Winter Peace Update

[Chris]

Despite a recent cold stretch where the temperature got to minus 37 with a wind chill of minus 48, the weather has been fantastic for winter. The majority of days have been around minus 10 to zero. A few highlights so far include a Black-backed Woodpecker, only the second time seeing one, a couple of Gyrfalcons, and two Snowy Owls. Hawks Owls are still present in good numbers along with winter finches, redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks, and WW Crossbills are quite common.

A surprise find was a Short-eared Owl last weekend. I also saw one yesterday in a different area although there is a small chance it would be the same one. Very rare up here in the winter.

Photo taken through the windshield from a distance.



Snowy Owl.



Hawk Owl



Snow Bunting in a tree.



and where one would expect to see them



I am at 35 species so far which is fairly good. For the winter, including December I am at 39 species. I am hoping to get 40 before February ends.

Here is the list

Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Ruffed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Rock Pigeon
Northern Goshawk
Bald Eagle
Snowy Owl
Northern Hawk Owl
Short-eared Owl
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Gyrfalcon
Northern Shrike
Canada Jay
Blue Jay
Black-billed Magpie
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Dipper
European Starling
Bohemian Waxwing
House Sparrow
Evening Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeak
Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
White-winged Crossbill
Snow Bunting

The four species I saw in December but so far not this year are GG Owl, Saw-Whet Owl, Boreal Chickadee, and Golden-crowned Kinglet.

[imperialbirders]

Hi Chris
I really enjoy your Peace updates. Great photos.

Mike

[ed]

Good report. Love the owls up there!

[kenneth2019]

I love the reports. I worked in the oil patch, drove as far as Prophet river and side roads. Alberta Border to Willow Flats, Pine plant, Hudson Hope.

[Chris]

Thanks for the comments. Sorry for the late reply but it was a busy week!

Ken, that's quite the distance. I have done very little exploring north of Mile 73. There are a lot of side roads to explore up here, although the mud can be a pain at times.

[kenneth2019]

Yes, driving the mud, a lot to learn.
Best day driving the Alaska Hwy north of mile 73, saw 6 Great Greys hunting the margins of the highway and 6 Lynx on the side roads (two family groups). It was 30 below and most were around Sikanni Chief.