This is not an ODNR facility. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is part of the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District. This is the largest Metro Park in the system, with over 7,000 acres. That is almost 11 square miles. I doubt that the system is looking to expand this park any further, although they probably wouldn't turn down a good opportunity. I agree that this is a remarkable park. Gene Stauffer Grove City -----Original Message----- From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James Thurston Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 9:51 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [Ohio-birds] Battelle Darby Wetlands Sunday: Three Northern Harriers (2-F, 1-M) surveying the fallow ground to the north of Kuhlwein Road. Another ringtail was quartering the silo swamp area. Also seen was a huge Rough Legged Hawk, freakishly big. Again in the Kuklwein Road pasture. No SE Owls yet. Isn't interesting that in a few short years after letting these fields "go native", some of what I assume must be the target species are already wintering at this ODNR site? Bravo to the Division I say. Does anyone know what the future land acquisition plans are for Battelle Darby? If some of the large agricultural tracts were allowed to go fallow, you would probably have a site to rival any in central Ohio. ______________________________________________________________________ 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] ______________________________________________________________________ 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]