Todays travels took me to Allen Point in hopes of limited open water packed 
with ducks.  No luck...the open water has frozen.  This weekend and early 
next week should provide excellent duck viewing for those who are interested 
as the water is likely to open up a bit with the mild temperatures.  I did see 
two separate flocks of Snow Buntings near Allen Point.  The first about 50 
yards down Martin Road from the Allen Point access and the second on South 
Street.
After leaving South Hero I decided to check out the base of the Peterson Dam 
in Milton.  21 American Black Ducks, 3 Common Mergansers and a pair of 
Hooded Mergansers.  Another bird to note was a Pileated Woodpecker flying 
across a field on Bear Trap Road.
And not to be left out, the first Red-winged Blackbird of the year appeared 
near the feeder this morning.  Despite the fridig air he felt compeled to 
announce his presence with a song or two.  'Konkoreeeeee'.

Roger Masse
Milton