I try to set aside a day around this time of year annually to really explore the vastness that is Pickerel Creek WA (Sandusky Co),and assess which pools have been dropped for migrant shorebirds (if any). Today was one of the better days I've had out there, especially so early in the season. Major props to those in charge of habitat management at this refuge - it seemed like were 20 dowitchers waiting around every corner here, this afternoon. While last year's trusty Pool 8 remains full to the brim, check out the pond across from the orchid field (and sign) on CR-260, the impoundments north of the observation tower, and most notably, Pool 16, at the property's northeast border. Pool 16 can be recahed by walking north from the Vickery Rd. parking lot, and then east, or parking along TR-280, and heading west (probably quicker). At Pipe Creek, check out Unit C. Maps of these areas can be found on the ODNR website. A couple phots can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28939750@N05/?saved=1 If the link does not work replace the word 'at' in the URL with the at 'sign.' Pipe Creek: Snowy Egret 3 AMERICAN AVOCET 1 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Lesser Yellowlegs 7 Semipalmated Sandopiper 10 Least Sandpiper 43 Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Short-billed Dowitcher 13 American Woodcock 1 bonus shorebird! WILSON'S PHALAROPE 1 ad m Pickerel Creek: Snowy Egret 1 Cattle Egret 2 flyovers on CR-260 Greater Yellowlegs 3 Lesser Yellowlegs 279 Semipalmated Sandpiper 17 Least Sandpiper 206 Stilt Sandpiper 21 Short-billed Dowitcher 414 WILSON'S PHALAROPE 3 After factoring Killdeer into the Pick totals, 1100+ shorebirds were present here today. Good birding - Gabe Leidy Parma ______________________________________________________________________ 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]