A quick visit to these 2 MetroParks SE of Columbus found drying wetlands and buggy forest patches. The result, not surprisingly, was patchy wetland birds and lots of forest insectivores. I also stopped at Bareis Nature Preserve and along Berger Road. Highlights included: Wood Ducks - dropping water levels concentrate them, as 45 birds crammed into the Bareis Nature Preserve Pond demonstrates. Green Herons - singles were at the Slate Run Wetlands and Berger Road wetland Kestrel - an adult was along Berger Rd, where they have often summered. Forest Flycatchers - lots of Pewees & Acadians, yet again. I had over 20 Acadians calling in the ravines along the 5-Oaks trail loop at Slate Run. Field Flycatchers - Willow Flycatchers were widespread, with birds at Bareis (3+), Slate Run wetlands (2), and Walnut Woods bikepath loop (6+). E.Kingbirds were also conspicuous, with birds at Bareis, Slate Run wetlands, and Berger Rd Vireos - good numbers of Red-eyed in all the forest patches. The only White-eyed was along the Maple Loop trail at Slate Run, while 2 Yellow-throated were along the 5-Oaks loop there. Thrushes - higher-than-average #s of Wood Thrushes at Slate Run, where 12 pairs along the 5-Oaks loop was exceptional. Many of them already were defending fledglings. Warblers - understory warblers continue to thrive at Slate Run, where 3 Kentucky, 3 Ovenbirds, and 2 Hooded enlivened the hike through the ravines along the 5-Oaks Loop. The small meadows along the Walnut Woods bikepath held their usual mix of CommonYellowthroats (9+) and Chats (3). Grassland Sparrows - scarce, with no Grasshopper or Savannah at Bareis or Slate run Wetlands, and only 1 Savannah heard along Richardson Rd at Walnut Woods. Perhaps these areas have grown up too much for them. Grosbeaks - no Rose-br. or Blue, which is unusual in this area. Baltimore Orioles - adults were trailing fledglings at both Bareis and Slate Run wetlands Orchard Orioles - another good day, with singing birds at Bareis, Slate Run Wetlands, Berger Rd, and Walnut Woods bikepath. ______________________________________________________________________ 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]