It has been a very interesting fall so far, despite the fact that the hawk movement was less than impressive. As the official compiler at Erie Metropark near Detroit stated, We seem to have missed the large Broad-winged movement this fall. Lots of hawk watch sites would have been pleased with days of 10,000 and 7,000, but Erie Metropark expects at least one day of 50,000 to 100,000 or more every year. A recent daily report of hawk migration at Erie Metropark focused on the warblers that they were seeing since the hawks were few and far between.
However, as is often the case, the lack of huge hawk flights has been more than balanced by a great fall movement of songbirds. In addition, there have been a lot of interesting reports of other birds, such as 20 or more Franklins Gulls at a number of Ohio lakes and reservoirs.
Warblers have been the big news on the home front. Several birders in the Sugarcreek/New Bedford area encountered large numbers last weekend. While I was enjoying the 300-year-old oaks at the Hunter Tree Farm open house recently, hundreds of warblers, including at least 22 species, were entertaining folks south of Baltic. The prize was a Connecticut Warbler, but there were also at least four Mourning Warblers. From there the numbers exploded, with 40 or more Black-throated Green Warblers, 45 Magnolias and 60 Tennessee Warblers. Five Northern Waterthrushes were also on the scene, as well as eight Black-throated Blue Warblers, three Northern Parulas and 13 Nashvilles. In addition, birders located at least five Philadelphia Vireos. One surprise was the almost total absence of Blackpoll Warblers, usually one of the common fall migrants.
It wasnt only locally that lots of migrant birds were found. In the Columbus area, at least three locations reported a large influx of songbirds. One small park hosted at least 30 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, with many warblers and thrushes.
On Friday morning, Sept. 25, several intrepid birders headed up to a high hill at five in the morning to get some birding in before work. They were rewarded with more than 250 Swainsons Thrushes and 40 Gray-cheeked Thrushes flying overhead. These thrushes call as they fly south, and with some practice it is possible to identify them as they fly by.
Around the state there have been other exciting birds keeping birders busy. Along the Cedar Point Causeway on the Lake Erie waterfront, Gabe Leidy saw a flock of Common Terns. After 30 minutes, he had seen more than 1,000 of these beautiful terns. Gabe is working on a Big Year in Ohio and has already seen over 290 species with three months to go. Three hundred is the goal - something that has often been attempted but rarely achieved. To reach 300, you have to be out birding about every day, as well as being lucky enough to see quite a few rare birds during the year.
October and November can be excellent for rare birds, so keep looking. Also, watch for one of the rare western hummingbirds that could show up at your feeders in the coming weeks.
Good birding!
To contact Bruce Glick, e-mail him at birderbruce@yahoo.com or call 330-317-7798.
