Featured Image Photo Credit: Rhododendrite It was my first fall migration birdwalk in Ohio, and I was curious as to what migrants would show up here in the Midwest. One of the first we spotted, darting around a low bush, tail flicking open, was a Magnolia Warbler. I was entranced; they were unknown in Washington
Magnolia Warbler: A Warbler Success Story Read More »
Not all bird movement is migration. There’s a large period after nesting where many birds can turn up about anywhere. Known variously as post-breeding dispersal or wandering, this can result in some pretty bizarre bird records between July and September. Birds’ size and power of flight give them options to roam that most other animals
Birds as the Original Empty-nesters: Post-breeding Wandering Read More »
By Rob Thorn It was one of the iconic experiences of central Ohio birding. If you wanted to take visiting birders someplace that would shake up their conception of central Ohio, your choices were Clear Creek Metro Park, Highbanks, or the Hoover Boardwalk. Then the boardwalk suffered ice damage and was closed back in 2022.
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We were birding several spots around Big Island Wildlife Area, hoping for some lingering ducks in late April, but it seemed like everywhere we looked, we had squeaking, fluttering groups of Blue-winged Teal. I hadn’t seen so many of them in Ohio, but grew up with them in Florida. There, they are more common than
Blue-winged Teal: How to Design a Duck like a Shorebird Read More »
It was like a twisted fairy tale. We had journeyed to Stratford, Ontario, to see the Shakespeare festival, but walking along the Avon River (yes, they really call it that), we were startled by the large number of Mute Swans. Turns out, it wasn’t a natural accumulation. Town representatives thought the birds were a good
Brute, errr… Mute Swans Read More »
Sometimes you want to see some shorebirds or waterfowl, but don’t have the time or inclination to drive all the way out to Hoover Reservoir or Darby Wetlands. If you’re willing to downsize your expectations a bit, we’ve got some options for you. Turns out that Columbus’ rapid sprawl has created multiple wetlands, either by
Hidden Wetlands of Columbus Read More »
