Saturday, January 22, 2011

Horned Larks and Snow Buntings on a snowy field

After several days of cold and snow it was  beautiful, balmy (30 degrees) and  windstill this morning. A flock of 20+ Horned Larks appeard to be enjoying the sun on a large snow-covered field off River Rd halfway between Putney and Westminster.  As opposed to my previous post on Horned Larks these were not foraging but sat motionless.



They may have been roosting there all night as quite a few were still burrowed in the snow, with just their heads peeking out, seeking protection from the cold. When I drove back about an hour later though not much had changed. They were still in the same spot, not foraging or moving around.


But this time they were joined by three Snow Buntings

Snow Buntings are a high arctic breeder, and appear here only in the winter, when they forage on grasses and seeds protruding from snow cover.  The usually move in flocks over windswept barren-looking places where it is a wonder that they find enough to eat.  After a heavy snow storm they congregate along roadsides and farm yards. They frequently associate with Horned Larks, and also Lapland Longspurs which however I have not seen yet.

Also basking in the sun this day was a flock of House Sparrows in a shrub overgrown with the invasive Oriental Bittersweet -- a fitting match, I suppose.

Male and female House Sparrows

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment.


16 comments:

  1. It's such a startling habitat, isn't it? Lovely shots.

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  2. Great Hilke. I've never seen birds deep in the snow like that. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River.

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  3. What a wonderful sight that must have been. Beautiful images! A joy to visit your blog!

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  4. Hi ...I am totaly amazed to see the Horned Larks just sitting there in the snow what an odd sight!!
    Snow buntings I have seen here in Maine every winter and they are a glories sight in flight!!
    Beautiful photos!!

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  5. I enjoyed viewing your beautiful images.

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  6. What a delicious sight and set of photos! Even those 'dreaded' House Sparrows. I'm reading A World Of Watchers right now, by Kastner. He has a good read in there about "The Sparrow Wars" and the beginning of birding in the way we know it today. I envy your Horned Lark shots!

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  7. Ohhh! I see those little Snow Buntings. I found a small flock of Horned Larks a week ago, but no buntings were hiding among them. Love these photos of your flock!

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  8. Aww, I'd love to find a snowy field of birds like these! Great photos!

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  9. Penelope, Gary, Julie, Grammie, Susang6, Robin and Kelly, thank you all for your kind words. It was a thrill to learn about birds seeking shelter inside the snow.

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  10. Just awesome. I wish I could have been there. Wonderful photos!

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  11. Still searching for the elusive Snow bunting. Ugh! Excellent pics.

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  12. Thank you, Eileen, John and Dave, for your kind words.

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  13. adorable pictures! i always love seeing birds in snow, these photos are great. That one little guy is completely buried- funny! :)

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  14. Weird to see them so deep in the snow.
    I never knew that these birdies just stay on the ground when it's covered with snow.
    Lovely shots all, but especially love that shot of the puffed up house sparrow. Too funny :D

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  15. How bright the yellow of their faces appears against the white snow! I have not seen either of these 2 species this winter! I have HOSPs also, but only a few.

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