This morning the snow was coming down hard, with an increasing wind (20 mph on its way up to 35 mph). In short, it was an excellent time to go birding. Success in these conditions requires previous research and knowing how to think like a bird (makes me a bird brain?!).

The wind meant trying to find raptors (owls or hawks) would be a foolish activity. Birds that require either perfect sight lines or hearing to hunt, sit out storms. In the winter raptors conserve energy and hunker down out of the elements when adverse weather would make hunting fruitless. However, songbirds like Bohemian Waxwings will continue to eat through a storm. The will prefer protected locations.

Thus I drove back roads to a old crabapple farm. I hit the jackpot and found over 250 Bohemians. The wind and snow meant they chose crabapples trees which provided some protection from the elements. This winter the size of the waxwing flocks has amazed me. In some recent years almost nary of Bohemian flew south from Canada.

Take notice of fruit trees whenever you are out and about. Return when you have time to bird; the food will eventually attract our feathered friends.

Crabapple Eating Time

Braving the Elements (snowflake bursts against a Waxwing, and another battles the wind)

Great Gray Owl Hunting Yesterday Morning just after Sunrise

Snowy Owl Hunting Yesterday Afternoon just before Sunset