The Columbus Audubon trip to these 2 reservoirs north of Columbus found strong shorebird and wader presence, but limited landbird migrants. We started at Alum Creek State Park, working first the beach, then the New Galena peninsula. Frankly, it was underwhelming. The beach had its usual huge flock of Ring-bills, but few other things were around. The only interesting migrants were a steady trickle of swallows flying along the beach. New Galena was disappointing for passerines, but did have outstanding views of up to 5 Osprey.
Hoover was much more exciting, thanks to a bevy of stake-out shorebirds. Area N had its 2 celebrity Hudsonian Godwits, albeit quite far out. It also had Semipalmated Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpipers, along with the expected clumps of Killdeer and yellowlegs, though we couldn't relocate the Stilt Sandpipers or White-rumped Sandpipers reported earlier. Even landbirds weren't entirely off the menu, with good views of both Vultures, a Cooper's Hawk harassing crows, and Red-headed Woodpeckers.
The Old Redbank-Sunbury Road also had quite a bit of exposed mudflats, and had its earlier-reported Black-bellied Plover, Marbled Godwit, and Little Blue Heron, along with lots of herons, egrets, gulls, and Caspian Terns. We couldn't locate the earlier-reported Wilson's Phalarope or American Golden Plover, but they're probably still out there somewhere. With no rain forecast for a while, the mudflats here and at Area N should only expand as water levels drop, so this looks to be a good shorebird year for Hoover.
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