Rural birding in Morgan County (old DeLorme 70 D2) has become a little more interesting lately, including the Carolina wrens that just built a nest on the porch and which are now on eggs. Also, Common nighthawks have been visible passing overhead several nights in a row with the largest group being about 15 birds. Heading from west to east generally, they put on a pretty nice show feeding over the forest and the fields. All three species of summer owls were also heard last night with the screech setting things off well before dark - instigating quite the scolding from the brave residents of the yard and wood's edge. Then the Barred sounded out shortly after dark and Great horned was last - two counter singing birds lasted longer than I did - they were still going at it when I came in the house. These owls while relatively close did not boast their hooting like they do in the winter, rather a soft reminder of territory. Finally this evening I took a ride down to the north end of Burr Oak Lake accessible via dock area 3 road from state route 78 where I encountered at least 600 (probably much more) Red winged blackbirds feeding on the invasive Lotus seeds from the plants that are exploiting the entire north end of Burr Oak. Quite a shame really considering this plant was not here at all 5 years ago and now they stretch as far as the scope can see. If our water levels were down here, I wouldn't even bother to try for shorebirds as this wretched plant blocks visibility of all mudflats - some of which produced a nice variety of shorebirds and waders including Glossy ibis a couple years back. The lotus undoubtedly degrades the fishing as well as it stretches lake wide and is impenatratable by any means. Burr Oak was once a fine Largemouth bass destination and now I rarely here of anyone catching these beauties. The state of Ohio may be interested in developing a management practice as soon as possible as the rapid spread of this plant seems unstoppable at this point. Maybe a draw down is in order - this would probably be a good idea if this surface water were not the source of drinking water for over 20,000 homes in rural Morgan, Athens, Hocking and Perry counties. Glen Crippen Burr Oak Lake ______________________________________________________________________ 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]