The Columbus Audubon trip to locations along the gorge of the Scioto River in Dublin (NW Columbus suburb) found a cold morning with fair numbers of temperate migrants.  We made stops at Kiwanis Park, Shewanee Falls, Donegal Cliffs Park, and O'Shaughnessy Dam (the last stop after finishing). Water levels were high, but few waterbirds other than the expected Canada Geese and Mallards were found.  Highlights from the morning included:

Cormorant - 1 was high and flying north over Kiwanis, but none were above the dam (where a rowing regatta was in progress).

Wood Ducks - 2-3 pairs were flying around Kiwanis prospecting for nest sites.

Great Blue Herons - there was a constant low-level commuter traffic of singles flying up and down the Scioto River.

Cooper's Hawks - the group was regaled by a pair of courting birds at Shewanee Falls trail.  Everyone there now knows what male and female Cooper's sound like.

Chimney Swifts - 2 were flying around over Kiwanis

Sapsuckers - good movement, with 3 at Kiwanis, another at Shewanee, and 2 more at Donegal.  The Kiwanis birds were remarkably obliging, giving us close looks.

Pileated Woodpeckers - a pair was busy excavating a presumptive nest cavity on forested property next to Donegal Cliffs Park.

Swallows - Tree swallows were abundant at Kiwanis, and a few Barn Swallows were there also.  Single Rough-wings were there and at Shewanee and O'Shaughnessy dam.

Brown Creepers - singles were at evey stop, indicating some movement of these cryptic birds.

Gnatcatchers - a courting pair was closely observed at Donegal Cliffs, while distant singers were heard at Shewanee and O'Shaughnessy.

Kinglets - Ruby-crowns were at Kiwanis and Donegal, while a Golden-crown was at the nearby Sawmill preserve (during a pre-trip stop).

Hermit Thrush - 2 were foraging in the scrub along the trail at Donegal Cliffs.

Warblers - 1-2 Yellow-rumps were singing at Kiwanis, while a Yellow-throated was on territory at Donegal Cliffs.

Sparrows - White-throated numbers were down, with only 5-6 singing at Kiwanis as the high number.  A singing Swamp Sparrow there was heard but never seen.

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