I joined the East Fork State Park Christmas Count.  At the end of the day my list was 68.  I arrived almost too late to join the count, but followed Joe Bens and his group.  One my way to the south beach, I added Red-shouldered Hawk-1.  At the beach in a small flock of Canada Geese flying by, I added Greater White-fronted Goose-2.  The Eastern Phoebe had survived a very cold night (13F) and was still present near the bath houses and added to the Christmas count list.  At the prairie I added Field Sparrow-2. The prairie habitat is not as good this year, because all vegetation was cut in the fall to limit woody plants.  At the trail access parking area along the entry road from the South Bantam Entrance, I added Winter Wren-1, which popped out of the ground cover around the small frozen pond near the blind and wood duck box.  It promptly disappeared-as usual for Winter Wren.  At a private nearby feeder, Brown-headed Cowbird-3 and Fox Sparrow-1 were added.  Great Blue Heron-1 was added at the dam.  At the raceway, I added a distant Belted Kingfisher-1 rattling.  On the way back to Bethel for lunch, I added Copper's Hawk-1. In the afternoon along the south side of the lake, we birded the roads that end at or near the lake.  I added Brown Creeper-2, Hermit Thrush-1, Turkey Vulture-3, Black Vulture-3, Sharp-shinned Hawk-1 and a beautiful male Purple Finch-1.  A list of 68 after two days is about average for me for the past three years.
Jay

Jay G. Lehman
Cincinnati, OH
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