By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Those who are able to hunker down indoors this weekend are encouraged to do so as a major winter weather system moves through Central Kansas, dropping snow and temperatures below zero degrees. Cheyenne Bottoms will freeze over throughout the weekend, and Wildlife Manager Jason Wagner said the birds definitely take notice.
"Once we freeze up, we just lose the birds, especially the ducks," he said. "The geese will stick around a little bit, but this late in the year, the geese will leave probably for a short period of time. Once we start to thaw out again, they'll be back."
Duck season ended on Jan. 4. As most bird numbers wane during the cold spells, Wagner said bird watchers may be able to spot up to several dozen bald eagles at the Bottoms over the weekend.
"We've had avian influenza, so we have some sick birds," he said. "As the season progressed, we've had crippled ducks and geese out there as well. As we ice up, then nature's scavengers - the bald eagles for example - like to come out and congregate on the ice and take out those crippled birds."
Wagner expects some hunters out on the ice during the cold spell. White-fronted goose season reopens on Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 15.