I used this first unofficial day of Spring to bird along the Alum Creek valley from Sharon Woods (in suburban Columbus) to Alum Lake State Park 10 miles further north. Many early migrants were out, especially waterfowl, and loads of resident landbirds were singing on territories. I made 3 stops along the shore of Alum Lake (New Galena, SummerRidge, and Cheshire) and had squads of migrating waterfowl, both on the water and flying north.  Highlights included

Dabbling Ducks - small numbers of teal, wigeon and the occasional Gadwall were mixed in with the diving duck flocks and Mallards at several stops at Alum Lake.  A pari of Wood Ducks were in the inlet at SummerRidge access at Alum Lake.

Diving Ducks - lots of Lesser Scaup (500+) were scattered over 3 sites at Alum Lake, and one was even on small Shrock Lake in Sharon Woods.   A cluster of 10 Greater Scaup were with a large flock of Lessers off Summerridge access at Alum Lake.  A few Ring-necks were on Alum Lake (and 3 on Schrock Lake), but no Redheads or Canvasback could be found; presumably they've already moved through.

Diving Ducks,II - Alum Lake continued its emerging tradition of attracting 'mussel eaters', with flocks of Goldeneye and Buffleheads at all 3 stops, along with a female White-winged Scoter at SummerRidge access.  This has become a very reliable spot for scoters during early Spring.

Mergansers - small groups of Hooded Mergansers were at Schrock Lake and at the New Galena and SummerRidge accesses of Alum Lake.  Alum Lake had Red-br.Mergansers at all stops, with the biggest group being 80+ birds holed up in the Big Run inlet north of Berlin Station (seen from Cheshire access).

Other waterfowl - Horned and Pied-billed grebes were at every stop, even Schrock Lake, but no other grebes could be found.  Loons were absent, but 2 cormorants were off New Galena.  A few Coots were also lingering at this site.

Raptors - not abundant at all, with only a few Turkey Vultures and Red-tails for the entire morning.  Guess the vultures made out for Hinckley.

Swallows - a single Tree Swallow was bravely foraging over the bay at New Galena, despite no apparent insects in the cold morning wind.

Thrushes - Robins were everywhere, but in no large numbers.  No Hermit Thrushes, but one E.Bluebird was at Cheshire boat launch at Alum Lake

Sparrows - singing Song Sparrows were everywhere, but winter sparrows seemed scarce.  A few White-throats lingered at Sharon Woods, while single Fox Sparrows were at Sharon Woods and New Galena.  2 Tree Sparrows were still haunting the brambles around the parking area for SummerRidge access.

Blackbirds - Redwings, Grackles, and Cowbirds were everywhere, often in good numbers.  A single Rusty blackbird was giving its creaky song from the swampy west margin of Shrock lake.

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