Early morning Merlin
Woke up this morning, looked out the window, and found this Merlin perched in the tree across the street. I am seeing more and more Merlins around my place every fall/winter. (Lighting was terrible, this was a quick snap, as the bird didn't stay long)

Another so-so birding day in SW Ohio
Seeing all my birder friends' lists from recent trips from all over the place has got me wanting to see birds. Since my current financial situation will not allow me to travel to the places where good birds are, I can only bird locally for now. (My life list has been stuck at just under 300 for some time, partly due a lack of funds and the lack of good bird habitat in SW Ohio - specifically referring to wetland/shorebird habitat)I decided to stop by East Fork State Park Nov. 16th. I have had the feeling that I am overdue to get a good bird or rarity for some time now, but today was not the day. A quick scan of t

Avipoxvirus
Today, I decided to take a walk down my road to look for birds (what else?). Really didn't see much bird wise (maybe because the neighbor's dogs were following me barking constantly???).What I did find was another dead bird laying on the side of the road. This time it was a Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula that appears to have succumb to complications from the cutaneous form of an Avipoxvirus. What's up with me finding all these dead birds on my walks? :-(

A day of woodpeckers
I spotted this Red-headed Woodpecker down the street from the house yesterday. This is only the third time I have ever seen this bird from the yard. The bird was far away and very skittish. It was also raining when I took these bad pictures.

Queen City Birders Club Birding Blitz Weekend
Last Saturday, I attended the Ohio Young Birders Club/Queen City Birders Club Birding Blitz Weekend/campout held at Hueston Woods State Park. It was nice to see young people out enjoying and learning about nature instead of inside playing video games. I decided against camping, since I am currently tentless -probably glad I did.After breakfast, I headed on over to the bird banding station run by the