Lake and Geauga Christmas Bird Count

On December 20th Blackbrook Audubon participated in the Audubon Christmas bird count. We covered areas in Lake and Geauga county. With over 25 participants we were able to visit many parks and trails. Becky and I visited Big Creek, Whitlam woods and Girdled road north. That day the black-capped chickadees were out in force. We counted 53 but I am sure there were many more that we missed.

Yellow-throated Warbler

This unlikely visitor was spotted in Chagrin Falls, Ohio last week on December 16th. Looks like suet is on the menu for today. Thanks to Sally Isacco who provided us with this photo.

When are they filling up the feeder?

If you have not already started to feed the birds this winter, this is a good time to start. A variety of birds can be attracted to feeders with oil sunflower seeds and suet. Many birds supplement their diet in the winter at home feeders. If you are able to set your feeders with a view from a window, you can have hours of enjoyment watching them come and go. Don't worry, this Black-capped Chickadee was enjoying sunflower seeds shortly after the picture was taken.

The start of a Chimney Swift tower

The Holden Arboretum was contacted by a boy scout who wished to install a Chimney Swift tower as an Eagle Scout project. After reviewing several areas with the conservation department, a location behind Foster's pond was selected. Last weekend the tower began to take shape. This is just the start. When the tower is completed it will be 12 feet tall.

The Chimney Swift must have deep shafts in which to raise families and roost at night. Much like the Purple Martins, Chimney Swifts rely almost entirely on man-made structures for nest sites . The Chimney Swift can eat nearly one third of their weight in mosquitoes and other annoying insects daily. Further updates and information on Chimney swifts to follow.

Bufflehead duck at Corning Lake

In the late fall it is not unusual to spot a pair or more of Bufflehead ducks at Corning Lake at The Holden Arboretum as they migrate through to their winter grounds. You can see the male above is quite a colorful speciman.

The Bufflehead ducks are the smallest diving ducks in North America. Tree cavity nesters most exclusively made by Northern Flickers and occasionally Pileated Woodpeckers near ponds and streams. They will often stay with the same mate for several year.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on nest

Hidden in a pine tree, neatly build between pine cones sits a Ruby-throated Hummingbird on her nest at The Holden Arboretum. In her mouth is a piece of lichen that she is adding to her nest held tightly together by spider webs.

Camouflage 101

This Gray Treefrog missed his mark in camouflage this morning while on the side of a dark brown play table at Buckeye Bud's area at The Holden Arboretum.

After a few minutes warming in my hand, he reluctantly went on this small tree trunk. Notice the toe discs that allow him to cling and climb rapidy in trees.

Ring-necked duck and American Wigeon duck

A brief visit by this American Wigeon on Foster pond at The Holden Arboretum.

A pair of Ring-necked ducks on Corning Lake at The Holden Arboretum. As of today, several pairs were still present.

Wood ducks have also been seen on Blueberry Pond, Buttonbush Bog as well as Corning Lake.

Avon Lake Power Plant Field Trip

On Sunday, we had 8 birders who braved the snow and cold and traveled to the Avon Lake Power Plant to view gulls and ducks. While there were thousands of gulls some highlights were a Glaucous gull and several Greater Backed gulls. Redhead ducks, Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead ducks were also spotted.

Although we saw a Glaucous Gull at the Avon Lake Power Plant it was to far away to get a good picture. This guy was flying pretty close to shore at the E. 72nd Street pier.

White-winged Crossbills - The Holden Arboretum

White-winged Crossbills are a special visitor in the winter. They migrate down from Canada when food is scarce. They can be found in conifer collections as they eat seeds primarily in hemlocks, spruces and tamaracks. Their beaks are designed for the task of removing seeds from the conifer cones. An individual crossbill is capable of eating up to 3000 conifer seeds in one day. This winter white-winged crossbills have been reported throughout Ohio. At Holden they have been seen in the conifer collection and the hemlocks off of the woodland trail. These pictures were taken in the conifer collection.

Mr. Blue Jay in my Yard!

I counted six of them today! So noisy and wasteful, but oh so beautiful! Sally Isacco

Blackbrook Fieldtrip to Middlefield

On Sunday, Jan. 17th, 2009, 13 people from Blackbrook took our annual fieldtrip to Middlefield in search of Rough- legged hawks. We found the hawks plus many more.

Cold Birdwatchers

Rough-legged Hawk point and shoot camera thru binocs.

ID Lapland Longspur

Snow Buntings point and shoot thru binocs .

Location: Hayes Road Area

Observation date: 1/18/09

Number of species:

31Canada Goose 16 Cooper's Hawk 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 1

Red-tailed Hawk 4 Rough-legged Hawk 16 American Kestrel 2

Rock Pigeon 75 Mourning Dove 14 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2

Downy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 8 American Crow 9

Horned Lark 35 Black-capped Chickadee 10 Tufted Titmouse 6

White-breasted Nuthatch 5 American Robin 2 European Starling 60

Cedar Waxwing 40 American Tree Sparrow 20 White-throated Sparrow 2

Dark-eyed Junco 30 Lapland Longspur 4 Snow Bunting 40

Northern Cardinal 10 Brown-headed Cowbird 10 House Finch 100

Pine Siskin 4 American Goldfinch 6 House Sparrow 100

White-winged Crossbill Invasion

Sally Isacco, Chardon, found this at the Nature Realm a few days ago!

Crossbills have also been seen at The Holden Arboretum.

Local Birds

Before the snow fell Bob Bartok took some pictures of local birds.

American Robin

Mourning Dove

Black-capped chickadee

Blue Jay

Send us your pics of Northeast Ohio birds and nature. We will post it on our blog!