We made it this morning, after heavy rain most of the night, the sun was
out and the sky was blue. Only 4 people showed up but we still had a
good time. As soon as we parked at Railroad Park we looked towards the
old St. Mary's and there was our "friend" the Peregrine Falcon.

The bird list was terribly short, a Red-tailed Hawk made one pass, there
were 43 Mallards, the only duck, lots of water but no ducks as no lakes
are frozen. Also we had two Mockingbirds near the Hilton, crows and
chickadees about, plus Herring and Ring-billed Gulls. There was one
Belted Kingfisher above the falls and an American Goldfinch near the old
EL. That was it (plus rock pigeons).

Kathrine Rohnert told us there are two Sandhill Cranes near the West
Poland post office on Megguier Hill Road in the fields visible from the
road. They have been there about a month, maybe much more.

We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season, a great winter too (with no
snow or lots of snow depending on your persuasion!) and we look forward
to seeing you all again in June. My next email will be in May with a
list of dates and places for next summer. Thank you all for an
enjoyable fall and summer 2011.

--
Stan DeOrsey