I hit several sites along or near the Scioto River this morning and afternoon, hoping for some early migrants, and also checking on the Shrum Mound rookery (independently of Bill Whan).  The cooler weather made for more pleasant if not more productive birding.  I started at Griggs Dam area in the morning, then visited Shrum Mound and Marble Cliff later in the afternoon.  Notables included:

Waterfowl - nothing other than the expected geese mallards, and a few Wood Ducks.
Cormorants - commuters all along the river, mostly headed to or from Shrum Mound quarry island, where I tallied 80 birds, with perhaps 50 visible nests

Herons - lots of commuting Great Blues - they had 45 birds and perhaps 40 nests at Shrum Mound
Egrets - few commuters ( only saw 1 at Marble Cliff) - they had 18 birds and 10 nests at Shrum Mound
Vultures - a flock of 18-20 Turkey Vultures at Griggs Dam were joined by 1 Black Vulture
Osprey - 1 was soaring and calling over Watermark Lake near Marble Cliff
Pileated Woodpecker - 1 was calling in the riparian area below Griggs Dam, an unusual place for them.
Swallows - only Trees and Rough-wings, and not very many of them either
Gnatcatchers - still going strong, with good #s (5-8) at every stop
Kinglets - Ruby-crowns at every stop, while the only Golden-cr. was below Griggs Dam
CedarWaxwings - a small group of 4 was along the bikepath at Marble Cliff
Warblers - singing Yellow-throated at Griggs and Marble Cliff.  Both also had small flocks of Yellow-rumps
Sparrows - small flocks of White-throateds added to the expected singing Chipping and Songs here
Blackbirds - plenty of Red-wings, Grackles, and Cowbirds at each stop.

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