My, what a huge 'beak you are!

There's been a bit of a stir in the uplands of Mohican.  We have visitors from the Great North, the likes of which we have not seen for quite a few years.  The Evening Grosbeaks, Coccothraustes vespertinus have returned in good number again- for the first time since 2008.

And these eye-blinding photos, provided by uber photographer Dane Adams are almost better than seeing them in person!   These 'beaks are winter birds and they usually arrive in a blowing snow, or sleet or...worse.  But if the weather cooperates enough to get to them, they are hard to miss. They're the size of a black-bird, with the bill of cardinal and all colored-up like a summer goldfinch!

Evening Grosbeak, photo by Dane Adams

Evening Grosbeaks are a northern bird, well known for their winter visits to the lower 48. Perhaps, they enjoy a little break from the Canadian cold. It was predicted early on, this year would be a good for seeing winter finch and grosbeak irruptions into Ohio.  Many years past years it was not unusual for folks in New York, Pennsylvania and even some areas of Ohio to see the birds.  However, in recent years their appearances have dramatically declined.

Evening Grosbeak, Photo by Dane Adams

These gorgeous gluttons are known for cleaning out bird seed in record time!  They prefer flat surfaces for feeding, like a platform/tray feeder, or a picnic table or deck.  The are not as likely to come into traditional feeders with a covered roof.

You can't blame them for wanting to be out in the open, after all- they are quite glamorous! 

Grosbeak gathering, photo by Dane Adams

If you come to Mohican State Forest in Ashland County, Ohio in hopes of seeing the birds- let me give you a few tips.  Look for gatherings in the tree tops.  Evening grosbeaks like to T-up in the trees between feedings and they are pretty conspicuous, too!

Mohican map to Grosbeak treasure.

 You can download a map to the Mohican State Forest right here.  Park nearby in the Gorge Overlook parking lot; this is also a good spot for Red and White-winged Crossbills!

You will hike from the parking lot to the west, it is less than a 1/2 mile.  The tall pines along the road provide some of the best scenery and birding in Ohio. The optimum time of day is between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., when this particular flock is known to feed. Watch all along the ornamental shrubs and crab apple trees.  I have seen the birds directly above me next to the road.

Evening Grosbeak (EVGR), Dane Adams

It is obvious why everyone has gone ga-ga over these birds.  The plumage on the males is nearly blinding!  The females are more subdued, but still a very good looking bird.

Audubon Christmas Birds Counts have noted these 'beak sightings are in great decline.  The numbers I find run around 90-91 percent reduction!  This could be a shocking warning to us that something is going on.  Are they irrupting into our territory less, or have their numbers totally plummeted?  These are questions for inquiring minds (but I doubt you'll read it in the Inquirer.) 

 If you are interested in the trends- go here for a fabulous study by BirdSource created by Audubon and Cornell University.  I think you will find the maps most entertaining, and maybe it does not reflect a true decline in EVGRs.  It might mean there has been a change in their territories and there are just fewer here. Either way, we need to be protective of  the visitors we currently have.

Again, a special thanks goes out to Dane Adams, for allowing us to enjoy these photos.  They are almost as thrilling as seeing the actual birds!

Art reflects life.

What would you guess is the most valuable book in the world?  The Gutenberg Bible? You would be wrong, and birders throughout Cleveland weep for you.  

Back in November my daughter and I attended a fabulous program at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH)  in Cleveland, Ohio held by the Kirtland Bird Club.  

CMNH Librarian Wendy Wasman and Dr. Henry Adams of Case Western Reserve discuss the Audubon double-elephant folio.  

The guest speaker, Dr. Henry Adams gave a presentation on Audubon as we were in the presence of a rare- indescribably valuable - Audubon "double-elephant  folio," (think: really big!) We stood breathless as they turned the pages on these life-sized portraits of America's birds.

Dr. Adams explained why Audubon's art, beautiful as it is, represents the best printing and coloring techniques of his age.  These books are so rare because the individual prints are highly sought after as art.

For Christmas I had the good fortune of receiving my own copy of Audubon's prints.  OK, it is a bit smaller than CMNH's.  Daughter J.J. describes this as the "pygmy-hippo" version.  No less beautiful as it adorns my antique library table, I can assure you.

And lookie- the page is turned open to show EVENING GROSBEAK!

Not to be out-done, daughter Shelly also had a very special Christmas present in mind for her mama.

Audubon reproduction prints of Great Blue Heron and Blue Jays. 

We had spotted an old copy of Audubon's Blue Jays in an antique store.  It is now gracing my living room mantle, until I can get it re-framed in a more appropriate and acid free style.  The Wood Duck decoy is my beloved conservation award from the Ohio Ornithological Society.

So as you can see- it is all blue birds of happiness for me this year.  I hope you enjoyed your family and holiday time as much as I have enjoyed mine.  Good birding (and booking) my friends!

Making a difference

Never under estimate the power of the local ladies' club. And definitely, don't mess with a whole angry group of them! Prohibition and Audubon Societies are just two examples of by-products of women united with one common goal.

Woman's hat with plumage, photo courtesy of Audubon Magazine

Prohibition may not have lasted, but the fascinating story of the formation of the first Audubon Society bears witness to the influence of women. Just before the turn of the century women's hats were decked out with plumes, feathers, and whole bird carcasses. (photo courtesy of Audubon Magazine) This millinery industry was the booming business driving the massacre of egrets, herons and all manner of song birds. Fortunately, a group of women in Boston were outraged by the slaughter and re-defined high fashion and the bird laden hats were declared to be in bad taste. By the late 1890's Audubon Societies combated the feather trade and a conservation movement was formed.

   Goshen Pass, photo by Virginia.gov

Another fine example is the Garden Club of Virginia v. Virginia Public Service Co. Seems that the "Public Service" Co. planned to help themselves to the Goshen pass to generate power. After all, who needs a scenic view when there is money to be made? We just might take a lesson from those ladies whose grandchildren are still enjoying the rhododendrons along this riparian corridor.

Today, individual women/men and garden clubs can still make bold moves for conservation. Hold your local representatives accountable for what is happening in our public lands. Join a local conservation organization. Make a difference in your state and in your own backyard..

Request Ohio native plants from your local plant nurseries and landscape designers. Supply equals demand. If we demand the native plants that feed our biodiversity and stop wholesale pesticide poisonings, we will feed the food chain and take a step in the right direction to swing the balance back. Bringing Nature Home is something we can all feel good about.

If you agree this this article, share it with a friend, and let's start a conservation movement of our own!

Great Backyard Bird Count

Two of the most rewarding things about being a birdwatcher: becoming familiar with your own backyard birds and contributing to "citizen science."

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a great way to learn about and enjoy your local birds, engage with family and friends, and join thousands across the country in submitting observations to the GBBC database. Simply count any birds you observe in your backyard, local park or other location for just 15 minutes on one or more days between February 17 and 20, and report your findings online at http://birdcount.org.


I'll be watching at my favorite feeders- the ones in my own backyard.  You can watch too!

Learn more about participating in the GBBC at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/howto.html.    If you are near Richland county, stop by the Gorman Nature Center to pick up an informative flier.  Hope you help us count the birds, and you'll see how much fun it can be!