St Mary's Seminary, Lake Opeka & Axehead Lake Tuesday 12-23-25

[Al Stokie]

Hello Bird People,

Didn't find many birds today, only common Winter residents & common water birds.
Started at St Mary's Seminary but only saw 12 species, none
interesting. Then at Lake Opeka the warm temps have resulted in more
open water but not many ducks. At Axehead Lake the Loon continues with
lots of open water and a few bird companions.

St Mary's Seminary (9:30-11:30 am) (The lake is completely frozen)

Canada Goose (5 fly-bys)
Mourning Dove (4)
Red Bellied Woodpecker (4)
Downy Woodpecker (2)
Hairy Woodpecker (H-1)
Blue Jay (4)
Crow (H-1)
Chickadee (4)
W.B. Nuthatch (5)
Robin (4)
Cardinal (1-M)
Goldfinch (H-2)

Lake Opeka (1-1:15 pm)

Canada Goose (8)
Mallard (22)
Goldeneye (5)
Hooded Merganser (1-M)
Ring Billed (4) & Herring (35) Gulls

Axehead Lake (1:20-1:40 pm)

COMMON LOON (1, continuing)
Canada Goose (82)
Mallard (1-PR)
Red Breasted Merganser (2-M & 1-F)
Coot (1, continuing)
Rock Pigeons (~80)

So 21 species at the 3 sites plus roadside Starlings for a day's total of 22.
Not much to choose from but Bird-Of-The-Day will be the nice looking
Hooded Merganser &
Runner-Up will be the continuing Common Loon.

But the highlight of the day was a healthy looking RED FOX who ran
across a closed road at St Mary's Seminary. This was the 1st one I've
seen all year as I seldom see them any more, too many Coyotes I guess.

Al Stokie
In Lake & Cook Co's today