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

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