Our group on the famous mound at Sandy Ridge Reservation

On Saturday, November 16^th,  the Ohio Young Birders Club, led by field trip leader Mary Warren, representing our partner, the Division of Wildlife, visited Sandy Ridge Reservation, in Lorain County.   It was a beautiful day and we spent the morning looking at a nice variety of waterfowl taking advantage of this fine wetland including: American Widgeon, Northern Pintail, Hooded Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, and of course, many Mallards.  American Coots were plentiful, and we were en-tertained by mixed flocks of woodland birds including Black-capped Chicka-dees, Tufted Titmice, Brown Creepers, and White-breasted Nuthatches.  A couple Bald Eagles made a distant appearance and a Belted Kingfisher gave us all a piece of her mind as she flew in to land in a dead snag.  For an added bonus, we were treated to great looks at two Sandhill Cranes that flew in and landed in the marsh fairly close to us! 

After lunch most of the group decided to head for Edgewater Park to look for a Brant that had been reported there.  And we weren’t disappointed!  We had great up-close looks at this bird as it fraternized with a small flock of Canada Geese.  As part of our group left the parking lot, the other half spotted a Merlin perched in a tree, and later on, had views of a jaeger and some scoters from this location as well!

Trip Photos

Auriel Van Der Laar and Samantha Gates

Harriet Alger, President of Black River Audubon joined us for the day's activities