Since our trip was headed to the east, we met at the traditional Worthington Mall location at 5:30 am and at a McDonald’s (the official fast food establishment of the Avids) at Buckeye Lake at 6:15AM. The temperature was near zero. After another McDonald’s stop near Cambridge, we drove on to Jockey Hollow, in Harrison County. Snow covered what appeared to be rolling hills in this beautiful area.
By this time, the sun was shining and the wind was negligible. The area was mined years ago, creating ledges and ridges, which are now overgrown with brambles. We proceeded along an old mining road that had been traveled by other walkers in 3 to 6 inches of snow. Some of us made our own path along the mining spoils, hoping to flush the common, but elusive, ruffed grouse. The closest we came were chicken-like tracks in the snow. We did find a Hermit Thrush, Brown Creeper and White Crowned Sparrows.
Returning to our cars, we noticed it was now a balmy 12 degrees. We drove around several locations looking for the Common Raven, and had good looks at Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks. At the Harrison County airport, we watched two American Kestrels copulating.
Next, we joined Scott Pendleton at his veterinary clinic. Scott took us on a restricted road at the airport, where we stopped on the hilltop for lunch. We finally were able to get a distant look at the Raven perched in a tree. At least five Ravens have been seen in multiple public areas around the airport on other days.
Our scouts along the Ohio River reported “dullsville”, so we opted to head to The Wilds. Once again, the Golden Eagle eluded us, but we found a Red-shouldered Hawk, Kestrels, Red-tails and both phases of Rough-legged Hawks. We also observed several Pileated Woodpeckers and found a Short-eared Owl perched near the road – it watched us watching it.
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In total, seven birders observed 36 species for the day.
Canada Goose
Mallard
Wild Turkey
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-Shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
American Kestrel
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Short-eared Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Brown Creeper
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White Breasted Nuthatch
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
House Sparrow