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 ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]