I had time to visit several of the areas around Hoover Reservoir north of Columbus today.  The lake was still mostly covered in a thick layer of ice, with only a few holes in the ice.  Those holes, not surprisingly, were jammed full of waterfowl today.  The best hole was a large one north of the Sunbury causeway where the shallow water tends to melt open early.  It held an estimated 4000 birds.  A smaller hole south of Maxtown boat launch held a mere 600 birds.  The vast majority at both spots were Canada Geese and Mallards, but Black Ducks & scaup were also common.  The Sunbury hole had Pintail, Green-winged Teal and Ring-necks, and probably other species that I couldn't make out in the distant throng.  The Maxtown hole added Wigeon and Red-br. & Hooded Mergansers.  The river below the dam, recently so good, was almost bare today, but did hold a few Bufflehead and Common Goldeneyes frolicking in the high water of the spillway.

Beyond waterfowl, other early migrants were also noticeable.  Kildeer were at many of the stops; I even had a few birds that were walking out on the ice.  Horned Larks were flyovers at many locations, as were small flocks of Redwings and grackles.  3 Turkey Vultures were biding their time at the Sunbury causeway (a traditional roosting spot), no doubt waiting for the odor of pancakes to waft south from Hinckley.  Tree Sparrows and Goldfinches were also at many stops, and a buzzing Pine Siskin was with a small flock of Goldfinches at Duncan Glen (a large inlet along the east shore of Hoover).

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