I visited Innis Park and Tanager Woods, both along a stretch of the Alum Creek Greenway in Columbus.  As such, they're mostly riparian woods with neighboring patches of meadow and housing tracts.  They're also a fairly good barometer of how the early Spring has altered the landscape for Columbus breeding birds.  Today's notables included:

Red-shouldered Hawk - none at Tanager Woods (where they've bred for many years), but there was an adult calling at Innis.

Flycatchers - bonanza year so far, with 2-4 of Acadian, Pewee, and Great Crested at both spots, double what is usually here.

Vireos - 3-4 Red-eyed at each park, plus 1 Warbling at Innis, a bit of an above-average haul here.

Wrens- Carolinas abundant, with 4 at Innis and 5 at Tanager Woods.  House Wrens strangely uncommon, with 2 and 3, respectively.

Gnatcatchers - another bird in increased numbers, with 6-8 at each park, well above their usual here.

Thrushes - 2 Wood Thrushes in each park, slightly above average here.  No Bluebirds in either location.

Cedar Waxwings - low #s, with only a few pairs in each location.  Few mulberries or serviceberries here.

Warblers - Parulas common, with 2 at Innis and 1 at Tanager Woods.  1 Yellow at Innis, Yellow-throated at both parks, and 1 Yellowthroat at TanagerWoods, about average.

Tanagers - none, which is not unusual here, since the tiny amount of upland forest here can't support them.
IndigoBuntings - 2-3 at each park, about average.

Sparrows - a few Chipping and Songs at each park, about on target with years past

Blackbirds - a few Redwings and grackles at each spot, along with 3-5 cowbirds.  Average.

Orioles - adults with fledglings at each spot.  Average.

So what's it mean? Forest canopy bug chasers like flycatchers, vireos, gnatcatchers, and riparian warblers, seem to be having a good season.  Their #s have been up at other locations around Columbus as well.  The early Spring allowed for an earlier tree leaf-out, which perhaps jump-started the insect cycle early.  In contrast, fruit-eaters and edge birds don't seem to have increased as much.

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