A trip to Slate Run MetroPark (northeast Pickaway County) and nearby preserves along Walnut Creek (southeast Franklin County) found mild temperatures and some early winter 'migrants', including: Waterfowl - Slate Run wetlands had a mixed flock of Wigeon, Redhead, and Ring-necked Ducks Red-shouldered Hawk - an adult was flying over the Slate Run wetlands Kestrels - widespread, with 3 along Walnut Creek (Bareis & Kelley Preserves) along with birds along Winchester Pike and the I-270 outerbelt of Columbus Killdeer - singles in many different places Barred Owl - one was being harassed by flock birds along the Maple Loop at Slate Run N.Flickers - good #s at several spots suggested a minor movement; slate Run was tops with 12 birds Pileated Woodpeckers - at least 2 were calling in the ravines along the 5-Oaks Trail at Slate Run Horned Larks - flyovers were at several different locations Mockingbird - scarce here this winter, so one was at Bareis Preserve was noteworthy Tree Sparrows - only 2 at the Slate Run wetland, but a flock of 20 was at Bareis Preserve White-crowned Sparrows - also scarce hereabouts, so 12 at Bareis was noteworthy Swamp Sparrows - 2 were still in the reedbeds around the Slate Run wetlands Blackbirds - Red-wings and Grackles were widespread, with the Slate Run wetlands tops with 15 of the former and 30 of the latter ______________________________________________________________________ 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]