The ice is breaking up fast on Hoover Reservoir and the water is now mostly open and the variety and number of species is increasing rapidly.
Waterfowl and related species observed included:
Common Loon - Observed at numerous locations from the Big Walnut Boat Launch to Galena. The largest raft I located had 7 individuals.
Grebes - Horned Grebe off the East Walnut Boat Launch.
Ducks - Well represented with Mallard, American Black Duck, Wood Duck, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup (4), Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser (impressive numbers), Red-breasted Merganser and Ruddy Duck. With open water they are far out and a scope is recommended.
Osprey - They are back at Hoover Reservoir.
Bald Eagle- Pair on nest and another adult and a juvenile soaring about.
Hawks- Two Sharp-shined Hawks observed, one in Franklin County and the other near Galena in Delaware County. Bonus bird, a Male Merlin perched on a tree branch overlooking the Bluebird Trail at 3172 Sunbury Road. Plus a few Red-tails.
Owls- Barred Owl at Old Sunbury Road.
Woodpeckers- Redheaded on Old Sunbury Road, Plenty of Downy and Red-bellied, plus single Hairy and Pileated.
Tree Swallows- Numbers over the water increasing daily.
Rusty Blackbirds- Located 11 in a mixed flock of European Starlings, Red-winged Blackbirds and some Common Grackles in a field off eastern Woodtown Road. Rob Thorn's wise advice to always take a look at blackbird flocks pays off again.
Charlie Bombaci

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