Thismorning birding activity was only moderate, but constant, at Highbanks MetroPark (Lewis Center, Delaware County). We started on the Coyote Run Trail as itis usually a very good location and it has a variety of habitats. The beginningportion of the trail goes through what was once an orchard and into hardwoodforest. This area had multiple species of wood warbler including Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumpedWarbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Palm Warbler and Black-and-White Warbler.The trail eventually goes through open fields with border habitat to forestwhere we located Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throatedGreen Warbler, Palm Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-breasted Chat.Later we walked the Scenic River Trail where we located Nashville Warbler, NorthernParula, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throatedWarbler.
 
 
Along the Scenic River trail we alsolocated a very cooperative Yellow-throated Vireo and a few Warbling Vireos. Atthe Coyote Run Trail we observed several Pileated Woodpeckers. I think theirnest sight is not too far from the nature center.
 
 
Some additional species seen I thepark included Bald Eagle, Hairy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe,Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Ruby-crownedKinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, BrownThrasher, Scarlet Tanager, White-throated Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, IndigoBunting, Eastern Meadowlark and Baltimore Oriole.
 
 
In the afternoon we visited atSharon Woods Metro Park near Westerville (Franklin County) where we walked theSpring Creek Trail and the Picnic Area Trail near Schrock Lake. The bestactivity was found along the edge of Schrock Lake and the section of the SpringCreek Trail that goes through the large fields with shrubs. Warblers included NashvilleWarbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throatedGreen Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Palm Warbler and Common Yellowthroat.
 
 
 Schrock Lake had a lone Double CrestedCormorant, not a species seen there very often. While we were walking theSpring Creek Trail in its forested area I got into a gobble-off with a TomTurkey that bordered on hilarious. Wild Turkey is a misnomer at Sharon Woods.My friend Tom would be more accurate.
 
 
The section of the Spring CreekTrail through the fields produced no less than 4 Orchard Orioles and the treesalong the edge of the field 9 Baltimore Orioles.


Charlie Bombaci

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