Well, it’s now official. According to an article in today’s paper, “Great Lakes ice cover was at record low on Jan. 1.” Hence the lack of birds on the river, such as goldeneyes and buffleheads, that I believe only come south in search of open water when they have to. Ice was forming on the river this morning, however, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a quintet of common mergansers back again. Too bad there wasn’t some nice morning sun to light them up as there was last time.
A young Cooper’s hawk, as indicated by the white splotches on its back, perched high above the northern island, perhaps gazing at the mergansers below.
And that’s all the critters for today, I’m afraid. Thankfully, the cold weather and slowly lowering river water did make for some fun ice art.
Finally, since I have so much empty space today, here’s one more look at that dashing northern mocking bird from Connecticut posing in the warm morning sun a few days ago.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 