Odd Fall/Winter season

A week of deep freeze seems to have pushed everything away from inland.  Duck Lake has had some impressive numbers of Hooded Mergansers.  Previous high counts of 64 are now 200, 200, 175, 160, and 98.  The 98 was on my trip out there on the 23rd.  I'm sure there were likely more on the South end.  This was also the last time the White-winged Scoter were seen there.  First time with this species in the county and we had 4-5 of them over a 30 day period.  

The rest of November was relatively quiet.  I didn't end up with target of 78 species for the month.  Only ending up with 75.  D DR S gave me 3 with Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers, along with a really late Field Sparrow.  Unbelievable a drive for a few hours did not net me any Wild Turkey, Horned Lark, or Rough-legged Hawks.  My two go to spots for Ring-necked Pheasant were also empty.  Overall seems relatively quiet around here.  The large groups of Trumpeters continue with multiple double-digit sightings.  

I doubt December will be very impressive.  I have a feeling between Chaos and a likely deep freeze it will be light.  There have been several concerns about low duck counts and a botulism outbreak contributing to it.  As for FOY birds I still have some hopes of getting 3 more with Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur and Red-shouldered Hawk.  A few other guys are possible, but not holding out hope.  220 is also unlikely for the county at this point.