Our first big snow of the season accumulated yesterday and threw a wrench into several Christmas Bird Count events, affecting both the number of participants and the number of birds. Snow is lingering this morning so it’ll affect today’s counts as well.
The first snow always changes the mix of birds. Species who don’t like it leave the area and those who do move in.
We’ve had large flocks of American robins in Pittsburgh for weeks but the snow cover will prompt them to leave for the south. Meanwhile snow buntings, rough-legged hawks and short-eared owls will be easier to find near Volant in Lawrence County now that the ground is covered.
It’ll be interesting to see who’s here and who’s not by mid-week.
Bundle up and enjoy it!
(photo by Dianne Machesney)
Thanks for this article, Kate…hope everyone gets a few “goodies” for their CBC as the snow surely will help us find them better…I think winter has an electric beauty all her own and I love Dianne’s photograph–thanks for that, too.