Again held in Columbus by work, I turned it to my advantage by birding the parks along ALum Creek, specifically Jeffrey, Mock, and Innis. All 3 lie along this riparian corridor in a very urban part of Columbus, and they often function as a migrant funnel. Today had a modest funnel effect, but enough to make for an interesting couple of hours. Innis was the most birdy, but the other two had some interesting things. Highlights included:
Cuckoos - a Black-billed was foraging in a grape tangle at Innis, while an unidentified cuckoo flew by at Mock.
Swallows, Swifts - many Chimney swifts at several locations, but much fewer swallows (only a few Barns & Rough-wings).
Flycatchers - 2-4 Wood Pewees at each spot, along with 1-2 Great Crested Flycatchers. Acadians were calling at Jeffrey (where they nest) and a WIllow was at Innis. A Phoebe was foraging along the creek edge at Jeffrey.
Vireos - 3-4 Red-eyed singing at each spot, and a White-eyed was at Innis and a Warbling at Jeffrey
Wrens, Kinglet - House Wrens abundant, Carolinas scarce, and yet another late Ruby-cr.Kinglet (1 at Jeffrey)
Thrushes - 3-4 Swainson's at each location, along with 2-3 singing Wood Thrushes. 2+ Veeries were haunting the small ravine at Innis, while a Gray-cheeked put in a rare appearance at Jeffrey. This diversity was good, but thrush numbers in these parks can often be much higher during a big fallout.
Mimids - Catbirds were abundant and everywhere. Single Brown Thrasher & Mockingbird were at Innis.
Cedar Waxings - now back in numbers, with small flocks of 4-6 birds at each location.
Warblers - low numbers, but good diversity with 15 species, including Parula (1 singing at Jeffrey), Yellow, Tennessee, Black-thr.Blue (male at Mock, female at Jeffrey), Black-thr.Green, Blackburnian, Yellow-throated, Chesnut-sided, Magnolia (5,mostly at Innis), Bay-breasted, Black&White, AmericanRedstart (6+), La.Waterthrush (singing at Jeffrey), Com.Yellowthroat, Wilson's.
Tanager - singing Scarlets at all 3 sites
Grosbeaks, Buntings - Rose-br.Grosbeaks signing at Innis & Mock; 3-5 Indigo Buntings at each site.
Orioles - Baltimores conspicuous at each site, with totals from 2-4. An Orchard was singing at 17th &James, near the western edge of Columbus International Airport (seen while I was driving between Jeffrey & Mock). In fact, the Airport seems one of the few places, outside of a few old orchards in MetroParks, where this species can be reliably found in Columbus.
Sparrows - no migrants, but the expected residents (Chipping, Field, Song). E. Towhees appear to have returned to territories at Mock & Innis Parks, noteworthy as some of the few urban nesting areas for this species now rare in Columbus.
Rob Thorn
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