Back to Pinery Provincial Park!

With the invasion of winter finches happening all around us, we headed back to the Pinery in hopes of finding a new species for the year. We were in luck when Jan spotted Red Crossbills high in a tall pine tree. We were able to count 19 birds! Red Crossbills are nomadic, especially in winter, and in some years "irrupt" far south of their normal range. They are so dependent upon conifer seeds, extracted with their crossed bills, they even feed the seeds to their young. Consequently, they can breed anytime a sufficiently large cone crop is found, even in the depths of winter!! 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red_Crossbill/overview

After viewing the Crossbills, we continued along the road (which is closed to traffic during the winter season) and enjoyed a walk along Riverside trail where 2 small groups of Tundra Swans flew overhead.

Pileated Woodpeckers are the size of crows! Although we only saw one individual, Pileated Woodpecker pairs stay together on territory all year round. They will defend the territory in all seasons, but will tolerate new arrivals during the winter.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/overview

We made another stop at the bird feeding area during our visit. A Red-bellied Woodpecker eyed us cautiously waiting to swoop in for seed. I have seen photos of this species hand-feeding, but have not witnessed it first hand.

Several White-breasted Nuthatches waited in line with the other birds for their chance to grab some seeds.