Rare Bird Alert

Yesterday evening a Glossy Ibis was seen feeding at Voice of America Park in Butler County. From details left on the sightings log at Cincinnatibirds the bird was seen as you enter the park on the right after you pass the entrance booth on your way to the main lake. At the time of this blog post (10:30 am ) no more sighting posting concerning this bird have been received. Yet.

Rare Bird Alert

For the past couple days a Greater White-fronted Goose has been seen over near the Newtown Farmers Market in the company of a flock of Canadian Geese. Haven’t heard any more about it today, however that doesn’t mean it’s still not around. With all the gravel quarries in the area this might be a good destination to pick one up.

Rare Bird Alert/ # 327

For the past several days, starting on the 26th, a Rufous Hummingbird has been visiting the feeder of area birder Bill Stanley, which is located just outside of Williamsburg Ohio. At first this sighting peaked my interest, but when it showed up yesterday I started to get that twitch again. So this morning after I got home from physical therapy for my knee, I looked up his number in the Cincinnatibirds directory and gave him a call. Speaking with his wife she informed me that indeed the Hummer was still feeding this morning. Asking if it would be alright if I paid their feeder a visit, she informed me that it would be fine.

So why would a Rufous Hummingbird be hangin’ around this part of Ohio in late December? There are any number of reasons for this to be happening. As anyone who feeds birds, especially Hummingbirds know that you should keep your feeders up as long as possible so any migrating Hummingbirds can stop an refuel while on their long journey. Is this an unusual sighting? You bet it is, but we’re seeing more and more of this every year. Just 2 days ago a Rufous was sighted in Ottawa County on Lake Erie. So what’s the fate of this small bird? I hope it leaves and lives a long healthy life. But Mother Nature has a way of handling things and I can only hope for the best.

When I arrived at the Stanley residence Bill welcomed me and we talked about the best way to view the bird. Not wanting to impose I made sure I stayed outside and relatively close to the feeder. As Bill and myself were talking I noticed the Hummer fly by in a patch of tall vegetation 20 feet from the front of the house. After this I found a patio chair and started the waiting game.

It was cold and the breeze started to pick up a little when I knocked on Bill’s door to inform him that I was going to sit my car in a different location so I could have a better view of the feeders, and also to get out of sight so the other birds as well as the Hummer wouldn’t feel threatened. It was 10 minutes later when it showed up and started to feed.

I didn’t take my digiscoping rig thinking that my other Canon camera would be OK. They might not be the best pictures, but I’m happy.

I continued to watch the Rufous Hummingbird for 20 minutes as it flew back and forth between the feeders and some of the nearby trees. It was while it was perched in a tree that I was able to get real good views and make out it’s rufous coloration on it’s flanks. A bird bander was out there either yesterday or the day before trying to get a band on it, but he missed so we won’t know the sex or age. Either way it was a good time with one more bird to the old life list.

Rare Bird Alert

Another northern visitor made an appearance at the home of Don Morris today in New Richmond. A beautiful Common Redpoll was photographed at his thistle feeder. To see the photo follow this hyper-link.

Cincinnatibirds sighting log

Rare Bird Alert

The 2 juvenile and 1 adult Ross’s Geese, or Goose, which was originally spotted at the beach on Caesar Creek Lake S.P. were still present this afternoon at 3:30 pm. Unfortunately for them duck hunting season opens tomorrow morning, so FLY AWAY!

Rare Bird Alert

 

As you’ve  probably heard by now both Red and White-winged Crossbills have made an appearance at Spring Grove Cemetery. To be more precise sections 52 & 53. As of yesterday that was where they were seen, and with the abundance of various evergreen trees, and coupled with a bumper crop of cones, these birds will have more than enough to eat. So hopefully they’ll stick around for more birders to see.