Migration.... taking its sweet ole time...

Stopped by Metrobeach after work.... Woods are still very quiet although I did have some new arrivals... Northern Waterthrush, Marsh Wren, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak and  Eastern Kingbird. Still only have the real early migrants as far as warblers go...

Brown Thrasher

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush

House Wren

House Wren

Am. Kestrel

A-10 Warthog... big metal bird that flew above me

N. Cardinal

Imm Redtail getting chases by RW Blackbird

White-throated Sparrow sitting on branch after playing in the water

Hmmm, whats that sitting on top of my Bluebird House?

Woke up this morning and while I am getting the kids breakfast I notice something red sitting on top of my bluebird house.... Hmmmm..... House Finch?  Robin? Barn Swallow?.... I left my Binoculars in the car so I used my sons little cheap pair and looked out and noticed that it is a carcass of some bird. It was probably left there by our resident Coopers Hawk... I made my way out to the box and it turned out to be a Spotted Sandpiper. Head and wings remained and the body was gone... There were no feathers under the box so I am thinking he moved from his original marsh side table and dropped down on the box and then left..... Gross, but a very interesting way to start my day...

New spring arrivals in the yard are Solitary Sandpipers and Willow Flycatcher....

Long Walk at Wetzel

Took a hike at Wetzel SGA today. Needed my rubber boots... walked around all the ponds and a portion of the woods.... New spring arrivals for me were Common Yellowthroat, Bank Swallows and a ton of Yellow Warblers... in the ponds there were Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Buffleheads, Green-Winged Teal and Pied-billed Grebes.... A Great Egret flew over and there were a few Swamp Sparrows calling from the Reeds.... Nice day for a walk

Pied-billed Grebe

Boots were needed

Yellow Warbler

48 hr Birdathon....

Couple more weeks and I will be involved in an unofficial 48hr Birdathon.... Cant wait.... praying for good weather....Pointe Mouillee and Crane Creek this year.... target 135 species....

Magee Marsh - Crane Creek Ohio

I had a business meeting in Cleveland yesterday... I got up early and headed to the Marsh before my meeting at noon.... Migration is still behind, about a week.... It was a really nice day... got to the park at about 7am... The Marshes are flooded... No shorebird habitat anywhere and that includes the Ottawa Wildlife Refuge...  list of a few highlights... Total 60 species... in about 2+ hrs of birding...

Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Ducks
Scaup
Wood duck
Gadwall
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Common Morehen
Trumpeter Swan
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
American Kestrel
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Yellow, Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers
Virginia Rail
Coot
Common Morehen
Forsters Tern
Warbling Vireo
Baltimore Oriole

All in all a slow day, but a good chance for me to scout the area....

Wetzel SGA - Finally a decent Pic of a Palm Warbler

Just got home from visiting Wetzel SGA after work for a quick look out at the ponds... Golden Eagle soared overhead... Attempted a photo but it came out very blurry.... Also didn't have my rubber boots and got a soaker... I love the smell of wet tennis shoes.... NOT!!   Nothing really going on in the Ponds... a few Ring-necked Ducks and a pair of Green-winged Teals.... I ran into a very friendly Palm Warbler and I was able to get a couple of close ups....

My Spotted friends are back...

Took a walk behind the house tonite... Its basically one big marsh at the moment. With all the rain, its nothing but mud and standing water... Spotted Sandpipers returned today... Still waiting on the Solitary Sandpipers that also nest on the property... Saw a few White-crowned Sparrows and as usual, there were a gazillion Savannah Sparrows everywhere....