Stopped at several areas around 3-Creeks park (south edge of Columbus, DeLorme p.68, A,2.5) and found it icy, slippery, and cloudy, but warm enough to ride a bike around the trails.  The recent cold & ice has defintely impacted ground foraging birds, but the first few migrants are starting to appear.  Water was mostly frozen over except for the creeks; otherwise the waterfowl list would've been decent.  The morning's list was highlighted by apparent early 'migrants':

Turkey Vulture - 1 bird cruising NW over much of the park, clearly an early migrant.
Horned Larks - plenty of them flying over at all stops.  They may already be on their way north.
E.Towhee - 2 hiding in brambles along the Blacklick Creek bikepath
Tree Sparrows - small numbers in most overgrown fields; even a few around the park feeders along the bikepath
Field Sparrow - one calling in a thicket along the Blacklick bikepath.
Redwinged Blackbirds - 2 male flyovers in different parts of the park

Who thought that Ohio's migration would start on time in this coldest of Februaries?  Bring on the waterfowl!


Rob Thorn
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EarthLink Revolves Around You.

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