Late this afternoon I checked out the impoundments along the walking trails in the eastern section of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Ottawa Co., n.w. Ohio, one of the field trip sites for the Midwest Birding Symposium). Water levels are high in MS 8b and Pool 2c, but Pool 2b had good numbers and variety of shorebirds and some good ones were in 2a also. In 2b, the best open flats and shallows are along the west side, the south-central area, and the northernmost area (the pool is roughly pentagon-shaped, with the "extra" corner pointing north; see our birding map for clarification). Notable among the 12 species of shorebirds here were a beautiful juv. Baird's Sandpiper, molting adult White-rumped Sandpiper, three well-marked juv. Western Sandpipers, and nine juv. Long-billed Dowitchers (studied at length and heard calling). This pool also had 23 Snowy Egrets, an excellent count for anywhere in Ohio, and a decent variety of ducks, including Am. Wigeon, Gadwall, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, and N. Shoveler. The adjacent eastern end of Pool 2a added two juv. Short-billed Dowitchers associating with a juv. Long-billed, plus eight juv. Stilt Sandpipers, many yellowlegs, and more ducks. From the parking lot to the southwest corner of Pool 2b is at least a mile's walk, and a scope is almost essential for decent views, so be prepared for a substantial hike. With the strong wind this afternoon I encountered no mosquitoes but I'd be willing to bet they'll be out again when the wind dies down. For finding the pools and trails mentioned here, see the Black Swamp Bird Observatory's birding map of the eastern (trails) section of the refuge -- go to http://www.bsbo.org/birding/ and follow the links for "Birding hotspots: directions and maps." If you're unfamiliar with the area, it would be a good idea to print out a copy of the map and take it with you. The BSBO website will also have updates on current conditions at all the local birding sites during this weekend's Midwest Birding Symposium. It's rumored that there are other shorebirds, including phalaropes and Buff-breasted Sandpipers, along the Ottawa NWR auto tour (which will be open on Saturday), but I'll know more after tomorrow. Kenn Kaufman Black Swamp Bird Observatory ______________________________________________________________________ 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]