(Sorry, couldn't resist). Ducks on Coventry Lake this season have been notable by their absence. The last few years I have seen a decent assortment, but, until today, nothing this year. For the past few weeks I haven't even been able to find more than 2 Mallards. However, as I drove past the lake on the way home from work I spotted a small raft of birds, and quickly returned with bins and scope. I estimate there are at least 60 Mallards on the lake now, although they are split up into smaller groups in several areas. I spotted one female Hooded Merganser and at least 10 Common Mergansers (actively diving and hard to keep track of). In addition, there are now at least 40-45 Ring-necked Ducks. Still no sign of Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead or Pied-billed Grebes, and there have usually been quite a few Hooded Mergs. Last year I had ducks relatively early in the fall season, and they stayed for quite a while. I suspect these birds have come in from other places that have started to ice over now. Coventry Lake is quite deep, and one of the last spots to freeze in this part of the state. Last year it was much colder early and perhaps that's why the birds were earlier too. At present there is only a small skim ice shelf in a sheltered part of the lake. (Biting tongue and staying out of the Great Naming Debate - at least for now) Don Morgan Coventry