I conducted the monthly census on Sunday as part of the Lake Erie Islands Christmas Count.  Participants included Shane Roberts, Sandy Tkach, Phil Carrothers, and myself.  The warm weather had me worried as I thought birds would have left and no northern birds moved in.  As it turns out, this was the most productive December census in ten years.  The previous high number of species was 53 but this count we had 60 species.  In addition, other counters for the Christmas count lead by John Pogacnik added 9 species for the island.  So it appears that Kelleys Island had 69 species for the day but not all the data is in.  Information from South Bass, Middle Bass, North Bass and Peele Island are not in yet.     

On Saturday afternoon, John Pogacnik and I scouted the island and setup mist nets to attempt to trap Northern Saw-whets.  We caught one on Saturday night and mist/fog prevented setup on Sunday night.  But Saturday night's bird all ready had a band and it wasn't one of mine.  I will send in the data and see where the bird has been. 
                                                          ~~Tom Bartlett      

60 Species

Monday had the Merlin in one of its usual trees. Where was it on count day? Also had American Woodcock, Rock Pigeons (very uncommon on the island), Eastern Towhee, and Red-winged Blackbird. Monday night captured and banded 2 more Northern Saw-whet Owls. So there are at least three on the island.

Tuesday morning added Great Blue Heron to the count period. Kelleys could easily have had 75 species only for the Christmas count. This maybe the year for an Ohio count to break 100 species???

Tom Bartlett
Tiffin, Ohio
tomb AT tiffinohio.com