I checked these 2 hotspots southeast of Columbus today, as well as several smaller sites in Pickerington, Etna, & Pataskala.  Water level at Pick Ponds was very high, so no shorebirds, and even few herons.  Blacklick Woods was very birdy, but had little out of the ordinary.  Interesting finds included:

Sandhill Cranes - 2 were calling in Arrowhead Marsh at Pick Ponds
Great Egrets - only 3 were around Pick Ponds, far below the 20+ of several weeks past
Osprey - 2 adults a a big juvenile were hanging out around the platform in Arrowhead marsh
Kestrels - scarce, with 1 near Pick Ponds, and another along Smoke Rd in Etna
Barred Owl - couldn't locate any in Blacklick Woods, but one was being harassed by small birds along the Conaway Trail in Pataskala's Evans Park
E.Kingbirds - widespread, with the biggest #s 7-8 around the Wood Duck picnic area at Pick Ponds
Purple Martins - also widespread, with the high of 20+ at Pick Ponds
Other Swallows - Rough-winged & Barn also quite common, notably at Pick Ponds and along Cable Rd in Pataskala

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