A little known resource for those investigating the status of birds in se. Ohio along the Ohio River is that of the "Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia" http://www.birdsofthelowerohiorivervalleyinwestvirginia.com/index.htm contrary to the title, records from adjacent Ohio counties are included. With regard to the Snow Goose in winter, regionally there are high counts of 35 and 20 for Mason County, WV just south of Athens County. So while within the flyway of the speceis, I'm sure Scott Moody is quite right with regard to the lack of records for Athens County. However, along the Ohio River there are agricultural flat lands \ affording more suitable habitat for geese. Most especially interesting to me are those within the "Great Bend" of Meigs County which sees virtually no birder coverage. Surrounded by 35 miles of Ohio River bank, the large corn fields with nearby quarries can be an attractive stopover site for waterfowl. My few visits there have produced large numbers (for se. Ohio) of Mallards and Canada Goose. November migrant Canadas have numbered up to 1100/hr. However, in mid-winter I have only Jan 2003 observations and nothing of note was present at the time. I did report (and photograph) a Snow Goose this time last year in Gallia County. Especially interesting from the above database is a photographic record of a Snow Goose from Lawrence County in Jan 1989 ... either prior to or at the very onset of the rise in white goose populations in North America. This rise, in recent years, has been commensurate with greater numbers (along with that of Greater White-fronted Goose) wintering farther north. It follows, that with increased observation, the species may be expected in suitable habitat on occasion within se. Ohio. And if I may interject, with regard to waterfowl records from Athens County, a site seriously overlooked, especially as to the potential for uncommon species, is that of Hockingport where the Hocking River meets the Ohio. cheers Vic Fazio Shaker Heights, OH ______________________________________________________________________ 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]