Today Neil Gilbert and I saw the Spotted Towhee seen yesterday by Greg Links on the western outskirts of Toledo in Lucas County. The bird is coming to the vicinity of bird feeders in a subdivision in Holland, Ohio at 1948 Whitby Court. From I-475/U.S. 23, exit on Airport Road (Rte. 2) and go west to Holloway Road. Turn south to the entrance to the subdivision on the left side (east) which is Wexford Hill Lane. Drive into the subdivision until you reach Whitby Court and turn right into that cul de sac. At the residence, walk around the left side of the house and look at the feeders on the back of the lot line which is on the edge of a wooded area. We saw the towhee under the evergreen left of the feeders and also in the adjacent thicket even further left. East of Toledo along the lakeshore there were considerable numbers of waterfowl along roads such as Decant, Cordouroy, and Route 2. There are currently many flooded fields between Toledo and the Ottawa Refuge area and thousands of Canada Geese and hundreds of Tundra Swans are currently in that area. Good numbers of ducks are also present. At Ottawa Refuge itself, the second impoundment was partially open and held a good variety of waterfowl including Snow Goose, Pintail, A. Wigeon, and Green-winged Teal. In addition, with the strong southerly winds there was a significant hawk flight including a Goshawk at the hawk tower at Crane Creek (not seen by us). Here are some of the birds we had today in the Toledo area: Pied-billed Grebe--one at the Bayshore power plant Double-crested Cormorant--one at Bayshore power plant Great Blue Heron--two at Ottawa Refuge Turkey Vulture--numerous migrants moving west along the lake front. Snow Goose--one blue phased bird in the second impoundment at Ottawa Refuge Tundra Swan--Widespread in flooded fields west of Ottawa Refuge as well as at the refuge itself Trumpeter Swan--2 (one with green neck collar) seen along Cordouroy Road west of Teachout Road. Wood Duck--pair seen on Teachout Road south of rte 2 Gadwall--numerous today American Wigeon--widespread but in low numbers Black Duck--widespread but in low numbers Shoveler--at least six seen Pintail--fairly common Green-winged Teal--we only picked out 2 males in the second impoundment at Ottawa Canvasback--a few at Bayshore power plant Redhead--numerous in flooded fields and at Ottawa Refuge Ring-necked Ducks--best concentration was in the small areas of open water at Metzgar Marsh Scaup--both species seen at Bayshore power plant Bald Eagle--numerous with both migrants and resident birds seen N. Harrier--we saw at least 10 today Red-shouldered Hawk--4 seen along lakeshore Rough-legged Hawk--singles seen at the Toledo Airport and at Maumee SP Coot--under 10 seen at Bayshore power plant and similar number seen at Ottawa Refuge. Sandhill Crane--3 seen in flight at Maumee SP; 2 seen in field on Sacks Road west of Teachout. Killdeer--5 Robin--only 5 scattered birds Lapland Longspur--hundreds seen distantly off Decant Road north of Cedar Creek Road. Eight seen at close range on road into Metzgar Marsh. Red-winged Blackbird-- A few were on territory in Oak Openings area west of Toledo and at Maumee State Park. Large numbers in blackbird flocks in agricultural areas of Ottawa Co. Rusty Blackbird--few seen today and those were in very large blackbird flocks in agricultural areas of Ottawa County. Cheers, Karl Overman Farmington Hills, Mi. ______________________________________________________________________ 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]