A TINY SURPRISE

On November 1st, I glanced out the window and saw a tiny animal struggling over the deer tracks in the new carpet of snow. Not really expecting a photo op, I grabbed the camera anyway and went outside to check. By this time the animal had stopped underneath our neighbour's feeder and was nibbling on some fallen seeds. I was able to grab a few quick snaps before it popped down a burrow, and identified it as a Short-tailed Shrew. Though shrews are insect-eaters, this species is known to switch to seeds as an alternative food in winter. Some Winnipeggers, including Bob Nero (best known for his Great Gray Owl research), frequently see shrews at their feeders in the city. Has anyone else had this experience in Pinawa?

WINTER FINCHES #1

By the end of October, most of the summer birds have left and the handful of species that we only (or mainly) see in winter have turned up. Among these are several species of finch. All are regular visitors to bird feeders, but they all benefit too from the many ornamental seed- and fruit-bearing trees around Pinawa. Pine Grosbeaks, like the one in this picture, like lilac seeds and crab apples, Evening Grosbeaks go for maple seeds in a big way, Common Redpolls hang in the birch trees like little ornaments as they pick off the tiny seeds, and Pine Siskins seem to have a special liking for cedar seeds.

The Pine Grosbeak is the largest North American finch. Adult males have bright pink breast, head and rump, while females and young males are mainly grey with a splash of golden yellow on the head and rump.

WINTER FINCHES #2: The Redpoll

Some long-term Pinawa residents may remember that the redpoll is my favourite winter bird. After being very scarce last winter, these little finches are back in numbers this year. It is normal for them to be abundant every other winter; their movements seem to be tied to fluctuations in birch seed crops. While they thrive on wild food in early winter, they tend to visit feeders more and more later in the season. A few are scouting out the feeders already, and one small group allowed me to get close enough for a few snaps last week.

Redpolls are chickadee-sized birds, easy to mistake for small sparrows. In all plumages (except recent fledglings) they have a small black bib and bright red forehead; adult males have more extensive red coloration, especially on the breast. Two species normally visit us in winter: the Common Redpoll (shown in the photo) and the less common, frosty-looking Hoary Redpoll.

LAST OF THE GEESE

Our local Canada Geese are always among the last to leave in fall and the first to return in spring. While those October snowstorms hastened migration for many, some lingered around the golf course well into November. This group of five is part of a flock of about 100 birds still present on the 19th; a week later I could only find seven. While the odd, injured individual may linger well into the winter, we've most likely seen the last of the big flock until some time next March. They're probably enjoying themselves in Rochester, Minnesota, where many of the breeding geese from south-eastern Manitoba spend the winter.