Fall migration is in full swing across Ohio

  • By Bruce Glick
  • September 6, 2012
  • 357
                        
Fall migration is in full swing across Ohio Columnist Bruce Glick summarizes happenings in the local birding world. This week the focus is on fall migration. Find out more in the "Gone Birding" column. It must be September since one day the temperature reaches 90 degrees and several days later the lows are in the 50's. With the north winds that accompany cold fronts come millions of birds. While shorebirds have been on the move for several months, songbirds peak in September. This year we had the first major push of warblers, vireos and thrushes on Sunday, September 2, when up to 21 species of warblers were found at one park along the Lake Erie shoreline near Cleveland. As the word spread, other lakeside parks were also found to be harboring large numbers of songbirds, undoubtedly resting after the flight across Lake Erie. It also rained that night which resulted in many birds taking a break from their long journey south. On Sunday afternoon I decided to check the Ohio Birds website, where I found a number of reports of the excellent birding in the Cleveland earlier in the day. That caused me to wonder if some of those warblers had reached our area as well, so I walked down through our woods to the stream to see what I could find. It didn't take long, as the first bird that appeared was a female American Redstart. The bird was flitting through the lower branches where it was easy to see. High above I could see movement near the tops of the tall trees. Over the next hour I was able to identify at least some of these warblers, including Black-throated Green, Tennessee, Blackpoll, Cape May, Black-and-White, Yellow-throated and Chestnut-sided. While walking through the woods I also came across a beautiful male Hooded Warbler and an inquisitive Ovenbird. In the marshy area along the stream were two Common Yellowthroats. Vireos were also present, with several Red-eyed and at least one Yellow-throated in the area. Later, two Philadelphia Vireos were a nice surprise. The reports from Cleveland said that at least 15 Philadelphia Vireos were found in one area so this species must have really been on the move. After this delightful late afternoon of birding, I walked back to the house for something to eat. By then it was late evening, a nice time to set up the scope on the deck before it got dark. Across the field to the east are two large dead trees that are always attractive to birds, but the next hour was the best I have ever seen. As usual there were lots of American Robins and American Crows coming and going. All the resident woodpeckers showed up, with up to seven Northern Flickers at one time, and a young Red-headed Woodpecker that must really like the closer of the two trees (still 100-150 yards from our house). I was surprised when two Blackburnian Warblers showed up in the scope. A female Scarlet Tanager appeared and then several vireos, along with another warbler that I couldn't see well enough to identify. Cedar Waxwings came and went, as did Blue Jays, Cardinals, Mourning Doves, and all the small feeder birds such as chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice. At one point, four Common Nighthawks flew by, as did lots of Chimney Swifts and Barn Swallows. It was quite a show, and it only stopped when it got too dark to see. The next day I learned that two area birders had heard and seen Red Crossbills flying overhead at their homes. There have been other reports of large numbers of Red Crossbills reaching Michigan and Ohio, so be on the lookout for them. The first Red-breasted Nuthatches have also been found in our area. It promises to be an exciting fall. Good birding! Bruce Glick birderbruce@yahoo.com 330-317-7798


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