Doug Overacker asked for suggestions for places to look for Ammodramus sparrows next Sunday. Here in southwestern Ohio, our most reliable spot for finding Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows has been the Miami Whitewater Forest wetlands (Shaker Trace wetlands is the official name). Since 2000, sharp-taileds have been found at the wetlands during the month of October and early November six out of the seven years, sometimes in respectable numbers. For instance 5 were seen on 10/12/03, 4 on 11/05/00 and 3 on 10/01/05. Our earliest date was 9/28/03 and our latest record is 11/05/00. I am only aware of one report this year, which was from 10/01. The Cincinnati Bird Club was unable to find any on our field trip there this past 10/07, but that doesn't mean there aren't any there now. 

 

LeConte's Sparrow is another story. The only record from the wetlands that I am aware of was one bird on 10/09/03. Savannah Sparrows are fairly common here and Sedge Wrens are fairly regular breeders so the habitat should be acceptable for LeConte's. My guess is they come through regularly but are overlooked and I am unaware of any intense or organized searches for them. 

 

Miami Whitewater Forest is located in northwestern Hamilton County and operated by the Hamilton County Park District. A good map of the park, directions and other information can be found at the following link.

 

http://www.hamiltoncountyparks.org/aboutus/directory.htm

 

Doug, the park is located about 80 miles from Springfield, but it's almost all expressways. And there is no hunting permitted in Hamilton County Parks. Feel free to contact me if you would like further info.

 

Jay Stenger

Cincinnati, Ohio

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