Date: 1/14/26 11:39 am From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Hamilton big year birding
I have been having no success with Ross's or Cackling. Hopefully this big deep
Freeze hitting us soon will have stuff moving! I could use some rarities. RT loon,
LT Duck, a scoter or 2. Etc. And how about a Rough legged Hawk?
Lost Bridge was dead. Mitchell Memorial was dead. I decided to chase some
Passerines. RH Woodpecker and BH Cowbird are new for the big year - finally
Got TV! The sun came out…..
Another goal of mine is 50 pics of Hamilton birds. That I don’t have pics of yet.
I have managed a blue jay so far! Bad…… I tried for a cowbird pic, it flew when I
Opened my window…… getting 50 is going to be tough for me!
Good birding all.
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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Date: 1/12/26 9:30 am From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Hamilton big year
I am still searching for Ross s and Cackling! They keep being reported! Where they
Feed during the day in SE Hamilton is eluding more. I did pick up horned lark, bluebird,
And grackle. I am not doing the January 100, but I will be curious what I have 2/1. I am
Off to a dentist appointment - then more birding! Whether I hit more lakes and ponds
For waterfowl or spring grove for winter finches, I haven’t decided yet.
Nature notes - A red maple was starting to bud! Seems early.
Good birding all.
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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I heard the gyr was being elusive today. It could still be around, they have such a huge Area! And I struck out with a Merlin coming back to roost at a golf course here inHamilton county…… sigh…….saturday back to looking for cackling, Ross's, owls,And finches. There must be a redpoll around somewhere……
Fernald preserve - a gem of a spot here in SW Ohio is holding their 2nd annual winter Bird fest! Come join us! Good birding all.
Sandra Keller Sent from my iPad mini______________________________________________________________________
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Date: 1/7/26 5:15 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Hamilton county - big year birding. And gulls in Montgomery county
When a fellow local Sw birder told us about the Iceland Gull in that west Carrollton area -
Montgomery county - my chase juices started ramping up - that’s an Ohio bird for me!
Well today was the only full day I had. Off I go! With of course a late start….. I have errands
Here. But my timing was perfect! There was the target as soon as I pulled over at Sunsite
Lake! Flying. Beautiful looks! But then gone…. I thought I would catch up with it again, but
No. The gulls are mainly feeding at a dump, then resting mainly on the Great Miami. Lots
Of territory to cover! I did find a greater black backed gull. Whether the one in the area or
Another I have not a clue. Birds move! It was an immature. A fun time up there - I like
Gulls! Had a Ross's goose and a peregrine also. I was going to stick around longer, but was
Getting a tad cold. It was very overcast. As I was driving home, the sun came out! Blue
Skies. So I hit Fernald. The hickory trail at the south border of the north woods is a great
Spot for purple finch. Success! They like those sycamore seed balls I guess. I know they
Like sweet gum seed balls! No cackling or Ross's here though. Sigh. Those are needed
Winter big year birds! A lone shortie cooperated as I left. Yea! I’ll be out at dusk many
More times this year.
Saturday is my next full day out. The weather is looking iffy…… grrr…… at least it is getting
Colder again. This warmth feels great, but not conducive to some needed bird species!
Up to 66 for my big year! I need those geese though!
Good birding all.
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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--
*“Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our
deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner
sense of justice than we do.” Wendell Berry*
*"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit
atrocities." Voltaire*
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Date: 1/5/26 4:08 pm From: Douglas Vogus <vogeye...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Ottawa NWR Monthly Census
JANUARY 04, 2026 - OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MONTHLY CENSUS. ROUTES: East Side, West Side, Western Prairies & Henry Marsh in the morning; Wildlife Drive in the afternoon. TIME: 7:20am - 11:35am; 1:15pm - 4:15pm TIME AFIELD: 7:15 TEMP.: 24F ~ 30F COND.: Cloudy all day with light NW winds; two-inches of snow cover; all impoundments frozen; Lake Erie frozen except for a few small off-shore leads. OBS. EAST: Jim Koppin, Jim Reyda, Al & Betty Schlecht. OBS. WEST: Jim & Anne Albert, Steven Albert, Mary Applegate, Tom & Paula Bartlett, Katie Clink, Sara Davis, Vera Davis, Donna Kuhn, David & Kim Myles, George Novosel, Chris Pierce, Mark Swelstad, Tony Szilagye, Tracy Wiczer. OBS. WESTERN PRAIRIES & HENRY MARSH: Douglas W. Vogus. OBS. WILDLIFE DRIVE: Bob Bartolotta, Jim Koppin, Jim Reyda, Douglas W. Vogus.
I. MAMMALS: 7 SPECIES, 28 TOTAL. (Recorded since 04/07/2002)
1. Virginia Opossum - 1 2. Eastern Cottontail - 1 3. Woodchuck - 1 (First January Record on Census) 4. Eastern Fox Squirrel - 16 5. White-footed Mouse - 1 6. Common Raccoon - 1 7. White-tailed Deer - 7 (3-pt. buck,9-pt. buck,5 does)
II. BIRDS: 48 SPECIES, 2,670 TOTAL. (Recorded since 03/02/1969)
1. Canada Goose - 211 2. Trumpeter Swan - 61 3. Tundra Swan - 1,274 4. American Black Duck - 5 5. Mallard - 35 6. Common Goldeneye - 3 7. Mourning Dove - 87 8. Sandhill Crane - 164 9. Ring-billed Gull - 65 10. American Herring Gull - 6 11. Great Blue Heron - 43 12. Northern Harrier - 8 13. Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2 14. Cooper's Hawk - 3 15. Bald Eagle - 38 (24 adult,14 immature) 16. Red-tailed Hawk - 4 17. Eastern Screech-Owl - 1 (gray morph) 18. Great Horned Owl - 3 19. Red-headed Woodpecker - 1 20. Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6 21. Downy Woodpecker - 17 22. Hairy Woodpecker - 4 23. Northern Flicker - 3 24. Pileated Woodpecker - 1 (Second January Record on Census) 25. Northern Shrike - 1 (on Wildlife Drive bordering Metzger Marsh - bird was caught and killed by an immature male Cooper's Hawk) 26. Blue Jay - 36 27. Black-capped Chickadee - 2 28. Tufted Titmouse - 1 29. White-breasted Nuthatch - 7 30. Brown Creeper - 2 31. Carolina Wren - 4 32. Winter Wren - 1 33. European Starling - 105 34. American Robin - 1 35. House Sparrow - 2 36. House Finch - 1 37. American Goldfinch - 36 38. Snow Bunting - 112 39. American Tree Sparrow - 179 40. Dark-eyed Junco - 21 41. White-throated Sparrow - 19 42. Savannah Sparrow - 2 (Stange Prairie) 43. Song Sparrow - 22 44. Swamp Sparrow - 7 45. Red-winged Blackbird - 10 46. Brown-headed Cowbird - 11 47. Rusty Blackbird - 1 48. Northern Cardinal - 40
??. Unidentified Duck Species - 2 (distant - over Lake Erie)
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Date: 1/4/26 3:45 pm From: Laura Peskin <thenaturegurl...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] scientific question about Common Eider bird RECORDS (no sighting)
I don't bird in winter, tried doing so but nearly froze it all off. This is an unusual question type for the more scientific among you about bird sex and migration. A perusal of bird records both on eBird and off eBird (eg. Cleveland Bird Calendar via Sora) reveal that of the about 10 sightings of Common Eider in our area in the last 100 years, 90% of the individuals observed were female. Why? I did read that female Common Eiders use a migration route through the Great Lakes, while males tend to migrate more coastally. I don't understand why that is. Maybe you can help.
I've read that differential flyways between male/ female conspecifics could relate to differential size between these males and females. I also read that shorter flyways may be needed by the sex with more breeding competition. I have no idea whether either of these situations apply to the Common Eider. I have consulted several sources (books, articles) but thus far have no answers.
Please if you do answer, could you also provide an information source like a book, article or website? I am using the info. for a presentation, and will surely add Ohio Birds and any individuals providing info, with their permission, to the acknowledgements.
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Date: 1/4/26 2:44 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Hamilton big year birding.
I had the late morning to afternoon free. Time to catch up! I am not doing the january100.
Given a choice between chasing a lingering bird or searching for owls and winter finches,
I’ll take the latter! I haven’t done much owl searching lately. Time to start searching those
Conifer areas! Today a friend and I hit the Newtown area for waterfowl. Geese specifically. Success with the greater white fronted. But zilch success with cackling. January is the
Time to search for waterfowl. Feb. is traveling time. So I want to get stuff now. A surprise
Was a flyover - hunting - peregrine at Lake Barber! An adult. Male on size. Can be iffy at times
But increasing in range. Lost bridge got me more waterfowl and horned grebe. And
Herring gull! I do hope for a rare gull down here this year……LBBG maybe? I barely had time
To hit Fernald. Tundra swans! Plus other species. Felt fairly warm out in the sun! And it
Is going to get warmer! I wonder what the warm up will do with the waterfowl??
Monday and tues I only have a few hours each day. But loads of spots close to home!!
Good birding all.
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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Date: 1/4/26 9:32 am From: Sandra Gaunt <sagaunt42...> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] New Year of Birding
I too have been birding for over 60 years - am 83. Live near the Sciota
corridor which affords a lot of flyover birds as well as yard birds - 20
for the new year. Indeed - keep at it.
Sandra L.L.Gaunt
S of Dublin, Oh
On Sun, Jan 4, 2026 at 11:32 AM Joe Faulkner <joeinthewoods...>
wrote:
> Robert,
>
> I, too, am 80 years old. I’ve been birding for close to 50 of those
> years. We are fortunate enough to own a 60 acre “yard”, so we see a lot of
> birds without having to go too far. Already have 45 species this
> year/month with 31 in the yard. Keep at it.
>
> Joe Faulkner
> Somerset, Ohio
> Perry county
> Sent from iPad
>
> > On Jan 4, 2026, at 8:14 AM, Robert Dudley <greyowlvermont...>
> wrote:
> >
> > I am, at best a causal birder, my list last year was 77 species, the
> year before 198 thanks to a week in Texas. At 80 I have set my goal is to
> observe as many birds as possible. I started the tradition many years ago
> of a new years day hike which this year was going to include birding.
> Unfortunately my wife was admitted to the hospital on Dec 31st. Missed the
> Christmas bird count and missed my New Years day hike. Driving home from
> the Hospital on the first I observed a bald eagle. An auspicious start to
> the year. On the second I stopped at Clover Cemetery and Wetlands and
> added a Northern Pintail. I had a few errands to run yesterday near
> Highbanks Metro parks and spent 10 minutes observing the birds visiting the
> feeders. Total birds for the year 16.
> >
> > My wife will be discharged today, so no birding today and possibly
> tomorrow. My wife is way more important than birds.
> >
> > Cheers
> > Bob
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> >
> > Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
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> www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php.
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> >
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Date: 1/4/26 8:32 am From: Joe Faulkner <joeinthewoods...> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] New Year of Birding
Robert,
I, too, am 80 years old. I’ve been birding for close to 50 of those years. We are fortunate enough to own a 60 acre “yard”, so we see a lot of birds without having to go too far. Already have 45 species this year/month with 31 in the yard. Keep at it.
Joe Faulkner
Somerset, Ohio
Perry county
Sent from iPad
> On Jan 4, 2026, at 8:14 AM, Robert Dudley <greyowlvermont...> wrote:
>
> I am, at best a causal birder, my list last year was 77 species, the year before 198 thanks to a week in Texas. At 80 I have set my goal is to observe as many birds as possible. I started the tradition many years ago of a new years day hike which this year was going to include birding. Unfortunately my wife was admitted to the hospital on Dec 31st. Missed the Christmas bird count and missed my New Years day hike. Driving home from the Hospital on the first I observed a bald eagle. An auspicious start to the year. On the second I stopped at Clover Cemetery and Wetlands and added a Northern Pintail. I had a few errands to run yesterday near Highbanks Metro parks and spent 10 minutes observing the birds visiting the feeders. Total birds for the year 16.
>
> My wife will be discharged today, so no birding today and possibly tomorrow. My wife is way more important than birds.
>
> Cheers
> Bob
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
>
> 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
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Date: 1/4/26 5:14 am From: Robert Dudley <greyowlvermont...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] New Year of Birding
I am, at best a causal birder, my list last year was 77 species, the year before 198 thanks to a week in Texas. At 80 I have set my goal is to observe as many birds as possible. I started the tradition many years ago of a new years day hike which this year was going to include birding. Unfortunately my wife was admitted to the hospital on Dec 31st. Missed the Christmas bird count and missed my New Years day hike. Driving home from the Hospital on the first I observed a bald eagle. An auspicious start to the year. On the second I stopped at Clover Cemetery and Wetlands and added a Northern Pintail. I had a few errands to run yesterday near Highbanks Metro parks and spent 10 minutes observing the birds visiting the feeders. Total birds for the year 16.
My wife will be discharged today, so no birding today and possibly tomorrow. My wife is way more important than birds.
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Seeing an eBird checklist today showing a "Pine Siskin (green morph)" (see https://ebird.org/checklist/S292208615) I reviewed my pictures from yesterday at the same location and found a bird that seemed similar, so I am submitting pictures via my eBird checklist for scrutiny and comments by those familiar with this variation (see my checklist eBird Checklist - 2 Jan 2026 - Swine Creek Reservation--Lodge and Bird Feeders - 16 species (+1 other taxa)<https://ebird.org/checklist/S291916193> with notes on a few of the pictures).
My thanks to the birder (Jason Short) who posted the initial sighting, and Matt and Amanda Sloan for telling him about this variation. This is new information for me!
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Date: 1/3/26 6:20 pm From: <charlesbombaci...> <00000b06d29e686d-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Alum Creek Beach & South Shore
Alum Creek Beach & South Shore
Things were hopping at Alum Creek beach today. A nice assortmentof waterfowl topped by the presence of a Long-tailed Duck. The American WhitePelican is also still there. Ducks close in due to the icing of the reservoirincluded:
Mallard, American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, LesserScaup, Greater Scaup, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, RuddyDuck, Common Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser. I heard that others had seen swans "flyover" and they saw, I didn’t, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser and Horned Grebe.
Save walking from the beach parking lot or the lot off LewisCenter Road by parking at the Alum Creek Visitor Center and walking down thehill from there. It will put you right in line with the waterfowl activity.Happy 2006 birding.
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I have been doing this cbc now for three or four years. Our section is the south beach
And environs - I was in heaven scoping waterfowl and gulls! Someday I’ll get that LBBG
For the count! The gulls lingered longer than I thought. They usually head out to feeding areas
5 herring was nice. Was it last year I struggled to find one? Maybe 2 years ago…… I lose
Track. No waxwings today! Again, was it last year with hundreds?! Loads of mallards.
Pintails. Ruddy ducks. Goldeneyes. Lesser Scaup. Etc. I couldn’t refind the redheads, RB Mergs, or greater Scaup from Thursday. Birds. They move……
No RH woodpecker for our section…….. wow. They are always in a certain area we hit!
Well, not this year. Passerines seemed low numbers. The overcast weather??
I stopped at a cackling goose report from Hamilton this afternoon on my way back home. It was
Getting late. And of course all the geese were gone. Off to their roosting spot for the night.
I’ll have chances the next few days to hit these areas. 🍀🍀
A friend and fellow birder had an Orange crowned warbler in another section. Stuff is
Lingering! My favorite bird today was probably the adult male Purple Finch we had
At feeders. Such a nice, prolonged look!
Good birding all.
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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Date: 1/3/26 6:27 am From: Ted Auch <lsarpp...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Snowy Owl and Ross' Goose sightings inquiry
Anyone have any suggestions for where to beat view Snowy Owl out at Hopkins
Airport AND did anyone see Ross' Goose this morning at Whole Foods in
Orange?
Sincerely
Ted Auch
*“Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our
deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner
sense of justice than we do.” Wendell Berry*
*"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit
atrocities." Voltaire*
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Date: 1/2/26 3:18 pm From: Douglas Vogus <vogeye...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Cuyahoga Valley Towpath Census
JANUARY 01, 2026 - CUYAHOGA VALLEY MONTHLY TOWPATH TRAIL CENSUS. ROUTE: Red Lock Trailhead south to Merriman Valley. TIME: 8:10am - 5:35pm TIME AFIELD: 9:25 TEMP.: 12F ~ 18F ~ 17F COND.: Very cold in the morning and mostly cloudy; then partly sunny by 12:40pm; turning mostly sunny with bright blue skies until 3:40pm, then clouding back up until dusk. TRAIL COND.: Four inches of freshly fallen overnight snow on the trail, diminishing to about three inches from Peninsula to end of census route; trail trampled and packed from Peninsula to the Ira Trailhead; back to powdered snow from the Ira Trailhead to the Akron Compost Facility, then packed down again from foot traffic from Akron Compost Facility to Merriman Valley. RIVER COND.: Slightly above normal and swift; all creeks and runs mostly frozen, Indigo Lake and Ira Beaver Marsh had no open water. FT. MI.: 14.60 OBS.: John Henry (Red Lock Trailhead to Hunt Farm Trailhead), Douglas W. Vogus (entire route).
I. MAMMALS: 6 SPECIES, 31 TOTAL.
1. Eastern Cottontail - 2 (Third January Record on Census) 2. Eastern Gray Squirrel - 6 (3 black morph) 3. Eastern Fox Squirrel - 3 4. Red Squirrel - 8 5. Coyote - 1 (Fourth January Record on Census) 6. White-tailed Deer - 11 (6-pt. buck,6 does,4 yearlings)
II. BIRDS: 49 SPECIES, 1 ESCAPE/EXOTIC, 2,444 TOTAL. (NOTE: m = male; f = female; ? = bird was seen but not sexed; * = bird was heard calling but not sexed)
1. Canada Goose - 608 2. American Black Duck - 2 (?) 3. Mallard - 97 (54m,40f,2?,1*) 4. Hooded Merganser - 4 (3m,1f) (Second January Record on Census) 5. Common Merganser - 4 (2m,2f) 6. Pied-billed Grebe - 1 (Fifth January Record on Census) 7. Rock Pigeon - 3 8. Mourning Dove - 24 9. Ring-billed Gull - 518 10. American Herring Gull - 12 11. Great Blue Heron - 4 12. Cooper's Hawk - 1 (immature m) 13. Bald Eagle - 5 (2 adult,3 immature) 14. Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 15. Red-tailed Hawk - 9 (1 immature) 16. Belted Kingfisher - 2 (m) 17. Red-bellied Woodpecker - 21 (9m,2f,1?,9*) 18. Downy Woodpecker - 14 (7m,5f,2*) 19. Hairy Woodpecker - 6 (1m,2f,1?,2*) 20. Northern Flicker - 1 (m) 21. Pileated Woodpecker - 5 (1m,1?,3*) 22. American Kestrel - 1 (m) (Fourth January Record on Census) 23. Peregrine Falcon - 1 (m) 24. Blue Jay - 17 25. American Crow - 243 26. Black-capped Chickadee - 12 27. Tufted Titmouse - 13 28. Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 (f) 29. Cedar Waxwing - 1 30. White-breasted Nuthatch - 20 (8m,2f,4?,6*) 31. Carolina Wren - 12 32. Winter Wren - 1 33. European Starling - 311 34. Eastern Bluebird - 7 (3m,3f,1*) 35. American Robin - 104 36. House Sparrow - 90 37. House Finch - 6 (3m,3f) 38. American Goldfinch - 49 39. Fox Sparrow - 1 (Second January Record on Census) 40. American Tree Sparrow - 53 41. Dark-eyed Junco - 34 (14m,15f,5?) (New Census High - previous was 26 on 02/2014) 42. White-throated Sparrow - 38 43. Song Sparrow - 16 44. Swamp Sparrow - 3 45. Eastern Towhee - 1 (*) 46. Red-winged Blackbird - 3 (f) 47. Brown-headed Cowbird - 2 (1m,1f) 48. Rusty Blackbird - 6 (?) 49. Northern Cardinal - 49 (25m,20f,4*)
E. Mallard X American Pekin Duck - 1 (Second Record on Census & First January Record on Census) ??. Unidentified Duck Species - 2 (fleeting glimpse of a pair dropping down into the Cuyahoga River) ??. Unidentified Sparrow Species - 1 (quick fly-by in fading light at end of census route) ??. Unidentified Passerines - 3
III. FISHES: 2 SPECIES, 1 UNKNOWN, 4 TOTAL.
1. Central Mudminnow - 3 2. Unknown Minnow - 1 (caught by male Belted Kingfisher from Yellow Creek)
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Date: 1/1/26 2:42 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Start of Hamilton big year - Siskin!
That’s a toughie for me with my older hearing. Friends and I started at Spring Grove.
Lots of conifers, lots of ornamentals. Berries! It’s a known spot for winter finches.
Andrew got us on a pine Siskin! Yea! He knows spring grove and where he has had them
In the past. I look forward to birding there more this year. That was a goal for this
Morning. Other birds were secondary. The usual waterfowl on lake barber, etc. I will
Get the usuals. I want a few rarities! Not today……I chased the LT ducks at east fork
In Clermont county. Will be a county bird. If I eventually see in Clermont! I am surprised
That they disappeared so soon. They were found this morning……. Sigh…… birds……
A lot of us were looking!
I’ll catch up on the spots I was going to hit this afternoon on Monday maybe. No rarities
Were reported, so I decided a LT Duck chase was justified! I will be chasing more this year!
I am presuming everyone has read Kenns kingbird highway! I believe that was the first
Big year book I read! I had thoughts of doing an Ohio big year. I no longer think about it…..
Too much driving! I enjoy counties now!
I have been thinking about a percentage for what is needed for a big year. It’s come up.
Some think just time and desire. Which is important! I believe bird knowledge - Id, habitat,
Time of year, sounds, etc. is just as important! It’s so much fun! So 50 - 50. Get out there and
Bird folks! It was so much fun seeing friends that I haven’t seen in a year!
Up to 35 for my big year! I am not doing the Jan 100…… remember I was sidetracked!
Good birding all!
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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Date: 12/30/25 8:07 pm From: Kenn Kaufman <kenn.kaufman...> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] Big year thoughts and numbers
I haven't commented on this before, but as the year draws to a close, I
wanted to say how much I've enjoyed and appreciated Sandra Keller's updates
on her Big Year attempts in Warren and Clinton counties. I don't know much
about that part of the state, so I've learned a lot from her posts about
the hotspots there and the status of different species. And I totally agree
with Sandra's point that "Big years are for learning" -- especially when we
focus on a specific area. Of course it can be fun to run all over the
state, or all over the continent, but we learn so much at a fine detail
when we're trying to find every species within the boundaries of one county.
So thank you, Sandra, and very best wishes to everyone for a bird-filled
2026!
Kenn Kaufman
Oak Harbor, Ohio
On Tue, Dec 30, 2025 at 3:23 PM Sandra Keller <
<000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> 219 counting both counties - so I will up my goal to 225 for Hamilton next
> year.
> I do travel. And I want to do more botany, odes, and butterflies in Ohio
> next year
> Also. I will be outside of Hamilton! I was going to try Armco for Creeper
> today. And maybe
> Stake out those feeders at the Caesar creek nature center - Siskin would
> be nice!
> I get on the Cincinnati CBC. Just cruising my area. And no Siskins in
> Warren or
> Clinton…….. birding! But I wimped out. It’s too cold…… and I need a break
> day.
>
> I was comparing my columns in my numbers chart - I can’t believe some of
> the misses!
> No Sora, pine warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Veery! Golden or Blue winged.
> For either
> County. There’s others. Shorebirds were rare - limited habitat in either
> county. Hopefully
> That doesn’t happen next year in Hamilton! That’s the big unknown. And
> snow cover
> And freezeups for field birds and waterfowl here. We will see!
>
> I am sure others will join me here! It’s fun! No matter ones work
> schedule, big years are
> For learning. And yes, numbers! But you do what you can! Maybe even a big
> year in one
> Spot. You really learn it that way!
>
> Good birding everyone! Here’s to a birdy 2026!
>
> Sandra Keller
>
> Sent from my iPad mini
> ______________________________________________________________________
>
> Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
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> www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php.
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Date: 12/30/25 12:23 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Big year thoughts and numbers
219 counting both counties - so I will up my goal to 225 for Hamilton next year.
I do travel. And I want to do more botany, odes, and butterflies in Ohio next year
Also. I will be outside of Hamilton! I was going to try Armco for Creeper today. And maybe
Stake out those feeders at the Caesar creek nature center - Siskin would be nice!
I get on the Cincinnati CBC. Just cruising my area. And no Siskins in Warren or
Clinton…….. birding! But I wimped out. It’s too cold…… and I need a break day.
I was comparing my columns in my numbers chart - I can’t believe some of the misses!
No Sora, pine warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Veery! Golden or Blue winged. For either
County. There’s others. Shorebirds were rare - limited habitat in either county. Hopefully
That doesn’t happen next year in Hamilton! That’s the big unknown. And snow cover
And freezeups for field birds and waterfowl here. We will see!
I am sure others will join me here! It’s fun! No matter ones work schedule, big years are
For learning. And yes, numbers! But you do what you can! Maybe even a big year in one
Spot. You really learn it that way!
Good birding everyone! Here’s to a birdy 2026!
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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Date: 12/29/25 4:10 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Clinton - waterfowl and gulls
I was hoping for say a cackling goose, maybe a Rosss but no success. Trumpeters
Were reported at Gleason Quarry. A few days ago. Probably gone. Nothing lingers here….
I had 7 swans today. Swan sp. a little troublesome scoping in 40 mph wind gusts!!
Cowan lake was open. But no ducks. They left with the big freeze up earlier I presume.
Loads of gulls though! I like gulls. But no LBBG. Maybe they don’t occur in Clinton!
I missed a lot this year in Clinton. But enjoyed learning the county! Meeting fellow birders!
Finding new spots. Big miss I think is still nighthawk. That one dusk I was up at
Cowan lake. Oh well!
191 for the big year. Ok!
I have 1/2 day tues. I will probably hit Warren.
Good birding all.
Sandra Keller
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Date: 12/27/25 9:40 am From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Warren county - WW scoter
Success! All three scoters for the big year! 191 now for the year.
I also chased the shoveler at the Waters edge housing development. Those spots
Can be good for birds! No shoveler though. I didn’t explore housing developments
Or industrial area retention ponds at all this year. Oh well! I thought about cruising
Around the area looking for the needed bird. But decided I wanted to try Ceaser
Creek for the scoter. Glad I did! I finally met George Keller - the Flamingo finder!
He explores a lot up there. And took me right to the scoter!
Good birding all. One more day in Clinton. Then time to start Hamilton!
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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Date: 12/22/25 1:40 pm From: Sandra Keller <000007a762f332b7-dmarc-request...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Warren and Clinton big year musings
Probably done! 190 for the big year. For Warren. Nothing new today. I am out of time and want to Hit some Clinton spots with my little remaining time. Black scoter on the Caesar creek
CBC on Thursday was the last species. I had limited success at Caesar creek throughout
The year. The sheer size of it? It got the rarities for sure! Sabines gull!! But I had more
Numbers of waterfowl at Cowan lake in Clinton. Not a clue why. All day seems to be good
At Cowan Lake. Whereas dawn and early morning seems to be the best at Caesar creek.
Except for gulls coming in at dusk. I know waterfowl can be on Warren industrial park
Retention ponds - I never explored them well. I would have chased though if something
Reported. Best migrant spot - mounts park. Which I didn’t discover for migration until
Late….. I think Caesar creek is too vast - the birds have plenty of habitat! Best
Migrant spots in Clinton were Cowan lake and east fork riparian. I didn’t learn about
Todd’s fork preserve until late. Etc. all good! It’s been fun! But looking forward to staying
Close to home in 2026!
Good birding and happy holidays all!
Sandra Keller
Sent from my iPad mini
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