The Columbus Audubon trip to this reservoir northeast of Columbus found a gorgeous day with some decent birding to boot. We started at the dam, then traveled north to the Walnut St. ramp, the Sunbury causeway, Area N mudflats, and Hoover Meadows. Water level on the reservoir was very low, so we were able to walk along the shore at many places normally underwater. Most shore stops had lots of birds, but the variety was a little limited. Notables from the trip included:
Waterfowl -aside from the expected Mallards & gesse, we had Green-winged Teal at the dam and AreaN, and also had Shovelers at the latter spot. No diving ducks yet, but there were several large flocks out in the middle of the north reservoir Other Waterbirds - a small flock of Coots was around the dam marina, while big flocks of cormorants were at the Sunbury causeway and Area N
Herons,Egret - Great Blues were at most stops, while Area N had a lingering Great Egret Shorebirds - Killdeer were at all the shore stops, and Area N also had some Dunlin, a Greater yellowlegs, a Snipe, and the earlier-reported Ruddy Turnstone Gulls- lots of Ring-billed Gulls along the shore stops; the only American Herring was at Area N
Raptors - lots of Vultures and red-tailed hawks at spots north of the Sunbury Bridge; the only Bald Eagle was an immature soaring over the mudflats of Area N
Woodpeckers - Red-bellies & Downies at nearly every stop; also had Red-headed at Area N Flycatchers - the only 1 was an E.Phoebe at Hoover Meadows Swallows - none that we could find Bluebirds - heard or saw them at every stop; they seem to be on the move now Mockingbirds - singles were at the Sunbury causeway and Hoover Meadows Kinglets - Ruby-crowns and Golden-crowns were at several stops, but nowhere abundant Pipits - heard singles at the dam and Area N, but couldn't see one Warblers - nothing but Yellow-rumps, but they were widespread along the shore bushes and trees Sparrows - nothing besides Songs, White-throats, and Juncos Blackbirds - Redwings and grackles were around the lower reservoir
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