I visited several sites around this reservoir northwest of Columbus, both to follow-up Elayna Grody's sighting of a possible Mississippi Kite and to check some wooded areas for breeders and strays. The MIKI was a no-show, although there seems to be lots of ideal habitat here. I stopped at the Home Rd marina, several accesses along the shore south of there, Traphagen Preserve, the dam & Frink Park, and the Twin Lakes area. Notables included:
Cormorants - 4-5 were sunning & swimming just above the dam. The question now becomes whether these birds were connected with the new colony further downriver, or just summering non-nesters.
Turkey Vultures - 5-6 were roosting below the dam, which is a common roost for migrants. These, plus singles at nearly every stop, raise the question of whether they may nest nearby.
Flycatchers - Acadian flycatchers were at every stop, often numbering 2-4 in dense wooded areas. in contrast, I couldn't find a single Phoebe or E.Kingbird, which are usually regular around this reservoir.
Swallows - there are now robust Cliff Swallow colonies at both the dam (50-60 nests) and the new Home Rd. bridge (20+ nests). Is ther any reservoir in central Ohio now where they don't nest?
Thrushes - no stray Veeries, but Wood Thrushes are having a banner year here. I had them singing in several spots where I don't usually find them.
Wood Warblers - not much here. Yellow warblers wwere at several spots along the reservoir. the more unusual warblers were at Twin Lakes, where 2 Prothonotaries were singing along much the same shore area as 2 Parulas.
Orchard Orioles - this species continues its steady increase in central Ohio, with a defensive pair along the reservoir (Area L) and a singing male (at Twin Lakes). It used to be so hard to find them; not any more.
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