Spring waterfowl migration season at our local wildlife areas is in full swing

  • By Bruce Glick
  • March 13, 2013
  • 293
                        
Spring waterfowl migration season at our local wildlife areas is in full swing Columnist Bruce Glick summarizes happenings in the local birding world. This week migrating waterfowl are in the spotlight . Find out more in the "Gone Birding" column. The Shreve Spring Migration Sensation has grown into one of the biggest annual birding events in Ohio. This year the date is March 16, so you may have missed it by the time you read this column. Some of the top birders are on the agenda, including both Kimberly and Kenn Kaufman from the Black Swamp Bird Observatory east of Toledo. Both of them are especially interested in youth education and speak all over the U.S. every year. Jim McCormac, from Columbus, has the topic: "Wood-Warblers: Gems of the Forest". One of the top nature photographers in the state, Judy Semroc, specializes in "Bird, Bugs and Botany". Judy works for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History as a Conservation Specialist. Other speakers include Cheryl Harner, leader of the Greater Mohican Audubon Society, and Chuck Jakubchak, an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist. For many people the highlight of the day is the chance to see thousands of ducks, geese, swans and other waterfowl. Volunteers stationed at both Funk Bottoms and the Killbuck Marsh Wildlilfe Areas help folks find and see the birds. It's great to see this event growing in quality and attendance. If you didn't make it to Shreve over the weekend, you can visit the local marshes in the coming days and weeks to see this amazing migration. You might want to consider driving out to the observation tower at Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area, located just south of Ohio Route 95 at Funk. Arriving early in the morning or late in the evening may give you a chance to see huge flocks of waterfowl taking off or coming in to roost. So far this spring around 20 species of ducks have been sighted in the wildlife areas, including at least one Eurasian Wigeon. At least 100 Tundra Swans have been at Funk for a week or more. A number of Cackling, Snow, and Ross's Geese have also been spotted at Funk. Sandhill Cranes are present at both locations and usually can be seen or at least heard if you are in the area for awhile. At least one nesting pair of Sandhills are again on location south of Holmesville along the Rails-to-Trails. The beautiful Varied Thrush that has been present in Coshocton County, near New Bedford was still being seen last week. The same was true for the Harris's Sparrow south of Charm. A number of White-winged and Red Crossbills are still in the area, as are the Evening Grosbeaks at Mohican State Park. For updates on these and other rare birds, call the Bobolink Rare Bird Alert at 330-763-5119. If you see a rare bird you can also report it at the same number. This is also the beginning of the raptor migration season. On Saturday, March 9, two area hawk watchers were pleasantly surprised by Golden Eagles winging their way north. Golden Eagles are rare in the east, but there is a small population and the magnificent birds are seen from time to time each spring and fall. There have also been a number of Northern Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks coming through the area. The next warm front should bring more raptors. Good birding! Bruce Glick birderbruce@yahoo.com 330-317-7798


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