I stopped at these 2 MetroParks southeast of Columbus looking for unusual birds brought out by the 'thaw'. Unfortunately, the thaw hadn't been long enough to open some ponds: the wetlands at both parks were still largely frozen over. I did have flyover flocks of Canada Geese at both places, as well as a small flock of Mallard & Black Ducks in an open ditch at Pick Ponds, so the birds are getting antsy. Other notables included: Kestrel - at least 1 was still along Bowen Rd at Pick Ponds Hairy Woodpeckers - not normally notable, but I had them at both parks, including 4 along the 5-Oaks trail at Slate Run. Pileated Woodpeckers - 2 along that same trail at Slate Run Blue Jays - one of the most common birds of the morning, with numbers at all stops, and even lots of road flyovers Brown Creepers- 3 along the 5-Oaks Trail at Slate Run Carolina Wrens - not too badly decimated by the recent freeze, I had 3 at both Slate Run and at Pick Ponds Golden-cr.Kinglets - scarce, with only singles at each spot. Horned Larks - also rather scarce, with only a few flyovers at each spot Yellow-rumped Warblers - 8+ were along the 5-Oaks Trail, a regular wintering spot for them. E.Towhee - 1 female was at the feeder at the Slate Run Wetlands Tree Sparrows - small flocks in many locations, including 121+ around the feeder at Glacier Knoll in Pick Ponds Fox Sparrow - 1 was along the Maple Trail near the Buzzardsroost Lake parking lot White-crowned Sparrow - 1 remained around the feeder at the Wood Duck picnic area of Pick Ponds ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]