Date: 2/9/26 10:29 am From: Karen Wachs <ksbwachs...> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] OHIO-BIRDS Digest - 28 Jan 2026 to 30 Jan 2026 (#2026-18)
Yesterday, we were thrilled to see 8 immature bald eagles standing on the ice on the Ohio River in California, Ohio. Crows occasionally mixed in with them. This was about two miles from the nest of bald eagle pair Bonnie and Clyde who have a nest viewable on Cardinal Land Conservancy’s eagle cam: https://www.cardinallandconservancy.org/eagle-camera/
> On Feb 9, 2026, at 1:12 PM, nancy ortman <000003fe735205fc-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> I’m so glad you decided to let her stay.
>
>
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> On Saturday, January 31, 2026, 12:00 AM, OHIO-BIRDS automatic digest system <LISTSERV...> wrote:
>
> There is 1 message totaling 37 lines in this issue.
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> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. Winter wren sighting IN MY SUNROOM, suggestions?
>
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> Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:41:45 -0500
> From: Joe Faulkner <joeinthewoods...> <mailto:<joeinthewoods...>> > Subject: Winter wren sighting IN MY SUNROOM, suggestions?
>
> Yesterday a winterwren managed to get into my sunroom, probably through the dog door that doesn’t always close completely. I captured her? And released her back outside. This morning she was there again, again captured and again released. Within an hour she was back. Since the room was 50-60 degrees warmer than outside, and had plenty of spiders, I decided to just let her stay for a while. She is presently perched on one of the vines that run along the top.
> Suspect that if I capture her again and release her, she’ll just come back. Cant really blame her. By the way, she has been in our “yard” since fall and seen several times. Any suggestions on how I might proceed. Do not plan to alter the dog door.
>
> Joe Faulkner
> Somerset, Ohio
> Perry county
> Sent from iPad
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> End of OHIO-BIRDS Digest - 28 Jan 2026 to 30 Jan 2026 (#2026-18)
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Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:41:45 -0500
From: Joe Faulkner <joeinthewoods...>
Subject: Winter wren sighting IN MY SUNROOM, suggestions?
Yesterday a winterwren managed to get into my sunroom, probably through the dog door that doesn’t always close completely. I captured her? And released her back outside. This morning she was there again, again captured and again released. Within an hour she was back. Since the room was 50-60 degrees warmer than outside, and had plenty of spiders, I decided to just let her stay for a while. She is presently perched on one of the vines that run along the top.
Suspect that if I capture her again and release her, she’ll just come back. Cant really blame her. By the way, she has been in our “yard” since fall and seen several times. Any suggestions on how I might proceed. Do not plan to alter the dog door.
Joe Faulkner
Somerset, Ohio
Perry county
Sent from iPad
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End of OHIO-BIRDS Digest - 28 Jan 2026 to 30 Jan 2026 (#2026-18)
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Date: 2/7/26 4:52 pm From: Robert Thorn <robthorn6...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] 3 dams north of Columbus,2-07-26: waterfowl,SnowBuntings,Longspurs
With snow, ice, & cold temps still the rule here, I spent the morning crawling around the dam areas of Hoover & Alum Creek reservoirs, and tied on the Westerville Alum Creek low-head dam for good measure. Both big dams, and even the small one, had waterfowl in the open water below them, with the large spillway at Hoover having the big flock. I also stopped at Oxbow Island to see the swans at the small lead south of the island, embedded in another large flock of geese. Each site had its own specialties.
Hoover is still frozen above the dam, so all the activity was around the spillway, which included large numbers of geese & mallards, along with good runs of Gadwalls, N.Shovelers, Redheads, Scaup of both species, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and Common & Hooded Mergansers. A modest flock of Ring-billed & Herring Gulls was here, but no sign of the Lesser Black-backed seen earlier. Landbirds were pretty limited by the deep snow cover, but a cluster of Bluebirds was cool.
Oxbow Island is frozen in except for a stream lead 100 yards off its southwest shore. This open water had another big flock of geese, as well as small numbers of both Trumpeter & Tundra Swans. It also contained Mallards and a few other ducks. Also notable were 3 juvie Bald Eagles perched & soaring around the opening.
Alum Creek Lake Dam & spillway is the hot ticket in town, with the baited snow buntings & longspurs at the top of the stairs, on the top of the earthen dam. Quite a few birders were making the trek up in the half hour I was there. Just be prepared for bracingly cold wind. The spillway also had geese, mallards, buffleheads, coots, and Hooded Mergansers.
The Westerville Alum Creek low-head Dam had more things than you might expect. The creek above was frozen, but below was open and had herons, mallards, Black Duck, and Hooded Mergansers. Lake Otterbein was frozen, but the field south of it had yet another big flock of geese, and the forest edge between the lake and the creek had quite a few birds, including a Mockingbird and lots of woodpeckers.
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Date: 2/7/26 2:20 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] LT Duck - and the Fernald winter festival starts- Hamilton county
Date: 2/6/26 9:36 am From: Douglas Vogus <vogeye...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Cuyahoga Valley Towpath Census
FEBRUARY 05, 2026 - CUYAHOGA VALLEY MONTHLY TOWPATH TRAIL CENSUS. ROUTE: Red Lock Trailhead south to Merriman Valley, with a stop at Hunt Farm Visitor Center with a packed lunch. TIME: 7:05am - 3:40pm TIME AFIELD: 8:35 TEMP.: 0F ~ 22F COND.: Frigid with light snow ending at 7:55am; turning partly sunny until 9:35am, then cloudy with hazy sun until 11:30am, then cloudy for the remainder of the census. TRAIL COND.: A single rut of hard-packed snow from Red Lock Trailhead to Ira Rd.; difficult walking from Ira Rd. to Merriman Valley - less traveled with plenty of snow left (6 to 9 inches) from Winter Storm Fern. RIVER COND.: Normal; recent cold spell (over two weeks of below freezing) has even the mighty Cuyahoga River in its grips, with some slower sections completely iced-over; other sections were just a strip of open water; deeper sections were open as well as sections with rapids (ducks galore with Lake Erie frozen), but much of the river was skirted with ice-shelves; all creeks and runs frozen; Ira Beaver Marsh was completely frozen except for the usual strip along the north shore where it is spring-fed. FT. MI.: 14.60 OBS.: Douglas W. Vogus.
I. MAMMALS: 6 SPECIES, 17 TOTAL.
1. Eastern Cottontail - 2 (Second February Record on Census) 2. Eastern Gray Squirrel - 3 (1 black morph) 3. Red Squirrel - 5 4. Common Raccoon - 1 (Second February Record on Census) 5. American Mink - 1 (caught a small fish at open section of Ira Beaver Marsh - First February Record on Census) 6. White-tailed Deer - 6 (4 does,2 unknown)
II. BIRDS: 52 SPECIES, (1 ESCAPE), 2,172 TOTAL. (NOTE: m = male; f = female; ? = bird was seen but not sexed; * = bird was heard calling but not sexed)
E. Domestic "Barnyard" Goose - 1 (with Canada Geese at Stumpy Basin and able to fly)
1. Canada Goose - 213 2. Tundra Swan - 2 (heard a distant flock "baying" northeast of Boston - at least two, but probably more - First February Record on Census) 3. Wood Duck - 3 (2m,1f) (east bank of the Cuyahoga River just north of the Akron Water Pollution Control Station's warm-water outflow - Second February Record on Census) 4. Gadwall - 4 (1m,3f) (at the big bend in the river at Stumpy Basin - Second February Record on Census) 5. American Wigeon - 1 (m) (preening on the east bank next to the Wood Ducks - Fourth Record on Census & First February Record on Census) 6. American Black Duck - 27 (13m,14f) 7. Mallard - 100 (54m,46f) 8. Canvasback - 3 (2m,1f) (one drake at Bolanz Rd. and a pair at the big bend at Stumpy Basin - Second Record on Census & First February Record on Census) 9. Redhead - 12 (10m,2f) (First February Record on Census) 10. Greater Scaup - 6 (1m,5f) (in the river at Lock 25 - Second Record on Census, First February Record on Census & New Census High - previous was 2 on 03/2015) 11. Lesser Scaup - 2 (m) (one at the Peninsula trestle and one at Deep Lock Trestle - Second February Record on Census) 12. Bufflehead - 2 (m) (just north of the Peninsula Aqueduct footbridge - First February Record on Census) 13. Common Goldeneye - 94 (15m,79f) (Fifth February Record on Census & New Census High - previous was 35 on 03/2015) 14. Hooded Merganser - 17 (8m,9f) (Fifth February Record on Census) 15. Common Merganser - 56 (one drake resting on an ice-shelf hacked up a partially digested Common White Sucker every bit of a foot in length!) 16. Red-breasted Merganser - 4 (1m,3f) (one female at Stumpy Basin, two females at Bolanz Rd. and male at Ira Rd. - Fifth Record on Census & Second February Record on Census) 17. Mourning Dove - 26 18. Ring-billed Gull - 424 (early morning flights started with Ring-billed Gulls then switched over to the majority being American Herring Gulls with a few ring-billeds mixed in) 19. American Herring Gull - 478 (large v-formations headed south to Tuscarawas County landfill - New Census High - previous was 211 on 03/2015) 20. Great Black-backed Gull - 1 (immature) (mixed in with a flock of herring gulls - Fourth Record on Census & Second February Record on Census) 21. Great Blue Heron - 5 22. Bald Eagle - 8 (5 adult,3 immature) 23. Red-tailed Hawk - 6 24. Belted Kingfisher - 2 (m) 25. Red-bellied Woodpecker - 24 (8m,2f,3?,11*) 26. Downy Woodpecker - 15 (8m,3f,4*) 27. Hairy Woodpecker - 7 (2f,1?,4*) 28. Northern Flicker - 4 (3m,1?) 29. Pileated Woodpecker - 4 (2*,2 drumming) 30. Blue Jay - 46 31. American Crow - 57 32. Black-capped Chickadee - 14 33. Tufted Titmouse - 9 34. Golden-crowned Kinglet - 3 (1m,2?) 35. White-breasted Nuthatch - 17 (2m,1f,2?,12*) 36. Carolina Wren - 7 37. European Starling - 23 38. American Robin - 174 (most feeding on the only berries left - European privet) 39. House Sparrow - 26 40. House Finch - 4 (2m,2f) 41. American Goldfinch - 32 42. Fox Sparrow - 2 (Third February Record on Census) 43. American Tree Sparrow - 8 44. Dark-eyed Junco - 3 (2m,1f) 45. White-throated Sparrow - 10 46. Song Sparrow - 4 47. Swamp Sparrow - 1 48. Red-winged Blackbird - 4 (m) 49. Brown-headed Cowbird - 17 (12m,5f) 50. Rusty Blackbird - 94 (39m,5f,50 mixed flock) (Third February Record on Census) 51. Common Grackle - 4 52. Northern Cardinal - 59 (38m,17f,4*)
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Date: 2/5/26 5:21 am From: Paul <0000058abbfed79a-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Hermit Thrush
Yesterday afternoon, and now back again this morning, I have a hermit thrush scratching around feeding under my feeders
Paul Graham
Worthington
Sent from my iPhone
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I had to go for the Lark Bunting! Too good a bird! And at a feeder! I chased that 3 or 4
Times in NJ. Never saw! Tick for Ohio! Thank you to the homeowners and finders!
It should stick, but you never know….. this is the last day I could chase. I have work
And then travel. Good luck everyone!
I came home via the Harris's sparrow. I never found the spot! Oh well, give me a map
Any day! My fault - I should have researched the location in ebird. I was relying on
Addresses and coordinates - which have failed me in the past also! We will get one
In Hamilton county! Luke at Fernald. Virginia at her house! Spotted towhee fame there!
Etc.
Next up - the western meadowlark. No success. I actually didn’t think I would see it.
Pick out a Meadowlark with a different malar color. Sure! No problem……..
I have always gotten western by voice. But with the advent of the good cameras!
Go for it people! I'll maybe get one someday for Ohio by voice.
I also need American Bittern, Whimbrel, Harlequin, Upland Sandpiper. Etc. for Ohio.
Somewhat common birds. They will happen!
I only passed 4 accidents on my drive home to Cin. Oh dear. Slow down people!
Good birding all. The Fernald winter festival starts Sat! Join us! And hopefully
Those longspurs will still be around…… state bird trumps big year bird! But still…..
I am sure I'll miss some stuff when I am on vacation! Just the way it goes.
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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Date: 2/2/26 2:33 pm From: Douglas Vogus <vogeye...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Ottawa NWR Monthly Census
FEBRUARY 01, 2026 - OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MONTHLY CENSUS. ROUTES: East Side (except where snow drifts were too deep), Fox Unit (parking lot), Boss Unit (parking lot), West Side, Western Prairies & Henry Marsh in the morning; Wildlife Drive (except where snow drifts turned us back) in the afternoon. TIME: 7:45am - 11:40am; 12:40pm - 2:20pm TIME AFIELD: 5:35 TEMP.: 0 ~ 22 COND.: Frigid; slight N/NE wind; bright sun and blue skies; all ditches, canals, impoundments, Crane Creek, and Lake Erie completely frozen; maximum 4-inches of snow cover; some areas blown clear - other areas drifted. OBS. EAST, FOX UNIT & BOSS UNIT: Jim Koppin, Jim Reyda, Al & Betty Schlecht. OBS. WEST: Katie Clink, David Myles, George Novosel, Chris Pierce. OBS. WESTERN PRAIRIES & HENRY MARSH: Douglas W. Vogus. OBS. WILDLIFE DRIVE: Jim Koppin, Jim Reyda, Douglas W. Vogus.
I. MAMMALS: 4 SPECIES, 30 TOTAL. (Recorded since 04/07/2002)
1. Eastern Cottontail - 10 2. Eastern Fox Squirrel - 7 3. Striped Skunk - 1 (Second February Record on Census & Tied Census High from 03/2008, 09/2012, 05/2023, 07/2024 & 02/2025) 4. White-tailed Deer - 12 (10-pt. buck,8-pt. buck,8-pt. buck,6-pt. buck,8 does)
II. BIRDS: 46 SPECIES, 1,196 TOTAL. (Recorded since 03/02/1969)
1. Canada Goose - 19 2. Trumpeter Swan - 7 (one with yellow neckband "1A2") 3. Tundra Swan - 106 4. Common Goldeneye - 2 5. Ring-necked Pheasant - 5 (males - probable releases - at Boss Unit) 6. Mourning Dove - 38 7. Sandhill Crane - 82 8. Ring-billed Gull - 66 9. American Herring Gull - 3 10. Great Blue Heron - 4 11. Northern Harrier - 7 12. Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 (attempted to catch a Dark-eyed Junco but failed) 13. Cooper's Hawk - 2 14. Bald Eagle - 18 (14 adult,4 immature) 15. Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 (Fourth February Record on Census) 16. Red-tailed Hawk - 4 17. Rough-legged Hawk - 1 (light morph) (West Side - G. Novosel & C. Pierce) 18. Red-headed Woodpecker - 2 19. Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6 20. Downy Woodpecker - 23 21. Hairy Woodpecker - 3 22. Northern Flicker - 2 23. Pileated Woodpecker - 1 (east side of North Woods - K. Clink & D. Myles - Third February Record on Census) 24. American Kestrel - 1 25. Blue Jay - 35 26. Black-capped Chickadee - 6 27. Tufted Titmouse - 1 28. Horned Lark - 17 29. Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 30. Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 31. White-breasted Nuthatch - 10 32. Brown Creeper - 4 33. Carolina Wren - 5 34. European Starling - 247 35. Hermit Thrush - 1 (hedgerow north of Henry Marsh feeding on cedar berries - D. Vogus - First February Record on Census) 36. American Robin - 19 37. House Sparrow - 27 38. House Finch - 2 39. American Goldfinch - 17 40. Lapland Longspur - 30 (early morning fly-over at Grimm Prairie - J. Reyda & D. Vogus) 41. American Tree Sparrow - 222 42. Dark-eyed Junco - 25 43. White-throated Sparrow - 14 44. Song Sparrow - 18 45. Common Grackle - 1 (perched briefly in hardwood grove at corner of Stange Rd. & Krause Rd. then flew NW - D. Vogus) 46. Northern Cardinal - 79
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Date: 2/1/26 4:28 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] SW Ohio - frozen water areas birding
I didn’t consider the waterfowl to be officially migrating yet. But I guess some could
Be! I know they are moving around! Every time I hit the Schmidt boat ramp in
Hamilton county - it’s different! Nothing new for the year there. But I keep trying!
There has to be something rare around here. With the big freeze.
East fork south beach - goal was the Tundra swans. County bird! The LT Duck was
A bonus! There’s more open water there now. So lakes are thawing. The numbers
Here were filter breaking - for example
21 Tundra, 45 goldeneyes, 170 hooded Mergs, 165 common Mergs, 73 pied billed
Grebes. I like numbers! The LT was a county bird also.
Next up - Brown county - a river search. Success! Another open spot, more waterfowl.
Canvasback and Common Mergs new for the county. I am thinking ahead here - my
Quest for 200 in my 8 SW counties. Figure take advantage of the freeze up! Bonus
Was gulls roosting on the ice. I like gulls! Herring was new for the county. As was an
Adult LBBG! That was a pleasant surprise. They are all over. Except Hamilton County…..
Was going to hit meldal dam on the way home, but maps took me home via AA highway
And Kentucky! That was the shortest route. And I didn’t realize where she was taking
Me until on the bridge on-ramp…… oh well. That was a very scenic drive.
Monday back to Longspur searching in Hamilton. Some are being reported! I hope
They stick!
Oh - 90 in Hamilton for January. Not bad! I wasn’t trying for the Jan. 100, I was trying
For those rarities - like Cackling and Ross's….
Good birding all.
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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The first waves of waterfowl 'migrants' were much in evidence in the slowly thawing Scioto River this morning. I stopped at Haul Road Lakes, Berliner Park, Marble Cliff, 5th Ave bridge, Quarry Trails riverfront, and below Griggs Dam. In most of these spots, large stretches of the river were open, and it was packed with Canada Geese, Mallards, and Diving Ducks. The northernmost stretch, just below Griggs Dam, had the biggest numbers and most variety, but birds were all along the open areas of the river. Notables included:
Canada Geese -- over 2000 along the river, with most of them -- 1200 -- below Griggs Dam Mallards -- large numbers everywhere, topped by nearly 400 below Griggs Dam Black Ducks -- the only other dabbler, with a few at Quarry Trails and below Griggs Dam Redheads -- small numbers at most stops, but 75+ were in the river below Griggs Dam Ring-necked Ducks -- most of their numbers were at Marble Cliff, Quarry Trails, and Griggs Scaup -- Lessers in multiple spots, but 2 Greaters were among the throng below Griggs Dam Canvasbacks -- 6 were at Haul Road Ponds, while another 24 were below Griggs Dam Common Goldeneyes -- groups at many locations, with displaying males Common Mergansers -- 'flocks' at Berliner Park, Quarry Trails, and below Griggs Dam Hooded Mergansers -- at virtually every stop that had open water; 50+ below Griggs Dam Cormorants -- early migrants, 4 were at Berliner, and another 2 were at the 5th Ave bridge Horned Grebe -- 1 was fishing in the spillway below Griggs Dam Gulls -- not many, and all Ring-billed Bald Eagle -- expected more, but only had an immature along the river at Quarry Trails
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I hadn't visited many of these sites since before the big snowfall & cold snap, and it was instructive to see how things have changed. I stopped along the Clover-Groff greenbelt at Spindler Road park, Franks Park and Reynolds Park along the edge of Hilliard, then moved further west to stop at Darby Bend lakes and Sycamore Plains, both in Prairie Oaks Metropark. There was very little open water, but some waterfowl could still be found. The deep snow put a definite damper on landbirds, however. Notables for the morning included:
Swans - my personal highlight was both Tundra & Trumpeter Swans at Darby Bend Lakes, sitting out on the frozen south lake with a flock of Canada Geese. They were calling and walking around, so you could separate the two species both by voice and by body size.
Geese -- only Canadas, though I looked a lot for Cackling. The only flocks were along the Darby, either sitting around the ice at Darby Bend Lake or flying over at Sycamore Plains
Dabbling Ducks -- lots of Mallards along the Clover Groff Greenbelt, with big flocks at Spindler Road and Franks Park. The only break in that was a pair of Gadwall at Darby Bend lakes
Raptors -- not as many as I expected, but Red-tails were at several spots, and a Bald Eagle was soaring along the Clover Groff stream restoration near Reynolds Park, as was a hunting Harrier. Definitely unexpected was a Black Vulture soaring over Darby Bend lakes.
Sapsuckers -- still a big story this year, I had them at Reynolds Park and at Sycamore Plains
Horned larks - small flocks were along the edge of snow-covered fields on Patterson Road. Hermit Thrush -- only found 1, at Sycamore Plains Robins -- small numbers at nearly every stop, despite a paucity of fruit Sparrows -- not much other than Songs, White-throats, and a few Juncos, though a flock of Tree Sparrows was around the entrance to Darby Bend lakes. Finches -- nothing other than the expected House Finches and Goldfinches.
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Date: 1/31/26 12:02 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Hamilton big year birding.
Well, January ended with a whimper. I missed Cackling yet again……. I got the alert
On it. Raced west. No success - sigh…… there’s a small unfrozen spot at Lost Bridge.
And the waterfowl have found it! And every time I hit it, it’s different! Today the Redheads
Were there in force.
Picked up Rusty Blackbird at Fernald. That place is hopping with road edge and feeder
Birds! The numbers of sparrows is super! I would highly recommend a visit just for that!
Plus there’s the Rough legged Hawks!
But Rusty would have come. I really need a Longspur, Ross Goose, Cackling Goose…..
Sigh.
Best birds in January were probably still the Siskin and the Rough - legged Hawks. They
Are not always regular there in the winter!
I am surprised no rare waterfowl in Hamilton. With this deep freeze. There’s still March!
I won’t be birding here much in Feb. And no winter finch irruption down here - except for
RB nuthatches and Siskins.
Feb. I had wanted to do some owl searching. I won’t be walking through woods in the snow….
But maybe some night birding if not windy.
Good birding all!
Sandra Keller
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What a delightful “problem” to have! From my experience with a Carolina wren nesting for 5 years now on a back porch, she is quite capable of running beneath a crack under the storm door. She builds a nest on horizontal rafter shelf and successfully raises her brood. When the young are old enough to leave the nest, she calls continuously from an outside perch and demonstrates how to leave by running in and out. One by one, the nestlings catch on and join her outside. Have you checked the upper areas of your sunroom for a nest?
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Date: 1/30/26 8:42 am From: Joe Faulkner <joeinthewoods...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Winter wren sighting IN MY SUNROOM, suggestions?
Yesterday a winterwren managed to get into my sunroom, probably through the dog door that doesn’t always close completely. I captured her? And released her back outside. This morning she was there again, again captured and again released. Within an hour she was back. Since the room was 50-60 degrees warmer than outside, and had plenty of spiders, I decided to just let her stay for a while. She is presently perched on one of the vines that run along the top.
Suspect that if I capture her again and release her, she’ll just come back. Cant really blame her. By the way, she has been in our “yard” since fall and seen several times. Any suggestions on how I might proceed. Do not plan to alter the dog door.
Joe Faulkner
Somerset, Ohio
Perry county
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Date: 1/28/26 4:48 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Rough legged hawks - Fernald - Hamilton county
Three! I saw 2. Pictures have proved three! Wow! This species moving with the cold!
Hopefully they stick through the weekend for others to see! I was up that way looking for
Lark flocks. I still need Longspur for my big year. Snow bunting would be nice too……
Snow buntings in Indiana, Kentucky, Butler county…… where are they in Hamilton!!
I picked up Field sparrow and fox sparrow today also. Those I would have gotten, I really
Need some rare field birds! And a cackling goose…….
Good birding all. If everything goes right….. I'll be chasing those Snow Buntings in
Boone county Kentucky tomorrow before work. Friends are going to check on them
Early. 🍀🍀🍀🍀
Good birding all.
Sandra Keller
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Date: 1/27/26 4:48 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Snow birding - Hamilton county
Out I went! Most roads were fine, but be careful, falling temps, no sun, and
Snow drifts mean bad sections again. Ice. I will wait til mid morning before
Heading out Wed. Small numbers of Horned Larks around. That was nice.
There’s some areas with grassy mud along a few road edges. I couldn’t find
A bunting or Longspur though. Needed big year species! Maybe Wed.
Armleder was surprisingly good I thought! Lots of passerines feeding on grass seeds.
Both on the grasses and on the ground. Good! I wonder how the birds make out
In this weather.
I checked a few spots for waterfowl. The best was lost bridge. The north pond
Is open. Mostly. And that could change quickly…….nothing rare there, but loads
Of Canada geese. Roosting. So no bill and head structure studying…… and they
We’re all facing me. So no back study….. I can’t win! Maybe Wed. If I make it that
Far west…..
Good birding all. Stay safe!
Sandra Keller
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Date: 1/24/26 3:19 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Prestorm birding - Hamilton county
Nothing new waterfowl wise. The birds are moving around. Hardly any geese……
I wonder where they will go after Snowgeddon here….. they will roost on frozen ponds, but
They won’t have any place to feed! Hmmmmm……..
I hit a number of Ohio river spots. Not much around, and most of the river is Kentucky.
Lake barber will be frozen solid tonight. The north pond at lost bridge will be open for
Awhile. It’s deep. The great Miami at lost bridge was frozen!!! Wow! It is shallow there and
Not too much current when low water levels. Interesting.
I did pick up Hairy, Eagle, and Turkey - finally! Nothing I wouldn’t get for the big year later
Though. I recall need some rare waterfowl!
Let’s think big, a redpoll at my feeders! Because I will be in the house for a long time while
Here!
Good birding all. Stay safe. I look forward to fieldbird birding along road edges when I
Can get out again!
Sandra Keller
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