I spent a few hours at each of these east Columbus MetroParks to see what the warm front had brought in, but was somewhat disappointed. The 'floodgates' appear to have been downstream from us, as the big numbers of temperate migrants that were here last week took the opportunity to exit, and few species had moved it to replace them. I ran into the McNulties at Blacklick (where they were kind enough to point out a Cooper's Hawk nest), and we both had noticed the drop off. Still, the day was gorgeous and some interesting birds were around. Notables included: Shovelers - several pair at Thoreau Lake (Blendon), as well as a few at the Gahanna Wetland Preserve. Lesser Scaup - still a pair at Thoreau Lake Ring-necked Duck - a pair at Thoreau Lake Turkey Vulture - surprisingly few, with only 1-2 at each location Barred Owls - 2 birds active along Maple Loop at Blacklick Cooper's Hawks - a nesting pair off the Maple Loop at Blacklick; birds on territory along the Overlook trail at Blendon Flicker - 4+ at Blacklick, 2-3 at Blendon Sapsuckers - distinctly fewer, with 3 at Blacklick and none at Blendon Brown Creeper - 3+ at Blacklick, 2 at Blendon Kinglets - more Ruby-crowns than Golden-crowns, with 5,4 of the former (Blacklick,Blendon) versus only 2,1 of the latter Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 4-5 at Blacklick, 1 at Blendon Hermit Thrush - only 1 at each location Yellow-throated Warbler - 1 singing around the Ash-Maple picnic area at Blacklick; another at Woodside Green Park in Gahanna Pine Warbler - 1 along road at Blacklick Black-thr.Green - 1 singing along Lake trail at Blendon, my FOS Yellow-rumped Warblers - 5+ at Blacklick, 4 at Blendon E.Towhee - 10+ singing at Blacklick (a good # here), 2 singing at Blendon Field Sparrows - 4-5 singing at Blacklick, 2+ singing at Blendon Chipping Sparrows - widespread at both parks and in the neighborhoods in between Fox Sparrow - only 1, singing along the Maple Trail at Blacklick White-throated Sparrows - small flocks (6-10 birds) at both parks Junco - 2-4 at each park, nearly all in pairs Pine Siskin - 1 singing in Gahanna at Woodside Green 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]