Birding was interesting along a series of parks on the Scioto River near downtown Columbus this morning, just nothing unexpected. I stopped at Scioto Audubon Metropark, Long St. Dam, Marble Cliff bike path, 5th Ave Bridge & nearby Quarry Apts. Lake, and Griggs Reservoir Park, both below and above the dam. Notables included:
*Herons&Egrets* - with the rookery at Shrum Mound Quarry in full bloom, there were Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons at many spots along the river. The only Green Heron was at Quarry Apts.Lake. No Black-crownNight Herons despite a search at Scioto Audubon; an observant fisherman told me he had seen 2-3 up the river near Hayden Falls, so that might be checked out. *Cormorants* - even more so than the above, they were at pretty much every site *Waterfowl* - nothing but the expected Geese-WoodDucks-Mallards trio, often with juveniles in tow *Vultures* - TVs at several spots, but also had a BV with the cluster at Griggs Dam *Woodpeckers* - surprising numbers of Downies - they actually outnumbered Red-bellies today *Flycatchers* - no Acadians in these limited forests, but did have multiple Pewees and Great Cresteds. A Willow was calling in the meadow at Scioto Audubon. Kingbirds were there & Griggs *Vireos* - Warblings at almost every stop along the river, anywhere with cottonwoods, but also had singing Red-eyeds at Marble Cliff and Griggs. *Swallows* - small numbers everywhere, mostly Rough-wings & Trees, but a few Barns and Cliffs as well. Cliff colonies seem to be holding on at the I-70 bridge and Fishinger Road bridge. *Thrushes* - Wood Thrushes at Scioto Audubon and Griggs, and an E.Bluebird family was below the dam at Griggs *Mimids* - nothing but Catbirds, but they were abundant and at every stop, often singing *Warblers* - thin numbers, with a few yellows at Scioto Audubon and Long St.Dam, and Yellow-throated at Long St.Dam and Marble Cliff bike path. Notable were 2 singing Parulas along the old road below Griggs Dam. *Sparrows* - singing Chipping and Songs at many sites, but a singing Field at Scioto Audubon was unexpected. *Orioles *- a few Baltimores, at Scioto Audubon and Griggs, with a singing Orchard along old Whittier Rd north of the Grange Audubon Center.
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