The Park opened just after 8:00 this morning (not sure if they were going to open) because of the extra ice on the road. Just as I arrived to the parking area at Meigs in the snow, there were 7 Horned Larks with one LAPLAND LONGSPUR among them. This bird was very close and offered terrific close photo ops showing off its beautiful plumage. Off the jetty outside the rip were 5 COMMON EIDERS with 3 Common Goldeneyes and 1 Red Throated Loon. There were a small flock of hardy Sanderlings and a few Dunlin on the beach and the lee of the jetty. Along the lees side of the jetty were 11 PURPLE SANDPIPERS. Other birds: 30+ Horned Larks, few unidentified Sparrows, 1 Cardinal, 1 Flicker, 36+ Black Ducks (in the cove along the Morane Trail), 2 Mockingbirds, 1 harrier, 1 Coopers Hawk, 1 Turkey Vulture (circling by the exit area), small bunch of Crows and typical species Gulls, and 1 Red Shouldered Hawk (sitting in the trees near the entrance). When I arrived home, I saw the trees in my front yard where I now have temporary feeders (had to take them down-snow piled up from shoveling the roof) were covered with blackbirds. Looking close at the blackbirds: estimated 18 Grackles, 12 Starlings, 24 Red Wing Blackbirds and 6 Cowbirds. And of course the usual species including a new Carolina Wren that just started showing up. Keith MUeller Killingworth