The Columbus Audubon trip to Darby Creek found Spring-like weather, if not Spring-like birds.  The trip started at the Darby Bend Lakes area of Prairie Oaks MetroPark, then moved to the new Darby Creek Drive wetlands and Greenway Trail of Battelle-Darby MetroPark about 4-6 miles further south.  The mild temperatures made for completely open water, and there were quite a few migrant waterfowl at Prairie Oaks, with less at the new Darby Drive wetlands.  Landbirds were mostly residents, with only a few early migrants.  Notables included:

Canada Geese - many everywhere, but especially at Darby Bend Lakes
Snow Goose - 1 flyby with Canadas at Darby Bend lakes
Wood Ducks - 3-4 were flying along Darby Creek at Darby Bend lakes
Mallards - less common than expected
Black Ducks - a few at Darby Drive wetlands
Green-winged teal - 16 flew off of the pond off Beach Rd early in the morning
N.Shoveler - 1 pair was flying around Darby Bend lakes
N.Pintail - 2 were flyovers at Beach Rd
Redhead - a large flock of 60-70 was on Darby Bend lakes early, before flying off north
Lesser Scaup - 4-5 were flying around Darby Bend lakes
Ring-necked Duck - 1 was with the Rehead at darby bend lakes
Kildeer - calling and displaying at Darby Bend Lakes and at the Darby Creek Drive wetlands
Horned Grebes - 2 were at Darby Bend Lakes
Ring-billed Gulls - only a few at each spot
Red-tailed Hawks - 1 at Darby Bend Lakes (near a likely nest), 2-3 along the Darby Greenbelt trail
Great Horned Owl - occupying a Red-tail nest along the Ripple Rock trail at Darby Bend Lakes
Pileated Woodpecker - 1 continually calling in the riparian strip along Darby Creek at Darby Bend
Tree Sparrows - flocks at several locations; so odd to see them with such warm weather!
Meadowlarks - several at DBL, as well at Amity Rd fields, and along Darby Creek Drive
Redwinged Blackbirds - displaying males at many locations, small flyover flocks common as well

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