Hi all, I don't know how many of you get the chance to bird the Teal/Harrier wetlands (part of Battelle Darby) but it always has potental and now today we discovered that a network of wet fresh cut trails can be followed for access to the East side of the wetlands, through a variety of complex vegitation, and most importantly access to short grass, goldenrod, open areas with tussocks/saplings that apparently are attractive to birds. Along Kulhwein Rd. the overgrown weed/shrub/brush area S of the road is good also. We spent 4 hours this morning covering both areas find some nice warblers, sparrows (alas no Le Conte's or Nelson's, but someone will this fall I bet). Late Bank Swallows continue (12, Kulhwein), 6 Eurasian Collared Doves flying over Kulwein Rd, and both VA Rail and Sora and Marsh Wren (17) at Teal/Harrier Wetlands. Waterfowl: 400 Wood Ducks, Blue winged Teal, 200 N. Pintail, 350 Green winged Teal mostly flying in T/H wetlands. Raptors: both Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, 12 Red-tailed Hawks, ten Northern Harriers, and one Merlin. The SWHA may be here and there for a couple of days, although not seen today, as many times on the east coast i.e. Cape May. Woodpeckers: 2 imm Red-headed flying over T/H wetlands Flycatchers: 2 undifferentiated "Traill's" in a group of small saplings along the E side of Teal/Harrier wetlands and a nice Least low in a large patch of goldenrod in the same area. Vireos:two Phillies were sharring the goldenrod and small stand of broad leaf saplings along the open area of this habitat on the E side of T/H wetlands. Warblers and sparrows: open areas of goldenrod/weeds/grasses along the E side of T/H wetlands were very active. We found, first by the distinctive chip, and enjoyed first one ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and finally up to four. Goldenrods a favorite of CONNECTICUT WARBLER produced four which we kickout out and finally saw well. Two more, for a total of SIX, were at Kuhlwein. Standing still, bill raised they look for all the world like thrushes (in silhouette). A male and and immature Mourning Warbler were skulking among the weeds then moved up into the saplings where we had better looks (another was a Kulhwein Rd.). The immature can be passed off as a COYT except that it is rich yellow from throat to vent, with green tint on flanks. Perhaps the best find, an immature male Priarie Warbler (only the third I've seen here all year) was fairly coopertive at Kuhlwein Rd. An active migrant, it came out several times to perch on the top of stalks, his tail going without a break. Palm Warblers seem to have just arrived, with at least 33, all western, at Kulhwein Rd. Savannah Sparrows were abundant with about 175 and at least 43 Grasshopper and 4 Lincoln's Sparrows along the east side of T/H wetlands. Finally, five BLGR were noted, all one yr. old m., 3 T/H and 2 KR. If no one has ever walked the network of trails leading east, should try it. And report what they find! Good birding to all, -- Patty and David Tan Columbus [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ 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]