I spent the morning (and a bit of the afternoon) birding around first the northern portions of Hoover Reservoir, then Blendon Woods MetroPark in NE Columbus.  The weather was almost Summer-like, but the birding was definitely still very early Spring.  Waterfowl were thin at Hoover, a situation that wasn't helped by allowing Crew teams to practice in the formerly restricted north end of the reservoir.  Thoreau Pond at Blendon had more waterfowl diversity than all of Hoover.  Notables included:

Dabbling Ducks - a few Black Ducks, Shovelers, and Wigeon remain at Thoreau Lake along with a Wood Duck Pair.  3 pair of Wood Ducks were nest prospecting at Area I on Hoover's NW shore.

Diving Ducks - a small flock of 12 Ring-necks and a Bufflehead were at Thoreau lake, while 30 Ruddy Ducks remained off Oxbow Island.  Only a few Red-br.Mergansers were at Hoover.

Other waterfowl - about 30 cormorants were lounging around the north end of Hoover, one of the few birds nonplussed by the crew sculls.  Single Pied-billed & Horned Grebes were off Oxbow ISland, while another 2 Horned were off Area I at Hoover.

Raptors - Cooper's hawks were at several areas, including a displaying bird along Sunbury Rd at Medallion.  Small #s of Turkey Vultures were at most stops, but 30 were roosting around Twin Bridges at Hoover.

Gulls - not much, with 30+ Ring-bills and 2 Herring around Oxbow Island, and few elsewhere

Phoebe - calling birds were at Oxbow Island and Mudhen Marsh at Hoover, while 2 were at Thoreau Pond

Tree Swallows - small #s were at most stops, especially along the shore of Hoover

Brown Thrasher - an early bird was singing at Oxbow Island

Kinglets - Golden-crowns at several locations, topped by 5 at Oxbow Island

Warblers - Yellow-rumps at several locations, but no Pine Warblers at any spot

E.Towhees - 2 were calling at Hoover Meadows, while 3 were along the Sugarbush Trail in Blendon Woods

Field Sparrows - 2 were singing at Hoover Meadows

Blackbirds - Redwings at most stops, though no big flocks; no Rusties, even at Hoover Meadows

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