I spent the changeable-weather morning birding south of Columbus, from around Groveport east to Pickerington Ponds, starting at Cruiser Pond, and going through Blacklick Park and Walnut Woods, before finishing at Pickerington Ponds, after which the wind & sleet made birding too much of a trial.  Lots of early temperate migrants were on the bill, including

dabblers - flocks of Green-winged Teal and Gadwall were among the regular Mallards at Pick Ponds
divers - 40+ Ring-necked Ducks were diving in the wind-whipped waves of Teal Pond at Pick Ponds
BaldEagle - an adult was cruising over Walnut Woods Tall Pines area
Coots - 60+ were scattered around several areas of Pick Ponds
Killdeer - widespread, though never more than 3 in one spot
Tree Swallow - one was prospecting for nest sites at Cruiser Pond in Groveport early
BrownCreeper - rare so far this winter here, one was singing at Blacklick Park in Groveport
Golden-cr.Kinglet - scarce, but was still able to find one at Walnut Woods among the spruce copses
Tree Sparrows - scarce, but still had a few at Blacklick Park and at Pick Ponds (Glacier Ridge feeder)
Fox Sparrow - 1 was in a scrubby edge at Blacklick Park
White-crowned Sparrows - still 2 hanging around the Wood Duck picnic area feeder at Pick Ponds
Blackbirds - flocks of 30-40 mixed Red-winged Blackbirds & Grackles were at several spots in Pick Ponds

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