I was surprised to note the ice build-up of four days ago had all  gone!  
Brisk wind and air temperature of 25 degrees F made a wind-chill  reading of 
about 10 degrees F.
 
Lake Bomoseen-Castleton (2360 acres), Rutland, US-VT
Dec 17, 2011 9:30  AM - 11:55 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments:      Temperature 25 degrees F.  Water open again.  Observations 
made from 8  stations around the lake.  Brisk north wind and snowing.
16  species

American Black Duck  2
Mallard  35
Greater  Scaup  1
Lesser Scaup  2
Bufflehead  45
Common  Goldeneye  196
Hooded Merganser  87     One large  group of 75 and two smaller groups of 9 
and 3.  Actively feeding.   Smaller groups with Buffleheads.
Common Merganser  10
Mourning  Dove  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Pileated Woodpecker   1
American Crow  8
Black-capped Chickadee  1
European  Starling  36
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  17
Northern  Cardinal  1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3  (http://ebird.org/vt)

Cheers,
Roy Pilcher
The Gables at East Mountain, Rutland,  Vermont

Speaking the same language.