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On December 18, bird enthusiasts flocked to Lake Red Rock for the annual Christmas Bird Count. Ornithologist Aaron Brees says that there were 77 species recorded this year which is a good number considering the lake was almost completely frozen. Brees adds that the highlights were the large number of pelicans, the 21 different species of waterfowl, two long-tailed ducks and a gray catbird. According to Brees, in the 90’s it was rare to find a pelican at Lake Red Rock in winter but recently, healthy pelicans have begun wintering. If the approximately 300 pelicans spend the winter in Marion County, this would be the highest number to winter at Lake Red Rock.