Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Every winter my good friends Paul and Jodie propose at least one visit to the Snowy Owl haunts of eastern Ontario, a trip that has had varying results in the bird department - but the trips are always perfect because of the great company and the end point - hot dogs and poutine at Landriault casse-croute. This time the birds were amazing - relaxed Snowies that were not concerned about people as they hunted/rested in the morning sun, several Bald Eagles that were very active, and some other surprises.
Often found in small groups in mixed flocks with Snow Buntings and Horned Larks, the Lapland Longspur is not unusual to find at this time of the year; this group, hovering near the entrance to a barn at a very isolated farm, was, in Paul's estimation, the largest flock of Longspurs (44 I think we settled on) he has seen in decades of birding in eastern Ontario.
Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Every winter my good friends Paul and Jodie propose at least one visit to the Snowy Owl haunts of eastern Ontario, a trip that has had varying results in the bird department - but the trips are always perfect because of the great company and the end point - hot dogs and poutine at Landriault casse-croute. This time the birds were amazing - relaxed Snowies that were not concerned about people as they hunted/rested in the morning sun, several Bald Eagles that were very active, and some other surprises.
Often found in small groups in mixed flocks with Snow Buntings and Horned Larks, the Lapland Longspur is not unusual to find at this time of the year; this group, hovering near the entrance to a barn at a very isolated farm, was, in Paul's estimation, the largest flock of Longspurs (44 I think we settled on) he has seen in decades of birding in eastern Ontario.