There seemed to be a number of birds worth chasing on the W side of Columbus and I did pretty well although I missed the Stilt Sandpiper which would’ve been nice to see. 

I was very lucky to see a Least Bittern at the wetland area. While scanning the far shore edge w/my scope just ahead of a Common Gallinule, I happened upon a Least Bittern standing in a narrow open area, facing the water. I was able to get another birder who was there on it before it vanished back into the reeds about 15 seconds later. We never saw the bird again and never heard it vocalize—good looks, if brief.

To leave the viewing area, we had to maneuver around a Trumpeter Swan gander standing in the trail protecting his mate and their 2 good-sized cygnets. I’ve never been that close to a Trumpeter (they really are big birds!). Given they were almost extirpated 70 years ago from the lower 48, I felt honored in a way to be hissed at by a Trumpeter Swan! 

Other birds heard and seen there:
Red-tailed Hawk
Virginia Rail (heard only)
Lesser YL
Great Egret (5 perched together when I arrived)
Green Heron
Least Bittern
Com Gallinule 
Pied-billed Grebe
Mallard
Trumpeter Swan (2 ad, 2 cygnets)
Purple Martin
Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow 
Barn Swallow
Com YT
Marsh Wren (h)
Sedge Wren—Heard & Saw briefly in flight near parking lot

I then went to Langton rd for the shorebirds. I stayed awhile hoping I’d see the Stilt SP but did not. Nice variety to look through tho:
Least SP
Semi-palmated SP
Lesser YL
Solitary SP
Spotted SP
Pectoral SP
Killdeer
SB Dowitcher 

At Heritage Park, I ticked off the imm Little Blue Heron. In the same retention pond was another Great Egret & a Great Blue.

Peggy Wang
Granville
Sent from my iPad
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