I checked out migrant 'traps' (read 'New Galena and Oxbow Island') at these two reservoirs north of Columbus, looking for late landbirds and migrating waterfowl. Waterbirds are changing quickly, while landbird migration is in its last stages. New Galena had only a small number of flyovers; in fact, more birds were feeding on a massive wild grape crop around the trails there. Oxbow had disappointing numbers of both landbirds & waterbirds, but nearby Wiese Rd. access had some interesting shorebirds. Highlights included:
Waterfowl - Alum had lots of Coots and a small furtive flock of Lesser Scaup off New Galena. Oxbow had several small flocks of Hooded Mergansers, along with 20+ cormorants off the east end, but the small rafts of waterfowl from several days ago have moved on. Expect this to change daily from now through early December, so it's always worth a look.
Shorebirds - little at New Galena besides a few Kildeer, but the upper reaches of Hoover off Wiese Rd access had 36+ Kildeer, 8 Least Sandpipers, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, and 1 Long-billed Dowitcher, along with a small flock of mixed gulls (Herring, Ring-billed, and Bonapartes)
Raptors - New Galena had a flyby Peregrine that harassed a single flying Canada Goose. At first the size disparity made me think it was a Merlin, until I got a better look at it. It repeatedly made short stoops on the goose, until the exasperated waterfowl landed on the water, then left it alone. Apparently the falcon just wanted it out of the air.
Thrushes - E.Bluebird migration appears to be gearing up, with 4 birds flying past New Galena and another 4 over Oxbow. November is often an excellent time to find wandering flocks of them. Robin movement has cooled considerably, with only about 55 passing over New galena in the hour there.
Waxwings - lots of small flocks wherever there was fruit to be had. Perhaps 30 were scattered around the trails at New Galena, while another 20 were on Oxbow Island
Larks,Pipits - flyover Horned larks were at every stop, but never more than a few. 3 Pipits flew over New Galena, but several small flocks of them were roaming over the mudflats off Wiese rd, totalling 25+ birds.
Warblers - nothing but Yellow-rumps, but fair #s of them. 10 single birds flew south over New Galena, so they may still be arriving (and departing).
Sparrows - WHite-throated and Junco flocks were at many locations, while single Towhees were at New Galena and Oxbow. New Galena also had a Fox Sparrow; the thick tangles along the trails here can hold them well into December.
Blackbirds - surprisingly few, with only a few small flocks of Redwinged Blackbirds flying over New Galena early.
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