The Columbus Audubon trip to parks along this greenbelt in north Columbus and Worthington found a warm, breezy day, with spotty migrant distribution.
We stopped at Antrim Lake park and the River Bluff area of Highbanks Metropark, and I visited Whetstone Park before the start, so it was a good representation of the corridor. Notables included:
- Raptors – Red-shoulders were at Whetstone (2) and Antrim Lake, while Red-taileds were at Antrim and River Bluffs (5). River Bluffs also had 1 Cooper’s Hawk and a Bald Eagle.
- Waterfowl – nothing unusual besides 2 Pied-billed Grebes at Antrim lake
- Swifts,Swallows – swifts were at several places along the corridor, while the only swallows were 3 Rough-wings that flew south over Antrim Lake.
- Woodpeckers – good numbers of residents, but the only obvious migrants were single Sapsuckers at Antrim Lake (heard) and River Bluff
- Vireos – 2 Red-eyed were at Antrim lake, the only vireos we found all morning
- Kinglets – Ruby-crowns were at many spots, while the only Golden-crown was at Antrim Lake.
- Wrens – Carolinas were widespread, while the only House Wren was at RiverBluffs, and single Winter Wrens were heard at Antrim Lake and River Bluff.
- Thrushes – 2 Swainson’s were calling at Antrim lake, while 2 Gray-cheeked were at River Bluff
- Warblers – no great numbers, but good diversity, with Orange-crowned, Tennessee, Magnolias, N.Parula, Redstart, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackpoll, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, and Wilson’s. The Orange-crowned was at the southwest corner of Antrim lake.
- Sparrows – Songs and White-throateds were widespread, but we also had Chipping (Antrim) and Swamp (Whetstone)
- Bunting,Grosbeaks – an Indigo Bunting was in the pocket prairie at Whetstone, while Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were calling at Antrim and River Bluff