A few hundred coots, ducks and geese continue to occur in the very few hectares of open water lingering at Carter Lake.
The following pics were taken the morning of December 6 when the temperature was a stifling 2o, with a slight breeze from the north. With the wind chill, there was probably no temperature. It was absolutely arctic, though fine enough to have a "sun dog" to enjoy while listening to the chorus of the wild birds, and the symphony of the ice waft across the frozen terrain.
Upon leaving the lake, someone was burning material just north of the west side of the park, leaving a smoky haze over the ground.
Variety of Fowl
A survey taken mid-afternoon on the 5th, recorded a fine variety of species continuing at this locale — the Sandy Griswold Bird Sanctuary — as it obviously is providing conditions suitable for survival. Birds noted at the three small areas not ice-covered, included:
- Pied-billed Grebe
- Cackling Goose
- Canada Goose
- American Coot
- Mallard
- Gadwall
- American Wigeon
- a group of Northern Shoveler
- a nice bunch of Canvasback
- Redhead
- Common Goldeneye
- Bufflehead
- Lesser Scaup
- Ring-necked Duck
- Ruddy Duck
- Ring-billed Gull
There was also a nice Harlan's Hawk atop a tree at the Shoreline Golf Course.