Today was the Larose Forest Christmas Bird Count. Our sector was south of Clarence Cambridge Rd, beginning a few hundred metres east of Concession 9 and encompassing de la Tours Rd, Route 100, part of County Rd. 8 and Bertrand Rd. At daybreak the temperature was -15 with a windchill of about -20. Calm at first, the wind picked up as daylight came, and snow began around 9:30 and continued until about 3 p.m. Birding was quiet and snow reduced visibility considerably. Nonetheless, there were many evening grosbeaks around and on Route 100 a flock of 20 mostly males, was found eating Manitoba maple seeds. The highlight of the day was not a bird, but an ermine, resplendent in white coat with black-tipped tail, carrying a meadow vole. Although fairly common (we saw lots of weasel tracks in many locations)they are rarely seen, being quick, wary and secretive.