Date: 4/26/25 8:06 pm From: Robert Thorn <robthorn6...> Subject: [Ohio-birds] CliftonGorge,MassieGorge,4-26: few Early Migrants
We braved a cold drizzly morning to visit these 2 forested gorges in the fields of Greene County looking for wildflowers and birds. The surprise on both counts was that Massie was the better of the 2 this year. Clifton Gorge was still astounding, but the cold drizzle and roar of the high Little Miami River made it difficult to bird. Few things were singing, even in quieter John Bryan State Park next door. Massie Creek at Indian Mound Park wasn't nearly so noisy, and the slightly warmer later morning might have encouraged a few more birds to move & sing. Notables for the morning included:
Raptors - TVs at both spots. Clifton had a calling Red-shoulder, while John Bryan had a Broad-winged Hawk Hummingbird - had at least 1 Ruby-throat at Massie Woodpeckers - nothing unusual, but a pileated was drumming at Massie Flycatcher - Phoebes at both spots; Clifton also had an Eastern Kingbird, while Massie had Great Crested Flycatcher Vireos - all at Massie: Blue-headed, Yellow-throated, and Red-eyed Swallows - virtually nothing, with Rough-wings at Massie, but not at Clifton Thrushes -- Wood Thrushes were singing at both spots Mimids - Catbirds were singing at both spots Warblers - disappointing, with Louisiana Waterthrushes & Parulas singing at both spots, but little else. A few Yellow-rumps were at both spots, and Clifton had a singing Hooded & Black-thr.Green. Sparrows - little other than the expected Chipping-Song-White-throated trio at both spots, along with a few Towhees Cardinalids - 1 Rose-br.grosbeak was calling at Massie Icterids - Cowbirds widespread, but also had 2 Baltimore Orioles singing at Massie Finches - a nice male Purple Finch was singing at Massie, while Goldfinches were singing at both gorges.
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