I visited several of the access points around Hoover Reservoir this morning, focusing on the south end (Dam, Areas EF, Maxtown Boat launch) and North end (Mudhen Marsh, Oxbow Island, Hoover Bikepath, Area MN). Water level is very low, exposing large sand flats along the southeast shore (Walnut St. launch, Area EF) and the northern end, but with hardly any shorebirds to show for it. The changing weather here (blustery, 40s) did not lead to the influx of waterbirds seen up at Lake Erie; there was little movement of new waterfowl here at all. Notable birds for the morning included: Waterfowl - the bay at the north end had Mallard, Shovelers, and Green-winged Teal Merlin - an adult was finishing breakfast on one of the snags at Area N Accipiters - I had Sharpies at 2 locations and Coopers at 2 locations Shorebirds - virtual no shows despite all the exposed flats; only had 5 Kildeer for the morning Gulls - first small flocks of Bonaparte's were in the northern part of the Reservoir Red-headed Woodpecker - a juvenile was hanging out on Oxbow Island Tree Swallows - at least 3 birds were trying to forage for insects off Oxbow Island Winter Wrens - only 2, with single birds at Wiese Rd and at Area N Kinglets - unusual reversal, with Ruby-crowns at 5 different spots, and Golden-crowns only at Area N E.Bluebirds - fair movement, with small flocks at many locations; Maxtown led, with a flock of 7. Warblers - only Yellow-rumps , with small flocks at many locations; Maxtown launch had 8 Sparrows - a flock of 12+ Chipping were at the Dam, and Swamps were at 4 different locations Blackbirds - my FOS Rusties were on Oxbow Island, and there were flocks of Grackles at several locations Finches - a Purple Finch was a fly-by just below the dam. ______________________________________________________________________ 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]