Independence Grove, Lake Opeka & Axehead Lake Wednesday 1-21-26

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

I thought I should visit Independence Grove before the arriving cold
would freeze up the water
but I was too late as all water was already frozen in the lake. But
the stream was open & that's where the few ducks & a Kingfisher I saw
were located.

Independence Grove (11-11:35 am)

Canada Goose (6 in the stream & 80 flying west)
Mallard (14)
Goldeneye (6)
Hooded Merganser (2-M & 1-F)
Red Tailed Hawk (1 fly-by)
American Kestrel (1-M)
Kingfisher (1-F)
Red Bellied Woodpecker (1)
Tree Sparrow (a flock of 7)

Lake Opeka (1:40-1:50 pm)

Water almost all frozen but 2 small open areas continue.

Canada Goose (16, lawns)
Goldeneye (11)
Herring Gull (21`)

Axehead Lake (1:55-2:05 pm)

Water here is completely frozen, no ducks or geese.

Pigeons (~25, at the roost site)
Red Bellied Woodpecker (H-1)
Starling (6 fly-bys)

So only 12 species for the day with no roadside additions.
Bird-Of-The-Day to the Kestrel & Runner-Up to the female Kingfisher.
A slow day but at least I got out & saw a few birds.

Al Stokie
In both Lake & Cook Co's today but mostly in Lake County