I visited several sites along the Scioto River between the O'Shaughnessy dam south to the Hayden Run bridge. Most of the river along this stretch is fast-flowing and was open today; above the dam is totally frozen. Only when the river starts to slow (below Cranston Dr.), does it freeze over. Most of the surrounding parks & yards still have lots of berries, so there were large flocks of Robins and Starlings in most places. Other highlights included: Great Blue Herons - every stop had some, for a total of 52 in 2 hours. Largest concentration was a group of 30 along the river at the Stratford Rd pullout on US 33 (just above the county line). Dabbling Ducks - loads of Mallards, but also had a few Black Ducks at most stops. No other dabblers were found. Diving Ducks - most of the river is shallow here, so Hooded Mergansers were the only widespread 'diver'. A lone Common Goldeneye was just south of Kiwanis Park. Raptors - Red-tails and Cooper's Hawks at several stops, but no Bald Eagle (although a fisherman had seen an adult earlier in the morning). Woodpeckers - lots of Red-bellieds and Downies, along with 3 Hairies, but other woodpeckers were AWOL. Cedar Waxwings - only a few, at Donegal Cliffs and Scioto Park Sparrows - rather scarce, with small #s of White-throated and Song at most stops, along with a handful of Juncos. No Trees or Swamp were found. Blackbirds - only a few Grackles, mostly around Donegal Cliffs Park. ______________________________________________________________________ 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]