Dainty Common Redpoll posing

When friends, Dorothy and Stephen, invited me to go with them on a spur-of-the-moment drive east of the city on 7 December 2012, the main thing we were searching for was a Snowy Owl. Before we saw our first Snowy of this winter, we saw several flocks of Snow Buntings and Common Redpolls. They were flying at top speed over the fields and backroads, but we were lucky a couple of times when some of them landed on the snow-covered stubble near the edge of the road or on a barbed-wire fence. You can barely see the deep red "dot" on this female's forehead, but in better light, it looks so pretty.

Luckily, we found four Snowy Owls. The first Owl was perched on an electricity power line, way down the road and unfortunately was mobbed by a whole flock of small birds (Snow Buntings or Common Redpolls) making it fly way off across a field, before we could slowly approach. The second one was so far away, sitting on the ground in a huge field that was a mix of snow and golden stubble. I just happened to notice the tiniest white speck - probably not far off a kilometre away? - with my naked eyes. We pulled over and, sure enough, it was a Snowy. I might post a photo I took, using 48 times zoom and then heavily cropped, to give an idea, for those who have never been on a Snowy Owl search, just how difficult these birds can be to find : ) The third Owl was perched on the usual, ugly, power pole, but at least it was closer : ) The fourth owl, seen on our way back home, must have been a young one, as it was so curious about us. It just had a young look to it and really was quite cute to watch. These Snowy Owls were simply amazing to see, as always.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Redpoll

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Redpoll/id