Blue Bill Encore

As a final postscript to my post from this past Monday, April 9th, I couldn't resist reaching out to Toledo Aerial Media after my visit to East Harbor State Park. I had a really nice exchange with one of their co-owners, Phil Myers, and before long, I had him set up to come out to see -- and record -- things for himself.

If you haven't seen their work already, you owe it to yourself to check them out. Either way, enjoy their first-hand account below. Pretty awesome.

Calling All Tree Enthusiasts . . .

Most of the stock we will be planting is currently 2-3' in height;
all are hardwoods native to the immediate vacinity

Well, I'm finding ourselves in a predicament that I was really hoping we could avoid: yesterday, over 1,000 trees were delivered to the marsh three days before we expected them, and now a major rain/wind event is predicted for this upcoming weekend (when a decent number of volunteers were on-deck to help with the planting effort).

Candidly, we are in a bit of a bind.

Bare root seedlings do best if transplanted quickly -- in a matter of days -- and while still dormant. The early delivery is going to make the "quickly" part of this equation difficult. This project was choreographed to begin Friday, not Tuesday, and days matter with this type of work. The evolving (deteriorating) weather forecast and the availability of volunteers (impacted by weather) also introduces complications. The good news is, considering the forecast next week (highs in the upper 40s to low 50s), we should be okay on the dormancy front.

So how can you help? If you live in the vicinity, you may be able to assist in two ways:

(a) If you have access to tree planting hand tools (specifically dibble bars or hoedads), we may be able to utilize them for the next week or so if we can align volunteer availability with suitable weather, and

(b) if you have interest and availability during the work week to assist with on-the-ground tree planting, we could likely use your help. If you have interest in contributing either way, please Contact Us.

If you want more background on this specific project within the broader context of our woodland restoration efforts on the site, see my post from a couple weeks back. As always, thanks for the interest and support.

P.S. 4/19/18 UPDATE -- This past weekend's major storm (3"+ of rain and sustained and strong NE winds) put us further behind the eight ball. For those still interested in hands-on volunteering, we will likely host people this coming Monday (4/23) and Tuesday (4/24). All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age unless accompanied by a guardian. No experience is necessary, and the work does NOT involve any heavy lifting -- just repeated bending, if you are actually planting trees.

We may be able to host some people this weekend (4/21 & 4/22) if we continue to dry out. We will need to continue next week (4/23-27) as weather allows, but rain is once again in the forecast for mid-next week. The marsh is approximately 1 hour east of Toledo and 1 hour west of Cleveland. Come for a couple hours or come for the day. We will give marsh tours for those interested at the end of each work day. Please Contact Us if you have interest and time to help out. Thanks!

A "Spectacular Concentration" of Divers

This afternoon's view of Middle Harbor (just north of Sandusky Bay);
"One of the most spectacular concentrations of ducks I've ever seen in Ohio. . . Unbelievable!" -- E. Moxley

While my family and I were down in South Carolina for spring break (the cause for my ~week absence here), the next installment of "Spring Ducks" was building in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Roy reported "swarms" of blue wings and green wings (teal) along with persistent numbers of pintails, gadwall, wigeon, and shovelers and a typical smattering of other species (blacks, mergansers, etc.) at Standing Rush over the last 7-10 days.

The woodies haven't arrived yet, but that's not unusual, especially considering how stubborn it's been to warm up. One of the only other common species yet to be common thus far this season -- ironically -- is the most iconic of them all: the mallard. We just aren't seeing big numbers. That is strange.

Less than ideal lighting makes these bluebills
(Greater vs. Lesser Scaup) even more
difficult to differentiate

Speaking of big numbers . . . what has become noteworthy has been the diving ducks. We are seeing some in and around our marsh, but just about ten miles to our north at East Harbor State Park's Middle Harbor the "bluebills" have congregated in jaw-dropping quantities and densities over the last few days. While the photo at the top of the post looks like nothing but Greater and Lesser Scaups, there are Ring-necked Ducks, Redheads, and even some Canvasbacks sprinkled in.

While all of these "divers" are accustom to gathering in large groups as they migrate (in spring and fall), this is a regionally significant push of birds. I've come to learn it is unusual when Roy is taken aback in the marsh, and when a 350-acre expanse of recently restored open water harbors an estimated 100,000 birds, it's grounds for being taken aback.

In fact, the quote that accompanies the first caption is from a friend, former neighbor, and long-time Erie County landowner who has seen A LOT OF DUCKS in A LOT OF PLACES. But he has spent a lifetime tracking them along the shores of Lake Erie. His enthusiasm for this specific gathering is telling. There is a natural spectacle underway. Nothing beats seeing it in person, but at least these images provide a taste.

Greater or Lesser? -- I'd say Lesser, but you decide . . . 

P.S. This mass of diving ducks most certainly warranted the detour on my way home from Erie County this afternoon. It was so awe-inspiring, in fact, that I'm trying to coordinate with Toledo Aerial Media to visit the site tomorrow to capture some drone imagery -- before it's too late. They won't stick around forever. I'll update if they are able to capture them from above.

Blue-winged Teal
(two drakes and a hen)

Green-winged Teal
(solitary drake)

Back at Standing Rush 

. . . just a touch of early spring color

(as always, click to enlarge)

Two more bluewings on the feed in our West Rest Pond