We look for Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, and and all finches in the ample supply of Sweet Gum in NW Ohio—Hancock County. 

> On Jan 31, 2018, at 7:12 PM, James Muller <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> I believe there were posts here or on Facebook about Red Crossbills feeding
> in gum trees as well.
> 
> James Muller
> 
> On Wed, Jan 31, 2018, 7:10 PM Joseph Lautenbach <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
> 
>> Hi All,
>> 
>> I had the day off from work, so I went to Delaware SP and surrounding area
>> this morning. While I was there I encountered the previously reported
>> Common Redpoll (at least 2), Pine Siskins (at least 6), and very large
>> flock of American Goldfinch (~200). It was fascinating watching these birds
>> forage in the sweetgums, I watched them for 30 or 40 minutes. I recently
>> moved to Ohio from further north and had no idea that sweetgums provided a
>> valuable food source. I thought it was very interesting to see northern
>> species like redpolls and siskins foraging on a relatively southern tree
>> species. I was also curious as to whether the finches were drawn to the
>> sweetgums because of quality or quantity.
>> 
>> Once I got home, I tried to do a little research on food quality of
>> sweetgums. I was able find a manuscript focused on pen-reared quail food
>> preferences (Journal of Wildlife Management, 1945). In the manuscript, they
>> discuss protein and fat levels of various wild food sources. Sweetgums
>> average almost 15% crude protein, a pretty high content, not as high as
>> other species tested, but in the upper tier of native species evaluated in
>> the study. Given the number of sweet gum trees in the area and the
>> relatively high nutritional value, it is no wonder there are so many
>> finches there. I would have to assume that sweetgums may be difficult for
>> other species to access.
>> 
>> The whole time I was there, the only other species I saw foraging on
>> sweetgum was the Carolina Chickadee. I would be curious to hear what other
>> species people have observed foraging on sweetgums (specifically on the
>> seeds, I would imagine woodpeckers would forage on decaying and dying trees
>> for insects etc.), as well as more information on the value of sweetgums as
>> a food resource. I'm new to Ohio, so I don't have a ton of experience with
>> sweetgum, any information would be interesting to me.
>> 
>> I checked other sweetgums in the state park for finches, but did not see
>> any today. The Sweetgum picnic area was a little more sheltered from the
>> wind than the other other areas I saw lots of sweetgums. Given the strong
>> winds today, perhaps all the finches were concentrated in the picnic area
>> to avoid wind. On a less windy day the finch flock may disperse more to
>> take advantage of all the sweet gums planted throughout the park.
>> 
>> I also saw the northern shrike that was previously reported along Panhandle
>> Road at the Delaware Wildlife Area. It was great to see some northern birds
>> today.
>> 
>> Best,
>> 
>> Joseph Lautenbach
>> Delaware, OH
>> 
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