Hugh Currie lead our walk on February 8, 2014. It was sunny and calm, but one of our coldest walks, warming up to nearly -10 degrees by the end. It was so cold that much of what is often open water at this time of the year, was frozen over and there was mist coming off the water. Our list of bird species was unusually short: only 18 species, but we had some good sightings, including a Pied-billed Grebe (rare in winter). Another bonus was that many of the waterfowl were much closer to shore than normal, providing excellent views. Here is the complete list:

The star of the show, a Pied-billed Grebe

Redhead and Greater Scaup

White-winged Scoter (adult male)

Red-breasted Merganser (female)

Ruddy Duck (female) with a Red-breasted Merganser (male) in the foreground

White-winged Scoter (female)

Two White-winged scoters following a female Greater Scaup

A mixed flock of Redheads and Greater Scaup

Gadwall (male)

Red-breasted Merganser (female)

Long-tailed Duck (male)

White-winged Scoter (male)

An unusual “conga line” of Greater Scaup - maybe breaking a trail through the ice?