Titmouse 0.2 0.0 0.04 12 0.2 0.1 0.50 32 enced significant population declines in North years studied may have had impacts on observed America (Spiller and Dettmers 2019), and the populations that create apparent trends over this five species that forage in the airspace above relatively short period of time. A few examples CLNP (see Table 4) all experienced document- of factors that may have influenced the observed ed continent-wide declines of between 23% and trends follow. The elimination of dense stands 67% between 1970 and 2014 (Rosenberg et al. of invasive Phragmites australis beginning in 2015 2016). Our surveys show a seemingly consistent may have triggered a reduction in the number population decline for Barn Swallows and pop- of Downy Woodpeckers, which were frequency ulation increase for Northern Rough-Winged observed feeding and perching on phragmites Swallow, with no consistent trend for the other stems. Purple Martin counts have increased since three species (two increasing, one declining very 2017, when a martin house that is visible from slightly, all with low r-squared). one of the survey points was installed in Gordon Local habitat changes at CLNP, local weather Park opposite CLNP. The early summer of 2019 patterns, and other variations specific to the five was extraordinarily wet, with total rainfall over

Table 3 - Preliminary Assessment CLNP Population Trends - 2015-2019: Selected Migratory Breeding Birds Breeding Season (June-August) Species Avg. Linear Regression Birds per Percent Survey Slope Slope Red-winged Blackbird 63.7 (5.7) 0.79 (9) Yellow Warbler 26.0 (1.9) 0.62 (7) Song Sparrow 25.0 (0.6) 0.05 (2) Gray Catbird 10.3 (0.6) 0.68 (6) Common Grackle 7.2 (3.1) 0.95 (42) Willow Flycatcher 7.0 (1.3) 0.90 (18) Warbling Vireo 6.9 (0.3) 0.20 (4) Baltimore Oriole 6.0 (0.6) 0.94 (9) Common Yellowthroat 4.3 (0.3) 0.79 (8) House Finch 3.6 1.4 0.89 38

153 Vol. 43 No. 3 House Wren 3.3 (0.5) 0.72 (16) Northern Flicker 3.2 (0.3) 0.28 (8) Cedar Waxwing 3.0 (0.6) 0.88 (19) Brown-headed Cowbird 2.1 (0.1) 0.02 (3) Indigo Bunting 1.7 (0.2) 0.67 (13) Eastern Wood-Pewee 1.5 (0.0) 0.00 (1) Eastern Kingbird 1.1 (0.3) 0.66 (24) Red-eyed Vireo 1.0 (0.3) 0.89 (26) Eastern Towhee 1.0 (0.4) 0.84 (41) Wood Thrush 0.8 0.1 0.09 16 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 0.6 (0.1) 0.80 (19) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 0.5 (0.1) 0.48 (16) Yellow-billed Cuckoo 0.5 (0.0) 0.00 (2) Orchard Oriole 0.4 (0.1) 0.59 (18) Great Crested Flycatcher 0.3 (0.03) 0.61 (10) American Redstart 0.3 0.01 0.14 5 Eastern Phoebe 0.2 0.01 0.02 7 Field Sparrow 0.2 0.03 0.17 17 Black-billed Cuckoo 0.2 0.00 0.00 1 Brown Thrasher 0.1 (0.04) 0.61 (39) Chipping Sparrow 0.1 (0.01) 0.08 (20) three times the long-term average. Surveyors Wood-Pewee, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, observed that most open-cup forest nesters (Blue- Mourning Dove, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, gray Gnatcatcher, Common Grackle, Eastern and Yellow-billed Cuckoo) had fairly average

Table 4 - Preliminary Assessment CLNP Population Trends - 2015-2019: Selected Aerial Insectivores Breeding Season (June-August) Linear Regression Species Avg. Birds per Survey Slope Percent Slope Chimney Swift 22.9 (0.3) 0.01 (1) Barn Swallow 10.8 (2.5) 0.95 (23) Purple Martin 3.4 0.6 0.30 17 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2.7 0.2 0.83 9 Tree Swallow 0.8 0.3 0.42 33

154 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

Table 5 - Preliminary Asessment Summary of CLNP Population Trends - 2015-2019: Selected Species r-squared > 0.8 Species Group # of Positive Nega- Species Trend tive Trend Positive Nega- Trend tive Trend Year-round Residents: Full Year 12 8 4 2 0 Year-round Residents: Summer Counts 12 9 3 0 0 Migratory Breeders 31 6 25 1 7 Aerial Insectivores 5 3 2 1 1 Total for All Species - Summer Data 48 18 30 2 8 counts in the spring, but that counts tapered off surveyors have made the project a success. In sharply to lower than average later in the breed- particular, these individuals have each contribut- ing season, suggesting that these species experi- ed at least 10 hours of time in the field: Louise enced nest failure. Acheson, Ron Baker, Brian Bonhomme, Dick Hoffman, Claire Johnson, Susan Jones, Karen Kassouf, Rich Kassouf, Anna Kozlenko, Jo Ann The Future Kubicki, Paula Lozano, Liz McQuaid, Gary We have exceeded the original goal of surveys Neuman, Rayka Petkova, Marty Reynard, Ken at CLNP—to conduct systematic surveys for Vinciquerra, Julie West, and Clyde Witt. In addi- three to five years. The data collected from the tion, Andy Jones, David Kazdan, and Ken Vinci- surveys to date can be compared to data collect- querra provided helpful feedback on this report. ed using the same protocol at other locations or at CLNP in the future. For example, data from CLNP can be compared to point count data col- References lected at Black Swamp Bird Observatory on the Lake Erie shore east of Toledo to study differenc- eBird. 2017. eBird: An online database of bird es in arrival time and species composition in the distribution and abundance [web application]. eastern and western Lake Erie basins. Data can eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, also be analyzed in conjunction with data from New York. Available: http://www.ebird.org. the Lights Out Cleveland project, bird banding (Accessed: 16 July 2020 – CLNP Hotspot, date data from the banding station at the Nature Cen- species last seen). ter at Shaker Lakes (8 km to the southeast), mi- Gooch, Laura C. 2001. The Doan Brook Hand- gration monitoring by night flight call recordings book. The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. made at CLNP and nearby, eBird observation Cleveland, Ohio. data, and radar data. Lanese, Jim. Dike 14. Cleveland Historical. Ac- Although we have met our original goal, the cessed July 14, 2020, https://clevelandhistori- corps of volunteer surveyors at CLNP remains cal.org/items/show/433. strong and committed to the surveys. We plan to Midwest Migration Network Banding and continue our counts for the foreseeable future. Ground Survey Working Group. 2018. Midwest Landbird Migratoin Banding and Ground Survey Initiative: Operations Manu- Acknowledgments al. V12/18. R Core Team. 2020. R: A language and environ- This project was conceived and initiated by ment for statistical computing. R Foundation the 2014 officers of Kirtland Bird Club,- West for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. ern Cuyahoga Audubon, and Greater Cleveland URL https://www.R-project.org/. Audubon and, in particular, by Lukas Padegimas, Rosenberg, K. V., et al. 2016. Partners in Flight Mary Ann Romito, and Tom Romito. Start-up Landbird Conservation Plan: 2016 Revision costs were covered by a grant from Grange In- for Canada and Continental United States. surance Audubon. Mark Shieldcastle from Black Partners in Flight Science Committee. Swamp Bird Observatory provided technical Spiller, Kimberly J., and Randy Dettmers. 2019. guidance for the survey protocol. The volunteer Evidence for multiple drivers of aerial insecti-

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vore declines in North America. The Condor. Laura Gooch is a civil engineer turned avocational 121:2. doi:10.1093/condor/duz010. ornithologist. In addition to coordinating the surveys at Sullivan, B.L., C.L. Wood, M.J. Iliff, R.E. Bon- CLNP, she bands birds at Black Swamp Bird Observa- ney, D. Fink, and S. Kelling. 2009. eBird: a tory and the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, photographs citizen-based bird observation network in the birds, studies and records bird song, monitors migration by biological sciences. Biological Conservation, recording night flight calls, and prepares study specimens at 142: 2282-2292. the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where she is a Wickham, H. 2016. ggplot2: Elegant Graphics research associate. She lives in Cleveland Heights with her for Data Analysis. Springer-Verlag New York. husband, David Kazdan.

Appendix List of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 2014 - 1 July 2020 Species % of Surveys Season Northern Cardinal 98 year-round American Robin 93 year-round American Goldfinch 92 year-round Ring-billed Gull 91 lake Herring Gull 90 lake Song Sparrow 90 breeding Downy Woodpecker 86 year-round Canada Goose 82 lake Mallard 80 breeding/lake Blue Jay 80 year-round Red-winged Blackbird 76 breeding Black-capped Chickadee 72 year-round Double-crested Cormorant 69 area Mourning Dove 67 year-round Northern Flicker 63 breeding Red-bellied Woodpecker 61 year-round Great Blue Heron 55 area Gray Catbird 52 breeding House Finch 50 breeding Eastern Towhee 49 breeding House Wren 45 breeding Chimney Swift 44 area Red-breasted Merganser 43 lake Carolina Wren 43 year-round Common Yellowthroat 42 breeding Warbling Vireo 39 breeding Brown-headed Cowbird 38 breeding European Starling 38 breeding 156 Barn Swallow 38 area Yellow Warbler 37 breeding White-breasted Nuthatch 37 year-round White-throated Sparrow 37 migrant Common Grackle 37 breeding Chipping Sparrow 35 breeding Baltimore Oriole 32 breeding Northern Mockingbird 31 year-round Horned Grebe 29 lake Willow Flycatcher 28 breeding Cedar Waxwing 28 breeding Indigo Bunting 28 breeding American Crow 27 area American Tree Sparrow 27 winter Dark-eyed Junco 27 winter Eastern Wood-Pewee 27 breeding Eastern Phoebe 25 breeding Appendix List of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 2014 - 1 July 2020 Species % of Surveys Season Northern Cardinal 98 year-round American Robin 93 year-round American Goldfinch 92 year-round Ring-billed Gull 91 lake Herring Gull 90 lake Song Sparrow 90 breeding Downy Woodpecker 86 year-round Canada Goose 82 lake Mallard 80 breeding/lake Blue Jay 80 year-round Red-winged Blackbird 76 breeding Black-capped Chickadee 72 year-round Double-crested Cormorant 69 area Mourning Dove 67 year-round Northern Flicker 63 breeding Red-bellied Woodpecker 61 year-round Great Blue Heron 55 area Gray Catbird 52 breeding House Finch 50 breeding Eastern Towhee 49 breeding House Wren 45 breeding Chimney Swift 44 area TheRed-breasted Ohio Cardinal, Merganser Spring 2020 43 lake Carolina Wren Appendix 43 year-round CommonList of Yellowthroat Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 201442 - 1 Julybreeding 2020 Warbling VireoSpecies % of Surveys39 breedingSeason NorthernBrown-headed Cardinal Cowbird 9838 year-roundbreeding AmericanEuropean RobinStarling 9338 year-roundbreeding AmericanBarn Swallow Goldfinch 9238 year-roundarea Ring-billedYellow Warbler Gull 9137 breedinglake HerringWhite-breasted Gull Nuthatch 9037 year-roundlake SongWhite-throated Sparrow Sparrow 9037 breedingmigrant DownyCommon Woodpecker Grackle 8637 year-roundbreeding CanadaChipping Goose Sparrow 8235 breedinglake MallardBaltimore Oriole 8032 breeding/lakebreeding BlueNorthern Jay Mockingbird 8031 year-round Red-wingedHorned Grebe Blackbird 7629 breedinglake Black-cappedWillow Flycatcher Chickadee 7228 year-roundbreeding Double-crestedCedar Waxwing Cormorant 6928 breedingarea MourningIndigo Bunting Dove 6728 year-roundbreeding NorthernAmerican FlickerCrow 6327 breedingarea Red-belliedAmerican Tree Woodpecker Sparrow 6127 year-roundwinter GreatDark-eyed Blue JuncoHeron Appendix 5527 winterarea GrayEasternList Catbird Wood-Peweeof Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 20145227 - 1 Julybreeding 2020 HouseEastern Finch PhoebeSpecies % of Surveys5025 breedingSeason EasternRed-eyed Towhee Vireo 4925 breeding HouseTufted WrenTitmouse 4523 year-roundbreeding ChimneyBelted Kingfisher Swift 4423 arealake Red-breastedCommon Loon Merganser 4322 lake CarolinaNorthern Wren Rough-winged Swallow 4322 year-roundarea CommonPurple Martin Yellowthroat 4222 breedingarea WarblingEastern Kingbird Vireo 3922 breeding Brown-headedBrown Thrasher Cowbird 3821 breeding EuropeanTurkey Vulture Starling 3821 breedingarea BarnSwamp Swallow Sparrow 3821 migrantarea YellowRuby-crowned Warbler Kinglet 3720 breedingmigrant White-breastedAmerican Redstart Nuthatch 3720 year-roundbreeding White-throatedGolden-crowned Sparrow Kinglet 3720 migrant CommonBlue-gray GnatcatcherGrackle 3720 breeding ChippingField Sparrow Sparrow 3520 breeding Baltimore Oriole 32 year-round/breeding 157NorthernCooper's Hawk Mockingbird 3119 year-roundmay breed HornedRuby-throated Grebe Hummingbird 2919 breedinglake WillowWhite-crowned Flycatcher Sparrow 2818 breedingmigrant CedarHermit Waxwing Thrush 2818 breedingmigrant IndigoWood ThrushBunting 2817 breeding AmericanYellow-rumped Crow Warbler 2716 migrantarea AmericanBald Eagle Tree Sparrow 2716 winterarea Dark-eyedBonaparte's Junco Gull 2716 winterlake Eastern Wood-Pewee 27 year-round/breeding EasternRed-tailed Phoebe Hawk 2516 maybreeding breed Caspian Tern 15 lake Hairy Woodpecker 15 year-round Killdeer 15 area House Sparrow 15 area Winter Wren 14 migrant Great Black-backed Gull 13 lake Fox Sparrow 13 migrant Magnolia Warbler 12 migrant Swainson's Thrush 12 migrant Tree Swallow 12 area Orchard Oriole 12 breeding Nashville Warbler 12 migrant Yellow-billed Cuckoo 11 breeding Bufflehead 11 lake Great Crested Flycatcher 11 breeding Red-shouldered Hawk 10 year-round Lincoln's Sparrow 10 migrant year-round/ Wild Turkey 10 may breed Appendix List of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 2014 - 1 July 2020 Species % of Surveys Season Red-eyed Vireo 25 breeding Tufted Titmouse 23 year-round Belted Kingfisher 23 lake Common Loon 22 lake Northern Rough-winged Swallow 22 area Purple Martin 22 area Eastern Kingbird 22 breeding Brown Thrasher 21 breeding Turkey Vulture 21 area Swamp Sparrow 21 migrant Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20 migrant American Redstart 20 breedingVol. 43 No. 3 Golden-crowned Kinglet Appendix 20 migrant Blue-grayList of Gnatcatcher Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 201420 - 1 Julybreeding 2020 Field Sparrow Species % of Surveys20 breedingSeason Northern Cardinal 98 year-round/year-round AmericanCooper's Hawk Robin 9319 year-roundmay breed AmericanRuby-throated Goldfinch Hummingbird 9219 year-roundbreeding Ring-billedWhite-crowned Gull Sparrow 9118 migrantlake HerringHermit ThrushGull 9018 migrantlake SongWood Sparrow Thrush 9017 breeding DownyYellow-rumped Woodpecker Warbler 8616 year-roundmigrant CanadaBald Eagle Goose 8216 arealake MallardBonaparte's Gull 8016 breeding/lakelake Blue Jay 80 year-round/year-round Red-wingedRed-tailed Hawk Blackbird 7616 maybreeding breed Black-cappedCaspian Tern Chickadee 7215 year-roundlake Double-crestedHairy Woodpecker Cormorant 6915 year-roundarea MourningKilldeer Dove 6715 year-roundarea NorthernHouse Sparrow Flicker 6315 breedingarea Red-belliedWinter Wren Woodpecker 6114 year-roundmigrant Great BlueBlack-backed Heron Gull 5513 arealake GrayFox Sparrow Catbird 5213 breedingmigrant HouseMagnolia Finch Warbler 5012 breedingmigrant EasternSwainson's Towhee Thrush 4912 breedingmigrant HouseTree Swallow Wren 4512 breedingarea ChimneyOrchard Oriole Swift 4412 breedingarea Red-breastedNashville Warbler Merganser 4312 migrantlake CarolinaYellow-billed Wren Cuckoo 4311 year-roundbreeding CommonBufflehead Yellowthroat 4211 breedinglake WarblingGreat Crested Vireo Flycatcher 3911 breeding Brown-headedRed-shouldered Cowbird Hawk 3810 year-roundbreeding EuropeanLincoln's Sparrow Starling Appendix 3810 breedingmigrant BarnList Swallow of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 201438 - 1 year-round/Julyarea 2020 Season YellowWild Turkey WarblerSpecies % of Surveys3710 maybreeding breed White-breastedCommon Merganser Nuthatch 3710 year-roundlake White-throatedPalm Warbler Sparrow 379 migrant CommonRed-breasted Grackle Nuthatch 379 breedingirruptive ChippingRose-breasted Sparrow Grosbeak 359 breedingmigrant BaltimoreYellow-bellied Oriole Sapsucker 328 breedingmigrant NorthernWilson's Warbler Mockingbird 318 year-roundmigrant 158 HornedLeast Flycatcher Grebe 298 maylake breed WillowLesser Scaup Flycatcher 287 breedinglake CedarBrown Waxwing Creeper 287 breedingmigrant IndigoCommon Bunting Goldeneye 287 breedinglake AmericanWood Duck Crow 276 arealake AmericanBlackpoll WarblerTree Sparrow 276 migrantwinter Dark-eyedBlack-and-white Junco Warbler 276 migrantwinter EasternOvenbird Wood-Pewee 275 breedingmigrant EasternAmerican Phoebe Woodcock 255 maybreeding breed Osprey 5 lake Hooded Merganser 5 lake Peregrine Falcon 5 area Black-throated Green Warbler 5 migrant Veery 5 migrant Bay-breasted Warbler 4 migrant American Coot 4 lake Black-throated Blue Warbler 4 migrant Savannah Sparrow 4 migrant Rock Pigeon 4 area Pied-billed Grebe 4 lake Spotted Sandpiper 4 area Chestnut-sided Warbler 4 migrant Gray-cheeked Thrush 4 migrant Black-billed Cuckoo 4 breeding Blackburnian Warbler 4 migrant Blue-headed Vireo 4 migrant Northern Waterthrush 4 migrant Philadelphia Vireo 4 migrant Ruddy Duck 4 lake Tennessee Warbler 3 migrant Green Heron 3 area Eastern Bluebird 3 migrant Marsh Wren 3 migrant Greater Scaup 3 lake Great Egret 3 flyover Northern Saw-whet Owl 2 winter Orange-crowned Warbler 2 migrant Common Tern 2 lake Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 2 migrant Appendix List of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 2014 - 1 July 2020 Species % of Surveys Season TheCommon Ohio Cardinal, Merganser Spring 2020 10 lake Palm Warbler Appendix 9 migrant Red-breastedList of Species Nuthatch Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 20149 - 1 Julyirruptive 2020 Rose-breasted GrosbeakSpecies % of Surveys 9 migrantSeason NorthernYellow-bellied Cardinal Sapsucker 988 year-roundmigrant AmericanWilson's Warbler Robin 938 year-roundmigrant AmericanLeast Flycatcher Goldfinch 928 year-roundmay breed Ring-billedLesser Scaup Gull 917 lake HerringBrown Creeper Gull 907 migrantlake SongCommon Sparrow Goldeneye 907 breedinglake DownyWood Duck Woodpecker 866 year-roundlake CanadaBlackpoll Goose Warbler 826 migrantlake MallardBlack-and-white Warbler 806 breeding/lakemigrant BlueOvenbird Jay 805 year-roundmigrant Red-wingedAmerican Woodcock Blackbird 765 maybreeding breed Black-cappedOsprey Chickadee 725 year-roundlake Double-crestedHooded Merganser Cormorant 695 arealake MourningPeregrine FalconDove 675 year-roundarea NorthernBlack-throated Flicker Green Warbler 635 breedingmigrant Red-belliedVeery Woodpecker 615 year-roundmigrant GreatBay-breasted Blue Heron Warbler 554 migrantarea GrayAmerican Catbird Coot 524 breedinglake HouseBlack-throated Finch Blue Warbler 504 breedingmigrant EasternSavannah Towhee Sparrow 494 breedingmigrant HouseRock Pigeon Wren 454 breedingarea ChimneyPied-billed Swift Grebe 444 arealake Red-breastedSpotted Sandpiper Merganser 434 arealake CarolinaChestnut-sided Wren Warbler 434 year-roundmigrant CommonGray-cheeked Yellowthroat Thrush 424 breedingmigrant WarblingBlack-billed Vireo Cuckoo 394 breeding Brown-headedBlackburnian Warbler Cowbird 384 breedingmigrant EuropeanBlue-headed Starling Vireo 384 breedingmigrant BarnNorthern Swallow Waterthrush 384 migrantarea YellowPhiladelphia Warbler Vireo 374 breedingmigrant White-breastedRuddy Duck Nuthatch 374 year-roundlake White-throatedTennessee Warbler Sparrow 373 migrant CommonGreen Heron Grackle 373 breedingarea ChippingEastern Bluebird Sparrow 353 breedingmigrant BaltimoreMarsh Wren Oriole 323 breedingmigrant 159NorthernGreater Scaup Mockingbird 313 year-roundlake HornedGreat Egret Grebe 293 flyoverlake WillowNorthern Flycatcher Saw-whet Owl 282 breedingwinter CedarOrange-crowned Waxwing Warbler 282 breedingmigrant IndigoCommon Bunting Tern 282 breedinglake AmericanYellow-bellied Crow Flycatcher 272 migrantarea American Tree Sparrow 27 winter Dark-eyed Junco 27 winter Eastern Wood-Pewee 27 breeding Eastern Phoebe 25 breeding Appendix List of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 2014 - 1 July 2020 Species % of Surveys Season Common Merganser 10 lake Palm Warbler 9 migrant Red-breasted Nuthatch 9 irruptive Rose-breasted Grosbeak 9 migrant Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 8 migrant Wilson's Warbler 8 migrant Least Flycatcher 8 may breed Lesser Scaup 7 lake Brown Creeper 7 migrant Common Goldeneye 7 lake Wood Duck 6 lake Blackpoll Warbler 6 migrant Black-and-white Warbler 6 migrant Ovenbird 5 migrant American Woodcock 5 may breed Osprey 5 lake Hooded Merganser 5 lake Peregrine Falcon 5 area Black-throated Green Warbler 5 migrant Veery 5 migrant Bay-breasted Warbler 4 migrant American Coot 4 lake Black-throated Blue Warbler 4 migrant Savannah Sparrow 4 migrant Rock Pigeon 4 area Pied-billed Grebe 4 lake Spotted Sandpiper 4 area Chestnut-sided Warbler 4 migrant Gray-cheeked Thrush 4 migrant Black-billed Cuckoo 4 breeding Blackburnian Warbler 4 migrant Blue-headed Vireo 4 migrant Northern Waterthrush 4 migrant Philadelphia Vireo 4 migrant Ruddy Duck 4 Vol.lake 43 No. 3 Tennessee Warbler Appendix 3 migrant GreenList Heron of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 20143 - 1 Julyarea 2020 Eastern BluebirdSpecies % of Surveys 3 migrantSeason MarshNorthern Wren Cardinal 983 year-roundmigrant GreaterAmerican Scaup Robin 933 year-roundlake GreatAmerican Egret Goldfinch 923 year-roundflyover NorthernRing-billed Saw-whet Gull Owl 912 winterlake Orange-crownedHerring Gull Warbler Appendix 902 migrantlake CommonSongList Sparrow of Tern Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 2014902 - 1 Julybreedinglake 2020 Yellow-belliedDowny Woodpecker SpeciesFlycatcher % of Surveys862 year-roundmigrantSeason Red-headedCanada Goose Woodpecker 822 visitorlake NorthernMallard Parula 802 breeding/lakemigrant CommonBlue Jay Nighthawk 802 year-roundarea CapeRed-winged May Warbler Blackbird 762 breedingmigrant EasternBlack-capped Meadowlark Chickadee 722 year-roundmigrant MourningDouble-crested Warbler Cormorant 692 migrantarea Sharp-shinnedMourning Dove Hawk 672 year-roundmigrant RedheadNorthern Flicker 632 breedinglake GreatRed-bellied Horned Woodpecker Owl 612 year-roundmay breed GadwallGreat Blue Heron 552 arealake MerlinGray Catbird 522 breedingarea ScarletHouse Finch Tanager 502 breedingmigrant AmericanEastern Towhee Black Duck 491 breedinglake TundraHouse Wren Swan 451 breedingflyover AlderChimney Flycatcher Swift 441 migrantarea AmericanRed-breasted Kestrel Merganser 431 migrantlake BarredCarolina Owl Wren 431 year-roundvisitor NorthernCommon HarrierYellowthroat 421 breedingvisitor CanadaWarbling Warbler Vireo 391 breedingmigrant VesperBrown-headed Sparrow Cowbird 381 breedingmigrant PurpleEuropean Finch Starling 381 breedingmigrant SoraBarn Swallow 381 migrantarea CanvasbackYellow Warbler 371 breedinglake FishWhite-breasted Crow Nuthatch 371 year-roundarea AcadianWhite-throated Flycatcher Sparrow 371 migrant HoodedCommon Warbler Grackle 371 breedingmigrant RustyChipping Blackbird Sparrow 351 breedingmigrant Wilson'sBaltimore Snipe Oriole 321 breedingmigrant Long-tailedNorthern Mockingbird Duck 311 year-roundlake 160 NorthernHorned Grebe Shoveler 291 lake SolitaryWillow FlycatcherSandpiper 281 breedingarea PineCedar Warbler Waxwing 281 breedingmigrant Forster'sIndigo Bunting Tern 281 breedinglake Red-neckedAmerican Crow Grebe 271 arealake White-wingedAmerican Tree ScoterSparrow 271 winterlake Blue-wingedDark-eyed Junco Warbler 271 migrantwinter NorthernEastern Wood-Pewee Pintail 271 breedinglake Ring-neckedEastern Phoebe Duck 251 breedinglake Common Redpoll 1 irruptive American Bittern 0.4 migrant Connecticut Warbler 0.4 migrant Grasshopper Sparrow 0.4 migrant Eared Grebe 0.4 lake Mute Swan 0.4 lake Sandhill Crane 0.4 flyover Appendix List of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 2014 - 1 July 2020 Species % of Surveys Season Red-headed Woodpecker 2 visitor Northern Parula 2 migrant Common Nighthawk 2 area Cape May Warbler 2 migrant Eastern Meadowlark 2 migrant Mourning Warbler 2 migrant Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 migrant Redhead 2 lake Great Horned Owl 2 may breed Gadwall 2 lake Merlin 2 area Scarlet Tanager 2 migrant American Black Duck 1 lake Tundra Swan 1 flyover Alder Flycatcher 1 migrant American Kestrel 1 migrant Barred Owl 1 visitor Northern Harrier 1 visitor Canada Warbler 1 migrant Vesper Sparrow 1 migrant Purple Finch 1 migrant Sora 1 migrant Canvasback 1 lake TheFish Ohio Crow Cardinal, Spring 2020 1 area Acadian Flycatcher Appendix 1 migrant HoodedList of Warbler Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 20141 - 1 Julymigrant 2020 Rusty BlackbirdSpecies % of Surveys 1 migrantSeason NorthernWilson's Snipe Cardinal 981 year-roundmigrant AmericanLong-tailed Robin Duck 931 year-roundlake AmericanNorthern ShovelerGoldfinch 921 year-roundlake Ring-billedSolitary Sandpiper Gull 911 arealake HerringPine Warbler Gull 901 migrantlake SongForster's Sparrow Tern 901 breedinglake DownyRed-necked Woodpecker Grebe 861 year-roundlake CanadaWhite-winged Goose Scoter 821 lake MallardBlue-winged Warbler 801 breeding/lakemigrant BlueNorthern Jay Pintail 801 year-roundlake Red-wingedRing-necked Blackbird Duck 761 breedinglake Black-cappedCommon Redpoll Chickadee 721 year-roundirruptive Double-crestedAmerican Bittern Cormorant 0.469 migrantarea MourningConnecticut Dove Warbler 0.467 year-roundmigrant NorthernGrasshopper Flicker Sparrow 0.463 breedingmigrant Red-belliedEared Grebe Woodpecker Appendix 0.461 year-roundlake GreatMuteList SwanBlue of Species Heron Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 20140.455 - 1 Julyarealake 2020 GraySandhill Catbird CraneSpecies % of Surveys0.452 breedingflyoverSeason HousePileated Finch Woodpecker 0.450 breedingarea EasternBarn Owl Towhee 0.349 breedingvagrant HouseBlack-crowned Wren Night-Heron 0.345 breedingvisitor ChimneySnow Bunting Swift 0.344 visitorarea Red-breastedBroad-winged Merganser Hawk 0.343 migrantlake CarolinaDickcissel Wren 0.343 year-roundmigrant CommonDunlin Yellowthroat 0.342 breedingmigrant WarblingLouisiana VireoWaterthrush 0.339 breedingmigrant Brown-headedOlive-sided Flycatcher Cowbird 0.338 breedingmigrant EuropeanYellow-throated Starling Vireo 0.338 breedingmigrant BarnBlue-winged Swallow Teal 0.338 arealake YellowLesser Black-backed Warbler Gull 0.337 breedinglake White-breastedRed-throated Loon Nuthatch 0.337 year-roundlake White-throatedPine Siskin Sparrow 0.337 irruptivemigrant CommonSnow Goose Grackle 0.337 breedingflyover ChippingBank Swallow Sparrow 0.335 breedingarea BaltimoreEastern Screech-Owl Oriole 0.132 breedingvisitor 161NorthernLong-eared Mockingbird Owl 0.131 year-roundvisitor HornedShort-eared Grebe Owl 0.129 visitorlake WillowCattle Egret Flycatcher 0.128 breedingvagrant CedarBobolink Waxwing 0.128 breedingmigrant IndigoClay-colored Bunting Sparrow 0.128 breedingmigrant AmericanGolden-winged Crow Warbler 0.127 migrantarea AmericanKentucky WarblerTree Sparrow 0.127 migrantwinter Dark-eyedLeConte's SparrowJunco 0.127 migrantwinter EasternRough-legged Wood-Pewee Hawk 0.127 breedingvisitor EasternSedge Wren Phoebe 0.125 breedingmigrant White-eyed Vireo 0.1 migrant American Wigeon 0.1 lake Black Scoter 0.1 lake Glaucous Gull 0.1 lake Graylag Goose 0.1 lake Green-winged Teal 0.1 lake Harlequin Duck 0.1 lake Iceland Gull 0.1 lake Pacific Loon 0.1 lake Appendix List of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 2014 - 1 July 2020 Species % of Surveys Season Pileated Woodpecker 0.4 area Barn Owl 0.3 vagrant Black-crowned Night-Heron 0.3 visitor Snow Bunting 0.3 visitor Broad-winged Hawk 0.3 migrant Dickcissel 0.3 migrant Dunlin 0.3 migrant Louisiana Waterthrush 0.3 migrant Olive-sided Flycatcher 0.3 migrant Yellow-throated Vireo 0.3 migrant Blue-winged Teal 0.3 lake Lesser Black-backed Gull 0.3 lake Red-throated Loon 0.3 Vol.lake 43 No. 3 Pine Siskin Appendix 0.3 irruptive SnowList Goose of Species Observed: CLNP Surveys 4 July 20140.3 - 1 Julyflyover 2020 Bank Swallow Species % of Surveys0.3 Seasonarea NorthernEastern Screech-Owl Cardinal 0.198 year-roundvisitor AmericanLong-eared Robin Owl 0.193 year-roundvisitor AmericanShort-eared Goldfinch Owl 0.192 year-roundvisitor Ring-billedCattle Egret Gull 0.191 vagrantlake HerringBobolink Gull 0.190 migrantlake SongClay-colored Sparrow Sparrow 0.190 breedingmigrant DownyGolden-winged Woodpecker Warbler 0.186 year-roundmigrant CanadaKentucky Goose Warbler 0.182 migrantlake MallardLeConte's Sparrow 0.180 breeding/lakemigrant BlueRough-legged Jay Hawk 0.180 year-roundvisitor Red-wingedSedge Wren Blackbird 0.176 breedingmigrant Black-cappedWhite-eyed Vireo Chickadee 0.172 year-roundmigrant Double-crestedAmerican Wigeon Cormorant 0.169 arealake MourningBlack Scoter Dove 0.167 year-roundlake NorthernGlaucous GullFlicker 0.163 breedinglake Red-belliedGraylag Goose Woodpecker 0.161 year-roundlake GreatGreen-winged Blue Heron Teal 0.155 arealake GrayHarlequin Catbird Duck 0.152 breedinglake HouseIceland Finch Gull 0.150 breedinglake AppendixAppendix List ofEasternPacific SpeciesList of Observed:SpeciesLoon Towhee Observed: CLNP Surveys CLNP 4Surveys July 2014 4 July - 1 2014July 2020 - 1 July 2020 0.149 breedinglake HouseSpecies WrenSpecies % of Surveys% of SurveysSeason Season 45 breeding Area Area BreedingBreeding or wintering or wintering in the area in theand area regularly and regularly utilizes habitat utilizes at habitat CLNP at CLNP BreedingBreedingChimney Swift ProbableProbable or confirmed or confirmed breeding breeding 44 area Flyover FlyoverRed-breasted MerganserSeen flyingSeen over flying over 43 lake IrruptiveIrruptive IrregularIrregular winter visitor winter visitor Lake LakeCarolina Wren Utilizes LakeUtilizes Erie Lake near Erie CLNP; near may CLNP; be vagrant may be43 vagrant year-round May breedMayCommon breed YellowthroatInconclusiveInconclusive evidence evidence that suggests that suggestsbreeding42 breeding breeding Migrant Migrant Utilizes CLNPUtilizes habitat CLNP during habitat migration during migration Vagrant VagrantWarbling Vireo Rare visitorRare to visitor northeast to northeast Ohio Ohio 39 breeding Visitor VisitorBrown-headed CowbirdMay winterMay or winter breed or in breedthe area in theand area has brieflyand38 has made briefly usebreeding made of CLNP use habitatof CLNP habitat Winter Winter Winters Wintersat CLNP at CLNP Year-roundYear-roundEuropean Starling Present throughoutPresent throughout the year theand year breeds and at breeds CLNP38 at CLNPbreeding Year-round/mayYear-round/mayBarn Swallowbreed breed Present throughoutPresent throughout the year theand year may and breed may 38at breedCLNP at CLNParea Yellow Warbler 37 breeding White-breasted Nuthatch 37 year-round White-throated Sparrow 37 migrant Common Grackle 37 breeding Chipping Sparrow 35 breeding Baltimore Oriole 32 breeding Northern Mockingbird 31 year-round 162 Horned Grebe 29 lake Willow Flycatcher 28 breeding Cedar Waxwing 28 breeding Indigo Bunting 28 breeding American Crow 27 area American Tree Sparrow 27 winter Dark-eyed Junco 27 winter Eastern Wood-Pewee 27 breeding Eastern Phoebe 25 breeding The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020 THE UNSTOPPABLE NORMALCY AND SPECTACLE OF NATURE By Dr. Andy Jones Downy Woodpeckers copulating, and I’m sure I’ll spot their nest shortly. American Robin and From the CMNH blog with permission. Blue Jay nests are currently in progress within a https://www.cmnh.org/science-news/blog/ few feet of the house. april-2020/birding-in-place, posted 24 Apr 2020 Increased attention on the yard has, of course, (Lightly edited to conform to the Cardinal’s style resulted in some fun sightings. As of 22 Apr, I sheet) had passed 50 species for the year. A female Like everyone else in Ohio, I’ve spent part Black-throated Green Warbler put in a surpris- of Mar and all of Apr sticking awfully close ingly early appearance, on 12 Apr, and was the to home. I am fortunate to be able to continue year’s first warbler species in the yard. A Blue- working full-time, and have moved my office gray Gnatcatcher was also early, riding warm from the Museum to my dining room. Adapt- winds on 07 Apr. The most overdue new yard ing to this homebound life has been weird. I’m bird, Wild Turkey, finally appeared on 03 Apr; a finding myself needing distractions from staring hen crossed the road by the house while I was out at my laptop (and glancing at too many COVID mulching. This species has been in the area for news articles) in order to stretch my legs and re- several years now, but perhaps the lower traffic charge my focus. And, like everyone reading this, from this shelter-in-place era has allowed her to I’ve leaned in on backyard birding. explore farther afield? The other new yard bird I have a home in Cleveland Heights. It’s just was a completely unexpected species. A flash of a about the smallest of the homes I looked at when dark, fast-flying bird behind the house made me I was in the market in 2010, but it was the yard think that a Rock Pigeon was wandering through that sold me. An enclosed, three-season porch the woods. But this species wouldn’t normally fly faces the backyard (the real estate agent called it inside the woods. The bird landed on a nearly a sunroom, but it’s a porch that had nice windows vertical dead branch and reached down toward —but no insulation!—added to it). The small bit its feet. This is a typical move for a raptor that of lawn in the backyard falls off into a wooded has just caught prey, so I grabbed the camera and ravine, and Dugway Brook courses through it quietly opened the door. The terrible distant pho- before disappearing underground below Cain to confirmed that it was indeed a raptor –a small Park and resurfacing in Lakeview Cemetery. The dark-backed raptor sporting a vertical line below ravine is full of mature trees, native wildflowers, the eye. Merlin! These birds overwinter not too exposed shale, white-tailed deer, shopping carts, far away in Lakeview Cemetery, but spotting one plastic garbage, and invasive plants. Lesser celan- in the yard was absolutely unexpected. And an dine invaded two years ago, providing a gorgeous Apr sighting is likely a migrant, headed north to and irritating display of yellow flowers and glossy breed in Canada. I enjoyed watching it rip away leaves. at its avian prey until a Blue Jay pair spotted it I’m a committed eBirder, and I hope you are and drove it off. too. eBird (eBird.org) is a community-science en- Despite these rarities, perhaps the most com- terprise that allows anyone to share bird sightings pelling aspect of birding in the yard has been and contribute to a global ornithology-research watching a pair of Red-tailed Hawks. In the effort. While sheltering in place, I’ve been sub- summer of 2019, I think that a pair of Cooper’s mitting at least one checklist—sometimes many Hawks nested west of the house in the ravine, more—per day, typically spending the first part in a spot hidden from view by the tree canopy. of the day drinking coffee while birding from the This year, the wimpy nest started growing, and I sunroom or the yard, depending on the tempera- spotted a pair of Red-tails bringing new sticks to ture. Having lived here for a decade, I already the nest. They added maple limbs that still had considered the yard list to be a point of pride. But blooms on them. A few spruce limbs dot the oth- the list has expanded into something else entirely erwise deciduous nest. And in the last few days, this year. I always have breeding pairs of wood- they’ve been adding finer materials to line the peckers around, but this year I’ve been watching inside of the nest. This morning – Earth Day – I the exchange of incubation duties at a Red-bel- watched one of the birds land on a horizontal lied Woodpecker nest, and the male’s impressive limb that was missing chunks of bark. The bird work to dive-bomb an eastern fox squirrel that walked along the limb, grabbing at the bark with ventured too close. This morning, I glimpsed its beak, and eventually got a start on an attrac-

163 Vol. 43 No. 3 tive piece. Within a few seconds it had pulled per- haps six inches of bark free, but the bark would not come loose at the end. The bird grabbed the bark with its talons and hung below the limb up- side down, using its weight to pull more of the bark free. Eventually, as it flapped above and be- low the limb, grabbing at the base of the bark with its beak, the strip came loose and the bird returned to the nest. Mesmerizing, and a com- pletely new behavior to me (but well document- ed in ornithologist Arthur Cleveland Bent’s Life Histories series). My yard is a nice place for birding. So is yours. You don’t even need a yard; the small green space near your home or the view from your apartment will provide you glimpses of wildlife and connect you to its rhythms. That’s particularly true during spring and fall migration, when the diversity of birds sharing space with you is at its peak. If you have a view toward any horizon, careful extend- ed viewing (perhaps over a morning coffee or an evening beer) will offer surprises like passing cormorant flocks or migrating swallows, or the daily passage of Ring-billed Gulls overhead— heading south to feed and then back to Lake Erie to roost—which I somehow overlooked for the first nine years I lived here. Midday thermals sup- port migrating hawks; as I’m writing this, Broad- winged Hawks are pushing north throughout eastern North America, in every habitat. It does not matter what your yard list total is, but I hope you’re using this time to fully appreciate your nearest green space. Our daily lives have been deprived of normalcy for several weeks now, but I find great comfort in the unstoppable normalcy and spectacle that birds share with us every day.

Dr. Jones is the William A. and Nancy R. Klamm Endowed Chair and Curator of Ornithology, Cleveland Museum of Natural History

164 Species Number Canada Goose 224 Wood Duck 79 Mallard 67 Wild Turkey 9 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Rock Pigeon 5 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020 Mourning Dove 88 Black-billed Cuckoo 1 CUYAHOGA VALLEY CommonNATIONAL Nighthawk PARK 3 SPRING CENSUS,Chimney Swift 2020 135 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 14 By Dwight Chasar and Craig Caldwell the highest ever, and those of nine others were Virginia Rail 1 higher than usual. Some of the new high counts The 2020 Spring Census was held on 16 May. wereSora double the species’ previous high, that1 of Twenty-nine teams totaling 53 observers partici- Black-throatedKilldeer Green Warbler tripled the14 previ- pated. Rain the previous day caused some flood- ousSpotted high, Sandpiperand that of Least Flycatcher quadru12 - ing, but skies were dry for the census. Morning pledSolitary it. Observers Sandpiper found the Census’ first2 Least fog and overcast gave way to sun and the tem- Bittern. The Grasshopper Sparrow was the first American Woodcock 3 perature rose from 60° to 75°. since 2008 and the five Golden-winged Warblers This was an unusual migration year. Cold wereRing-billed the first Gull since 2009’s single bird. The27 nine rainy days and nights held up the migration into Ruby-crownedHerring Gull Kinglets were a treat; they’ve1 gen- the Cuyahoga Valley. Census day was maybe the erallyLeast been Bittern missed in the last decade. Yellow-billed1 best day of the migration, with most birds having CuckooGreat Blue was Heronmissed for the first time since98 2008. just arrived. The total count was an even 8400 in- TheGreat Red-eyed Egret Vireo count, though an impres1 - dividuals, the highest ever by a large margin: The sive 103, was also the lowest since 2008, and the Green Heron 9 previous record was 7787, set in 2006. The spe- Northern Rough-winged Swallow number was cies count of 141 beat the rolling 10-year average theTurkey lowest Vulture since 1997. Yellow-throated and126 Ceru- of 136 and was the third-highest of all time. leanSharp-shinned warbler counts Hawk were lower than usual.1 The counts of a remarkable 25 species were Cooper's Hawk 9 Bald Eagle 11 Species Number Red-shoulderedSpecies Hawk Number19 Canada Goose 224 CanadaBroad-winged Goose Hawk 2249 Wood Duck 79 WoodRed-tailed Duck Hawk 7944 Mallard 67 MallardBarred Owl 676 Wild Turkey 9 WildBelted Turkey Kingfisher 149 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Pied-billedRed-headed Grebe Woodpecker 151 Rock Pigeon 5 RockRed-bellied Pigeon Woodpecker 1865 Mourning Dove 88 MourningDowny Woodpecker Dove 8896 Black-billed Cuckoo 1 Black-billedHairy Woodpecker Cuckoo 151 Common Nighthawk 3 CommonNorthern NighthawkFlicker 613 Chimney Swift 135 ChimneyPileated Woodpecker Swift 13545 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 14 Ruby-throatedPeregrine Falcon Hummingbird 142 Virginia Rail 1 VirginiaOlive-sided Rail Flycatcher 1 Sora 1 SoraEastern Wood-Pewee 351 Killdeer 14 KilldeerYellow-bellied Flycatcher 141 Spotted Sandpiper 12 SpottedAcadian FlycatcherSandpiper 1226 Solitary Sandpiper 2 SolitaryAlder Flycatcher Sandpiper 21 American Woodcock 3 AmericanWillow Flycatcher Woodcock 153 Ring-billed Gull 27 Ring-billedLeast Flycatcher Gull 2745 Herring Gull 1 HerringEastern GullPhoebe 431 Least Bittern 1 LeastGreat BitternCrested Flycatcher 501 Great Blue Heron 98 GreatEastern Blue Kingbird Heron 9844 Great Egret 1 GreatWhite-eyed Egret Vireo 13 Green Heron 9 GreenYellow-throated Heron Vireo 339 Turkey Vulture 126 TurkeyBlue-headed Vulture Vireo 12633 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Sharp-shinnedWarbling Vireo Hawk 701 Cooper's Hawk 9 Cooper'sPhiladelphia Hawk Vireo 91 Bald Eagle 11 BaldRed-eyed Eagle Vireo 10311 Red-shouldered Hawk 19 Red-shoulderedBlue Jay Hawk 20719 Broad-winged Hawk 9 Broad-wingedAmerican Crow Hawk 1339 165Red-tailed Hawk 44 Red-tailedTree Swallow Hawk 11744 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 30 Bank Swallow 5 Barn Swallow 69 Barred Owl 6 Belted Kingfisher 14 Red-headed Woodpecker 15 Red-bellied Woodpecker 186 Downy Woodpecker 96 Hairy Woodpecker 15 Northern Flicker 61 Pileated Woodpecker 45 Peregrine Falcon 2 Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 35 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1 Acadian Flycatcher 26 Alder Flycatcher 1 Willow Flycatcher 15 Least Flycatcher 45 Eastern Phoebe 43 Great Crested Flycatcher 50 Eastern Kingbird 44 White-crowned Sparrow 8 White-eyed Vireo 3 White-throated Sparrow 11 Yellow-throated Vireo 33 Song Sparrow 303 Blue-headed Vireo 33 Lincoln's Sparrow 7 Warbling Vireo 70 Swamp Sparrow 42 Philadelphia Vireo 1 Eastern Towhee Vol. 43 104No. 3 Red-eyed Vireo 103 Bobolink 4 BlueSpecies Jay Number207 EasternSpecies Meadowlark Number3 CanadaAmerican Goose Crow 224133 CanadaOrchard GooseOriole 22422 WoodTree Swallow Duck 11779 WoodBaltimore Duck Oriole 20979 MallardNorthern Rough-winged Swallow 6730 MallardRed-winged Blackbird 63867 WildBank Turkey Swallow 95 WildBrown-headed Turkey Cowbird 1359 Pied-billedBarn Swallow Grebe 691 Pied-billedCommon Grackle Grebe 1651 RockCliff Swallow Pigeon 5 RockBlue-winged Pigeon Warbler 715 MourningBlack-capped Dove Chickadee 18888 MourningGolden-winged Dove Warbler 885 Black-billedTufted Titmouse Cuckoo 2011 Black-billedTennessee WarblerCuckoo 521 CommonRed-breasted Nighthawk Nuthatch 32 CommonOrange-crowned Nighthawk Warbler 31 ChimneyWhite-breasted Swift Nuthatch 13586 ChimneyNashville WarblerSwift 13553 Ruby-throatedBrown Creeper Hummingbird 147 Ruby-throatedNorthern Parula Hummingbird 1440 VirginiaCarolina Rail Wren 781 VirginiaYellow Warbler Rail 2371 SoraHouse Wren 651 SoraChestnut-sided Warbler 16 KilldeerWinter Wren 142 KilldeerMagnolia Warbler 1477 SpottedMarsh Wren Sandpiper 121 SpottedCape May Sandpiper Warbler 123 SolitaryRuby-crowned Sandpiper Kinglet 29 SolitaryBlack-throated Sandpiper Blue Warbler 172 AmericanBlue-gray WoodcockGnatcatcher 1173 AmericanYellow-rumped Woodcock Warbler 593 Ring-billedEastern Bluebird Gull 2739 Ring-billedBlack-throated Gull Green Warbler 11827 HerringVeery Gull 441 HerringBlackburnian Gull Warbler 491 LeastGray-cheeked Bittern Thrush 17 LeastYellow-throated Bittern Warbler 15 GreatSwainson's Blue HeronThrush 9856 GreatPine Warbler Blue Heron 983 GreatHermit Egret Thrush 15 GreatPrairie Egret Warbler 13 GreenWood ThrushHeron 599 GreenPalm Warbler Heron 199 TurkeyAmerican Vulture Robin 126427 TurkeyBay-breasted Vulture Warbler 12612 Sharp-shinnedGray Catbird Hawk 2251 Sharp-shinnedBlackpoll Warbler Hawk 15 Cooper'sNorthern HawkMockingbird 91 Cooper'sCerulean HawkWarbler 97 BaldBrown Eagle Thrasher 119 BaldBlack-and-white Eagle Warbler 1143 Red-shoulderedEuropean Starling Hawk 1990 Red-shoulderedAmerican Redstart Hawk 1928 Broad-wingedCedar Waxwing Hawk 629 Broad-wingedProthonotary WarblerHawk 93 Red-tailedHouse Sparrow Hawk 4484 Red-tailedOvenbird Hawk 4470 House Finch 33 Northern Waterthrush 7 American Goldfinch 347 Louisiana Waterthrush 6 Grasshopper Sparrow 1 Mourning Warbler 1 Chipping Sparrow 68 Common Yellowthroat 209 Field Sparrow 61 Hooded Warbler 103 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Wilson's Warbler 13 White-crowned Sparrow 8 Canada Warbler 6 White-throated Sparrow 11 Scarlet Tanager 47 Song Sparrow 303 Northern Cardinal 311 Lincoln's Sparrow 7 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 81 Swamp Sparrow 42 Indigo Bunting 79 Eastern Towhee 104 TOTAL 8400 Bobolink 4 Eastern Meadowlark 3 Orchard Oriole 22 Baltimore Oriole 209 Red-winged Blackbird 638 Brown-headed Cowbird 135 Common Grackle 165 Blue-winged Warbler 71 166 Golden-winged Warbler 5 Tennessee Warbler 52 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Nashville Warbler 53 Northern Parula 40 Yellow Warbler 237 Chestnut-sided Warbler 6 Magnolia Warbler 77 Cape May Warbler 3 Black-throated Blue Warbler 17 Yellow-rumped Warbler 59 Black-throated Green Warbler 118 Blackburnian Warbler 49 Yellow-throated Warbler 5 Pine Warbler 3 Prairie Warbler 3 Palm Warbler 19 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020 MURDER, BIRD STYLE No Crows, but a Little Raven By Katrina Heinzen And of their fallen comrade, quoth the Blue Jays, (with thanks to Edgar Allan Poe) “Nevermore!” The quiet did not last long, it was broken by a Once upon a lunchtime dreary, stairs I ascend- sudden movement from nearby: A larger preda- ed slowly, weary. tor loomed! Now I focused on the huge form of a I was near the top of the stair as I heard Red-tailed Hawk. It must have been watching the the first scream. The rising agony was followed whole ghastly scene, still as a statue, for not even quickly by several more voices, a cacophony of the eight free jays had given it notice. fear and outrage. Ah, the outrage, but not the The stricken jay had been lifeless but for a mo- pain equal to that first pitiful cry. I knew these ment when in a dramatic swoop and shrill call voices. All one family, and one of their members of victory it was snatched straight away from the was being attacked; I could hear the recrimina- smaller hawk and taken away by the larger! The tions in the growing intensity of their shrieks. Sharp-shinned had managed very few bites for The view from an upper window confirmed what all its considerable trouble. It no doubt learned a I already knew was happening. Amidst the deaf- harsh lesson in expended energy, taking prey as ening clamor of eight Blue Jays in a rage, one was large as itself. And stolen: Injustice? Or justice? on the ground, the talons of its attacker curled Or do those concepts have no place in nature as tightly into its flesh. Its shrieks of pain rose above energy transfer continues in “innocence”—until the rest. it reaches the ultimate consumers, the two-legged But what is this assailant? It is not the ev- consumers. er-watchful Cooper’s Hawk I expected to see. This last act, though, the harshest lesson yet: This trespasser was scantly bigger than its target! The Red-tailed Hawk had the great misfortune It could barely keep its quarry in check. The of taking its stolen prize into a giant spruce tree... scene was a flurry of wings, tawny and taupe one of the preferred roosts of a particularly quar- struggling to suppress the vibrant blue. Over and relsome Great Horned Owl. The owl, still quite over they turned amidst the browning ferns and agitated by the shrieking, “his eyes having all the yesterday’s asters, seeds flying ‘round in a snow- seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,” looked like tempest. In a moment of stillness, I thought down at the hawk with one thought: to get back the bird of prey victorious. And in the stillness I to sleep. So although this hawk had been but a spied upon its breast the heavy dark streaks of minor player in the scene that roused the owl a juvenile accipiter. Oh the folly of this juvenile from slumber, he bore the brunt of the ire. The Sharp-shinned Hawk yet it would not relent. owl dropped onto that hawk’s bent neck, an enor- The fight continued far too long with the azure mous killing machine with wings... and both the family protesting the loss of one of their flock hawk and the jay fell with a soft, muffled thud, far for the entirety, the shrieking, shrieking rattled below. Their wings shall be lifted—nevermore! my chamber door (or perhaps ‘twas a window). ______Blood appeared and still the downed jay fought and cried out. Once it wrested itself free! But the Thank you, Edgar Allan Poe, for helping me tiny hawk pounced again with better hold. Bites frame a dark scene, albeit in prose that shall nev- were taken – and still the blue wings beat against er approach your poetry. And that is what hap- the ground. The family did not depart the grue- pens when one is furloughed from work on April some scene but neither did they fight the petite Fool’s Day. True story, though! Up until the owl predator, though they could have saved their appears. That’s your April Fool’s Day twist. brethren. Deep instinctual fear could not be o’er writ. The struggling pinned jay beseeched his at- tacker, “Take thy beak from out my heart!” with For twelve years, Katrina Heinzen has been an environ- his last shriek. mental educator at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes in At long last, the scene fell quiet, the murder Cuyahoga. She has been a life-long observer of the stories complete. The preyed-upon jay lay limp. The out the window, in the woods, and by the pond. With addi- hawk continued tearing feathers and bites from tional studies in music, art, and psychology, Katrina strives his hard-won meal and the Blue Jay family finally to use these tools to connect all ages to nature on an emo- dispersed from the shrubs surrounding the lost, tional level. “I teach knowing that our future depends on though their cries picked up again on the wing.

167 Vol. 43 No. 3 molding caring leaders out of today’s young people.” She is currently working on a video series to uplift young hearts and minds while sharing facts about the arts and the nat- ural world -- in a humorous setting called Nature Chas- ers, with comedian co-host Bryan Blockson. Interested in contributing ideas? Email: [email protected]

168 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

BUCKEYE

Excerpted from the ProjectSnowstorm.org sues, so Selana moved Buckeye north for release, blog with additions by Kim Kaufman but she came back and was caught again on New Year’s Eve. This time Mark and crew were able We’ve seen some major migration to the north to give her a new transmitter, and we were real- this first week of Apr 2020, including one owl ly looking forward to seeing where she went this that is most of the way to James Bay – but the summer as a mature eight-year-old. But it was biggest news is the saddest, because we’ve lost not to be. one of our oldest and most interesting owls. We at BSBO are obviously devastated, but we As reported in the winter 2019-20 Cardinal, take comfort in the fact that her journey ended in the Snow Owl named “Buckeye” had survived a a place so wild, so removed from civilization that winter at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), was mi- it required snowshoes to get to her transmitter. grating north, and had reached southern Ontario Deep in the wilderness is a fitting final perch for just north of where she checked in this magnificent bird. the evening of 21 Mar. My relief was premature; Thank you, Buckeye, for taking us under your I should have remembered the hard lesson we’ve beautiful wings and allowing us to join you on learned over the years, that migration is probably your remarkable journey. It was an honor and a the most dangerous period in any bird’s life, in- joy to be part of your legacy. cluding a Snowy Owl’s. On 28 Mar, she checked in again – and hadn’t RIP moved at all since the previous week. We knew that meant either (best case) a dropped transmit- ter, or more likely a downed owl. DTW biologist Selena Creed, who had trapped and relocated Buckeye twice this winter, would ordinarily have raced north herself to check, but with coronavi- rus border closures, that wasn’t possible. Instead, Selena made a lot of hurried connections and was able to reach Ontario provincial conserva- tion officer Mitch Turcott, who despite a lot on his plate, offered to snowshoe back to the remote area from which we were getting Buckeye’s signal. Mitch was able to make the hike on 06 Apr, and the news was as we’d feared. He found Buck- eye’s remains, with the intact transmitter. Tracks showed that a fox had scavenged the carcass, so there was no way to determine the cause of death, but Officer Turcott said it was in such an out-of-the-way place he doubts humans had any- thing to do with it. “I guess knowing she passed during migration of, presumably, natural causes is better than having her get smacked by a plane on her wintering grounds,” Selena emailed Mitch, “Still, it’s sad to lose a bird with such a history.” And Buckeye had quite the history. She was first tagged in Feb 2015 after being moved from DTW to northwestern Ohio, where Mark Shield- castle and the staff at BSBO fitted her with a Project SNOWstorm transmitter. BSBO tracked her for a couple of seasons until the unit failed, and were thus surprised when Selena (with whom BSBO had not previously worked) caught her at the Detroit airport on Christmas Eve of 2019. Plans to retag her were scuttled by logistical is-

169 Vol. 43 No. 3

FIELD NOTES

(Lightly edited to correct obvious misspellings and to con- ed up finding nests in my yard and the adjacent form to the Cardinal’s style sheet.) ravine of Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Wood- pecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Ameri- can Robin, and Red-tailed Hawk. It sure made From Joe Faulker: working from home a lot more fun to have these [Posted 01 Apr] For the 40th spring in a row, distractions. a pair of Eastern Phoebes are building a nest un- I ended up writing an essay about enjoying der my house eave. We built two houses out here your yard – or other nearby green space – even in Perry in 1979, one for me and one for John more. [See the separate article, The Unstoppable and Vicki, co land owners. The phoebes also nest Normalcy and Spectacle of Nature.] I hit exactly on their house as well as the barn and the nursery 100 species in my yard during the spring season. buildings. They generally fledge two broods each year with at least three birds per brood. Some- times they even have two nests per house, which From Ethan Kistler: would make four broods. That’s a lot of new [Regarding a Broad-winged Hawk in Trum- phoebes. I did the math on that, and came up bull on 20 Mar] *EARLY* Only two prior with a very conservative number of 1000 phoe- eBird records for Mar in Ohio, with this re- bes fledged from under the eaves of our various cord being the earliest. Mid-day raptors were farm buildings. taking advantage of the front moving through. Just this week, we watched three different nests Among Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, and Coo- being constructed, and I’m sure there are others per’s Hawks, a single adult Broad-winged headed we haven’t even found yet. Unlike the wrens, northwest pretty quickly showing pale under- which have also had prolific success, if the phoe- wings with obvious black bordering and a promi- bes build a nest, they use it. And that’s the truth, nent white tail band. regardless of the date.

From Rick Luehrs: From Jason Bojczyk: [Regarding a Red-tailed Hawk in Greene] [Regarding 15 May at Maumee Bay SP] From Darkest RT Hawk I’ve ever seen. I posted on the worst/slowest spring I’ve ever experienced, Raptor ID FB page and more knowledgeable even worse than the spring of 2019, to one of the raptor people I.D.’ed it as calurus/abieticola. best days I’ve ever had anywhere. 64-68F, mostly They said this accounts for the theory that these cloudy to overcast to partly sunny to mostly sun- dark birds observed in the east are northern ny. SW wind 8-17 mph until 11:30, then around subspecies. 5 mph until 1:30, then very light most of the rest of the day. Rain didn’t occur until ~12:15; heavy at times from then until ~2:15; no rain af- From Bob Scott Placier: ter ~3:00. Five hours of observing the morning [Regarding a Yellow-rumped Warbler cap- flight, then the rest throughout much of the park tured on 05 May] It’s not uncommon, of course, that is accessible (boardwalk/campground not). for Myrtle Warblers to overwinter here in south- Most species still at least a trickle when leaving ern Ohio. And sometimes I will catch one com- the morning flight, while some continued at a ing to the feeders, often the suet, and band it. pretty good pace. Given this, and the inacces- And on occasion recapture it that winter to early sible areas of the park, surely many birds were spring. So I didn’t think there was anything un- unaccounted for. Many poor photos attached to usual when I caught this bird, and saw it had a remember the day. band. Until I read the band number. I banded this guy on 28 Jan 2019, over three months ago. A number of migrant birds show winter site fi- From Andy Jones: delity, especially sparrows and finches. But I have I birded my [Cuyahoga] yard every day this never seen or heard of a northern breeding war- spring, thanks to shelter in place orders. My fa- bler returning to the same location in the winter. vorite observation was of kinglets doing this: Can’t really claim it is an example of site fidelity, https://ebird.org/checklist/S67885935. I end-

170 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020 but it seems much more probable than it being a [Regarding birding on 15-16 May at the sweepstakes event. Buckeye Trail Barn, Harrison] We (Kent Mill- er, Jon Cefus, Ben Morrison, and I) had outra- geous numbers of several species including 16 From Bernie Master: Black-throated Blue Warblers! They went there For the past two days [since 28 Apr] I have several times without me and really had great been hearing the two- and three-noted song of numbers then as well. Finally on 09 May it was a Black-capped Chickadee in my [Worthington, unseasonably cold and we wondered where all Franklin] patch, rare in central Ohio in the win- the birds were. The answer was feeding on the ter and virtually unknown in the spring here. I ground in the multi-flora rose and other un- finally caught the bird singing high up in a tree der-story species. It was pretty remarkable to see in bad light and photographed it this morning. a Black-throated Blue Warbler on the ground. It was doing its Fee-bay two-note and three-note Fee-bay-bay. No other vocalizations. It had ele- ments of both species, head shape, bib, and tail From Allen W. Troyer: of the Black-capped and wings, lack of white in Hawk watching on a hill behind my house [in shoulders, of Carolina – a very weird looking Wayne] on 28 Apr. I got up on hill to watch for bird. raptors at 1:00 pm. At about [1:05] I had a small Loved the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher which flock of Double-crested Cormorants go by –I frolicked in my woods and streamside catching counted five. Then at about 20 minutes past the bugs, 22, 23, 24 May. hour I was scanning and found a bigger flock of cormorants…I got my scope on them and was counting them when I saw this smaller bird fly- From Dwight Chasar: ing with them. Immediately I knew this might I am sure that many birders will have many be good; sure enough definitely a cormorant but comments on the 2020 spring migration. This way! Smaller so had to be [Neotropic]. They cir- was by far the best migration of ruby-crowned cled for about five minutes and whichever way kinglets I have ever experienced. I may guess they turned it was always obviously way smaller that I saw more in the Cuyahoga Valley than I and longer-tailed with faster wingbeats. After a have ever seen in all other migrations I experi- while they started streaming north and out of enced combined. Coming in second were the sight. Total number of cormorants in this flock blue-headed vireos. They were everywhere in was 14 birds. Other birds seen were 76 Broad- places I would not expect. My major complaint winged Hawks, five Sharp-shinned Hawks, one is that the migration was too short. Peregrine Falcon, one Bald Eagle. [Allen filed a report with the OBRC.]

From Scott Pendleton: On 14 May I flushed a family group of Wil- From Michael Hershberger: son’s Snipe at The Bowl. Two were barely able to Barn Owls seemed more scarce this spring. fly and perhaps landed 10 yards from where they One on eggs near Winesburg [Holmes] in early were flushed. I think one of the other was also April. a youngster. It flew pretty well but not strongly. That is the second confirmed nesting I have had at this sight. I flushed a bird off its nest several From Nathan Mast [Walhonding, years back. I do see summer snipe most years Coshocton]: in good habitat and I suspect nesting is more During the cool weather of May we estimated common in the reclaimed grasslands than is approximately 30 orioles coming to feeder. This appreciated. is probably a low figure, both species. Maybe 20 It has been a relative bumper crop for Ruffed Baltimore and 10 Orchard. Grouse this year [in Harrison]. In addition to the drummer in Jockey Hollow heard by quite a few over a week or so, I had drumming just south From Gautam Apte, Sameer Apte, and of Germano in western German Township that I Kevin Pero entered in eBird and there has been another reg- [Regarding 215 Bobolinks at CLNP on 15 ularly sighted bird that chases four-wheelers that May] Unbelievable movement overhead along ride by in north eastern German Township just the lakeshore in the early morning, and even inside the county. some occasional small groups in the late morn-

171 Vol. 43 No. 3 ing. A few flocks of close to 50 birds, with many small groups of five or six coursing overhead just after dawn. Oddly silent, or maybe the noise from the shoreway drowned out the flight calls. A few briefly touched down in the trees on the perimeter, and one male even landed in the field for a bit before a Red-winged Blackbird chased it out.

172 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

YEARS AGO

By Craig Caldwell

10 years ago, the Spring 2010 Ohio Cardinal, Vol. 33 No. 3 (Jill Russell, Editor-in-Chief; Sean Williams, seasonal editor) contained these items: The number was Jill’s first as Editor-in-Chief. Five Eurasian Wigeons and 84 Long-tailed Ducks were reported. Three locations hosted Purple Gallinules, including a successful nesting in Richland. The state’s first documented nest of Eurasian Collared-Dove was in Logan. Magee hosted two Kirtland’s Warblers.

25 years ago, the Spring 1995 Ohio Cardinal, Vol. 18 No. 3 (Rob Harlan, Editor) contained these items: Editor Rob Harlan wrote a history of Kirtland’s Warblers in Ohio. A pair of Bewick’s Wrens hatched six young in Brown, the first confirmed Ohio nest since 1987. Rob described the number of birds at Magee on 10 May as “just short of legendary status”. A Chuck-wills-widow in Tuscarawas provided the first record for the northeast quadrant of the state. The season’s 29 Bald Eagle nests, spread among 12 counties, produced 38 chicks. At least 20 Connecticut Warblers were recorded; they were found in 11 counties.

35 years ago, the Spring 1985 Ohio Cardinal, Vol. 7 No. 1 (Ed Pierce, Editor), contained these items: Rarities included one each Curlew Sandpiper, Brown Pelican, White-faced Ibis, Mississippi Kite, Great- tailed Grackle, and Swainson’s Warbler plus four (!) Ruffs.

50 years ago, The Cleveland Bird Calendar for Spring 1970, Vol. 66 No. 2 (Annette B. Flanigan, Editor) included these items. (A reminder— the Calendar area is a circle of radius 30 miles centered at Cleveland’s Public Square) Heavy ice cover remained on Lake Erie until 17 Mar. Rafts of Horned Grebes totaling 486 birds were along the Cleveland lakefront on 04 Apr. Watchers counted 3895 Blue Jays passing Lakewood Park in a little over two hours on the morning of 09 May. The winter finch invasion produced Evening Grosbeak sightings until 10 May and those of Red Crossbills to 23 May. An immature Bald Eagle seen at Holden on 07 Apr rated special mention.

100 years ago, The Cleveland Bird Calendar Bulletin No. 1 (March 1920) and Bulletin No. 2 (April and May 1920) (Francis H. Herrick, Editor), included these items: An Eastern Meadowlark was heard singing in Cleveland Heights on 16 Mar. Thirty Northern Bobwhites were also seen in Cleveland Heights, on 31 Mar. A Ruffed Grouse was in Gates Mills on 01 May.

173 Vol. 43 No. 3

OOS MEMBERSHIP

Welcoming backyard birdwatchers and researchers in the field alike, the Ohio Ornithological Society is the largest statewide organiza- tion specifically devoted to fostering a deeper appreciation of wild birds, fellowship and collaboration in advancing our collective knowledge about them, and our ability to speak with one voice to preserve Ohio’s bird habitats. We encourage and support important research on birds. We pro- vide educational resources to members, the public, and the news media. We unite individuals and constituencies interested in birds, and provide means and reasons for them to cooperate. Our activities are not con- ducted independently, but in concert with local organizations whenever possible, and when mutually beneficial. If your membership has lapsed, we hope that you will renew your membership and be a part of this dynamic organization.

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174 The Ohio Cardinal, Spring 2020

LAKE LUCAS FULTON ASHTABULA OTTAWA WILLIAMS GEAUGA CUYAHOGA DEFIANCE ERIE WOOD SANDUSKY LORAIN TRUMBULL HENRY PORTAGE SENECA HURON PAULDING MEDINA HANCOCK PUTNAM S U M I T MAHONING

VAN WERT WYANDOT WAYNE STARK ALLEN COLUMBIANA CRAWFORD A S H L N D HARDIN

MARION R I C H L A N D S CARROLL AUGLAIZE HOLMES A

MERCER W A

MORROW R

LOGAN A KNOX C SHELBY COSHOCTON S UNION DELAWARE U T

HARRISON J E F R S O N DARKE MIAMI CHAMPAIGN LICKING GUERNSEY BELMONT FRANKLIN CLARK

Y MUSKINGUM R E M M A D I S O N O NOBLE G MONROE PREBLE T FAIRFIELD N O GREENE PERRY M FAYETTE MORGAN PICKAWAY BUTLER HOCKING WASHINGTON CLINTON WARREN ROSS ATHENS VINTON

HAMILTON HIGHLAND PIKE MEIGS JACKSON

C L E R M O N T BROWN ADAMS SCIOTO GALLIA

LAWRENCE

The Counties of Ohio

175 A stroll through Wendy Park on 19 May gave Jared Mizanin amazing looks at a male Summer Tanager.

Instructions for Contributors The Ohio Cardinal would not exist without contributions from Ohio birders. We solicit sightings, notes on unusual observations, in-depth scientific articles, historical accounts, essays, artwork, and photographs related to Ohio and its birdlife. Reports of bird sightings for each seasion are requested and should be submitted directly, by email or postal mail to: Craig Caldwell, 1270 W. Melrose Dr., Westlake, OH 44145 [email protected] Send digital photo files or links to Christopher Collins: [email protected]

Deadlines are as follows: Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) - 21 March Spring (Mar, Apr, May) - 21 June Summer (Jun, Jul) - 21 August Fall (Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov) - 21 December

Back cover: Kevin Perozini captured this stunning male Cerulean Warbler on 8 May at Station Rd Towpath in Cuyahoga. The Ohio Ornithological Society PO Box 2432 Westerville, OH 43086

Contents Comments on the Season By Craig Caldwell...... 109 Species Accounts By Craig Caldwell...... 113 Contributors and Photographers...... 140 Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve: Six Years of Systematic Bird Surveys By Laura Gooch...... 148 The Unstoppable Normalcy and Spectacle of Nature By Dr. Andy Jones...... 163 Cuyahoga Valley National Park Spring Census and Table By Dwight Chasar and Craig Caldwell...... 165 Murder, Bird Style By Katrina Heinzen...... 167 Buckeye By Kim Kaufman...... 169 Field Notes...... 170 Years Ago By Craig Caldwell...... 173