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I worked the Southern & Western Rest Areas and the bay in between this morning. I arrived at about 8:30 and the temperature was in the mid-30s and it was perfectly clear and sunny. It did not take long for the lake to suck all heat from my hands. My feet were okay in my two pair of socks and new insulated waterproof (I hope) calf half boots and the rest of me too but the hands needed more than the fingerless gloves that I had. Of the three spots, the SRA was the busiest. Left at 10 AM.

Species seen or heard:
• American Crow
• Lesser Scaup
• Common Goldeneye
• Common Loon
• Horned Grebe
• Bufflehead
• Brown Creeper
• Tufted Titmouse
• Carolina Chickadee
• Ring-billed Gull
• Chipping Sparrow
• Belted Kingfisher
• Bald Eagle
• Turkey Vulture

Samantha and I made a run down to the lake to see the reported Western Grebes. It took 53 minutes to get to Degray Lake State Park from home. It was still cold and we found the western end of the Caddo peninsula to still be locked when we go there so we had to walk the remain half mile or so. It was worth it as when we got to that westernmost point and looked even further west, we saw two Western Grebes right where they have been reported. Life birds for both of us.

Species seen or heard:
• Western Grebe
• American Crow
• Turkey Vulture
• Blackbird sp.
• Pied-billed Grebe
• Northern Mockingbird
• Canada Goose
• Dark-eyed Junco
• Carolina Chickadee
• Ring-billed Gull
• Duck sp.
• Belted Kingfisher
• Tufted Titmouse
• Blue Jay
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Carolina Wren
• Northern Cardinal
• Turkey Vulture
• Great Blue Heron

I arrived at 8:08. It was completely overcast and officially about 40 F but the cold was penetrating and it seemed much colder after a bit. I walked up (northward) along the west side of the backwater and then just inside the backwater entrance before deciding to leave at 9:30. It started to rain just as I was approaching the car.

Species seen or heard:
• Chipping Sparrow
• Le Conte’s Sparrow
• Rock Pigeon
• Blue Jay
• American Crow
• Eastern Bluebird
• Northern Cardinal
• Carolina Wren
• White-throated Sparrow
• Red-tailed Hawk
• American Coot
• Northern Mockingbird
• Carolina Chickadee
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Swamp Sparrow
• Killdeer
• Eastern Towhee
• Downy Woodpecker
• Belted Kingfisher
• Savannah Sparrow
• Turkey Vulture
• Red-bellied Woodpecker