I stopped at several areas around the northern edge of the Columbus Airport this afternoon, looking mostly for raptors, but finding very few of them.  Other birds stepped in to fill the gap, with the nicer weather making some late winter 'migrants' active.  Stops were Pizzuro Park, Central Park (of Gahanna), Bridgeway Dr., and Price Rd bikepath.  Notables included:

Raptors - hardly any, save for a Sharpie at Pizzuro Park and a Red-tail along the north runway (Bridgeway Dr.)
Woodpeckers - nothing but the expected, but the unusual feature was their location: most were at Central Park, away from the creekbottom of the other sites.
BrownCreepers - at least 2 were in the riparian woods along Big Walnut Creek at Pizzuro Park
Mockingbird - at least 1 was along the Price Rd bikepath
Yellow-rumped Warblers - a mini-flock of 4 was hanging around poison ivy vines at Central Park
E.Towhee - 1 was calling along the Price Rd bikepath
Tree Sparrow - singles were at Pizzuro and Price Rd
Swamp Sparrow - at least 1 was calling along Price Rd
White-thr.Sparrows - small flocks at many locations; much more active than they were during the frigid past week
Grackles - ah! Our first sign of Spring! - the grackles have returned to Columbus, with a flock of 120+ 'singing' at Pizzuro Park
Blackbirds - mixed in with the grackle flock were 5 Redwings, 4 Rusties, and 10 Cowbirds

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