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)