Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Famous Barred Owl

 

If you haven't yet heard of Barry the Barred Owl, the celebrity bird now in Central Park, you soon will. This Barred Owl is one I photographed from my car so as not to disturb the owl, who was sitting on a signpost by the side of the road. Owls fascinate people and having attention focused on one can inspire and educate people, a good thing. Getting too close to photograph one and thereby disturbing it, especially if it is trying to hunt for survival, is not a good thing.

https://www.nytimes.com/.../central-park-owl-barry.html

Snow Buntings Are Coming!

Snow Buntings

Now this is the kind of snow I might be ready for. Snow Buntings are being seen in NH, especially on the coast. These beautiful small birds breed way up there in Alaska and the Arctic on tundra and rocky slopes. They winter across much of the upper one-third of the U.S, and southern Canada on weedy fields and shores. In summer, the buffy feather edges wear off, revealing the breeding plumage which is more black-and-white especially in males. The eBird map shows where they are now. A few days ago in dense fog rising from the pond, I thought I may have seen a flock across our big field, but just couldn't get a good enough confirming look, don't you hate that when it happens? However, now I am on the lookout, you should be too. (photos from another time on the NH coast)

Project FeederWatch

 

Fun winter project! Participate in Project FeederWatch from Cornell which starts this weekend. Count birds at your feeders for science.

Join now!

https://feederwatch.org/

White-winged Dove, surprise in NH!!

There's a White-winged Dove being seen at bird feeders near an industrial park in Concord, NH! Usually found in the Southwest and Southeast this Mourning Dove look-alike can be told by the white edge of its folded wings. In the Southwest it is a resident of arid areas, while in the Gulf states it is common in landscaped suburbs and parklands and regularly visits bird feeders. So even if you are not in those areas, check closely your Mourning Doves, one could turn out to be a White-winged Dove! (photo from another time)

Evening Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, So Pretty! VOTE!

Common Redpoll

Evening Grosbeak

Some pretty winter "irruptive" finches to take your mind off today. Common Redpoll, male, left, Evening Grosbeak, male right. Hoping to see some at our feeders soon. Common Redpoll breeds way up north in northern Canada and AK, Evening Grosbeak breeds in Canada and some of western U.S. Both come down into the lower U.S. when their usual winter food supply is low. They will visit feeders here and this is looking like a good year to see them here!!