With the temperature still down below freezing, we now have a snow warning in effect…
and as you can see…it has started…just how much we’ll end up with, time will tell!
Despite, or perhaps because of the snow there was more bird activity than we’ve seen for a few days…
among the assorted ducks were Green Wing Teal, an American Wigeon (right at the bottom), some Mallard and a couple of female Common Merganser that didn’t make it into the picture. Also in this area, a couple of Northern Flicker, that Belted Kingfisher and the flock of Red-wing Blackbirds.
as we started our walk, we had noticed one adult Bald Eagle in the tree by the viewing platform….it was being very vocal for no apparent reason, until it was joined by a second bird…
From their vocalization and the fact that they perched in such close proximity, I’m guessing that they are a breeding pair….wouldn’t it be wonderful if they would consider building a nest in this tree! an unlikely scenario I guess, but we can always hope.
The most exciting find of the day was the spotting of a Red-breasted Sapsucker!!
I didn’t have a camera with me when I spotted it, so am using this file photo which also shows the feeding holes that I mentioned a few posts ago. The Sapsucker drills these ‘well’s’ which fill with sap, then feeds, not only on the sap, but on the insects that are attracted to the sap. These wells and the sap and the insects they collect, are also a crucial source of food for the Rufous Hummingbirds when they return – which as hard as it is to believe on a day like today, they will be doing in about 3 weeks time!
Sometimes these birds are mistakenly called ‘Red headed Woodpecker’ – there is such a species, but they are only found in the eastern part of the U.S.A. while the Red-breasted Sapsucker is only found here on the extreme western edge of the continent.
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