A Blustery Walk Around Bennington Lake

What would make three birders want to take a walk in 30 mph plus winds?  No, the answer isn't a rare bird – it's "cabin fever".  After a week of icy/snowy weather, we saw the sun and decided to walk regardless of the wind.  The wind was howling in the parking lot and across the dam, but once across we were more protected so it wasn't so bad.  Of course, the birds didn't think it was a very good day to be out in the wind even though the sun was shining.  We only saw one bird in the tree tops – a house finch – and it was holding on for dear life.  We had to work at it, but were able to eek out 22 species.  86 common mergansers dotted the lake and 13 green-winged teal were tucked into a cove on the south side.  Juncos were abundant and five downy woodpeckers were busy on the rose galls.  One great horned owl sat in a willow on the east side of the canal. No, it wasn't the best morning to be bird watching, but it was good to be outside.  Ginger