Date: Sunday, October 25, 2015

Reporter: Gary Stegner

Other Observers: 14 Oxbow Bird Walk Participants

By my count we ended up with 43 species. Highlights were bald eagles (6), osprey, peregrine falcons, red-tailed, Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks, kingfishers, green heron, pipit, northern shoveler, horned lark, yellow bellied sapsucker, gc kinglet, palm warbler, yr warbler, Lincoln’s, swamp, song and white crowned sparrows. I almost forgot the sandhill cranes.

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Kathi Hutton

I dropped down to Lost Bridge to find 10 White-rumped Sandpipers (my 300th Ohio bird), 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, and at least 25 Killdeer.

Also 1 Osprey, 2 imnmature Bald Eagles.

Date: Friday, October 9, 2015

Location: Lawrenceburg Road/Lost Bridge

Reporter: Jeff Rowe

There were at least 5 White-rumped , one Buff-breasted, 1 Stilt Sandpipers, 5 Lesser Yellowlegs, and at least 1 Rusty Blackbird on the sandbar under the bridge this morning. I also saw 1 Osprey and 2 Bald Eagles fishing the river.

Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Location: Lost bridge on river

Reporter: Frank Frick

The shore birds seem to have moved from the top soil pit to the river over the past few days. Seen today 1 stilt sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 12 white-rumped sandpipers, 1 buff-breasted sandpiper, 2 pectoral sandpipers, 4 lesser yellowlegs, 3 greater yellowlegs, 1 wilsons snipe, many killdeer

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Jay Lehman

2 White-rumped still present. 3 Lesser Yellowlegs, 4 Killdeer. South side of bridge near west side toward Elixabethtown near rocks and brick-brack. At first hard to see standing still at about 3:30. Feeding when I left at about 4:00 and could easily see the elongated primaries beyond tail tip and white rump.

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2015

Location: Lost bridge

Reporter: Frank Frick

From bridge one dunlin, one stilt sandpiper, five lesser yellowlegs, two white-rumped sandpipers, two semipalmated plovers, lots of killdeer. seen at around 11am.

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Donald Martin

Other observers: Rodney Crice

In sky pool: Black-bellied Plover (1) and Stilt Sandpiper (1).

In river below bridge: Stilt Sandpiper (1), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1), Pectoral Sandpiper (5), Greater Yellowlegs (1), Lesser Yellowlegs (1), Least Sandpiper (2), Killdeer (many).

Two immature Bald Eagles.

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: John & Leigh Dovel

Spotted a fall juvenile American Golden Plover at the near edge of the forward pond along Lawrenceburg Road this afternoon about 2:30.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxmtskRNoGKGWWxkVGRmWTAtUUU/view?usp=sharing

Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Jack Stenger

This evening at Lost Bridge I saw an immature cormorant that could **possibly** be a Neotropic Cormorant. Emphasis on the possibly. I saw it on the back left shore of the second mud pit south of Lawrenceburg Rd. It was standing next to a Double-crested Cormorant and was noticeably smaller (~20%), slimmer and darker, with perhaps a slightly longer tail (proportionately). I could not resolve any details of the gular patch or supraloral area to confirm the ID either way – it was too far. Around 6 p.m. this bird and the DCCO it was with flew south towards the Oxbow. I spent an hour at the Oxbow later in the evening and did not relocate this bird amidst the 157 roosting Double-crested Cormorants.

Most of the shorebirds here were at the front of the second pond and obstructed by the dirt isthmus. Every few minutes the birds would fly and the Black-bellied Plover and 2 Sanderlings were easy to pick out.

Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Jack Stenger

Black-bellied Plover on mud pit along with 2 Sanderlings.

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Ethan Rising

Other observers: Liz Rising

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still around today between 1:45 and 2:30. It was very cooperative and came very close. There could have been more of them besides the one near the road but I didn’t have time to look. Also of note, 1 Sanderling.

Date: Friday, September 4, 2015

Location: Mudflats at Lost Bridge

Reporter: Susan & Linda Osterhage

Several Buff-breasted Sandpipers still present. Went back several times throughout the day and was able to relocate at least one each time. Also saw 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Bairds Sandpipers, some peeps, Spotted Sandpipers, and lots of Killdeer, Great Blue Herons, and Great Egrets.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Date: Friday, September 4, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Brian Wulker

Other observers: Gale Wulker

Lost Bridge area: The earthmovers were moving earth all around the gravel pits this morning, so all if the birds were right up along the roadside, or on the tiny islands in the middle. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was the main attraction working the mud right along the road.

Killdeer

1 Spotted Sandpiper

1 Solitary Sandpiper

5 Lesser Yellowlegs

1 Stilt Sandpiper

6 Baird’s Sandpipers – all juv

4 Least Sandpiper

1 Buff-breasted Sandpiper

5 Pectoral Sandpiper

1 Semipalmated Sandpiper

Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Brian Wulker

All birds on the new gravel pit/topsoil ponds.

3 Semipalmated Plover

27+ Killdeer

1 Spotted Sandpiper

1 Solitary Sandpiper

6 Lesser Yellowlegs

3 Stilt Sandpiper – all juveniles

5 Baird’s Sandpiper – continuing juveniles

7+ Least Sandpiper

1 Buff-breasted Sandpiper – far back shore. I ran into Frank Frick who said he had 4 this morning.

5 Pectoral Sandpiper – first couple bright juveniles I’ve seen this year

2 Semipalmated Sandpiper

6 Peep sp.

Date: Sunday, August 30, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Jay Lehman

Other observers: Frank Frick, Allan Claybon, Jonathan Frodge, Led Houser

The Sanderling, Baird’s Sandpipers and the Am. Golden Plover were still present this morning. I arrived after 10 am., and the Sanderling was present on the far shore of the near pond on the road-side of the dirt causeway separating the two ponds at a spit toward the river. Earlier close to 9:00 am Frank Frick saw the 5 Baird’s Sandpiper’s as well the Sanderling close to the road. Later Jonathan Frodge and Les Houser arrived and reported seeing the Sanderling and Baird’s Sandpipers close to the road at about 8:00 am and the Am. Golden Plover in the very back right hand corner of the far pond. After Jonathan and Les joined Frank and I for their second visit, Jonathan found two of the Baird’s Sandpipers along the far shore of the second pond for very distant scope views. Other shorebirds could have been hidden behind the dirt causeway between the two ponds. Other birds while I was present: several distant yellowlegs, apparent Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper and an Osprey, Mallards and teal in eclipsed plummage (too far to ID). Hopefully, others report their observations as mine are only highlights provided only for the benefit of others still interested in the three special shorebirds.

Date: Saturday, August 29, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Brian Wulker

Other observers: Frank Frick

1 American Golden Plover – Far back shore

6 Semipalmated Plover

40+ Killdeer

2 Spotted Sandpiper

1 Lesser Yellowlegs

1 Sanderling – Back of the close topsoil pond

5 Baird’s Sandpiper – Front of the close pond along the road.

2 Least Sandpiper

3 Semipalmated Sandpiper

3 Caspian Tern

Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Jay Lehman

Other observers: See text.

Arrived at about 6:00 pm just after another birder (a lady). We scanned the far pond. Then Steve Bobonick arrived and the three of us scanned more. The lady birder left to check out the gravel bars at the btidge and later reported very little there. Frank Frick arrived. I saw a small flock of shorebirds fly from the left to the right of the second pond. Steve and I found two Pectoral Sandpipers and a few Least Sandpipers. Then Steve left. Frank and I continued looking but did not find the phalaropes. Totals: Lesser Yellowlegs 2, Pectoral Sandpiper 2, Least Sandpiper 2-3, Semipalmated Sandpiper 1, Semipalmated Plover 1, Killdeer 30(?). Frank and I left at about 8:00 pm after meeting the lady from Indiana who photographed the Red-necked Phalaropes.

Date: Monday, August 24, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge (Elizabethtown), Hamilton Co., OH

Reporter: Neill Cade

Other observers: Kim Cade

From 7:15-8:15 PM, both Red-necked Phalaropes were still present in the “dirt pit” on the SW side of Lawrenceburg Rd. (where previously seen). They started in the back pond and worked their way forward. Other shorebirds were Stilt, Semipalmated, Spotted, Least, and Pectoral Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitcher, Killdeer, and Semipalmated Plovers. Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, and Great Egrets rounded out the wading birds.

Hundreds of Purple Martins and good numbers of Barn Swallows aggregated in the final 15 minutes before sunset. The phalaropes tucked themselves in for the night behind the long dirt dike that separates the front-most pond from the one behind.

Date: Sunday, August 16, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: ken clouse

have read a couple of post about large numbers of Purple Martins and having a small colony in Fairfield I had to come and see for myself over the gravel pits and up on Mt Nebo rd on the high voltage towers there were high numbers of Martins also spotted Blue Herons by the Bridge .

Date: Friday, August 21, 2015

Location: Oxbow and Lost Bridge

Reporter: Jay Stenger

Other observers: Jack Stenger (co-leader), 30 Oxbow Inc. participants

Oxbow Inc. conducted a field trip yesterday evening, Friday August 21. This was a scheduled evening trip from 6:30 PM until dusk. A strong turnout of 30 folks turned out for this popular annual field trip. Beautiful sunny skies and 78 degree temperatures didn’t hurt the attendance. We spent most of our time around Oxbow Lake and finished up at Lost Bridge. Highlights of the trip included an immature Little Blue Heron, a White-rumped Sandpiper, 2 Red-necked Phalaropes, and 1000+ Purple Martins staging throughout the Oxbow area. This is a conservative estimate, as the sky above the Great Miami River and south towards Shawnee Lookout was filled with milling Purple Martins around sunset. When we arrived at Lost Bridge we were tipped off to the previously reported phalaropes and some of our group was able to see them at dusk.

Some of the more interesting species we found on the trip included:

Wood Duck 15, Double-crested Cormorant 25~, Great Blue Heron 15+, Great Egret 30~, Little Blue Heron (im) 1 (perched in the willows on the northeast shore of Oxbow Lake), Green Heron 4, Black-crowned Night-Heron 2 (also tucked in the willows), Black Vulture 3 (over the smokestacks), Semipalmated Plover 1 (Lost Bridge), Solitary Sandpiper 1, Least Sandpiper 18 (3 at Jackpot Pond, 15~ at Lost Bridge), Semipalmated Sandpiper 3 (Lost Bridge), White-rumped Sandpiper 1 (Lost Bridge), Red-necked Phalarope 2 (Lawrenceburg Road Pond), Common Nighthawk 10+, Belted Kingfisher 1, Eastern Kingbird 3, Purple Martin 1000+, Common Yellowthroat 1, Indigo Bunting 10~, Baltimore Oriole 2.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Ned Keller

Other observers: Audubon field trip, plus several others who were twitching the phalaropes.

The Audubon shorebird trip relocated the two Red-necked Phalaropes this morning. They were visible a couple of times, for a few minutes, in the far right part of the shallow pond south of Lawrenceburg Road. For the most part, they were out of sight, so you may need patience to see them. We also saw a Stilt Sandpiper in this pond.

The gravel bar in the river gave us good, closely viewed comparisons of Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, along with Spotted Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plovers.

I checked this pond again by myself after the field trip ended at the Oxbow (where we didn’t see a whole lot). I didn’t see the phalaropes during the ten minutes I was there, but did add a Short-billed Dowitcher to the day’s list.

Date: Friday, August 21, 2015

Location: Mudflats at Lost Bridge

Reporter: Susan & Linda Osterhage

Sorry, I just can’t seem to get this right. Here are the links for the pics of the Red-necked Phalaropes.

Red-necked Phalarope at the mudflats at Lost Bridge on the Great Miami River, OH

Date: Friday, August 21, 2015

Location: Mudflats at Lost Bridge

Reporter: Susan & Linda Osterhage

Other observers: Andy Bess

Two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. They were spotted earlier today by Frank Frick who saw them at a good distance and thought they were Wilson’s Phalaropes. When we went back this evening and got some good enough pictures we were able to positively id them as Red-Necked Phalaropes. Darn! We were really hoping for Wilson’s. There were other shore birds as well, but we were too intent on watching the Phalaropes. Attached below in the Photo Link are a couple decent enough shots to id them.

Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Location: Mudflats at Lost Bridge

Reporter: Susan & Linda Osterhage

Other observers: Andy Bess, Frank Frick

One AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. There were also several birds that we just couldn’t id. We believe one was a Lesser Yellowleg, but the other one seemed a bit smaller than the Killdeer and had buffy cheeks and neck. We went back and forth from a Buff-breasted to a Stilt to a Pectoral, but just couldn’t get a good enough look. All the birds were on the long skinny island just beyond the mud causeway. The guy was running the earth mover all the time we were there, even across the causeway, and it didn’t seem to bother the birds. (Too bad we couldn’t hitch a ride with him.) We saw the Plover just once briefly but were able to get very good looks through the scope. Frank had first spotted it yesterday. We had to wait over an hour before he popped up on the island just beyond the causeway. Got there about 9:15 and left about 10:45.

Date: Thursday, August 13, 2015

Location: Oxbow

Reporter: Susan & Linda Osterhage

Other observers: Andy Bess

One BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER along with Killdeer, Least Sandpipers, Semi-palmated Sandpipers, Solitary Sandpipers, and Spotted Sandpipers. There were also Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, 1 Little Blue Heron, and hundreds of Swallows. These were not found on the Oxbow Auto Tour. We had to walk back toward Mercer Pond. You can then either walk through the wasted soybean field, angling slightly right toward the high tension towers, or you can walk along the tree line to get to the very back of the field where a small portion is still flooded. The Buff-breasted was hanging around with the Killdeer which were very skittish. But whenever they flew away they would eventually fly back to the flooded field area.

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Brian Wulker

Other observers: Gale Wulker

For the last several weeks, a Purple Martin roost dispersal ring has been visible on early morning NWS radar somewhere near the Oxbow. These rings are the radar picking up Purple Martins as the leave the large colonial roosts they form this time of year before they start southbound migration. I think this roost was initially somewhere along the Ohio River between Lawrenceburg, IN and Petersburg, KY as that’s where the ring was usually centered on radar. A couple weeks ago we tried to locate this roost from the Lawrenceburg riverfront and had lots of martins, but never pinpointed the roost location to get a good number estimate.

Now its apparently moved to the trees about 1/2 mile downstream from Lost Bridge. For the last 2 nights, there’s been a cloud of Purple Martins growing from about 6:00pm until sunset. Several hundred can be seen feeding over the gravel pits, and even more high in the sky and over the river. Last night was hard to get a good estimate, but was definitely several thousand birds. Tonight, I tried some extrapolation methods and came up with about 5,000 Purple Martins as a moderately conservative estimate. To do this, I took a photo of part of the flock, and estimated at least 8 more similar photos would cover the whole thing. I counted about 570 martin dots (or smudges) in that photo. Due to low light and high ISO, I think many of the more distant birds did not show up. To partially compensate for this, I rounded the total up to the nearest 1000. With binoculars I could not see the definite top or back of the martin cloud (birds would disappear and reappear due to distance) and the left side and bottom of the martin cloud were obscured by trees, so the 8 photo estimate is a bit conservative.

Complete list, details, and a very bad photo on this ebird list: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24594469

If you have a free evening the next couple days, this would be a great challenge for estimating large numbers of birds. I would love to see the figures others could come up with.

Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge mudflats

Reporter: Susan & Linda Osterhage

At around 9:15 this morning there was an American White Pelican at the Lost Bridge mudflats. There was also a Mute Swan, an immature Bald Eagle, a Spotted Sandpiper, several Killdeer, and hundreds of Swallows. Suddenly, everything took off. On the other side of the mudflats were two Red Foxes. The water is really flowing in from the river which should bring in some fish. Last weekend there were at least 20 Bald Eagles (mostly immature) hanging around the mudflats. The most I've seen around here in one spot. Here's a short video. http://youtu.be/CZX9h6ZG-jI

Date: Sunday, July 26, 2015

Location: Oxbow region

Reporter: Mark Gilsdorf

I spent the morning hitting a number of spots in the Oxbow watershed. Stops included Lost Bridge, the gravel scrap along Lawrenceburg Rd., Mt. Nebo Rd., Shawnee Lookout, Indian Springs Campground and the Oxbow proper. Missed a lot of the resident breeders, but it is the end of July. Highlights were the Blue Grosbeak at Mt. Nebo and an Osprey hunting above Juno Pond.

Trip list:

Canada Goose 16

Mallard 1

Great Blue Heron 1

Great Egret 3

Black Vulture 1

Turkey Vulture 4

Osprey 1

Red-tailed Hawk 7

Killdeer 20

Spotted Sandpiper 3

Solitary Sandpiper 5

Greater Yellowlegs 1

Lesser Yellowlegs 2

Least Sandpiper 1

Pectoral Sandpiper 2

Mourning Dove 11

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1

Belted Kingfisher 2

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Eastern Wood-Pewee 1

Acadian Flycatcher 1

Red-eyed Vireo 1

Blue Jay 1

American Crow 8

Carolina Chickadee 10

Tufted Titmouse 4

White Breasted Nuthatch 1

Horned Lark 2

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 15

Cliff Swallow 35

House Wren 4

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1

Wood Thrush 3

American Robin 15

Gray Catbird 6

Northern Mockingbird 1

European Starling 50

Cedar Waxwing 4

Kentucky Warbler 2

Common Yellowthroat 7

Prairie Warbler 1

Field Sparrow 4

Eastern Towhee 12

Northern Cardinal 5

Blue Grosbeak 1

Indigo Bunting 8

Orchard Oriole 7

House Finch 1

American Goldfinch 1

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Location: Lost Bridge

Reporter: Brian Wulker

A few shorebirds on the new gravel pit after the storms today:

2 Least Sandpiper

1 Semipalmated Sandpiper

1 Lesser Yellowlegs

4 Spotted Sandpiper

2 Killdeer