Northwest Ohio RBA
February 21, 2001
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 14:58:32 -0500
Reply-To: Greg Links <glinks@BGRCOMPANIES.COM>
Sender: "National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Central)"
<BIRDCNTR@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
From: Greg Links <glinks@BGRCOMPANIES.COM>
Subject: NW Ohio Rare Bird Alert for 2/21/2001
To: BIRDCNTR@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Date: Feb. 21 2001
Subject: NW Ohio rare bird alert
Sponsor: Toledo Naturalists' Association
Phone number: 419-877-9640
Transcriber: Greg Links
Compiler: G. Links
Areas covered: NW Ohio, extreme SE Michigan
Highlights: VARIED THRUSH, HARLEQUIN DUCK, NORTHERN SHRIKE, update on
Spring migration
--Text--
Thank you for calling the NW Ohio RBA for Wednesday February 21st. This
hotline is brought to you by the Toledo Naturalists' Association.
Highlights are Varied thrush, Harlequin duck, Northern shrike, and an update
on spring migration.
The Varied thrush continues in Findlay, Ohio, about 45 miles south of
Toledo, through at least Sunday, Feb. 18th. From Toledo Take I-75 south to
exit 12 in Findlay. Go east on W. Main Cross to Main street, and go right
on Main. Go south to 6th street, and go east on 6th for about a half-mile.
Cross the small bridge and turn to the right onto Brookside. Go left on
Meadowlark. The thrush is coming to a feeder at the last house on the
street on the right hand side. It is on the SW corner of Eastview and
Meadowlark.
I received a belated report that the Grand Rapids Harlequin duck was indeed
seen this weekend on Sunday, February 18, and is likely still present in the
area. From Toledo, take route 24 SW to the town of Grand Rapids. Cross the
Maumee river at route 578, and turn right to the RR bridge. The bird can be
seen near this bridge, but may be farther up river as well. Checking all
the way to the Providence dam may be necessary.
Northern shrikes are in the news. On Sunday, February 18, 2 different birds
were seen at Crane Creek, east of Toledo. Try along the Magee Marsh
causeway. Another Northern shrike has spent the entire winter at Irwin
Prairie, on the west side of Toledo, and is still being seen in that area as
of this week. Take Bancroft west out of Toledo to Irwin road, and go south
on Irwin.
A couple of Rough-legged hawks were seen west of town on February 20th,
along 20A, near Weckerly road.
Spring migration is still slow, but nevertheless quite evident. An American
woodcock in Whitehouse Ohio on the 20th was a new arrival, and among the
more common migrants that can be found along the lakeshore right now, like
blackbirds, killdeer, and Horned larks, work the fields in Ottawa and
Eastern Lucas county for Snow geese and the possible Sandhill crane.
A merlin reported over east Toledo on February 20 was a new arrival, and
rather early as well.
There will be a field trip to call in owls in the Oak OPenings tonight,
February 21st. Meet leader Tom Kemp at the Shell station in Whitehouse at
the corner of Finzel and Weckerly roads at 7:30pm. Eastern screech-owls are
likely, but a little luck will be needed to add a Great-horned or a Barred
owl to the list. Be sure to dress warmly.
To report your sightings, please leave a detailed message after the tape,
and if reporting a rare bird, be sure to leave your phone number.
Thanks for calling, and good birding!
--End text