113th CBC Ohio/West Virginia/Kentucky Regional Summary

 By Charles Hocevar

 
The unusual aspects of the 113th Christmas Bird Count Season in the Region involved many factors including the weather. Last year’s remarkable warm weather was replaced this season with more seasonal weather, and 39 of the 60 counts in Ohio that reported the weather conditions recorded below freezing temperatures. Two counts did not report temperature information. In addition, the very well organized Toledo CBC bettered itself dramatically by recording 110 species. This was followed with 96 at Ragersville, 95 in Cincinnati, and 91 in Western Hamilton County.  Fifteen Ohio CBCs reported totals in the 80s, 20 in the 70s, ten in the 60s, eight in the 50s, three in the 40s and one in the 30s. Ohio fielded over 1800 field observers for this effort and reported over 4000 party hours, with Ragersville reporting the greatest effort with 287 hours among its 68 participants. Temperatures varied from a high of 63F at Paint Creek to a low of 10F degrees at Killdeer Plains.

Ohio results this season included an abundance of incursive species including winter finches, Red-breasted Nuthatches and very late passerines. Evening Grosbeaks have been scarce in recent winters and were found this year on a half dozen Ohio counts, as were Red Crossbills. Also, over 400 White-winged Crossbills were observed on eight Ohio CBCs. Some of the unusual lingerers included a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Portsmouth, a Cape May Warbler at Lake Erie Islands, and a remarkable Magnolia Warbler at Millersburg. Other noteworthy accidentals included Tree Swallow at Cuyahoga Falls and Ovenbirds at Lakewood and Columbus, a Harris’s Sparrow in Ashland, and Dickcissel at Caesar Creek-Spring Valley. Rufous Hummingbirds showed up in Dayton, East Fork, Hoover Reservoir, and Lakewood. Late Indigo Buntings were located in Cincinnati, Mohican State Forest, and Ragersville. Adding to the stellar results in Ragersville were additional documented rarities including Yellow-breasted Chat, Grasshopper and Nelson’s sparrows, Pine Warbler, and the state’s only Eurasian Collared-Dove.

Although the temperatures were not above average, there was open water throughout the state and waterfowl numbers reflected that fact. Greater White-fronted Geese were recorded on eight counts, and singleton Ross’s Geese were observed at Clark County, Rudolph, and at the Brown Family Environmental Center. Individual Brant were located in Cuyahoga Falls and Portsmouth. Cackling Geese were found on eight counts, and over 100 Trumpeter Swans were recorded statewide. All three scoter species were reported in fair numbers while Long-tailed Duck was observed at Ashtabula and Trumbull County. Probably the most noteworthy waterfowl reports were of individual Harlequin Ducks at Lake Erie Islands and Ashtabula. Individual Red-necked Grebes were found in Toledo and Youngstown, while the state’s only Red-throated Loon came from the Tri-Reservoir CBC.

Eleven Great Egrets were located on five counts while a lingering Cattle Egret lingered in Millersburg. Virginia Rail was reported from its reliable location in Millersburg, but was also observed at Caesar Creek and Lake Erie Islands. Caesar Creek also located a Sora. Over 3500 Sandhill Crane were found statewide on 11 counts, and during count week on an additional four. Several vagrant shorebirds were located this season with a Lesser Yellowlegs remaining in Gypsum, a Western Sandpiper at Mohican, and three Purple Sandpipers enjoying the Lake Erie Islands. The most noteworthy gull observation was of a Black-headed Gull during count week at Ashtabula. Ohio’s only observation s of Thayer’s Gull and Glaucous Gull came from Lake Erie Island during count week and Toledo respectively. A Snowy Owl was found at Black Swamp, and other owl numbers were apparently up. Barn Owls were found on six counts, Long-eared Owl on five, Short-eared owl on 12, and Northern Saw-whets on nine. Northern Shrikes were numerous and there were a number of Marsh Wren reports. Mohican State Forest’s Common Raven again appeared. While Wild Turkey doesn’t appear to be as wild as it was 30 years ago since Ohio observers located over 2300 on 41 CBCs. Ruffed Grouse are not sharing the benefits and were found only in the Hocking Hills. Golden Eagles were reported from three Ohio locations while Bald Eagle numbers included a total of 467 individuals located from 55 Ohio count areas. Merlin and Peregrines were recorded in fair numbers from nine Ohio counts each. An Osprey was observed at Delaware Reservoir, and a few Broad-winged Hawks continued to be reported. The most noteworthy raptor, however, was the documentation of a Northern Goshawk in Ashtabula. Other miscellaneous observations included two Yellow-headed Blackbirds in Toledo, a Lincoln’s Sparrow in Columbus, and reports of Brewer’s Blackbirds from Gypsum and Fremont. Ohio observers located a remarkable total of 175 species during this count period.

West Virginia fielded 328 observers on 20 Christmas Counts this season. Seven West Virginia counts tallied over 70 species, with Charles Town leading the pack at 76. Only three of the West Virginia CBCs recorded low temperatures above freezing. The most noteworthy observations this season included a Green Heron in the Charleston area while Morgantown observers located a lingering White-eyed Vireo as well as a very late Indigo Bunting. Oak Hill observers had the good fortune to locate a Rufous Hummingbird during count week. There were a few reports of winter finches including a single Red Crossbill at Inwood and nine White-winged Crossbills at Canaan. Canaan also was the site for the state’s only report of Common Redpoll, and Morgantown participants located a dozen Evening Grosbeaks.

Waterfowl reports included Snow Geese at Ona, a single Cackling Goose at Huntington, several Blue-winged Teal in Charleston, and Tundra Swans on three West Virginia Christmas counts. Other scattered observations included Fish Crow at Inwood, a Pine Warbler in Pendleton County, a lone Lapland Longspur at Charles Town, and again this season a single report of a Loggerhead Shrike at Lewisburg. Four Barn Owls were uncovered at Moorefield and a single Long-eared Owl was observed in Morgantown.  Vulture numbers were up, with reports of 426 Black Vultures on 12 counts and 1102 Turkey Vultures on 16 counts respectively. Bald Eagle was common with the reports of 58 individuals from 15 locations statewide. Ten Golden Eagles were located from four count locations, and Merlins and Peregrines were recorded on three West Virginia CBCs. A half dozen Rough-legged Hawks were located from three locations. West Virginia participants put in over 800 party hours into the CBC effort this season, and included a couple of groups with only three hardy participants. All told, West Virginia’s participants located 126 individual species during this season’s count period.

Kentucky is always noteworthy for much of its lingering waterfowl and water related birds. This season was no exception with a Ross’s Goose remaining in Lexington. Five Cackling Geese were still in Wayne County and a Mute Swan was located during count week at Louisville, where a White-winged Scoter and a Great Egret were also found on count day. Over 300 American White Pelicans remained in the state, tallied in Calloway County and on the Land Between the Lakes CBCs.  Sandhill Cranes remained and were reported from four Kentucky locations. The regular observation of Forster’s Terns and Least Sandpipers continued with their observation in Calloway County and Land Between the Lakes.

Of more significance was the record of a Say’s Phoebe, observed on the Calloway County CBC. Louisville observers also located Red Crossbills and a very unusual Nelson’s Sparrow. Palm Warblers were found at Lincoln’s Birthplace and also in the Wayne County circle. Twenty-one Lapland Longspurs were also observed on the Lincoln’s Birthplace count, and again four Rufous Hummingbirds were located with individuals reported from Somerset, Wayne County, and Frankfort. Seven Loggerhead Shrikes were recorded statewide, but more of note was the report of a Northern Shrike from Russell-Adair County. All told, 1150 Black Vultures were reported from 14 counts while 679 Turkey Vultures were found on 15 West Virginia counts. Seventy-seven Bald Eagles were located in nine count circles and single Merlins were found on three. Eurasian Collared-Dove was recorded on four Kentucky counts.

Two hundred forty-eight observers participated in this season’s Christmas Count in Kentucky and tallied up an impressive 697 hours of field work for this effort. The weather was agreeable with moderate temperatures and open water; temperatures during the count period varied from a reported high of 60 degrees in Louisville to a low of 22 during the Wayne County effort. The Land Between the Lakes CBC totaled the most species with 89, but was followed closely by four other Kentucky counts with totals in the 80s. Lexington had the largest contingent in the field this year and consequently tallied the highest number of party hours. All told, Kentucky’s 248 field participants were able to locate and identify 124 species during this 113^th CBC season.