Vic Speaks Out I enjoy reading Vic's detailed messages about birding in Ohio which is only possible with many years of birding experience which he has. This is about the golden-winged warbler.and was posted this morning on the listserver.
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The Golden-winged Warbler has a very tight migration window for a spring warbler. Traditionally, they peak 5-6 May in southern Ohio and 10-11 May along Lake Erie. In early springs move this schedule ahead 6 days. Outside of these peak dates, the numbers fall off dramatically.
Unfortunately, many observers look for their Ohio Golden-wingeds around Int'l. Migratory Bird Day on the Magee Marsh Bird Trail. Could happen, but far more likely is to encounter the species along the ridge tops of the less glamorous Unglaciated Plateau region of southeast Ohio.
On the above dates (and I would recommend the earlier the better this year), especially immediately after the passage of a warm front, drive the ridge top country roads of Hocking, Vinton, and /or Athens County listening for the buzzy, and usually, three note song. Especially where you find yourself crossing a powerline cut or rounding a switchback which overlooks a recently cut-over hillside (catbirds, towhees, and chat are good indicator species for the right habitat). Upon hearing the song, make a point of looking for the bird. Today especially, there is no guarantee that the bird will be a pure-bred. However, using this technique I have been able to encounter 5-6 birds in a morning within a given 25 mile drive through appropriate habitat. Although my experience is limited to the three counties mentioned, I think it reasonable to believe similar results are possible in surrounding counties with similar topography.
[the above drive has also yielded up to 70 Blue-winged Warblers in Athens Co.]
I would be very interested in the results of the application of this technique to other former breeding areas such as the Grand River/Mosquito Lake area of Trumbull County, as well as suitable habitat from Jefferson south to Monroe counties. Walking around Lake La Su An W.A. in Williams Co. and the Oak Openings are your best bet in the NW. It is of course possible to see one anywhere in Ohio, in which case bird very early in the morning, listen for the song, and watch the weather around the above dates. The moment 2-3 reports come through on the Internet, get yourself outside. Golden-wings wait for no one.
cheers
Vic Fazio
Shaker Hts., OH