Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Fall Census

September 13, 2003
By Dwight Chasar

You couldn't argue with the weather. It was beautiful. But each of us was asking, "where were the birds?" Most of us were not seeing many species. At lunch I reported that we had collectively seen 90 species, fairly normal for the fall census. However, I had missed four species on the lists, so that meant 94 species in the morning. Not bad.

Several of us went to the old coliseum property in the afternoon. While this did not add new species, it helped with Savannah Sparrow numbers. Ann and I went to Jaite in the evening to watch for migrating Common Nighthawks and came away with a flock of 11 at 7:20 pm, and a second Kestrel. The Tanquist party, which covered the boy-scout camps, later reported by email a Wilson's Warbler and an Osprey. So the total of 97 species was third best for the fall census, next to 103 and 101 (twice). By the way, there were 44 participants, highest ever for a fall census.

The following species had lower than average numbers of individuals seen: grackles, chickadees, crows, Mallards, gulls, rock doves.

Thanks for all the help. You are all good sports. The Cuyahoga Falls Christmas Bird Count will be December 14, 2003 and the spring CVNP census will be May 8, 2004. Hope to see all of you there.

By Dwight Chasar, Volunteer, CVNP

BIRDS REPORTED ON THIS CENSUS
93 SPECIES