I spent some time each of the past 2 afternoon checking parks along Big WalnutCreek & BlacklickCreek in Gahanna & east Columbus, looking for late winter strays and early migrants. Winter strays were nearly absent, but some early migrants were prospecting for territories, including Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 was calling in Reynoldsburg Civic Park, along Blacklick Creek TurkeyVultures - singles were overflying many spots along both creeks E.Bluebirds - singles were at several spots along both creeks on both days Gray Catbird - 1 was lurking in a brushpile in Price Rd Park along Big Walnut Creek in Gahanna E.Towhee - 1 was in Price Rd Park in Gahanna Tree Sparrow - 1 was lingering in the meadow at Galloway Preserve in Gahanna SongSparrows - normally un-remarkable, there's been a surge in numbers in most streamside meadows, such as Price Rd Park (12+) and Reynoldsburg Civic Park (10+) ______________________________________________________________________ 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]