Greetings---the ponds and lake in my local patch were all frozen over this morning.  This is the earliest freeze-up we've had here in Ohio in years, by my recollection.  This is a great time for us inland birders to seek out those reservoirs which have open water, as waterbirds will be concentrated at such sites.  It would be helpful if observers would report on the status of open water at places they visit, so that our birding efforts can be concentrated at more productive sites during the winter season.  Don't neglect spillways and other places with moving water, these often hold interesting birds this time of year.  Ditto for spring-fed marshes, seeps, etc.  Freezing water to our north should be moving new birds our way also.  I've been watching my feeders diligently the last few days, but the only unusual visitor was a female brown-headed cowbird this morning.  The local red-breasted nuthatch(es) seem to have departed.  Seed-seeking northern irruptives are being widely
 reported in the Great Lakes region, so continue to keep and eye out for them.  CBC's should be very interesting this year........Craig in Lowellville

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