I birded around Deer Creek reservoir today, and **may** have had 2 flyover Smith's Longspurs (not sure what else they could have been). PLEASE feel free to point out other species that might fit what I saw and heard, as I've never seen Smith's before. Details on other species are given below. I was heading back to Columbus after a bit of rain, when I saw a Black Vulture land in a tree near Road D-58 and Post Rd. at the north end of the wildlife area. I wanted to get a photo (my first for the year), so I turned down Post Rd then onto D-58, parking before the small stream crossing. While outside my vehicle digiscoping the vulture, I heard what sounded like an excited chattering that I first thought sounded like a Carolina Wren -- but it immediately struck me as "different". Scanning the treetops for the bird, I realized that the bird was flying over. I caught a brief glimpse of 2 sparrow sized birds just as the vocalizations changed. After a few of these chattery outbursts, the calls changed to what sounded more reminiscent of the rattle call of a Lapland Longspur -- my attention was now fully on the two birds. While I was only able to see one of the birds in any detail, what I saw was a pale orangish body (the body color reminded me of Black-headed Grosbeaks, but more pale/creamy -- similar to Carolina Wren) nondescript wings (no markings were noticed, overall pale), and a tail that had a white border which immediately reminded me of an American Pipit tail. Now, this is somewhat embarrassing, but despite reading Bill's email last night, I hadn't yet taken the time to listen to what Smith's sound like and I didn't even remember what they looked like (!!!) save the black and white head of the male! After checking Sibley just after the flyover then later checking the web and listening to recordings of Smith's and other longspurs (and American Pipits) I was at a loss for what else they might have been besides Smith's Longspurs. Comments/criticisms/questions are welcomed. The vocalizations I heard sounded consistent with the rattles at the end of the recording here: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Smiths_Longspur/sounds and the rattle call in the middle of this recording: http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/flashPlayer.do?id=131481 I should note that the two birds flew over the field south of the intersection of Post Rd. and D-58, and upon scanning the field for the birds found they held a flock of American Pipits. If anyone goes looking (or is just birding the area) this might be a place worth checking out. Other Deer Creek birds of note: At the wetlands off of Egypt Pike Rd., the RED-NECKED GREBE was barely visible with a scope at the far end of the lake south of the dike. From the SP Marina, there were 2 CASPIAN TERNS, 2 Lesser and 1 Greater Yellowlegs, and a small flock of Pectoral Sandpipers all along the shore near the inlet. Post Rd. eventually turned up 2 BLACK VULTURES were flying with Turkey Vultures. Good birding, Paul Hurtado ______________________________________________________________________ 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]