I birded several areas along the Scioto River near downtown Columbus this morning, starting at Haul Rd and working north through Scioto Audubon, Long St. Dam, and Marble Cliff bikepath.  The river level was very low (this was before the afternoon thundershowers), allowing for good numbers of herons & egrets.  Notables included:

Great Egrets - 6 were feeding in the shallow bay by the Grange Audubon Center
Black-cr.Night Heron - at least one was acting as a day heron, foraging in the bay with the egrets
Osprey - active nests both at Scioto Audubon and at Haul Rd
Cormorants - small numbers all up & down the river, presumably commuters from the Campbell Mound Quarry rookery.
Gulls - hardly any save for a few adult Ring-bills
Swallows - many young Cliffs all along the river, along with Trees, Rough-wings, Barns, and even 2 Banks at Scioto Audubon.
Willow Flycatchers - 2 were in the phragmites swamp at Haul Rd, while another was in the meadow north of the Grange Audubon Center
Vireos - still singing Warbling at Scioto Audubon and Long St. Dam riparian strips
Gnatcatchers - starting to move, with 2-3 at most stops, but 10+ along the river at Scioto Audubon
Warblers - little other than some Yellows and Common Yellowthroats, at both Haul Rd and Scioto Audubon

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