The Columbus Audubon trip this morning found Hoover reservoir ice-free and windy, with few waterbirds other than gulls.  The more interesting birds were landbirds hiding in several wind-less zones.  We checked out the dam area, Walnut Street launch, Maxtown launch, and Sunbury causeway, then backtracked to visit Inniswood and Blendon Woods MetroParks.  Highlights included:

Dabbling Ducks - 2 N.Shovelers were in the dam spillway at Hoover, while Thoreau Lake at Blendon Woods had 1 Wigeon & 1 Green-winged Teal among the reduced throng of Black Ducks & Mallards

Hooded Mergansers - about 40 were on the reservoir north of Hoover dam

Common Loon - 1 distant individual was feeding north of the Sunbury causeway

Pied-billed Grebe - 1 was hanging around the marina area next to Hoover Dam

Gulls - a flock of 350+ Ring-bills was near the dam early; no other species were seen with them.

Red-br.Nuthatch - 1 continues to frequent the feeders at Inniswood

Ruby-cr.Kinglet - 1 was foraging in the comparatively windless area below Hoover Dam

Yellow-rumped Warblers - 1-2 were seen at Walnut St. launch, Maxtown boat launch, and Blendon Woods

Tree Sparrows - a few were at almost every stop, topped by 10+ around Blendon Woods

Snow Buntings - the 2 at the Hoover marina rockspit continue to be easily found

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