I visited most of the Pickerington Ponds wetlands this morning, and had some early shorebirds as well as the first stirrings of landbird migration.  The water levels are quite variable, with Ellis Pond still having quite a bit of water, but the newer northern wetlands -  Wood Duck Marsh, Arrowhead Marsh -- drying down rapidly.  Highlights included

Great Egrets - 4 were hanging around Ellis Pond (along with 8-10 Great Blues and 1-2 Green Herons).

Cooper's Hawk - an adult was feeding a begging fledgeling at Portman Park.  Cooper's Hawk fledgelings are showing up all over the place, as I had two different family groups down in Groveport earlier in the morning, and have had them on OBBA blocks for the last 3 mornings.

Osprey - still 2 birds hanging around the nesting platform in the largel-dry Arrowhead marsh.

Shorebirds - fair numbers on most of the wetlands, with Ellis Pond and Pintail Marsh being the best.  Numbers were
Kildeer - 35+
Gr.Yellowlegs - 2
L.Yellowlegs - 14
Solitary Spr - 5
Spotted Spr - 4
Least Spr - 10
Semipalmated Spr - 1
WILSON'S PHALAROPE - 1 male.  This bird was at Pintail Marsh, where it was walking around the mudflats chasing flies with that odd, stooped posture distinctive to phalaropes.  Not likely to be a breeder here now, but who knows what might transpire in seasons down the years here.

E,Kingbirds - pairs at several different places.  They start to gather for migration starting now, so watch for small groups over the next 2 weeks.

Swallows - small mixed flocks over most of the wetlands, including Barn, Tree, Rough-winged and Bank

Yellow Warblers - plenty of birds flying over and giving the migrant call, so they seem to already be on the move.


Rob Thorn
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