This evening from about 5:30-6pm I watched a large flock (1500-2000) of gulls settle in to roost on Alum Creek reservoir, north from the dam. This is one of the top gull-watching spots (at dawn and dusk) in the central Ohio area, and is sorely underbirded! On this visit, south winds had them all facing me and at quite a distance, so the only odd bird among the Ring-billed and Herring Gulls was a poorly seen dark-mantled gull, probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull. I could have easily missed some of the more obvious species that might show up here, like Great Black-backed, Glaucous, etc. Anyone birding in this area tomorrow (i.e. those planning on attending the Columbus Audubon trip to Hoover) should consider starting a little early by scanning the gulls from the dam at dawn (parking at the Alum Creek Below Dam Recreation Area; map at http://goo.gl/maps/p2jkD). A scope and warm clothes are a REALLY good idea. The bulk of the gulls often remain on the water or head to the swim beach as it gets light, before heading south over the west end of the dam towards the Olentangy river and presumably, the SWACO Landfill. This spot has turned up Glaucous and Iceland gulls in the past, and well, 'tis the season! Good birding, Paul Hurtado Columbus, OH <http://people.mbi.ohio-state.edu/hurtado.10> ______________________________________________________________________ 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]