I made a foray around this old airbase-turned-commercial airport in southern Franklin/northern Pickaway Counties today.  The area contains large swaths of farmland & grassland on its western, southern, and eastern edges, along with several wooded areas that act as reasonable traps for migrants and strays.  The day was revealing as much for what was missing as what was found.  Notables included:

Raptors - Red-tails in many places, but no Kestrels

Cuckoos - none, despite this being a good place for them, especially along Big Walnut Creek (west) and Walnut Creek (east).

Flycatchers - plenty of expected Phoebes & Pewees.  Willow Flycatchers were in the scrubby areas along Airbase Rd, and E.Kingbirds were at several locations.

Vireos - Warblings were common along the 2 big Creeks, while Red-eyed were in several of the woodlots.  White-eyed were singing along Canal St. near Lockbourne, a regular site for them.

Thrushes & Mimids- Wood Thrushes were surprisingly common in the small woodlots around the airport, while a singing Brown Thrasher along Airbase Rd was a pleasant surprise.  Gray Catbirds were common everywhere.

Wood Warblers - Yellow warblers & Common Yellowthroats were abundant, and several Yellow-throated Warblers were singing on territories around Lockbourne, but the prize was a late Wilson's in a woodlot on the SE part of the airport.

Sparrows - Lots of Chipping, Field, and Song, but no Savannah, Grasshopper, or Vesper, which is unusual for this route.

Icterids - plenty of Grackles feeding young, and Redwings on territories along marshy ditches.  Singing Orchard Orioles were along Canal St. and the Old London-Lancaster Rd., while several Baltimores were along Big Walnut Creek near Lockbourne.

Other migrants - loads of Indigo Buntings were scattered over many locations, while a singing Rose-br.Grosbeak were at Lockbourne and a Scarlet Tanager was along Airbase Rd.


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