The best winter ever for finding northern finches in Ohio?

  • By Bruce Glick
  • March 27, 2013
  • 333
                        
The best winter ever for northern finches in Ohio? It may not be the best ever, but it's the best winter for finches that I can remember. In talking to one of the young biker/birders recently, I learned that he has seen all the winter finches this year except Pine Grosbeak, which is rarely found in Ohio. On March 26 I decided it was time to chase down some of these prizes from the north, if any were still around. First stop was just a few miles northwest of Millersburg where birders have been seeing both species of redpolls. Common Redpolls are irregular winter visitors, but a Hoary Redpoll is quite rare. I had only seen two Hoarys in many years of birding. When I arrived at the location, I was shown into a porch area with a clear view of three feeders. Within minutes the feeders were full of American Goldfinches, the males showing the patchy bright yellow and black that soon will indicate full breeding plumage. They were joined by House Finches and an assortment of other birds, including several Eastern Bluebirds. Then we saw a Common Redpoll in the tree above the feeders, and it was soon joined by a second and then a third bird. The second one was also a dark Common Redpoll, but the third was a lighter, almost frosty-looking Hoary Redpoll. This bird was easily recognized, unlike some redpolls that are very hard to identify for sure. The bill looked very small on the Hoary, and bird was very pale looking. What a beautiful bird. With such a good start to the day I wasn't surprised to arrive at Mohican State Park, only to hear a large flock of Evening Grosbeaks calling above the home where we have seen them traditionally in the past. For the last decade or more, it has been rare to see these northerners in Ohio, but this winter has been like the good old days. I counted 35 of them in the trees above the house. Talking to the owner, I learned that not only have the Grosbeaks been there all winter, there have also been White-winged Crossbills (less now than in the fall when they arrived), Pine Siskins, and Red-breasted Nuthatches. In recent days, a Pine Warbler arrived, always an early warbler that shows up in the Mohican area. They will stay around to nest nearby. Both species of crossbills have been seen off and on this winter in our area. I also learned that years ago when the Evening Grosbeaks were regular winter visitors, the largest flock that showed up was 140 birds. It would take a lot of sunflower seeds to keep such a flock happy! At any rate, area birders are delighted to be able to see and hear the lovely Evening Grosbeaks once again. And thanks to the owners who welcome birders. A large flock of Pine Siskins was also hanging out around the house and the feeders. This is also one of the best places to see Purple Finches. While photographing the Evening Grosbeaks, I heard a Red-shouldered Hawk calling nearby. After leaving Mohican, I stopped at Pleasant Hill Lake, Funk Bottoms, and finally the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area (KWA). A total of nearly 3,000 ducks were still in the area, the largest concentration at Wright Marsh in the KWA. Probably the best find was four Common Mergansers along Wilderness Road in the Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area. One Greater Yellowlegs and a flock of Pectoral Sandpipers show that shorebirds are also beginning to find their way north. Good birding! Bruce Glick birderbruce@yahoo.com 330-317-7798


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