The Peregrine Vol 18, No 4, July/August 2019
Additional Article and Photos


Two Birds from Ohio to Remember
by Paul Hess
Photos by Geoff Malosh

While birding in northwestern Ohio during spring 2019, 3RBC members were treated to a rarely seen shorebird and a sparrow that breeds sparingly at the very eastern edge of its range.

The shorebird was a Ruff, a Eurasian species that wanders annually but infrequently to the U.S. These wanderers are sometimes but rarely found in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Unfortunately, Geoff Malosh was our only club member who managed to see and photograph it. He would have found it himself if he had arrived at the site five minutes earlier, but another birder had found it a few minutes before and pointed it out to Geoff. "I was not the original finder. It was present for less than 25 minutes, and several people arrived just as it was leaving or thereafter," he said.

Geoff comments, "The location was a flooded field about three miles west of Howard Marsh. This field is probably flooded quite often in spring because it's proven to be a good spot for shorebirds. There are a lot of flooded fields around here recently, but most of them are just transient puddles that aren't in place long, so they tend not to attract shorebirds. But this particular field seems to get them. "

That's a reminder for birders not to confine all attention to the Magee Marsh. Wander around, and you may find rarities such as a Curlew Sandpiper seen by 3RBC members in a flooded field not far from Magee in May 2016.


Ruff

Ruff - Curtice, Ohio - May 11, 2019

Meanwhile, many 3RBC birders have learned to travel west from Magee each year to a breeding site of Lark Sparrows at Oak Openings Metropark. These birds are localized remnants of a population that once nested widely in the eastern U.S. (including Pennsylvania) but has withdrawn westward for decades. Its breeding range now extends east only to northwestern, west-central, and southwestern Ohio.

Geoff photographed this one at its Oak Openings territory on April 24, 2019, before most "Biggest Week" birders arrived in Ohio in May. The bright and uniquely patterned head sets it apart from less distinctive sparrow species. Many 3RBC members already visit Oak Openings each spring, but join them, especially if you have not yet seen a Lark Sparrow.

Lark Sparrow

Lark Sparrow - Oak Openings Metropark, Ohio - April 24, 2019

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Mission of 3RBC

To gather in friendship, to enjoy the wonders of nature and to share our passion for birds!

© Photo Credits:
Sherron Lynch, Brian Shema, Chuck Tague