The blackbird roost on McKinley Ave. (between Trabue and 5th Ave.) in Columbus continues to explode with numbers of blackbirds. It's really a truly awesome sight (and sound). If anyone in Columbus still hasn't witnessed it, you probably should do it soon with the south winds blowing. 

Coming up with a number is difficult. But if people were saying that there were 10K gulls at Hoover last weekend and the blackbird flock at the Ross/Pickaway Co. line last year had a 1/4 million, then my guess today is about 250,000+ birds present with R-w Blackbirds being the most numerous.  C. Grackles come in second followed by B-h Cowbird, E. Starling and Rusty Blackbird, which are still relatively easy to find.  Unlike a couple of weeks ago, E. Starlings make up less than 5% of the flock. Brewer's no doubt are in there too, but good luck picking them out in the dim light. The birds don't arrive until the sun is going down. At 5:30 there isn't a blackbird in sight.

In response to Bill Whan's question about the gulls, it does seem that food is what is driving them to the reservoirs in central Ohio. Their arrival in these here parts is certainly welcome. The Scioto River right now has only the typical scattered Ring-billeds with a few Herring Gulls here and there - nothing out of the ordinary.

Bob Royse


Robert Royse
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www.roysephotos.com

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