I did a stem-to-stern search of this reservoir north of Columbus looking for migrant waterfowl & raptors.  Starting at Hogback Rd access, I then visited Howard Rd Bridge, the State 37 bridge, Cheshire boat launch, SummerRidge access, and New Galena boat launch.  Most of the lake is open, but there are some large rafts of floating ice in the northern reaches, above the Cheshire causeway.  Highlights (and lowlights) included

Dabbling Ducks - nothing besides Mallards & Black Ducks, and not many of those.

Diving Ducks - only a flock of 25 Red-br.Mergansers off SummerRidge

Other waterbirds - lots of squbbling Canada Goose pairs at all stops, but nothing else.

Raptors - no eagles, but a Cooper's Hawk was display-flying over the east end of the St.37 bridge.  Red-tails were at several locations.  No Osprey at Hogback yet.

Shorebirds - Kildeer at several spots, most notably along Hogback Rd, where the steady sediment load from the surrounding streams has created mudbars in the lake that are exposed even during the high water now.  This should be a good spot to check during April.

Gulls - several flocks of Ring-bills sitting on ice rafts, perhaps 120 total

Tree Swallows - 5 were foraging over the reservoir near the dam

Sparrows - lots of territorial Song Sparrows, but very little else.  Juncos were at Howard Rd bridge and New Galena.

Blackbirds - Redwings on territory in many locations.  Flyover Grackles were around Hogback and Cheshire, and a Cowbird was singing at New Galena.  Where's a Cooper's Hawk when you need one.

______________________________________________________________________

Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.

You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]