We arrived at Magee slightly after first light as being there at first thing has no advantage whatsoever. Just outside the reserve were a couple of Caspian Terns and Bonaparte's Gulls, and on the approach to the car parks was a large flock of Short-billed Dowitchers. Our first Wood Warbler of the day was just outside the main trees which gave us a sense of anticipation, but within the first 50 metres of the boardwalk, it felt as if lots had departed and little had arrived. The most interesting migration of the day were the Blue Jays flying high along the shoreline. Though a circuit of the boardwalk yielded 14 species of American Wood Warblers, we felt little need to stay and therefore headed on towards Ottawa Reserve. Here was much the same other than lots of Snakes and a couple of Rusty Blackbirds.
We managed to get info on some Eastern Screech Owls at Maumee Reserve again slightly further up the road, so we headed there and soon found a superb 'red' adult guarding a nest, but just like all the Warblers, there was always a bit of foliage in the way.
One of the main targets for me on this trip was Henslow's Sparrow, and with time spare it seemed a good plan to head forty minutes SW to Oak Openings. The journey was pleasant and we found the what we thought was the correct spot, helped by signs stating keep out due to endangered nesting birds. After a bit of playback, a Henslow's was heard calling and good scope views were obtained of this range restricted species. Close cousins nearby consisted of Grasshopper, Lark, Field and Chipping Sparrows. With time now pushing on towards late afternoon we headed back to Magee in case of any megas having been found, but alas not, though some crippling views of many Warblers was worth the effort, as was the comedy, all set off by some Amercian stating a Warbling Vireo reminded him of watching Bottle-nose Dolphins, how he came to that conclusion I have no idea.
Another good day despite the lower numbers of migrants, but thanks to Ebird there is always a site nearby to check out.
Highlights for the day are as follows:
Magee Marsh
Short-billed Dowitcher - 40
Common Yellowthroat - 3
Blue Jay - 120 +
Black-and-White Warbler - 5
Myrtle Warbler - 15
Black-throated Green Warbler - 10
Blackburnian Warbler - 4
Veery - 2
Ovenbird - 1
Prothonotary Warbler - 3
Nashville Warbler - 20
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 1 male
Magnolia Warbler - 2
WOOD THRUSH - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 5
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1
Green Heron - 1
Sandhill Crane - 2
Least Sandpiper - 2
Ottawa Wildlife Reserve
INDIGO BUNTING - 3
Swainson's Thrush - 1
Northern Parula - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2
RUSTY BLACKBIRD - 2
Brown Creeper - 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
Maumee National Centre
EASTERN SCREECH OWL - 1 red morph
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1
Least Flycatcher - 1
Oak Openings
Lark Sparrow - 6
FIELD SPARROW - 2
SUMMER TANAGER - 1
Blue-winged Warbler - 2
HENSLOW'S SPARROW - 1
Grasshopper Sparrow - 2
Eastern Towhee - 2
Yellow Warbler
Palm Warbler
Baltimore Oriole
Black-throated Green Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Eastern Screech Owl
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Henslow's Sparrow - not my best photo
