I spent a few hours this Christmas Eve morn looking around several urban parks along Alum Creek in NE Columbus.  I stopped at Tanager Woods, Innis Park, and Mock Park. These parks are strung along the Alum Creek greenbelt, a narrow green corridor in a rapidly sub-urbanizing part of Columbus. The Alum Creek bikepath being slowly built along the corridor appears to now reach south of Mock Park, down to near Brittany Hills.  Birding was spotty; some spots had lots of activity, while others where quiet.  Nothing very unusual, but some interesting birds.  Notables:

Wild Turkey - 2 at Mock Park (1 was found here on the CBC)
Red-shouldered hawk - 1 was calling at Tanager Woods, about where Charlie Bombaci found one on the CBC
Red-tailed Hawk - several were perched along the route.
Pileated Woodpecker - 1 was at Innis Park, an unusual location for them
Brown Creepers - 1-2 were at each park, which is fairly typical along this riparian strip
Carolina Wrens - surprisingly common, with 4-6 at most stops.  The recent snow hasn't had much effect on them.
E.Bluebirds - 2 were at Innis Park, while another was at Mock Park
Mockingbirds - 3 were in the privet-infested marsh north of Mock Road's intersection with Sunbury Rd.
Yellow-rumped Warblers - 5 were at Mock Park, while 1-2 were at the other parks.
Tree Sparrows - 2-3 were at both Innis and Mock Parks
White-throated Sparrows - fairly common, with 15-20 at each park.

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