I ran a 'wetlands loop' through southern Franklin & northern Pickaway Counties, looking for concentrations of ducks and marsh birds with some success.  This area is in the upper reaches of the 'Scioto Bottoms', the flat flood-prone area running from Chillicothe up to Columbus, and had lots of man-made ponds, quarries, and flooded fields (especially close to the Scioto).  Waterfowl distribution seemed 'stochastic' (random), with some areas crowded with ducks while other equally good areas were barren.  Waterfowl seemed to favor actual wetlands over flooded fields and quarries.  Highlights included

Geese& Swans - Canada Geese  were the most widespread waterfowl, and almost all were in pairs.  A single Mute Swan and a single Tundra Swan were a the Slate Run Wetlands.

Dabbling Ducks - Mallards were widespread, but nowhere in big flocks.  4 N. Shoveler & 4 Blue-winged Teal were in a flooded farmfield along Hamilton Rd just north of Groveport, while 10 Wigeon & 6 Green-winged teal were at the Slate Run Wetlands

Diving Ducks - A sizeable flock of Ring-necks, 300, were scattered over several pools at the Slate Run Wetlands, while a few Ring-necks & some 40 Lesser Scaup were at the Hamilton Rd field.

Mergansers - Hooded were at several locations, with 14 at Slate Run being the highest total

Grebes (Not) & Coots - No grebes of any variety, which was surprising given the variety of wetlands.  Small flocks of Coots everywhere; more common than Mallards, at least for today

Gulls - very few except for a big flock of 150+ Ring-bills working a flooded field on the north side of Mackey's Ford.  This area, where SR 762 crosses the Scioto, was extensively flooded but had surprisingly few ducks.

Vultures - small numbers of Turkey Vultures at most locations, but no large numbers anywhere here.

Bald Eagles - 1 adult soaring over a Big Walnut Creek at Lockbourne Rd.

Other raptors - Red-tails at several locations, including a nesting pair along Berger Rd.  An adult Red-shouldered was soaring over the Slate Run wetlands, perhaps a member of the pair that nests further east in the park.  Kestrels were conspicuously scarce, with only 2 found the entire morning.

Tree Swallows - none in the expected places (Slate Run, Mackey's Ford), but a flock of 90+ were foraging for insects over a quarry along SR 317.

American Pipits - single flyovers were at Slate Run Wetlands and Mackey's Ford.

Blackbirds - Redwings & grackles widespread.  A large mixed flocks that included Redwings, grackles, cowbirds, and some 60+ RUSTY BLACKBIRDS was along Berger Rd in SE Franklin county.  This small road runs through some farms and a man-made marsh and is very reliable for a good mix of birds, including blackbirds.

Sparrows - Song sparrows widespread.  2-3 Tree sparrows and a Fox Sparrow mixed in with the birds around the feeder at the Slate Run wetlands, while a few Swamp sparrows were scattered along the wetlands trail (along with many Song Sparrows)

Rob Thorn
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