A quick check of areas along Blacklick Creek (southeast of Columbus), then Pickerington Ponds MetroPark, found sporadic flock of birds, with a few interesting things.  Most of the still water was frozen, so Pick Ponds were mostly a dud, except for Ellis Pond which still had some open water and a few ducks.  Blacklick Creek was open, but the only waterfowl concentration along it was at Blacklick Ridge Park Pond, which had a huge flock of Mallards, plus a few geese & Black Ducks.  I couldn't relocate the Sandhill Cranes that were here up through last week.  Highlights for the morning included:

Dabbling Ducks - aside from Mallards & Black Ducks, Ellis Pond also had 1 N.Shoveler and 1 Gadwall
Raptors - Red-tails at many locations.  Also had Kestrels at Pick Ponds & Pickerington North High School.  The only Cooper's was stalking the feeders at Glacier Knoll picnic area at Pick Ponds
Blue Jays - unusual in that small flocks were at many stops here, where there are few woodlots and even fewer oaks
Yellow-rumped Warblers - 1-2 birds were at many stops, totaling 7-8 on the morning
E.Towhees - single birds were at Blacklick Woods Eastern loop trail and at Pickerington Ponds
Tree Sparrows - small flocks all along Blacklick Creek as well as at Pickerington Ponds
Field Sparrow - a single bird continues on the east loop of the Multipurpose Trail at Blacklick Woods
White-crowned Sparrows - small numbers were around both Ellis Pond and the Wood Duck Picnic area feeders at Pick Ponds

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