I spent the morning hiking around several areas along this river in Columbus and points north, surveying Whetsone Park, Antrum Lake Park, and the Big Meadow area of Highbanks MetroPark.  This corridor is one of the major greenspaces in north-central Columbus and acts as a good migrant funnel. There were fair numbers of temperate migrants out, but migration appears to be winding down for most of them here.  Highlights included:

Waterfowl - the river was high, so there weren't very many waterfowl along it other than the expected mallards & wood ducks.  Antrum Lake had 5 Pied-billed Grebes and 15 Coots.

Raptors - surprisingly few, but they did include several Turkey Vultures and a calling Red-shouldered Hawk at Highbanks

Swallows,Flycatchers - no swallows, but 1-2 Phoebes were flycatching around the Big Meadow in Highbanks

Corvids - small numbers of Blue Jays at most stops, but 15-20 were flying around the oaks encircling the Big Meadow area

Horned Larks - had single flyovers at every stop; they are usually one of the last migrants in the Autumn here.

Thrushes - Bluebirds were at several stops, as were small flocks of Robins.  2 Hermit Thrushes were lurking in the riparian area at Antrum.

Creeper,Kinglets - creepers at every stop, often more than 1; golden-crown kinglets common at all stops, while Ruby-crowns have become less common.

Cedar Waxwings - small flocks at several stops, with a bigger flock of 50+ birds at the southern end of Antrum Lake.

Warblers - Yellow-rumps still common everywhere, but also found 1 Nashville in the new Prairie Meadow at Whetstone.

Sparrows - good morning, with all the common species represented.  Best were a Lincoln's at the Prairie Meadow at Whetstone and a White-crown at Big Meadow.  WHite-throateds and Songs were downright common at all stops.

There was hardly a dull moment, even though rarities were hard to come by.  Perhaps the most underrated spot in Columbus right now is the new Prairie Meadow at Whetstone Park.  Situated right near the mouth of Adena Creek, this spot is truly golden; I had 26 species around there in about a half hour, including 7 sparrow species.   If you have a long lunch, it's probably worth a stop this next week.

Rob Thorn
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EarthLink Revolves Around You.

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