I visited Slate Run MetroPark yesterday morning, then swung back to Columbus through several parks around the suburb of Groveport.  The first wave of passerine migrants, mostly winter residents from the Gulf states, is seeping through central Ohio now.  There were even some lingering waterfowl.  Highlights included

Ducks - the Slate Run wetlands had both Blue-winged & Green-winged Teal and a few Hooded Mergansers, but little else other than geese.  Flooded fields around Groveport hosted teal, shovelers, wigeon and Lesser Scaup; an especially good 'skypond' straddles old Hamilton Road just south of Cruiser Park.

Shorebirds - Kildeer & Gr. Yellowlegs were both at Slate Run Wetlands, while the old Hamilton flooded fields had those plus Lesser Yellowlegs and Pectoral Sprs.

Raptors - nothing too exciting, but there was a Cooper's Hawk and a female Harrier at the SLate Run Wetlands

Woodpeckers - Slate Run's 5-Oaks trail was alive with them, including 4+ Sapsuckers and 3+ Pileated along with the more common residents.  The Slate Run wetlands parking area also had a good assortment.

Phoebes - common at most places.  They seem to be an unusually common early migrant this year.  Recently-arrived pairs already appear to have staked out some of the footbridges along the 5-Oaks trail at Slate Run.

Creepers,Kinglets - Brown Creepers were common in many areas, led by 5+ at the 5-Oaks trail.  Golden-cr.Kinglets were equally common, but only a single Ruby-crowned was found (at Groveport's Blacklick Park)

Hermit Thrush - several locations, led by 3 at Slate Run's 5-Oaks trail

Brown Thrasher - several locations; best views were of a very accomodating pair hanging around the Slate Run wetlands parking area.

Warblers - Yellow-rumps were at most stops, but in sparse numbers.  No Yellow-throateds here (but I did run across 2 along Big Walnut creek in Gahanna in the afternoon).  3 Louisiana Waterthrushes were singing in the ravines along the 5-Oaks trail.

E.Meadowlarks - singing in several locations, including the SlateRun Wetlands, Berger Rd. and Groveport's Cruiser Park.

E.Towhee - almost abundant in many areas.  Every stop had them, often in numbers, led by 8+ in song along the 5-Oaks trail.

Sparrows - Chipping Sparrows were singing everywhere, so they're arriving in force.  Field Sparrows were singing at most locations as well.  Fox Sparrows were at both the 5-Oaks Trail and the Groveport Blacklick Bikepath.  A Swamp Sparrow was singing at Groveport's Blacklick Park, and White-throateds were singing there and at several other locations.

It was a classic early Spring morning, with lots of singing birds, even if it was too early for most Neotropical migrants.  Slate Run still seems to be a very good trap, and the wetlands parking area there is worth a stop almost anytime.  The wetlands there were very water-filled, but the trail was surprisingly dry, so this is a good time for a visit (although the expected rain/snow might change that quickly).

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