A trip to Slate Run MetroPark (northeast Pickaway County) and nearby preserves along Walnut Creek (southeast Franklin County) found mild temperatures and some early winter 'migrants', including:

Waterfowl - Slate Run wetlands had a mixed flock of Wigeon, Redhead, and Ring-necked Ducks
Red-shouldered Hawk - an adult was flying over the Slate Run wetlands
Kestrels - widespread, with 3 along Walnut Creek (Bareis & Kelley Preserves) along with birds along Winchester Pike and the I-270 outerbelt of Columbus
Killdeer - singles in many different places
Barred Owl - one was being harassed by flock birds along the Maple Loop at Slate Run
N.Flickers - good #s at several spots suggested a minor movement; slate Run was tops with 12 birds
Pileated Woodpeckers - at least 2 were calling in the ravines along the 5-Oaks Trail at Slate Run
Horned Larks - flyovers were at several different locations
Mockingbird - scarce here this winter, so one was at Bareis Preserve was noteworthy
Tree Sparrows - only 2 at the Slate Run wetland, but a flock of 20 was at Bareis Preserve
White-crowned Sparrows - also scarce hereabouts, so 12 at Bareis was noteworthy
Swamp Sparrows - 2 were still in the reedbeds around the Slate Run wetlands
Blackbirds - Red-wings and Grackles were widespread, with the Slate Run wetlands tops with 15 of the former and 30 of the latter

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