Most of the ponds and sloughs along the east side of the lake are covered
with a thin sheet of ice, so most of the waterfowl have moved on. The two
open areas were full with Mallards, American Coots, American Wigeons and a
few hardy Buffleheads. The main feeder, the Lardeau River, held a flock of
about 60 Canada Geese. At the north end of the lake itself, at least 3
flocks of an average of 15 Horned Grebe basked in the morning sun. One
Red-necked Grebe was checking near the shore of the north bay, along with
one Pied-billed Grebe. A few Common Loons(4 in total) were seen.
It was an absolutely wonderful morning, sunny and warm. The nights drop well
below freezing these days and the frost has thickened into patches that look
like snow. Ice has formed on the branches of the trees that border the
river. Small tastes of winter.
Happy birding,
Gail Spitler
Johnsons Landing, BC
gspitler at awinc.com