Spring migration update: 'Big Days' were a hit with local birders
- Michelle Wood: SWCD
- May 19, 2014
- 442
By the time you read this, the Bobolink Area Big Day will be history, and the results will be announced Monday evening when the teams get together to share their stories and hear from other area birders. Out here in Elkhart County, there is also a Big Day over the weekend. It's a bit different in that it starts at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon and goes until 4 p.m. Saturday. This will be my first such event in Indiana and has meant learning about the birding locations in Elkhart and Lagrange Counties.
On the Ohio birding scene last week, huge numbers of people converged on Magee Marsh and Ottawa National Wildlife Area for the annual Big Week. Highlights in the northern Ohio area included 14 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks that drew crowds of approving birders. As always, there were lots of warblers and many other birds along the boardwalk at Magee Marsh, as well as almost any Ohio (and beyond) birder that you might want to see.
Other exciting birds found in northwest Ohio included three Kirtland's Warblers and two Black-necked Stilts. Closer to home, several Blue Grosbeaks were located between Sugarcreek and Dover, and several Connecticut Warblers showed up in Holmes County. A Bell's Vireo made a brief visit to a farm south of Mt. Hope but couldn't be re-located. Another bird that was heard briefly was a Chuck-will's-widow north of Loudonville. For more information on any of these local sightings call the Bobolink Rare Bird Alert: 330-763-5119.
A reminder that the Second Annual Optics Fling will take place at Time and Optics, 6954 County Road 77, south of Mt. Hope, on Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. There will something for everyone at this important birding event.
At Big Island Wildlife Area, a Purple Gallinule drew lots of birders. You can check Ohio Birds or Birding Ohio (Facebook) for more information on rare birds all around Ohio.
This week I spent a morning at the Pigeon River Wildlife Area in northern Indiana. New birds heard or seen included Common Gallinules, Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Sedge Wren, Alder Flycatchers and a Connecticut Warbler. On the other hand, I have not been able to locate a Yellow-breasted Chat, Prairie Warbler, Kentucky Warbler or Worm-eating Warbler. I guess I'll have to come back to Ohio for them.
The last week in May is an excellent time to be looking and listening for late migrant warblers and other late songbirds, as well as all the nesting birds that are now back on their breeding grounds. Mohican State Park is the premier place to visit, especially in the coming weeks.
Good birding!
Contact Bruce Glick at birderbruce@yahoo.com or 330-317-7798.