I hit several sites along or near the Scioto River this morning and afternoon, hoping for some early migrants, and also checking on the Shrum Mound rookery (independently of Bill Whan). The cooler weather made for more pleasant if not more productive birding. I started at Griggs Dam area in the morning, then visited Shrum Mound and Marble Cliff later in the afternoon. Notables included: Waterfowl - nothing other than the expected geese mallards, and a few Wood Ducks. Cormorants - commuters all along the river, mostly headed to or from Shrum Mound quarry island, where I tallied 80 birds, with perhaps 50 visible nests Herons - lots of commuting Great Blues - they had 45 birds and perhaps 40 nests at Shrum Mound Egrets - few commuters ( only saw 1 at Marble Cliff) - they had 18 birds and 10 nests at Shrum Mound Vultures - a flock of 18-20 Turkey Vultures at Griggs Dam were joined by 1 Black Vulture Osprey - 1 was soaring and calling over Watermark Lake near Marble Cliff Pileated Woodpecker - 1 was calling in the riparian area below Griggs Dam, an unusual place for them. Swallows - only Trees and Rough-wings, and not very many of them either Gnatcatchers - still going strong, with good #s (5-8) at every stop Kinglets - Ruby-crowns at every stop, while the only Golden-cr. was below Griggs Dam CedarWaxwings - a small group of 4 was along the bikepath at Marble Cliff Warblers - singing Yellow-throated at Griggs and Marble Cliff. Both also had small flocks of Yellow-rumps Sparrows - small flocks of White-throateds added to the expected singing Chipping and Songs here Blackbirds - plenty of Red-wings, Grackles, and Cowbirds at each stop. ______________________________________________________________________ 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]