I spent this last morning of March searching around Alum Lake State Park for early migrants and lingering winter birds, with a bit of success on both counts. The early migrants included: Phoebes - still having a strong migration, with 1-2 at every stop Swallows - all Tree, but they were at every stop, often in numbers. BrownThrasher - one was singing in the scrublands near the Visitor's Center Pipits - a flyover group of 4 flew over the beach on the SW corner of the lake Kinglets - still plenty of Golden-crowns, with 1-3 in most woodlots Warblers - a few Yellow-rumps were singing at several stops, and a Louisiana Waterthrush was singing back on territory in the New Galena ravines Field Sparrows - singing individuals were widely scattered, at 4 of my 6 stops. Blackbirds - Redwings, grackles, & cowbirds were all common, but Rusties were again a no-show, despite some good swampy habitat The lingering winterers included Diving Ducks - small groups of scaup were in many protected bays, and a small flock of Ring-necks were on the pond at the park headquarters Goldeneye - at least 1 male was still near the dam Bufflehead - 3 were off SummerRidge access (along with 4-6 Red-br.Mergansers) Tree Sparrows small groups were at the beach area and at SummerRidge access ______________________________________________________________________ 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]