I squeezed out some time the past 2 days to visit two close-by riparian strips here in central Ohio: the Big Walnut greenbelt between Academy and McCorkle Parks here in Gahanna, and the Alum Creek Greenbelt around Innis & Mock Parks in Columbus.  Both showed good #s of early migrants, though nothing unusual.  The list included:

TurkeyVultures - 2-3 along each greenbelt
Red-shouldered Hawks - calling birds at Academy Park and Innis park (a pair), as these raptors reclaim urban parklands here
Killdeer - good numbers in both locations, anywhere with open fields
Sapsuckers - single birds at Woodside Green park (Big Walnut) and Innis Park (Alum Creek)
E.Phoebes - almost common, with 3-4 along Big Walnut and 6 along Alum Creek
BrownCreepers - not large #s, with only 2 in 2 hours along each creek greenbelt
Kinglets - good #s of Golden-crowns along both; Alum had a single Ruby-crown near Mock Park
E.Bluebirds - pairs prospecting for nest sites in meadow along both creeks
Mockingbirds - 3 were along the Alum Creek greenbelt, where some probably winter
BrownThrashers - none, despite good habitat in both locations
E.Towhees - almost common, with 5+ along Big Walnut and 7+ along Alum Creek
ChippingSparrows - 2 singing birds along each greenbelt
Fox Sparrow - a single bird in a scrubby area of McCorkle Park in Gahanna
White-throated Sparrows - common, with small flocks of 5-7 birds in many locations
Blackbirds - Red-wings and cowbirds widespread, grackles not so much; no Rusties

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