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October 2010

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From:
rob thorn <[log in to unmask]>
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rob thorn <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:13:09 -0400
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I spent the morning of Mole day hunting for landbird migrants, then waterbird migrants at these 2 MetroParks Southeast of Columbus.  After a chilly start, the mild, sunny weather made for a great morning to be out.  Migrants were definitely of the late variety, with temperate landbirds at Blacklick and lingering shorebirds and the first glimmers of waterfowl at Pickerington Ponds.  Notables included:

Herons - hardly any, with only a few Great Blue Herons at Pick Ponds.  The water level at Teal Pond is very low, and Wood Duck & Arrowhead marshes are bone dry.

Waterfowl - Teal Pond, or what's left of it, had lots of dabblers, including Mallards, Green-winged Teal (20), Shovelers (15), Wigeon (2), and Pintail (5).  Ellis Pond which is still quite full, had 15+ Shovelers and 30 Black Ducks.

Shorebirds - Teal Pond had little other than a few Kildeer and 2 Wilson's Snipes feeding actively.  Ellis Pond, especially the mudflats of the east bay, had many more shorebirds, with 40 Kildeer, 1 L.Yellowlegs, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers, 3 Least Snadpipers, 4 Dunlin, and another Snipe.  The best viewing spot is not the parking lot along Wright Road, but the road shoulder about 100 yds west of there; bring a scope, as the flats are quite far away.

Raptors - very few, although 2 Kestrels were along the road near Teal Pond

Nuthatch,Creepers - 2 Red-br.Nuthatches were along the Mutli-use trail at Blacklick; look for them in the pines south of the Sassafras Picnic area turn-off.  Brown Creepers were more numerous, with 5+ at Blacklick, plus 2 at Portman Park and more at Pick Ponds, so they are likely on the move.

Wrens, Kinglets - no Winter Wrens were found, indicating the migrants mave be through; winter residents are the likely ones from here on out.  Only Golden-crowned Kinglets were seen, with small #s at every stop.

Thrushes - flocks of Robins were everywhere, espcially along Blacklick Creek where honeysuckle bushes look to have a decent berry crop.  The only Hermit Thrush was along the road at Blacklick Woods, while 2-3 E.Bluebirds were at both parks.

Larks,Pipits - no pipits, but there were a few Horned Lark flyovers at both parks.

Warblers - nothing but Yellow-rumps, but they were in good numbers (10+) at every stop.

Sparrows - decent diversity, though numbers were down; the list included Field, Chipping, Song, Swamp, White-crowns, White-throated, and Junco.  Swamp Sparrows and Field Sparrows were unusually widespread, with birds at Blacklick, Portman, and 2 spots in Pick Ponds.

Blackbirds, Starlings - nothing startling, though there were small early flocks of Redwings flying south over Blacklick.  Large flocks of Starlings are accumulating along Blacklick Creek south of the park where berry bushes are in fruit.

Finches - no winter strays, but Goldfinches were quite common, with a flock of 120 on the Blacklick Multi-use trail as the high.

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