Swans: My wife and I drove up Griggs Reservoir to look for the
Whistling (Tundra) Swans reported earlier. We only found a pair of
Mute Swans, just south of where Lane Rd. meets Riverside Dr.  Not sure
if these were the same swans or a different pair.  No bands were
noticed and I saw one hallux on one bird but never saw the other feet
to check for a missing hallux, which would indicate captive origins.
Whether they're feral or recently escaped from someone's pond, they
sure are friendly.

Migrating flock ID: These were almost certainly gulls headed north up
the Olentangy River to roost at Alum Creek after spending the day down
at the landfill and along the local waterways.  They can often be seen
headed south in the morning, and headed north in the evening in (at
best) U shaped or long disorganized flocks.  As far as I can tell,
they follow the river north up to around 270, then angle north-east
towards Alum Creek Reservoir.  The Alum Creek Dam is a great place to
see them all come in to roost around sundown.  Nearly all are
Ring-billed Gulls, but if you look for larger or large dark
individuals you can often find Herring Gulls among them.

While looking up in the evenings, keep an eye out for the flocks of
American Robins and Canada Geese that have been seen flying south
lately.

Good birding,
Paul Hurtado

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