Hairy Woodpecker

All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 28 December, during the annual Audubon Cochrane Wildlife Reserve Christmas Bird Count. The area that my small group of seven people covered was N of Cochrane and E of Highway 22. Though the word 'Reserve' is in the name, this count was like most others, driving all the country backroads and calling in at several farms. The weather was bad, with poor light and gently falling snow pretty well all day long. Thanks so much, Stephen, for driving the four of us safely!

This is not a good photo, but I thought I should have one bird photo to represent this Bird Count. Other than four distant photos of a Common Redpoll, which were deleted straight away, this was the ONLY bird photo I managed to take during all the hours we were out, ha! We saw this female when we called in at one of our favourite acreages early in the day, belonging to the Myra family. We saw it at the feeders, using its tail for balance, and also clinging to the stucco on the side of their house. Every single year we visit their place, Audrey has cookies and tea and coffee ready for us to enjoy - so thoughtful!

I will add our leader's report for this day's count below. Not a huge number of species, with a Pileated Woodpecker being the highlight plus so many Snow Buntings.

"The day was overcast, light snow most of day, calm, -09°C. 20 cm snow on ground. Most streams frozen over.

Total Party kms by Car - 84; Total Party kms by foot – 2km.
Total Party hours by Car – 3; Total Party hours by foot -2 hrs
Total Party hours feeder watching – 1:40 min.

Rough-legged Hawk-1
Rock Pigeon-4
Downy Woodpecker-10.
Hairy Woodpecker-3
PILEATED WOODPECKER-1
Black-billed Magpie- 19
Common Raven- 18
Black-capped Chickadee- 41
Red-breasted Nuthatch- 3
White-breasted Nuthatch-1
American Tree Sparrow-7
Dark-eyed Junco-1
Snow Bunting-3550
Pine Grosbeak-25
White-winged Crossbill-15
Common Redpoll-1811
House Sparrow-106

Red Squirrel-2"