On this chilly last morning of April I visited several parks that dot Blacklick Creek as it winds through the flatlands SE of Columbus.  Because this area was extensively farmed, creek riparian woods are about the only forest left, even as it converts to housing subdivisions.  Many of these parks are now surrounded by tract housing and can trap and concentrate migrants.  I stopped by 3 of them: Reynoldsburg's Civic park, the Multi-use trail in Blacklick Woods MetroPark, and the Chatterton Greenbelt.  There was a fair bit of activity, so that the cold weather is slowing but not stopping migration.  Highlights included:

Waders - the Chatterton wetlands, even though high, held 6-7 Great Blue Herons, Kildeer, Greater & lesser yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, and Least Sandpipers.  If the rains wane, this site should become very good.

Great Horned Owls - 1 was lurking in the RCP riparian strip (where they don't nest).  The nest where Brice Rd crosses the Chatterton Greenbelt (at Blacklick Creek) was owl-less, suggesting that the large juvenile seen 10 days ago has fledged.

Chimney Swifts - small flocks were at all stops, with some of the flocks careening down to the Chatterton wetlands for drinks.

Flycatchers - still only Phoebes were widespread here

Swallows - many Rough-wings were at each park, suggesting nesting along many of the banks of Blacklick Creek.

Vireos - singing Blue-headed were at RCP and Blacklick, while Chatterton had several Warbling Vireos.  Singing White-eyeds were at both Blacklick (2) and Chatterton.

Kinglets - small #s of Ruby-crowns could still be found at each site.

Wrens - House Wrens have arrived in big numbers here, singing from almost every forest edge.  I counted 35+ in a bit over 2 hours.

Thrushes - Blacklick had a Swainsons, while Chatterton had a Veery, and all sites had several Wood Thrushes

Mimids - Catbirds have also arrived in bulk, with lots of singing birds at all 3 sites.  RCP had its usual 2-3 singing Mockingbirds and a Brown Thrasher, while Chatterton had a few more Mockingbirds.

Warblers - this was about the only group of migrants to be mostly AWOL.  There were a few Yellow-rumps at each site, along with expected Yellow-throated, Yellows, and Common Yellowthroats.  The only obvious migrants were a singing Tennessee at RCP and Palms, Black&White, & Nashvilles at Chatterton.

Grosbeaks,Buntings - Rose-br.Grosbeaks are starting to peak, with 2 singing males at both Blacklick and Chatterton.  The latter site also had a singing Indigo Bunting.

Sparrows - still plenty of small flocks of White-throats at all 3 sites, along with territorial Chippings and Fields.

Orioles - Baltimores were at all 3 sites, while Orchards were at Blacklick and Chatterton.

Purple Finch - a single male was singing at Chatterton.

Mammals - the cold weather seems to be making them frisky, with plenty of Woodchucks & Deer out at all 3 sites.  The Chatterton Wetlands had several swimming Muskrats, and I even had a Red Fox lope through a meadow at RCP.

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