I visited several of the access points around Hoover Reservoir this morning, focusing on the south end (Dam, Areas EF, Maxtown Boat launch) and North end (Mudhen Marsh, Oxbow Island, Hoover Bikepath, Area MN).  Water level is very low, exposing large sand flats along the southeast shore (Walnut St. launch, Area EF) and the northern end, but with hardly any shorebirds to show for it.  The changing weather here (blustery, 40s) did not lead to the influx of waterbirds seen up at Lake Erie; there was little movement of new waterfowl here at all.  Notable birds for the morning included:

Waterfowl - the bay at the north end had Mallard, Shovelers, and Green-winged Teal
Merlin - an adult was finishing breakfast on one of the snags at Area N
Accipiters - I had Sharpies at 2 locations and Coopers at 2 locations
Shorebirds - virtual no shows despite all the exposed flats; only had 5 Kildeer for the morning
Gulls - first small flocks of Bonaparte's were in the northern part of the Reservoir
Red-headed Woodpecker - a juvenile was hanging out on Oxbow Island
Tree Swallows - at least 3 birds were trying to forage for insects off Oxbow Island
Winter Wrens - only 2, with single birds at Wiese Rd and at Area N
Kinglets - unusual reversal, with Ruby-crowns at 5 different spots, and Golden-crowns only at Area N
E.Bluebirds - fair movement, with small flocks at many locations; Maxtown led, with a flock of 7.
Warblers - only Yellow-rumps , with small flocks at many locations; Maxtown launch had 8
Sparrows - a flock of 12+ Chipping were at the Dam, and Swamps were at 4 different locations
Blackbirds - my FOS Rusties were on Oxbow Island, and there were flocks of Grackles at several locations
Finches - a Purple Finch was a fly-by just below the dam.

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