Osprey & All Things Wild Delaware County, Ohio

Final Chimney Swift Count - Tuttle - 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:28:00 +0000

E-mail from Dick Tuttle:

Hello Everyone,

The last migrating Chimney Swifts used Delaware, Ohio for a roosting site on October 10 as two birds dropped into the chimney above One West Winter Street. The most swifts using this chimney occurred on October 4 when 186 birds roosted there.

I started counting roosting swifts on August 10 for the 2007 migration season. I completed 41 counts from three chimneys and the season ended on October 11 when no swifts showed up.

Two popular chimneys were ignored after heavy rains. Swifts quit roosting at the National Guard Armory sometime after September 23, and the United Methodist Church in Galena was snubbed prior to September 9. I hypothesize that ammonia gases percolate from guano deposits after rainwater pools in chimneys. Hopefully, someday, this question will be investigated.

More or Less Swifts in 2007?
Occasionally, people ask me about long term population trends among migrating swifts. I offer the following calculations that contain unknown variables, but the stats are offered, nonetheless.

For each of last five seasons at the National Guard Armory chimney, I averaged the five largest counts for each year since I began taking serious counts in 2003. For example, the five largest counts for 2003 are 1650, 1420, 1100, 1060 and 925. The average for the largest five counts is 1231 swifts, the highest average among five years of counting. For comparison purposes, I called 2003's average one and divided all other averages by 1231 to find relative values.

Below, I list values from five years of counting. Each row shows the year, the range of five highest counts for that year, the average for the five highest counts, and the comparative size of each year's average relative to year 2003.

2003, (1650 - 925) Average = 1231, 1.00
2004, (1020 - 537) Average = 851, 0.69
2005, (680 - 536) Average = 591, 0.48
2006, (430 - 346) Average = 396, 0.32
2007, (769 - 661) Average = 716, 0.58

In conclusion, while comparing the last number in each of the rows, I can say that the population of migrating swifts declined drastically from 2003 until only 1/3 (0.32) as many were counted in 2006. However, the migrating population nearly doubled from 2006 to 2007, recovering to 6/10 (0.58) as many birds counted in 2003.

Heavy rains can wash swift nests from the walls of chimneys, but 2007 was extremely dry during the swift's nesting season. Was 2007 a good year for nesting Chimney Swifts? I think so.

Swift on, Dick Tuttle

RE: Latest in any season I have seen an Osprey in Central Ohio.

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:10:00 +0000

E-mail from Dave Serman, DNR, in answer to latest to see Osprey.

Hello:

We did see an osprey hanging around West Sister Island last week.

Sherm

Latest in any season I have seen an Osprey in Central Ohio

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 12:53:00 +0000

E-mail & photo from Jim Martin:

Howdy:

The attached photo was taken four years ago on Oct. 25, 2003, 03:51 P.M. This Osprey was flying over our farm pond in Sunbury, Ohio.

The picture is not my best work but it does document the "latest in any season I have seen an Osprey in Central Ohio". Notice the color of the leaves at the top of the photo - Autumn colors. Has anyone seen an Osprey later that this in Central Ohio?

One other observation - this osprey was a youngster as I have a few photos that show it's juvenile colors/markings.

Best Wishes, Jim Martin.

ODNR link -2007 TM Migration South

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:08:00 +0000

Here is a link to the Ohio Department Of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Web page with the Osprey male (TM) from nest #1, Hogback Road, Heading south for the winter. (He'll be back!)

Looks like as of today he is just off the coast of Columbia, South America.

2007 TM heading South

Frank Germann

Osprey Platform Cleaning and Sign Maintenance

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:50:00 +0000

E-mail and 2 photos from Jim Marin
One photo from Frank Germann

Hello Fellow Naturalists & Conservationists:

Today, Sept. 25, 2007, Dick Phillips and Dick Tuttle took advantage of the largely drawn-down Alum Creek Reservoir. Alum Creek was but a trickle flowing into the reservoir. Frank Germann and I were there to record the day's activities.

Three of the four Osprey Platforms along Hogback Road required minor alignments and cleaning. The nests were removed (to keep the Canadian Geese from a hostile take over) and prepared for next season's breeding season.

In contrast to last February's weather, which was very cold & windy, today's work was much more enjoyable and was completed in about 1 and a quarter hours.

Best Wishes, Jim Martin

My last photo of Osprey on Hogback Road, 2007.

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:09:00 +0000

The last time I saw any of the ospreys at Alum Creek was Tuesday, September 11th at 8 am till I left an hour or so later, this was at nest #1 on Hogback Road. (The youngster was there Monday morning also in the heavy fog sitting on the perch.)

One of the young was on the roost squawking about ever 5 minutes or so. Papa showed up a half hour later with a very small fish, which he gave the young one. Something did not seem right with the young one, it seemed to try and eat the fish, but cried and cried. The male had landed on the ground for 15 minutes or so, then went to the dead tree south of the nest. He stayed there for another 20 minutes, then flew south, where he hovered near nest #4 for 5 minutes, before disappearing.

After he left the young one stop crying. I watched another 10 minutes or so before heading into work.

I've stopped down about every morning since, but no osprey to be found. There are still herons, egrets, geese, Killdeers and some shore birds to be seen.

The male (TM) is probably in Cuba or South America by now.

I'm still taking photos, look for a sideshow next week.

Frank Germann

2007 Osprey Migration South - Sept 14-17

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:12:00 +0000

E-mail & graphic form Jim Martin:

Hello Fellow Naturalists & Conservationists:

The Male Osprey (TM) begun his Wintering migration to Brazil on Sept 14, 2007. He took a somewhat circuitous route by leaving Alum Creek and traveling to Lake Erie, 27 miles East of Cleveland, Ohio. From there he flew South to the Ohio-Kentucky boarder, onto central Tennessee then to southern Georgia. The last telemetry data showed he was ~50 miles from the northern boarder of Florida on Sept 17 at 07:37.

All in all he has traveled 850+ miles. Between Sept 16 (01:00) and Sept 17 (01:30) he flew nearly 300 miles. He averaging ~213 miles per day(4).

Attached is a Google Earth© map that shows his progress. A special thanks to Dave Sherman for the satellite telemetry data.

Best Wishes,

Jim Martin

Osprey Summer Season Draws To A Close - Alum Creek Res.

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:00:00 +0000

E-mail & photo from Jim Martin:

Fellow Naturalists and Observers:

The Osprey's Summering Season is drawing to a close, right on schedule. Mr(s) Tuttle and Phillips predicted that September 15th would be the approximate date that the Osprey would begin their journey to the Amazon River in Brazil. Turns out that was a very accurate prediction. The last two Osprey, the Transmitting Male (TM) and one of it's two youngsters were the last to be observed at Platform #1 on Hogback Rd, Alum Creek Reservoir. The five Osprey from Platform #4 have been gone from the site for about two week, as were the Female and other Youngster from Platform #1. The breeding season was a real success as the two breeding pair produced five babies, all of which fledged. The was one unhatched egg on platform #1 - Dick Phillips says that this is not an unusual occurrence.

The attached Alum Creek sunrise photo shows the water level surrounding platform #1 - below Winter Draw-down levels. This left the TM Osprey with limited nearby fishing territory. We often observed him returning from afar with a meal for the "begging" youngster. Perhaps of a minor concern, we never observed this last youngster fish on it's own.

Once Dave Sherman from ODNR begins sending the satellite telemetry data, I'll send out a quick status report of the Male's location/dates. The trip to Brazil will be about 3,500 miles from Central Ohio.

Best Wishes, Jim Martin.

Swift Counts - Tuttle - 7, 8, 9 Sept. 2007 - Delaware Co., Ohio

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:41:00 +0000

E-Mail from Dick Tuttle:

Hello Everyone,

I must pose a question after I report the following observations:

On Friday and Saturday nights, I counted Chimney Swifts entering the brick chimney at the National Guard Armory in Delaware, Ohio.

The 7 September 2007 count was routine with temperatures in the high seventies under partly cloudy skies. Between 19:43 and 20:17, 720 swifts entered the chimney.

On 8 September, I had returned from a Fall Warbler Symposium held near Lake Erie to arrive at the parking lot at Tim Horton's Restaurant to watch the armory's chimney at 19:36. A heavy, steady rain was falling and since I saw no birds, I left to buy a newspaper. I returned at 19:44 to find that hundreds of swifts had arrived.

During a steady downpour with lightning, I sat in my idling car with the windshield wipers running and counted 233 swifts as they entered the chimney between 19:44 and 19:58. I estimate that an additional 100 birds circled the chimney, but left to roost elsewhere.

I stayed until 20:15 to make sure that no new birds showed up. The storm made for an early, dark night and it is possible that swifts entered before my arrival at 19:36.

On 9 September, I journeyed to the small village of Galena to count swifts entering the brick chimney there at the United Methodist Church. Three vehicles of watchers arrived to count ONLY SEVEN BIRDS entering the large chimney between 20:00 - 20:11. The temperature approached eighty degrees under partly cloudy skies.

Hundreds of swifts were in the area, however. Dick Phillips noticed that scores of birds were entering one of four brick chimneys at the same two-story home southwest of the church. After watching many swifts disappear into the chimney, he started counting to record an additional 189. Dick estimates that 300 or more swifts must have entered the chimney.

Why did swifts snub the popular church chimney? I offer the following hypothesis: Since the chimney shelters hundreds of swifts nightly, guano deposits must be rather deep there. Heavy rains during the previous several days and nights might have reacted with the guano to percolate ammonia from ammonium hydroxide, causing a gaseous micro environment that became intolerable to the birds. From experience, I know that ammonia's stench is common in American Kestrel nest boxes when nestlings are present. Also, research has revealed that when compared to other avian species, swifts have a keen sense of smell. How this hypothesis could be tested was the conversation between two retired science teachers before we went our separate ways.

Swift on, and keep your guano dry.
Dick Tuttle

How Do You Clear Every Form Of Wildlife At Alum Creek Res.?

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:35:00 +0000

E-mail & photos from Jim Martin:

Howdy:

For the first hour everything was peaceful and calm at the Osprey viewing location along Alum Creek Reservoir. The remaining single young Osprey at platform #1 was peacefully awaiting nightfall. The White Egrets and Great Blue Herons were enjoying the gentle flowing waters (for first time is weeks) coming from the upstream creek bed.

Then off in the distance, at the Preservations Parks viewing location, I heard the most unsuspected clatter. A veritable cacophony of harsh, jarring, and discordant sounds about a half mile away. The reservoir's topography provided a perfect amphitheater for the crescendos. Within seconds every living creature was on the move, including me. I drove to the cliff to meet a budding artist who was not there to practice his percussion-isitics, rather to get a few promotional photos. Brandon Burdette and his girl friend had set up shop at the site and photos were snapped. Brandon gets ten points for originality, 2 demerits for disruption of tranquility.

Back to business - The five frequent Osprey Observers all agree that the Female and one of the two youngsters has left the area - platform #1. Perhaps they have headed South to the Amazon River in Brazil, or just relocated to a spot where there is a more abundant food supply. The two of them have not been seen in two+ weeks. Similarly, I have not seen the Parents from platform #4 in at least a week. I do see an occasional youngster at platform #4. Migration dates are predicted around September 15th so there is a chance that some have already left for their Wintering location just South of the equator. PS: The Male Osprey (TM) from platform #1 is still feeding the remaining youngster. We are moderately concerned that the little one has not learned to hunt.

It is almost time for Dave Sherman-ODNR to fire-up his satellite tracking gear as the Transmitting Male Osprey should be departing soon.

Best Wishes,
Jim Martin
Sept. 9, 2007.

Chimney Swift Counts - Tuttle - Delaware Co, Ohio

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:46:00 +0000

E-Mail from Dick Tuttle:

Hello Everyone,

I haven't reported swift observations since 16 August 2007 when a raccoon had become a nuisance to Chimney Swifts trying to roost in the brick chimney at the Ohio National Guard Armory in Delaware, Ohio. Apparently, the ring-tailed rascal found another place to hang out since it has only been seen once since. Nonetheless, here is a list of swift counts from the same chimney. Generally, I have been trying to count swifts on an average of once every two days. I present a fragment of my data since I am leaving out weather conditions and times.

17 August, 351 swifts
18 August, 572 swifts
22 August, 456 swifts
24 August, 326 swifts
25 August, 333 swifts
28 August, 153 swifts
30 August, 161 swifts
01 September, 281 swifts
04 September, 769 swifts
06 September, 585 swifts

Also, on 2 September 2007, I counted 424 swifts enter the chimney at the United Methodist Church in Galena, Ohio.

For the second round of the "Swift Night Out" continent-wide event (www.chimneyswifts.org), I plan to count at the armory on Friday, September 7, beginning at 7:30 PM. I will be in Galena on Sunday, September 9.

Swift on, Dick Tuttle

Comments on postings by Tuttle

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:33:00 +0000

E-mail from Dick Tuttle:

Frank and Jim,

Today's postings on the blog were refreshing because they featured mostly people -- the other half of what happens along Hogback Rd.

Frank, glad to see you included Jim's account of you receiving your well-deserved hat. And the goose hunters, they are part of the story, also.

The people, wildlife and other aspects of nature attracts many players onto the stage along Hogback Road.

Dick Tuttle

Goose Hunter Improv

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 02:57:00 +0000

E-mail and photo from Jim Martin:

Howdy:

I could not resist this photo opportunity. My last goose hunter photo (also attached (see previous post)) "from this location" showed a very sophisticated pair of hunters (canoe photo) with full battle regalia. This photo shows the other end of the investment spectrum. This fellow used the low-tech low-cost approach to putting-up his decoys. Notice the plastic trash bags uniquely configured to resemble grazing geese. This fellow, hands down, wins the goose decoy improvisation award. Evenings of Sept. 2nd and 4th, 2007, Hogback Rd. - Alum Creek Res.

PS: No Geese showed, no shots fired, still one clever setup, one make-do hunter. You got to love human ingenuity.

Best Wishes,
Jim Martin.

Hunting Season - #2

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 23:40:00 +0000

E-mail and photo from Jim Martin:

Hello:

This photo was taken about platform #4 at the Preservation Parks Osprey viewing site (Sept. 2, 2007). The two hunters were about 300 yards South of the Osprey platform #4 along Hogback Rd. - Alum Creek Res. The hunters were there for three+ hours.

One huge US Navy style canoe,
Two very well equipped & prepared hunters,
Three Goose calling devices,
Two 12 Gauge shotguns @ with a two shot clip & one in the chamber,
16 homemade Goose decoys, with rope & weights,
Many square yards of Camouflage netting,
Two Camouflage hunter suits including gloves, hats, coats, head cover and pants,
and a huge pickup truck to haul all the stuff.

Day Two Score: Geese ~200 - Hunters zero.

Not one shot was taken. Several flocks flew-by, all too high to take aim. No landings.

Best Wishes,

Jim Martin

Alum Creek Osprey Update

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 11:39:00 +0000

E-mail and photo from Jim Martin:

Howdy:

All goes well at the Alum Creek Osprey site. Dick Tuttle & I arrived early to witness how the Osprey would react to Goose hunting season's opening day. After a few shotgun firings, one close-by, the Osprey, young and parents seemed just fine.

The geese however behaved quite differently. At least 5 flocks (200+) flew over and circled around the area and never landed. They all flew in from the North, probably from Delaware lake where guns were blazing.

The attached photo shows a bathing youngster taken ~2 hours after our arrival (09:48) and after several guns were heard.

Best Wishes;
Jim Martin

Blog Creator, Osprey Photographer and Friend.

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 12:15:00 +0000

E-mail and photo from Jim Martin:

Thanks for the nice words and the hat!!!! Frank Germann

Hello Fellow Naturalist and Conservationists:

The attached photo is of Frank Germann, creator of the Osprey Blog "Osprey & All Things Wild Delaware County, Ohio" located here: http://osprey.rabbitquick.com/index.html

Frank has been taking high quality photos of the Alum Creek Osprey site for a few years and this breeding season decided to develop a blog featuring the Osprey. The site has had visitors from around the world numbering is the hundreds, perhaps thousands. Frank's web site contains up to date photos and descriptions regarding the Osprey habitat, feeding habits and records the youngsters growth from birth-to-migration. Last evening Aug. 31, 2007, Jim & Elaine Martin, Dick Tuttle and Troy Alpeter presented Frank with a token of appreciation from Dave Sherman of ODNR Division of Wildlife and us. The "Osprey Observer" cap is a well deserved "thanks" for all the time and effort that Frank put forth to allow web site visitors become more educated and involved in the Osprey re-introduction program in Ohio, USA. Frank also printed out business cards that we all hand out to people that stop by the Alum Creek to view the Osprey. These business cards have Frank's Blog web site address on them. From All Of Us - Thanks Frank!

We also want to thank Dave Sherman, Wildlife Biologist, for providing us with the congratulatory cap for Frank.

Thanks Frank, Jim and Friends.

Some Hoover Shots

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:16:00 +0000

E-mail & photos from Gene Smith:

Good evening Frank.

Here are some shots I took from Hoover Boardwalk this morning. They include the osprey on the nest perch, a red tailed hawk on Old 3 C to the West, and the Little Blue Heron West of the boardwalk. Used my 100 mm x 864 scope and a Canon 550 in digiscope mode with a 20mm eyepiece.

Gene

Sixty-eight American Kestrels Fledge From Roadside Nest Boxes - Tuttle

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:02:00 +0000

E-mail & photo from Dick Tuttle:

Hello Everyone,

The last kestrel nestling fledged after 17 August 2007 to complete a 142-day season from the first egg laid on March 29. All 16 nest boxes claimed by "sparrow hawks" produced young -- 68 fledglings in all.

Since the project's beginning in 1993, 429 kestrels have been raised from roadside nest boxes. The Delaware County Bird Club and the Delaware County Health Department were the original cosponsors. Speakers from the health department and the bird club encouraged students to donate pennies and dollars from recycled aluminum cans to buy wood and other materials. Club members assembled ten nest boxes that were attached to the backs of traffic signs along Routes 23 and 36/37 east and north of Delaware, with permission from Ohio Department of Highways. Five club members began monitored segments of the roadside box trail in 1993.

The first successful falcon nest produced five fledglings in 1995 and the population started to build along the busy highways. Kestrels nested within 15 feet of the white berm lines, and they accepted boxes as low as eight feet above the ground. Still, after two nest box signs were hit by sleepy motorists in 1999, all partners agreed that the boxes should be moved to safer habitats for the welfare of the birds — and sleepy motorists.

Starting in 2000, Consolidated Electric Cooperative stepped up to the plate and has since allowed us to hang boxes from their poles along rural byways.

Due to excellent rural habitats, during the 2007 season, 69 (87.3%) of 79 eggs hatched and 86.1% fledged with 98.6% of the hatchlings flying from their nests. Only two of the 18 boxes were snubbed by kestrels. Of course, the extremely high success rates will be adjusted if Dick Phillips and I find kestrel remains buried in the caked waste during nest box cleaning during the upcoming weeks. We always lower the boxes before winter to remove several inches of caked feces matted with regurgitated pellets containing fur, feathers, and bones from mice and meadow voles. Other refuse includes individual bird bones, insect wings, and occasionally, frog remains. Once excavated, we cover the nest chamber floor with three or more inches of commercial white-pine livestock bedding so kestrels can have safe and snug winter roost sites--an important wildlife management strategy for this species.

All nestlings were tagged with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aluminum leg bands which bear nine-digit identification numbers. During the banding process, healthy nestlings are frisky, feel plump, and behave like birds of prey as they try to bite and grab with sharp beaks and talons.

During the season, only one nest held remains from a dead nestling and the other nest mates were underweight. However, the family recovered to fledge, possibly because the parents found an additional prey source. We never bother the adult birds on the nest, except to photograph them from above. I was fortunate on May 30 to photograph a male kestrel guarding eggs. Male wings are slate-colored, whereas a female's wings are reddish-brown, or rufous.

We credit this year's phenomenal nesting success to several new management practices. First, before the season, we added aluminum flashing below the nest boxes to stop climbing raccoons, and we moved several boxes so all hang from poles at least one pole beyond field driveways. We suspected that newly parked farm machinery and associated activity spooks kestrels from the nest sites which can cause nest failure, especially during the incubation period.

The 18 nest boxes are no closer than one-half mile apart, along a route that is slightly longer than fifty miles. Also, we have always placed our boxes near wires in habitats where kestrels can see their nests from all directions, hundreds of yards away.

Years ago, we learned not to remove starling nests. We only remove starling eggs during regular monitoring visits every two weeks. Many times, single kestrels have usurped starlings by decapitating them, then they use the grass nests for future falcon families once they win partners. Monitors know starlings have become history once the three-inch-wide "starling (nest) cup" is reshaped into an oblong "kestrel cup." Also, since European Starlings are so abundant and persistent, any grass nest found without starling eggs between the first weeks in April and June, belongs to a kestrel, so let it be.

We believe the project failed "to keep" interested kestrels during its first two years because (we) monitors mistakenly removed startling nests and added white-pine bedding. We have learned that kestrels are extremely sensitive when it comes to investing in new nests. How would you like to come home to find different furnishings in your house?

As a proven wildlife management practice, we try to pamper our finicky raptors by supplying them with irresistible housing, then we keep our interruptions to a minimum.

Raptor on, Dick Tuttle

Alum Creek Osprey Youngster Go Fishing!

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:18:00 +0000

E-mail from Jim Martin:

Howdy:

For the first time this breeding season, last evening, I saw one of the young Osprey along the Hogback Rd., platform #1, site swoop down & snatch a small fish. The Alum Creek water level was/is very shallow, but this little guy got his late evening snack. Let the migration to Brazil begin. It happened near sunset, so I could not get a photo for our portfolio. I'll try again this evening (Aug. 23rd, 2007).

Best Wishes,
Jim Martin

Masked Spoiler Scares Chimney Swifts to Seek Shelter Elsewhere - Tuttle

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:24:00 +0000

E-Mail from Dick Tuttle:
Photos from Frank Germann

Hello Everyone,

During three of four evenings this week I have counted Chimney Swifts entering a two-story brick chimney at the south end of the Ohio National Guard Armory at 79 West William Street in Delaware, Ohio. Swifts did not hold back as 661 entered the chimney Monday, and 676 birds were counted the next evening.

On Wednesday, I drove around the city to check four chimneys that had been swift roosts in past years, but found no circling flocks to cause me to stop for a count. As I drove around town, I passed the armory three times to see hundreds of swifts circling but I did not stop to count them. I decided to return to armory on Thursday for an accurate observation.

Thursday, I watched more than Chimney Swifts. I was sitting in my chair in the tree lawn along the parking lot at Tim Horton's Restaurant when at 15:55, a raccoon's head emerged from an eight-inch square clay tile at the corner of the armory. I suspect that the tile leads to an air intake vent. The raccoon took a peak, saw me, and sunk back into its hiding place. Circling swifts also detected the rascal, dispersed, but soon returned.

The first swift entered the large chimney at 20:04. Soon after, the three-quarter grown raccoon emerged to stretch out on the concrete collar surrounding its clay cave. It proceeded to groomed itself and scratch a few fleas as the swifts freaked out to fly higher in the sky. The masked rascal grew tired of me watching it and returned to its tile abode.

Seven minutes later, Frank Germann arrived and hurriedly set up his camera just before the raccoon decided to become a celebrity and emerged to pose for the camera. Unfortunately, the raccoon decided to climb up the roof's gable to the top of the swift's chimney where it spent several minutes. As the raccoon burned up value minutes trying to descend into the large chimney, circling swifts became frustrated and started to leave the area in search of a safer sanctuary without furry threats. I am sure many flew to the old jail, now the Delaware County law Library at 20 West Central Ave., several blocks away. For the swifts, spending the night in the retired slammer was the safest alternative. As for the raccoon, it walked to the unseen side of the roof where, most likely, it descended to hunt the Delaware Run, a small stream that flows along the armory's boundary. Or, the hungry mammal might have dined on cat food offered to free- roaming pets and feral disease vectors that are commonly seen in most urban neighborhoods.

Tonight, I will start my observations at the armory. If the raccoon reappears, I will quickly move to the old jail to test my hypothesis that threatened swifts quickly adjust to exercise their options. Come see the furred and feathered wildlife at the armory.

I offer the following observations without editorial comment:

Monday, 13 August 2007. 78 degrees F., clear sky - 661 swifts entered between 19:53 and 21:08.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007. 75 degrees F., clear sky - 676 swifts - 20:23 - 21:01.
Thursday, 16 August 2007. 82 degrees F., overcast - RACCOON - 320 swifts - 20:04 - 20:52.

On Sunday evening, 19 August 2007, swift-watchers will gather near the United Methodist Church in Galena at 7:55 PM for a nightcap of funneling swifts.

Swift on, Dick Tuttle

Odd Evening At Alum Creek - Hogack Rd.

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 23:29:00 +0000

E-mail from Jim Martin:
What, No Photos?

Gents and Ladies:

Just for the record: This evening was a bit different at the Osprey site along Hogback Rd. I was there about one hour+ and there were no Osprey (0:9), no White Egrets, no GB Herons, no Humans, no C. Geese and no traffic.

A few (much less than normal) shore birds. A strange setting versus the past few evenings.

Best Wishes, Jim Martin

WHERE ARE WE, IF . . . ?

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:06:00 +0000

Where are we if in a 3 hour period on a beautiful Monday morning and observed and photographed:

Many Geese
Ducks
Song Sparrows taking insects to their nest
Ceder Wax Wings
A very large bald face hornets nest
Whitetail Doe and her Fawn
5 Great White Egrets
6 Great Blue Herons
Little Green Heron
Sharp Shinned Hawk
Red Tail Hawk
2 Belted Kingfishers
5 Adult Osprey and 5 youngsters
Many Killdeers
Turkey Vultures
Many Shorebirds (Sandpipers)
Seagulls
Bald Eagle, (From 8:01 a.m. until 10:21 a.m., Dick Phillips estimates it at two and one-half years old)
2 kayakers that left their kayaks on the muddy shore to explore the west shore line, then stopped to eat their lunch with-in 20 feet of a eagle sitting on a low branch of a willow tree. (They were unaware that they scared the Bald Eagle away.) Every 10 minutes or so the female (WP) from nest #1 would dive at her. The male (TM) teased the eagle with a fish trying to have the eagle chase him, to no avail.
2 VERY HAPPY PHOTOGRAPHERS!

WHERE ARE WE?

Well, you would have been on Hogback Road, the bottoms along Alum Creek, Delaware County, Ohio, Monday morning, August 13th, 2007 ! ! !

Jim Martin & Frank Germann
All Things Wild!

P.S.
Other observed wild life seen recently:

Red Fox, Coyote, Bittern, Beaver, Musk Rat, Indigo Bunting, Cuckoo, American Gold Finch, Bats, Cliff Swallows, Wrens, Crows, Prothonotaries, Wood Ducks, Great Horn Owl, Tree Swallows AND MUCH MORE!

Chimney Swifts Pour into Church Chimney to thrill Watchers - Tuttle

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:35:00 +0000

E-mail from Dick Tuttle:
Photos by Frank Germann

Hello Everyone,

Three evenings of great weather and huge flocks of Chimney Swifts dazzled veteran and new swift-watchers alike as hundreds of swifts entered their roosting site to leave no doubt that their fall migration to eastern Peru and the Amazon Basin has begun.

The free, after-supper entertainment took place above a large, two-story brick chimney, that measures 78 by 48 inches and stands at the northwestern corner of the United Methodist Church in the small village of Galena in eastern Delaware County, Ohio.

Swift-watchers stood in a large parking lot at the Big Walnut Schools Administration Building and looked north to see swifts circling to descend into their roost for the night. The chattering birds had been hunting flying insects from above the wooded Big and Little Walnut Creeks that flank the small village to create Hoover Reservoir, another great source of sustenance for birds seeking flying prey.

Swift-watchers were alerted to the Swift Night Out activity through a post in Frank Germann's blog, www.osprey.rabbitquick.com, and an article in the Delaware Gazette. Good communication made good times possible.

Here are the statistics for three observations:

Friday, 10 August 2007.
84 degrees F. with clear skies.
1600 swifts entered the chimney between 20:25 - 21:03.
Twelve swift-watchers were in attendance.

Saturday, 11 August 2007.
78 degrees F. with clear skies.
1860 swifts entered the chimney between 20:14 - 21:04.
Seven swift-watchers enjoyed the show.

Sunday, 12 August 2007.
82 degrees F. with some clouds.
1890 swifts entered the chimney between 19:58 - 21:02.
Twenty swift-watchers enjoyed the birds, and like the previous two evenings, everyone enjoyed the company of fellow swift-watchers.

I will report my observations as I visit other chimneys in Delaware County until the swift migration concludes sometime after the first week in October. The next A Swift Night Out promoted by the Driftwood Wildlife Association of Austin, Texas is scheduled for September 14, 15, 16. Check with their website at www.chimneyswifts.org for information, updates and reports from across North America, and check with Frank's blog for local announcements and sightings.

Swift on, Dick Tuttle

A couple more shots "Hoover"-Gene Smith-

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:13:00 +0000

E-mail & photos from Gene Smith

Here are a couple of shots from the Boardwalk taken this morning, Aug. 12. Gene

New ONDR Web Site link

noreply@blogger.com (Frank Germann) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 10:53:00 +0000

E-mail from Jim Martin:

Here is the link to the "new & improved" ODNR Osprey web site.

www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/ResearchandSurveys/
resourcesospreyosprey/ospreymigration/tabid/18261/Default.aspx

Jim M.