I visited several areas along the Scioto River today in Columbus and nearby suburbs to check if the freezing weather had concentrated waterbirds into the remaining open water.  Stops at Long Street dam, Watermark Lake, Marble Cliff, and Griggs dam found a good mix of waterbirds, often in good numbers.  Unfortunately, the rising temperatures may allow these birds more choices over the next few days.  Notables included:

Dabbling Ducks - not much other than many Mallards & a few Black Ducks; the latter were all below Griggs dam

Diving Ducks - Watermark Lake had Redheads and a few Ring-necks, while the Scioto at Marble Cliff had 120 Ring-necks.  3 Common Goldeneye were in the waterfowl swarm along the river below Griggs dam.  Hooded Mergansers were at every stop, with the largest number 24 below the Long Street dam.

Other waterfowl - the 100+ Coots remain at Watermark Lake, even as the open water has shrunk.  Watermark also had 1 Common Loon and 1 Pied-billed Grebe

Raptors - rather light, with only Red-tails at several locations.  No Eagle today, but they have been regular along this stretch now.

Gulls - most were in roosting flocks on the ice shelf at Watermark Lake, including 100+ Ring-billed and 5 Herring.

Woodpeckers - Downies were surprisingly common; there was also a Hairy at Marble Cliff and a Sapsucker calling below Griggs dam.

Other landbirds - not much else of note except for 2 Brown creepers in the woods below Griggs dam.

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