The Columbus Audubon field trip to Killdeer Plains today did quite nicely in spite of bone-numbing cold. A few highlights: Rough-legged Hawks were numerous and widespread, both dark and light phases. Northern Harriers were here and there, plenty of Red-tailed Hawks, a couple of America Kestrels, and a pair of Bald Eagles already setting up housekeeping on the nest easily seen from TH-108 just south of CH-71. Horned Larks were out in force along Washburn Rd, but no Longspurs or Buntings. Tree Sparrows were common everywhere. We found a Short-eared Owl sitting in the snowy field along the road in broad daylight! Another birder reported a Northern Shrike on CH-68 just west of Washburn, but we were unable to find it. We did find a Saw-whet Owl in one of the smaller pine trees just outside the old owl grove on CH-71. Short-eared Owls were the highlight, though: in addition to the one in mid-afternoon along Washburn Rd, a group of at least five took to the air just before dusk, while we still had excellent light, along CH-71 west of CH-115. Bill Heck Columbus Audubon ______________________________________________________________________ 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.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]