Every year there is a lot of attention paid to the returning buzzards of Hinckley Ridge. This event happens on March 15, "The Ides of March". If you have read these columns over the years, or caught my old radio programs, you know that these big birds arrive in Marion before they get to Hinckley. On February 27th I found two buzzards flying over Route 529 on the south edge of Marion County. These large birds, actually part of the stork family were a week early arriving in Marion County.
Now you can take this information and $.99 to the nearest restaurant and get a cup of coffee. Behind the scenes, the buzzard or Turkey vulture as it is known, is a very interesting bird. Starting with its Latin name, "Cathartes aura", which means "cleansing breeze, these vultures migrates south each fall as far as Florida. They generally clear Marion County by the end of October and arrive back in early March.
Some things you might like to tell your friends include facts such as the Turkey vulture is not classified as a bird of prey. These vultures are scavengers and cannot kill their prey. During the warm months you might find a group of vultures roosting in a tree and under close inspection you might see their wings extended slightly. This process cools their bodies prior to taking off.
The Turkey vulture is a family oriented bird and will stay close to its partner. The vultures have a six-foot wing span but weigh a mere 3 pounds. Chances are you will never get too close to one, this will prevent you from having the bird regurgitate on you, which would be worse than encountering a skunk.
On warm summer days you might see as many as 20 vultures circling in a thermal uplift. This gives them the lift they need to fly long distances. A group such as this is known as a "kettle". If you are interested in learning more about the Turkey vulture, there are many web pages devoted to them. Believe it or not, there are Turkey vulture societies dedicated to education and preservation of this bird. Aren't you glad you decided to read this column?
Last year as warm spring evenings we were serenaded by tree frogs that cling to structures other than just trees. During the daylight hours, the red-bellied woodpecker has the same song. I can hardly wait for all this to begin once again.
The very first spring treat is the dandelion. Harvested early, this green leafed plant can make a nutritious salad. The best method to serve dandelions is to wilt them in hot water along with vinegar, sugar, onions and fried bacon pieces. If you look closely at salads served in fine restaurants, you will see dandelion greens among other leafy ingredients.
Just think how much time and money is used to rid our lawns of these plants. I was interested to hear that Martha Stewart has been eating dandelion flowers while in prison. The flowers are slightly sweet. The flower is one of the ingredients in dandelion wine.
Our yearly battle with potholes is just developing. We have complained about them since time began. One might just as well slow down and take them in stride. City and highway crews will get to them as time permits. If you think some of our roads are bad, try driving through Morrow County where pot holes are a way of life and not just a spring time problem.
For those of you that bicycle regularly, you might consider the Mohican Valley Trail that begins in Danville. You will have to share the trail with Amish buggies, but it is very intriguing as far as getting out into the wilds. You can access this trail at the end of the Kokosing Gap Trail that begins in Mt Vernon. The Mohican Valley Trail is not asphalted. You will ride on stone dust and ruts. After completing this ride you will want to completely clean your chain and other moving parts. This trail is only four miles in length and near the end passes through the "Bridge of Dreams", Ohio's longest covered bridge.
