I spent this morning at Area N of the Hoover Nature Preserve (Galena, Del. Co.) to monitor the arrival status of Prothonotary Warblers, plus see what else was kicking about, and last, to police the litter that fishermen have been leaving behind. I always marvel at their ability to carry the full containers into the preserve, but their inability to then muster the strength to carry the empties back out when they leave. The Prothonotary Warblers numbers are picking up. This morning I observed 14 males. I ran into a couple I know who visit Area N every year after I report the Prothonotaries have returned. While we were talking a brightly colored male flew in close and began gleaning insects from a thin dead tree. It was almost as if he were there to greet them and myself. All observers were impressed with his beauty and antics. Several other warbler species were present including Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated, Black-throated Green and of course the army of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Warbling Vireos are increasing in numbers, 3 Red-headed Woodpeckers were seen, and the back areas had Blue-winged Teal, Wood Ducks and a Pied-billed Grebe. The Osprey are ever present at Platform 2. The birds made carrying out the 100 gallons of trash easier to take. Two bags into the trunk to go to the recycle drop-off and the rest left at the trash can for the maintenance staff to pick up. I wonder if I can get away with calling this part of my exercise regiment. The total list of species observed follows. Charlie Bombaci Hoover Nature Preserve SPECIES LIST Pied-billed Grebe (1) Double-crested Cormorant (5) Great Blue Heron (2) Turkey Vulture (12) Canada Goose (16) Wood Duck (8) Mallard (5) Blue-winged Teal (8) Osprey (2) Bald Eagle (1) Red-tailed Hawk (1) American Coot (7) Bonaparte's Gull (5) Ring-billed Gull (15) Herring Gull (1) Mourning Dove (11) Belted Kingfisher (1) Red-headed Woodpecker (3) Red-bellied Woodpecker (6) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) Downy Woodpecker (13) Hairy Woodpecker (1) Pileated Woodpecker (2) Acadian Flycatcher (1) Eastern Phoebe (2) Great Crested Flycatcher (1) Warbling Vireo (8) Blue Jay (7) American Crow (3) Tree Swallow (25) Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2) Carolina Chickadee (20) Tufted Titmouse (12) White-breasted Nuthatch (6) Carolina Wren (2) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (11) American Robin (25) European Starling (10) Northern Parula (3) Yellow-rumped Warbler (30) Black-throated Green Warbler (1) Yellow-throated Warbler (6) Prothonotary Warbler (14) Louisiana Waterthrush (1) Song Sparrow (4) Northern Cardinal (15) Red-winged Blackbird (7) Common Grackle (10) Brown-headed Cowbird (12) American Goldfinch (2) ______________________________________________________________________ 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]