Bobolink Bonanza Recap

1. Bobolink
2. Eastern Meadowlark
3. Red-wing Blackbird
4. Killdeer
5. Eastern Kingbird
6. Savanna Sparrow
7. Willow Flycatcher
8. Barn Swallow
9. Great Blue Heron
10. Cedar Waxwing
11. Yellow Warbler
12. Warbling Vireo
13. Baltimore Oriole 
14. Field Sparrow
15. Song Sparrow
16. Grasshopper Sparrow
17. Canada Goose
18. Goldfinch
19. Phoebe
20. Turkey Vulture
21. Brown Thrasher
22. Mourning Dove
23. Great Crested Flycatcher
24. Ibis
25. Orchard Oriole
26. Red-tail Hawk
27. Bluebird
28. Horned Lark
29. Wood Thrush
30. Scarlet Tanager
31. American Kestrel
32. Downy Woodpecker
33. Eastern Wood-Pewee
34. American Crow
35. Chipping Sparrow
36. Swamp Sparrow
37. Brown-Headed Cowbird
38. Common Grackle
39. House Sparrow
40. Red-eyed Vireo

June 1st not only brought a break in the weather, but over 60 people to Dickinson Cattle Company for the Bobolink Bonanza.  Between the free shirts, door prizes, and peacocks, visitors saw or heard a collective 40 birds over the reclaimed strip-land pastures.  In 2018, we saw 34 types of birds.

While most species were to be expected, two Ibis were spotted. The Ibis resembles a cross between an egret and a stork or heron and are more commonly found along coastal areas.  Perhaps these two were blown off course with the recent storms, but no one could get close enough to ask them. 

Cabelas was on hand with a variety of binoculars and a scope for demonstration. Barnesville's Country Sunshiners 4H Club provided food and donated all proceeds to fairground improvements.  Belmont Soil and Water Conservation District and Captina Conservancy were around to talk about services each organization offers.  

The Bobolink Bonanza organizers would like to thank t-shirt sponsors Belmont County Tourism Council, Woodsfield Savings Bank, and Captina Conservancy, as well as door prize donors Belmont Mills, Rural King, and Belmont Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Check out the list to the left for found birds!

Photo credit: Daniel Caron