Hairy Woodpecker / Picoides villosus

The temperature this morning, 8 February 2018, is -19C (windchill -27C). Wish I could say that it will be yet another day at home, but I have to somehow drive half way across the city in heavy snow for a regular dental appointment. I can barely tell where the road is. We are still under a Winter Storm Warning, with a total of up to 35 cm of snow expected.

On 3 February 2018, I decided to join five friends for an enjoyable walk in Fish Creek Park. With no wind and a temperature of -9C to -7C, it was comparatively pleasant. About 45 minutes into our walk, the snow returned, falling in light, fluffy clusters.

We saw more bird species than we were expecting (list of 16 species added to a comment box below), including this Hairy Woodpecker. So many birds are attracted to the bird feeders in gardens around the edge of the park, high up on the cliffs. Great that they are finding food, but sad that they are being "pulled away" from their natural habitat. People are not allowed to feed them within the park itself.

A stop at Tim Horton's for coffee after the two-hour walk was just what was needed. Always so enjoyable to sit and chat and warm up after a cold walk. Thanks, Janet and Bernie!