The Columbus Audubon trip along the Scioto River in Columbus found a chilly but interesting morning. We started at Scioto Audubon (after I made an early side trip to Berliner Park), then visited Watermakr Lake, Marble Cliff bikepath, and Griggs Dam area. Despite the snow & ice on land, the water was largely ice-free except for a shelf in the still water of the bay at Scioto Audubon. Waterfowl were not abundant, but we did have some interesting birds. Raptors & landbirds put on an equally interesting show. Notables included: Merlin - an adult was perched nonchalantly along the bikepath at Scioto Audubon Cooper's Hawks - an immature was trying to corral breakfast at the Scioto Audubon feeders, while an adult was patrolling the shore at Watermark Lake. N.Shovelers - at least 5 were at Watermark Lake Ring-necked Duck - 5 were along the bikepath at Marble Cliff Hooded Mergansers - small flocks at every stop, with 20+ at Marble Cliff the high Pied-billed Grebes - 2 were in the still water above Griggs Dam Cormorant - at least 1 was along the river at Scioto Audubon Rock Dove - commuter flocks over Scioto Audubon totaling nearly 500 birds were an impressive sight Brown Creepers - still a bit scarce, but 3 were at Berliner and 2 more were below Griggs Dam Kinglets - only Golden-crowned, with 1 at Berliner and 2 more below Griggs Dam Mockingbird - one was defending a berry bush at the Boat Ramp parking lot at Scioto 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]