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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