Having a chance to get out today, I was determined to go to Hoover immediately after the rain stopped. Although it was drizzly at times and generally misty, I managed a good day. Andi Wolfe already posted most of what I saw. Here a few additions and comments. > Buffleheads (xx) > Redbreasted Merganser (x) > Hooded Merganser (x) > Great Blue Heron (1) > Lesser Scaup (xx) > Pied Bill Grebe (1) Similar to above except the RB Mergansers were in the (xx), more GB Herons and another 1 or 2 PB Grebes. There were also A.Coots by the boad launch area (barely into xx) > Hooded Merganser (xx) > Redbreasted Merganser (xx) > American Coot (xx) (It was interesting to see large numbers of both Merganser spp. together. During my experiences in New England the RBME were always in the salt water and the HOME always in the freshwater lakes. The common Mergansers were also in the freshwater.) *Notable additions:* off the picnic area south of the Walnut boat launch. . COMMON LOON. In summer plumage - or at least nearly so. What appeared to be a hybrid between a scaup and a Ringed-neck duck At first, it appeared to be a scaup. But there was the distinct white ring on the bill characteristic of the RNDU. But no white at the base of the bill. There was no hint of a shoulder stripe. In fact, the sides were quite white like the scaup. The back seemed to be intermediate between the gray of the scaup and the black of the RNDU. Actually the back appeared more like a mix of white,dark, and grey feathers. It was all by itself. I did not see any other scaup in the area. Regarding the Redbreasted Mergansers, between the dam and Smothers Road there were well over 50. Adding the ones at Oxbow, There were well over 100. These are more RB Mergansers than I have seen since I left Boston 8 years ago. The males near the Walnut St boat ramp were quite active in their courships rituals. Considering the whole area, the RBME were the most abundant sp. by far. Richard Cressman Columbus OH [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]