Kirtland Bird Club
Cleveland, Ohio
FOUNDED 1940
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CLEVELAND LAKEFRONT WINTER BIRDING TRAIL (PDF)




 


Louisiana Waterthrush
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On December 29, 2001 Larry Rosche found
and identified a Louisiana Waterthrush in
Twinsburg along Tinker's Creek.
Photo taken by Carl Johnson

Documentation of Louisiana Waterthrush
(Seiurus motacilla)

by Larry Rosche

Location: Twinsburg, Summit County, Ohio
Date: December 29, 2001.
Observers: Twinsburg Winter Bird Count Party and members of Chrysalis in Time NABA Club
 

At approximately 11:00 AM on December 29, 2001, 1 flushed a small dark bird from a wetland area adjacent to Tinker's Creek. The bird fluttered from behind me and I briefly glimpsed it. It did not remind me of a wren, and my curiosity got the best of me. I pursued the bird and located next to a buttonbush trunk. I could only see that it had eyeliner that was very bold and swooshed upward at the back of the head. My first thought was Waterthrush, but then this is December, so I tried to rattle the Rolodex in my brain for a species. I began to think Old World Warbler. I still had not seen its front, so I asked the rest of the party to help. Cameras in hand we began to photograph this sorry individual. It began to grovel for food and showed its front to me. I said, my god it is a Waterthrush, and it sure looks like a Louisiana Waterthrush to me. I asked Stanley Stine to check the long bill, white throat, streaked, pale under parts with a buffy wash to the flanks. He noted them and asked what in the heck was it doing here? I said, "I don't think anyone will believe this one. I have seen a Northern Waterthrush in Ohio in December and January, but this bird should have been gone by September." 

The bird continued to allow close photographs and viewing, for the next hour or so. It bobbed its rear as it walked about looking for food. It would fly weekly, and I can't say the wings were all that droopy I did see it close its eyes as if to be in serious stress, but as a group we did not approach the bird close enough to have it scurrying about frantically. We simply let the bird go about its business and when it came close enough the photographers shots away Lou Gardella tried for it on December 30, but was unable to locate it. In all, nine people saw the bird and at least 8 of then were familiar with the species.

 

Page last updated on Monday April 23, 2007