We finally joined the parade to Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Wyandot County and found many of the special birds. At Pond 27 (NE corner of CH115 and the county line road), which is considerably drawn down, we found the geese. It was difficult to count the Greater White-fronted Geese, but we got roughly 92. There were 10 Snow Geese, some blue phase, but we couldn't find a Ross's Goose. Shorebirds were also interesting with 1 Black-bellied Plover, 31 Killdeer, 8 Common Snipe, and Dunlin. In the morning we saw 5 Dunlin in expected gray basic plumage, but in the afternoon, taking a second look, we saw a group of 3 that seemed to have buffy faces (maybe low light angle?) and one had a black belly as reported by Vic Fazio. At the distance across the pond, more detail was elusive. Also two adult Bald Eagles graced the area.

Elsewhere at Killdeer Plains we found 1 Common Loon, 7 Tundra Swans and 2 Bonaparte's Gulls at the upground reservoir, 1 Greater Yellowlegs as the only bird at the pond along TH123, 1 Long-eared Owl in the owl woods, good numbers of Northern Flicker and American Kestrel and on TH75 about 1/2 mile west of CH115 we saw a Northern Mockingbird instead of the hoped for shrike.

The weather was astounding for late November with totally clear blue skies, light wind and warm enough to go without a jacket. The temperature must have reached at least 70°F, bringing out ladybugs, butterflies and a dragonfly.

Back on Lake Erie, Paula Lozano reports that the Black Scoters at Rocky River Park remained today though a little farther off-shore with Hooded Mergansers. They also had a Purple Sandpiper on the lighthouse breakwall at Headlands Beach State Park and saw the Rufous Hummingbird near Lakeshore Metropark in Lake County (see statewide link above).

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The four Black Scoters reported yesterday by Paula Lozano were still present this afternoon off Rocky River Park. (For directions, see Dick's "Cleveland Area Birding Site Guide") They were again with Common Goldeneyes fairly near shore, though if the wind shifts to the southwest tomorrow, they may drift off. All of the birds are in female/immature plumage. Since this is an excellent scoter location, they may stay around for a while. Also present were 3 Common Loons, 20 Horned Grebes, Mallard, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser and Bonaparte's, Ring-billed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls.

Elsewhere along the lake (Eastlake to Perkins Beach) things were pretty slow, but in some areas, like the mouth of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, there seems to be a build up of gulls.

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While Jean was busy in Elyria this afternoon, Dick checked the Lorain harbor and found numbers of gulls on the docks, at the hot waters and outside it. The landfill appears completely dry and bird free. 1,000 Bonaparte's were at the former "hot waters" with more coming in and more outside the walls, but nothing else was among them, not even a Franklin's. The larger gulls preferred the marina next to the landfill and 2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were there. So it was nice to find some numbers of Bonaparte's again, but disappointing that no special gulls appeared. The only Snow Buntings we saw were a flock of about 30 that flew over IH 90 in Lakewood.

This morning we saw a little of the Common Loon movement lingering at Fairport Harbor, but the California, Glaucous and Lesser Black-backed Gulls seen first thing in the morning by Larry Rosche at the marina east of the park in Fairport Harbor were long gone along with most of the rest of the gulls. Later, at Conneaut, we learned that the group of birders doing a sea watch there had seen 840 Common Loons, 75 Tundra Swans and Franklin's Gulls. We did catch one Franklin's Gull, a group of six Tundra Swans, 4 Northern Pintail, 6 Black-bellied Plover and 3 Dunlin before the hunters began walking back and forth across the flats while packing up for the day and flushing everything from the area which their hunting had not done. At Eastlake the outer docks were awash in the northwest wind but there were still a lot of Red-breasted Mergansers in their swirling patterns over the area, but not many gulls. In Cleveland, Black-crowned Night-Herons continue near the police dock.

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Southwest wind, warm temperatures and clearing skies brought an unusually nice day, but birds, especially gulls, were scarce most places along Lake Erie from Fairport Harbor to Rocky River today. The best concentration of gulls was at Eastlake, but we didn't see any of the less common species, let alone get a glimpse of the Ross's Gull. Tomorrow the winds should be west and the weekend colder, so perhaps conditions will improve for gull watching. Inland, Vic Fazio reports the Northern Wheatear is still present at Big Island WA.

Some interesting birds today were 21 Great Blue Herons in a small area of Shipman Pond at Headlands, a quick view of a hawk along SR 2 between Rtes 615 and 44 North that may have been a dark phase Red-tailed Hawk, a light phase Rough-legged Hawk perched on a pole at the old landfill behind the Cleveland Public Power plant (location of the whale mural) along North Marginal Road and 3 male American Kestrels disputing territory at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland.

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Larry Rosche called just after 8:00 am to say that at 7:45 this morning a *Ross's Gull* was seen off the beach at Headlands Beach SP flying with thousands of Bonaparte's Gulls. We took time, as requested to send an email and update this page and get ready to go. We arrived on the beach at Headlands just after 10:00 and in a fairly short time had it pointed out to us as it flew with Bonaparte's Gulls over the second breakers on Lake Erie. It was not a close view to say the least, but with our scope we were able to watch it for brief periods of time, sometimes a bit closer. It would sit down on the water briefly, becoming invisible in the waves. Between 10:30 and 11:00 the wind shifted considerably and we suddenly realized the gulls had moved off and no one found the gull after that.

The bird must be molting, the wings appearing silvery white, the back silvery gray, but on inspection, there was a mottled aspect to the wings that Dick found reminiscent of pale Northern Fulmars in Alaska. The tail was white, long and wedge-shaped. The wings were long and pointed but could appear broad as well. The underwings were gray in the coverts and secondaries, white in the primaries. The head was small and barely visible most of the time with the bird facing away, into the wind. Others had looks at the small black bill and other markings. When initially seen it was closer and more detail was seen. It is rumored that photos were taken. Vic Fazio reports that the bird was not found on the 16th.

For comparison, see Dick's Ross's Gull Photos from Churchill, Manitoba from June 1980.

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This afternoon along Lake Erie from Eastlake west to Rocky River we encountered single adult Franklin's Gulls at Eastlake and off Sims Park in Euclid where a group from Columbus spotted six Snow Geese approaching, one a blue phase. There were a few hundred Red-breasted Mergansers at Eastlake, small accumulations of Horned Grebes at Sims Park and Rocky River Park, one Common Loon in the Cleveland harbor and 8 at Rocky River. The nearly calm water at Perkins Beach was disrupted by jet skis and there were no ducks there. At least four immature Black-crowned Night-Herons were roosting near the police dock east of Burke Lakefront airport in Cleveland, one apparently a second winter bird. From the end of the parking area at E. 55th, Cleveland Lakefront State Park, we watched a first winter Common Tern fishing near the shore.

A Northern Mockingbird has taken up the usual winter location opposite the Gordon boat basin in Cleveland and it was present today, but a surprise was 2 mockingbirds at the Gordon Shore Boat Club along North Marginal Road where we also saw several American Tree Sparrows. Nearby was a Red-tailed Hawk with a very pale tail. Another had hovered persistently over the landfill at Gordon Park.

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We finally had a chance to stop and look for the Red-throated Loon that has been at Lake Medina for a long time. It was swimming and diving near the far end of the lake and 3 Common Loons were covering larger areas. Ducks that seem to prefer inland lakes to Lake Erie were present: Ring-necked Duck (~30), Hooded Merganser (50+) and Ruddy Duck (3). In addition to good numbers of Canada Goose, Mallard, American Coot and Ring-billed Gull were an American Black Duck and 7 Bufflehead.

Directions to Lake Medina (about 2 miles east of the city of Medina): from IH 71, west one mile on US 18 to a gravel parking area on the north side of the road just west of the West Branch of Rocky River. Walk onto the dike of the upground reservoir.

Meanwhile reports elsewhere are of huge numbers of Franklin's Gulls being seen along Lake Erie, also many Tundra Swans and a tantalizing report from Lake Ontario of a large group of Black-legged Kittiwakes. And the Northern Wheatear continues at Big Island! (follow the statewide link above for the latest.) It definitely looks like a weekend to be out and about.

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This morning Vic Fazio made an amazing find, not along Lake Erie, but well inland in Marion County at Big Island Wildlife Area. When we learned of the bird, all thought of raking leaves was banished as we set out on the 2 1/2 hour drive. We arrived at the spot about 3:30 and followed other birders to the bird's current location along a dike. We watched it off and on until around 4:20 when we last saw it flying off and behind more vegetation. It frequently perched up in bare little trees or machinery and had a very distinctive posture. This Northern Wheatear (if accepted by the OBRC) would be only the second record for Ohio. It is quite buffy, possibly an immature bird. For details and updates, follow the Statewide Alerts link above.

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The wind this afternoon was light and westerly and the gulls at Eastlake were less active and Bonaparte's numbers lower than the 6th. Just when we thought we would find nothing out of the ordinary, a first winter Franklin's Gull flew past right off the parking area before disappearing around the power plant. Its dark mantle and wings were immediately noticable and its neat cap and white outer tail feathers diagnostic. While we waited in vain for it to return, we discovered two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the docks where fishing boats kept the larger gulls moving about. Fariport Harbor was truly quiet though.

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We checked the lakefront from the Eastlake power plant to Rocky River Park today. Gull numbers are up, especially at Eastlake, but we still only found the usuals. Red-breasted Mergansers are in and while the numbers were small, the birds were everywhere. Horned Grebes were sprinkled along the lake and two Common Loons were at each Perkins Beach and Rocky River. One Black Scoter was off Perkins. An adult Black-crowned Night-Heron was roosting near the police dock east of Burke airport. There were a few Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye and a distant flock of scaup off Rocky River. We are still amazed at the numbers of Great Black-backed Gulls that appear everywhere. We also heard Larry Rosche had an immature Little Gull at Headlands early today.

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We checked Chester Commons for the reported Spotted Towhee in downtown Cleveland, but could only find White-throated Sparrows and one Eastern Towhee. This seems to have been a case of mistaken identity.

Having heard there were shorebirds at Sheldon Marsh in Erie Co., we couldn't resist their appeal. Though there was a stiff north wind today, Sheldon was rather protected and we found small movement of land birds such as Yellow-rumped Warbler, Rusty Blackbird, Northern Flicker and an immature Red-headed Woodpecker. The dogwood berries attracted thousands of starlings and puddle ducks were well represented. And there really were shorebirds, about 300 Dunlin, 4 Pectoral Sandpipers, 1 peep that got away, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 8 Killdeer and 2 dowitchers, probably Long-billed. From the west we saw 5 Mute Swans and a group of 19 Tundra Swans that a local observer said had just arrived. Among the many gulls was a flock of about 12 Snow Buntings. The open lake was quite rough and we saw only the usual gulls there and in Huron.

We were also directed to the Dupont Marsh State Nature Preserve on the east side of the Huron River just south of SR 2. It is a spot of considerable potential, but this afternoon was quiet.

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A drive-by at Shaker Lake found the Am. White Pellican still present. Out in Geauga County at La Due Reservoir there was little change, but we did find our first Common Loon of the fall and on a mud flat north of the boat ramp there were a Killdeer, a Dunlin and 3 American Pipits. North of La Due with one of the flocks of Eastern Bluebirds were several Yellow-rumped Warblers and Cedar Waxwings. We were pleasantly surprised by two Wild Turkeys crossing the road, but were quite amazed to find they had joined a flock in the woods of at least 30 birds. Lake Erie was quiet at Fairport Harbor (only 9 Snow Buntings) and Gordon Park in Cleveland.

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Today we hoped for excitement along Lake Erie and worked from Cleveland to Conneaut, but if there was any diurnal movement, it was too high to see. We did get to join many folks, especially fishermen and boaters, out to soak up the last iota of this glorious day, possibly the last such this fall.

At Conneaut we were amazed by the extensive flats,stretching all the way to the breakwall and finally found a few shorebirds, the prize being an American Avocet. Others were 4 Black-bellied Plover, 2 Killdeer and 3 Dunlin. There was a female Hooded Merganser and a flock of about 30 Snow Buntings went by. A congregation of gulls, including Bonaparte's, had only the usuals.

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The roofers are finally gone and White-throated Sparrows were vocal in our yard while a Downy Woodpecker checked a still-empty suet feeder. There were Winter Wrens within the week, but the Yellow-rumped Warblers are long gone. As the light rain had just stopped it looked like the perfect time to look elsewhere for some birds.

Jean finally got to see the American White Pelican that has been at Shaker Lake since Oct. 4 that Dick had seen earlier. There weren't a lot of birds around, but we did see a vireo of interest. It must have been a Blue-headed Vireo, but it had almost no contrast between the head and back colors and made us realize how difficult it will be to identify a Cassin's Vireo if one should ever turn up here. It always seems strange to see a vireo after most warblers are gone, but this is not that late for Blue-headed yet. We thought the pelican looked healthy enough and we hope it will move on as the weather gets colder.

We also wanted to make another attempt to see the Sandhill Cranes at La Due Reservoir (and have a nice drive in sunshine with bright foliage), but again we did not see them. We had small numbers, but variety of species of ducks, 2 Bald Eagles, 5 Horned Grebes and at the dam a flock of Eastern Bluebirds, 2 Rusty Blackbirds, and surprisingly a flock of 50+ Snow Buntings. With the low water levels we hoped for lingering shorebirds, but saw none.

We heard that a Spotted Towhee had been identified at a birder's yard in Lakewood and we were extremely lucky to see the bird in the afternoon, scratching in a bare spot where seed had been spread. Seen from above, the spotting on the scapulars was especially impressive and the long tail quite noticeable. As far as we know, this is the first record of the western form of what used to be Rufous-sided Towhee in the Cleveland region.

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Nick Barber found a Dickcissel in a weedy lot on Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights this afternoon, but our attempt to find it just got us wet. Kevin Metcalf did see it before we arrived. We slogged through light rain and wet goldenrod, finding Nashville, Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers and Song, Lincoln's and White-crowned Sparrows though activity decreased while we were there. Dickcissel is an excellent find in northeast Ohio at any time.

Nick reported highlights from this morning at Headlands Beach SP of Sedge Wren and American Golden-Plover and at Chagrin River Park (in Willoughby, off Lost Nation Road) of Indigo Bunting, now rather late.

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Yellow-rumped Warblers were abundant at Headlands Beach State Park this morning. Also numerous were White-throated Sparrows and Golden-crowned Kinglets.

Other warblers were Orange-crowned, Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Palm, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll and Common Yellowthroat. We did not find many other sparrows, but there were Field, Song, Swamp, White-crowned and Dark-eyed Junco. Other migrants were Red-eyed Vireo, House & Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Hermit Thrush. There were large gulls and cormorants on the breakwall. It was a beautiful day with light wind, bright sun and becoming warm. (Perfect for a baseball playoff game instead of birds in the afternoon.)

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We have been away awhile so this afternoon we were new to the high water in the Lorain impoundment and the October flavor to the migrants.

As advised by Dave LeGallee, we found shorebirds fairly close to the pier around the pumping outflow. The numbers were low, but had a nice assortment: Black-bellied Plover, American Avocet, Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated & Western Sandpiper and Short-billed Dowitcher. In the first area where the water comes up to the pier there were Mallards feeding in the sparse vegetation and also at least 3 Soras.

There were sparrows in the grassy vegetation and a check of the cottonwoods at pier's end produced more sparrows (Chipping, Song, Lincoln's, Swamp, White-throated and White-crowned), good numbers of both kinglets, Hermit Thrush, House & Winter Wrens and the only warblers were Yellow-rumped and Common Yellowthroat.

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URL: http://pw1.netcom.com/~djhoff/fall1998.html
Send mail to: Dick & Jean Hoffman (djhoff@ix.netcom.com)

Archived: Dec 1, 1998