This MetroPark southeast of Columbus was clear, cold, and windy this morning.  Water levels are quite low, so most of the waterbirds were concentrated in Teal Pond.  Most of the landbirds were hiding in a few windless patches, but it was a challenging day to find them.  Nearby Chatterton Greenbelt was a little more wind-sheltered, and the wetland here also had some water left.  Highlights were:

Shorebirds - Teal Pond had 1 Gr.Yellowlegs, 6 Kildeer, 2 Least Sandpipers, 3 Long-billed Dowitchers, and 2 Wilson's Snipe.  Chatterton wetlands had 5 Kildeer and 4 Gr.Yellowlegs

Waterfowl - Teal Pond had 150 mallards, 70 Green-winged Teal, 10 Shovelers, 4 Gadwall, 5 Coots, 2 Black Ducks, and 2 Pied-billed Grebes.  Nearby Ellis POnd also had water, but only had 7 Black Ducks.

Woodpeckers - most were at Chatterton, but the Wood Duck picnic area at PickPonds had a juvenile RED-HEADED for a while before it flew off to the east.

Thrushes - small flocks of Robins at Chatterton, along with a calling Catbird.  This is often a very good spot for late mimids; I've had all 3 here well into December.

Warblers - mostly Yellow-rumps, but Chatterton Greenbelt had an ORANGE-CROWNED.  It was in the hedgerow along the bikepath west of the main pond.

Sparrows - Song Sparrows were most abundant at every spot, followed by Field.  A few White-crowns and Swamps were scattered at several sites at Pick Ponds, while Chatterton had a Chipping and White-throats

Blackbirds - early flight of small flocks of Redwings over Pick Ponds, all headed south; I counted 240 in 1 hour at Wood Duck pond (between 9-10), but the #s quickly fell later in the morning

Finches - no Pine siskins at Pick Ponds, but heard 1-2 at Chatterton.  Apparently the former must be a little too tree-less for their tastes.  Goldfinches were common at both sites.

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