January – Sault Ste. Marie

Yesterday we went to Rudyard, Pickford and Sault Ste. Marie looking for birds on a very cold morning (-5 to -7F) with pur friends Jan and Kurt. My camera decided to stop operating optimally but here’s what I got anyway.

We had a day filled with Pine Grosbeaks. We also had American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and a single male Purple Finch. We also had a nice large flock of Snow Buntings.

One of the highlights of the day was a SNowy Owl on Hantz Rd., in Rudyard.

Several Rough-legged Hawks were nice to find. We also had a nice number of Bald Eagles including four at a deer carcass.

Finding a group of Sharp-tailed Grouse in aspens in Pickford was nice, especially wneh they got to the ground and a male started dancing.

We had nice long looks at several Northern Shrikes.

Finding not one, but two different porcupines north of Pickford was a real treat.

More later…