The first waves of waterfowl 'migrants' were much in evidence in the slowly thawing Scioto River this morning. I stopped at Haul Road Lakes, Berliner Park, Marble Cliff, 5th Ave bridge, Quarry Trails riverfront, and below Griggs Dam. In most of these spots, large stretches of the river were open, and it was packed with Canada Geese, Mallards, and Diving Ducks. The northernmost stretch, just below Griggs Dam, had the biggest numbers and most variety, but birds were all along the open areas of the river. Notables included:
Canada Geese -- over 2000 along the river, with most of them -- 1200 -- below Griggs Dam Mallards -- large numbers everywhere, topped by nearly 400 below Griggs Dam Black Ducks -- the only other dabbler, with a few at Quarry Trails and below Griggs Dam Redheads -- small numbers at most stops, but 75+ were in the river below Griggs Dam Ring-necked Ducks -- most of their numbers were at Marble Cliff, Quarry Trails, and Griggs Scaup -- Lessers in multiple spots, but 2 Greaters were among the throng below Griggs Dam Canvasbacks -- 6 were at Haul Road Ponds, while another 24 were below Griggs Dam Common Goldeneyes -- groups at many locations, with displaying males Common Mergansers -- 'flocks' at Berliner Park, Quarry Trails, and below Griggs Dam Hooded Mergansers -- at virtually every stop that had open water; 50+ below Griggs Dam Cormorants -- early migrants, 4 were at Berliner, and another 2 were at the 5th Ave bridge Horned Grebe -- 1 was fishing in the spillway below Griggs Dam Gulls -- not many, and all Ring-billed Bald Eagle -- expected more, but only had an immature along the river at Quarry Trails
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