I visited parts of these 2 reservoirs north of Columbus in search of unusual migrants. I focused on the areas that tend to be the best funnels for migrants: SE Alum Lake (Plumb Rd access and New Galena) and N Hoover (Wiese Rd and Area M-N). These two areas are surprisingly close (< 10 minutes drive), and offer quite a spectrum of habitats. Lots of stuff was on the move this morning, with small mixed flocks at many areas. Notables included:
Herons - the shoreline at Alum is too high, but Hoover is starting to show some mudflats, which attracted 7 Great Egrets and 10 Great Blue Herons between Wiese Rd and Area N.
Shorebirds - despite the increasing mud, shorebirds were not yet common at Hoover. What was there were 20 Kildeer, 6 Lesser Yellowlegs, and a flock of 6 Stilt Sandpipers (in the bay next to Dustin Rd). The best early spot for sandpipers at Hoover is usually the Eastside flats (which I didn't visit this morning).
Raptors - a Sharp-shinned Hawk was lurking along Plumb Rd access, while a juvenile Red-tail was patrolling Wiese Rd. No eagles of Osprey noted at either reservoir.
Swifts - small numbers were cruising past the point at New Galena and the boardwalk at old Galena, but they are waning in numbers. Several roosts in nearby Westerville still attracted a collective 600 birds this evening.
Woodpeckers - a Red-headed was calling along the old road in Area N at Hoover. With Charlie Bombaci's reports of this species in the vicinity, this might be the new 'go-to' spot for this species in central Ohio.
Flycatchers - Pewees were at several locations, and New Galena had both a Phoebe and an Acadian Flycatcher
Vireos - surprisingly no Red-eyed at any sites, but New Galena still held 3 calling White-eyed Vireos
Wrens - still numbers of House Wrens at several locations, but a bit early was a WINTER WREN along the old road at Plum Rd. access.
Thrushes - nice movement, especially apparent at Alum where there were 20+ Swainson's, 2 Gray-cheeked, and 1 late-ish Wood Thrush in 1.5 hours. There was not a location that didn't have a few Swainson's.
Mimids - loads of Catbirds at nearly every stop; New Galena alone had over 50. The trails at New Galena also still held 2 Brown Thrashers.
Cedar Waxwings - possibly the most common bird of the morning, with small flocks of 10-20 everywhere, mostly flycatching for insects along the shoreline trees and bushes.
Warblers - good numbers, but the bulk of them were Magnolias (15+) and Redstarts (10+). Also seen were Cape May (4+), Black-thr.Blue, Black-thr.Green, Yellow-rumped (FOS), Black&White, Blackpoll, Wilson's, and Common Yellowthroat
Icterids - no lingering orioles, but an early flyover flock of 120 Redwings at New Galena was a taste of Fall to come.
Grosbeaks/Buntings - Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were at New Galena and Wiese, while the only Indigo Bunting was one along the power-line cut at Wiese.
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