This morning was the summer’s third installment of Columbus Audubon’s Birding by Kayak at The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition (TAASC) located on the west side of O’Shaughnessy Reservoir just north of the village of Shawnee Hills. The trip was led by CA president, Bill Heck and me.
Before we even got into our kayaks, several species of birds, including an Eastern Towhee, made their presence known. Great Blue Herons and Belted Kingfishers abounded both in Twin Lakes and out on the reservoir. Green Herons were going about their business on Eversole Run. In the sky, a Red-tailed Hawk sailed by among numerous Turkey Vultures. The weather cooperated as well, with sunny skies and cool, pleasant temperatures. Dark clouds and a stiff breeze showed up just as we turned toward home as if to remind us of our good luck. As we were getting ready to call it a day, a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird put in an appearance. It was an exciting find and a great way to end the trip since hummingbirds seem to be in short supply this year.
The full species list is as follows:
Double-Crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Great Egret
Mallard
Red-Tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Ring-Billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood Pewee
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-Winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
American Robin
Eastern Bluebird
Gray Catbird
Yellow Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Song Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
American Goldfinch
House Finch