Hello and welcome back! I hope that the new format isn’t too big of a change. It was getting very difficult to create new posts in a space the size of a postage stamp. After much frustration I decided to write my content on my website where I have lost of room to read over my post and review the images. I hope that you continue to enjoy my posts and photos.
This week I wanted to share some images of birds that spend the coldest days here with us. Most of our summer visitors migrate south in the winter even if it’s only as far as Calgary. Only the hardiest birds survive through the bitter temperatures of the subarctic winter.
We don’t have the same numbers of winter birds from year to year however there are some birds that seem to thrive around Yellowknife regardless of the temperatures.
Ravens, Ptarmigan, Canada Jays, common and hoary redpolls, and house sparrows are constant companions through the winter months. Redpolls, and house sparrows will empty a bird feeder a day on the coldest of winter days. Ptarmigan will sometimes snoop around underneath a feeder for whatever the tiny birds spill.
In the forest, Boreal chickadees, Canada Jays, and some woodpeckers stick around taking shelter under the cover of spruce and pine. This year I’ve spotted a hairy woodpecker and an American Three-toed woodpecker thriving in and among dead and dying trees.
Some folks have spotted Pine Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings as well this winter however I haven’t yet had any luck spotting those birds. There is still quite a bit of winter left so I suppose there is still time.
I hope you enjoy the photos this week that show off some of the toughest cold-weather birds in Canada.
Thanks for stopping by.