There was a slight breeze but the day and roads were otherwise fine. NOT much snow on them there fields and hills. We could still get several large snowfalls, that is what it would take to get us to average. Not time to panic, yet.
Reminding us to always look behind yourself, was an adult BALD EAGLE ripping up the last of a dead deer, a half dozen feet from the edge of the highway across from North Star Landing (Bummers' Flats).
The bacon burger at Wasa Diner was pretty good, and they have free beverages for seniors AND free wi-fi! So iPad lesson ensued between bites.
Driving in to Kimberley, we congratulated ourselves on ticking off several Winter Challenge species and were planning on upping the number on our next effort when what should we spy but a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL along Mark Creek, and a PINE GROSBEAK further up Gerry Sorenson Way ... Two more for the list!
Plus! BCB (birding-checklist buddy) pulled a lifer for me out of a flock of Redpolls at a feeder. Yes, a HOARY REDPOLL! Thank you, so much! And thank you feeder person for filling your feeders and welcoming us in your yard.
The bacon burger at Wasa Diner was pretty good, and they have free beverages for seniors AND free wi-fi! So iPad lesson ensued between bites.
Driving in to Kimberley, we congratulated ourselves on ticking off several Winter Challenge species and were planning on upping the number on our next effort when what should we spy but a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL along Mark Creek, and a PINE GROSBEAK further up Gerry Sorenson Way ... Two more for the list!
Plus! BCB (birding-checklist buddy) pulled a lifer for me out of a flock of Redpolls at a feeder. Yes, a HOARY REDPOLL! Thank you, so much! And thank you feeder person for filling your feeders and welcoming us in your yard.
Now, I am pretty confident that it was a HORE. Several times when others have id'd a redpoll as Hoary, I have not counted it myself, wanting to be absolutely confident. This one, I am happy to call it. Very white where it should be - check yer books - (although I didn't see its private regions which should be unstreaked or only very light. "show me your butt!" I did not yell, being respectful of other's dignity, even this species', and their winter feeding requirements.)
Dianne C.
List:
* Winter Challenge species
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk*
Eurasian Collared-Dove*
Northern Pygmy-Owl*
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northern Shrike*
Clark's Nutcracker
Black-billed Magpie
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-winged Blackbird*
Pine Grosbeak*
Red Crossbill
Common Redpoll*
Hoary Redpoll
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak*
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