Lake Opeka in Des Plaines Wednesday 1-22-25

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

Another cold day so I just checked two local lakes after lunch.
One (Axehead Lake) was completely frozen with no birds at all except
for Pigeons at the roost.

The other lake was Lake Opeka & much to my surprise there are about 4
small areas of open water & in them were:

Canada Goose (11)
Mallard (62)
Common Goldeneye (22)
Hooded Merganser (1, the usual male)
Ring Billed Gull (3)
Herring Gull (28)
(The diving ducks were back after being missing last time.)

So only 7 species for the day but I was glad to get out briefly & see
a few birds.
Bird-Of-The-Day can be the Hooded Merganser although he didn't have
much competition.
We are supposed to start a slow warming trend tomorrow with temps in
the 30's by Saturday.
I can hardly wait!

Al Stokie
Very local in Cook County today