Sunday, January 1, 2012

What Winter!

Well so far this seems to be the Winter that isn't! Some like it and others don't!

I don't!

 We were hoping for a cold winter with average snows, to help bringalong our Winter Targets of Snowy Owls,Rough-legged HAwks and Snow Buntings. So far there have been few if  any of these Species. The last week has brought more winter like weather, but we haven't ssen the Birds. We are still seeing lots of  Summer Birds, such as Starlings,Robins and Flickers.
 Such is life, when you set your Expectations High, you are often let down! We will still get a few of our Target Birds, that I am quite confident about, but "When?" is the question!
 Our friend Mike Blom in Alberta, has had an Excellent year for Snowy Owls with atleast 18 Banded, plus some Hawk Owls.
 Apparently from the Central Great Lakes and West, There is a huge push of Snowy Owls! These are mostly younger Birds. They had great Nesting Seasons with lots of Food, so they produced lots of Young. Now they are driven out by, "not lack of Food, but increased Competition with the many Snowy Owls" mostly Females that are larger than the Males.

 All we can do is wait and see, and try to be prepared for when our moment arises!

Happy New Years, and heres to a productive 2012!