Gone Birding February 14, 2011 Bargain Hunter February update - winter is still in control Columnist Bruce Glick attempts each week to summarize happenings in the birding world. Emphasis is on the local Wayne/Holmes area. This week Bruce reports on several birds that seem to like winter. Find out more in the "Gone Birding" column. As I sit down to write this column, the birds are hanging around outside the house, seeming to complain about the small amount of food and suet available, that is, except the Carolina Wren which is singing full-force. Who knows what drives Carolinas to go against the crowd by singing all through the winter. Whatever the reason, I am grateful to these energetic songsters, even more so because they are known as being only "half-hardy", one of the species most susceptible to severe winters. Another bird that strikes me as enjoying the winter is the Common Snipe. These secretive birds can be found all winter long, skulking along the edges of wet areas in fields and along stream banks. Since there are always some areas that stay ice-free due to springs and running water, Common Snipe seem to be able to find plenty of food. One such place is found north of Berlin where ideal habitat has been available in the same area for many years. Birders covering that area for the Millersburg Christmas Bird Count have never struck out as far as I know. The map for Common Snipe in The Sibley Guide to Birds seems to indicate that the wintering range only extends north to about the Ohio/Kentucky border, but we know that isn't quite correct. However, it is true that we are at the extreme northern edge of their winter range. The entire southern half of the country is included in the winter range, and most of Canada and the northern United States is breeding territory for Common Snipe. Sometimes we see large numbers in our marshes or even on mudflats during spring migration as the birds move north from their wintering ground. Meanwhile, around the state there has not been a lot of rare bird activity reported recently. There have been some interesting birds along Lake Erie, such as an early Red-throated Loon at Avon Lake. As the weeks go by, more migrants will begin showing up around Ohio, including right here at home. Although some large flocks of blackbirds have been seen all winter, the hoards of migrating Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles and others are undoubtedly heading our way. For hawk-watchers, there should be some good movements of Red-shouldered Hawks in another month or so. At least one and possibly two Golden Eagles have again been wintering at The Wilds, along with some Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks and Short-eared Owls. It's always worth a trip down there during the winter. Good birding! Bruce Glick birderbruce@yahoo.com 330-317-7798
