Winter Season

So far this winter has been short of spectacular! Although we are nearing the end of February, we really haven't experienced much winter . We have done Nil,Nada, Zilch Zip for Snow Buntings. They just haven't been around very much and definately not in Reliable Flocks. Horned Larks are already quite prevelent in the Fields and along the Roads of our Winter Study Areas. These are true Harbingers of Spring(not Robins)! We can only play the Cards we are dealt, and the Dealing has not been Great!

 
Second Year Northern Shrike


That being said, we have managed to catch 6 Snowy Owls(caught another today), about 6 Red-tails, 3 Kestrels, 3 Shrikes, 1 Coopers Hawk and 2 extremely unexpected Birds.

The first was a SY Red-shouldered Hawk . This is odd as they don't normally overwinter here in Simcoe County, especially as a Juvie.






Second Year Red-shouldered Hawk

The second was a SY Bald Eagle! Wow.........................didn't see that one coming!
Nigel caught the Eagle on a Bal-Chatri with a Hamster for Bait! He initially thought it was a Red-tail because the light was behind it, Boy was he surprised when this thing came Barrelling for the Hamster!In 30+ years of Banding this was Nigels first Eagle Species(Congrats)!

This also marked the first of both species for the Simcoe County Banding Group as a whole!



After Second Year Male Snowy Owl












Another ASY Snowy





After Second Year Male American Kestrel



My first Snowy Owl! An ASY Male









So I guess it hasn't been a total Bust! Actually it is a better season Raptor wise than last Winter, so lets hope that is a sign of things to come!


 Nigel has left for a Banding Expedition in South Africa! He will be banding Raptors along the Kahlahari Trail(Lucky Bastard) ! He was selected by the AFC(Artist for Conservation) to recieve a Grant for this Trip. He will be doing Field Sketches and keeping notes ,aswell as taking alot of Photos. This is for when he returns he will have to do a series of Paintings and Tour with them , talking about How the importance of Bird Migration and Conservation is ! Congratulations on such an Honour Nigel!