In an otherwise undisturbed field of snow: A deep but small hole - about 3 inches across - is surrounded the marks of wing feathers more than a foot away on each side. Another similar set of marks can be seen in the background. It is the sign of an owl that has dived feet first to penetrate the snow to grab a vole while braking its fall with a strong beat of their wings.

We had a nocturnal visitor!

From the abundance of little meadow voles in our yard, there is now one (or two?) fewer.

#Yeg #YEGWildlife #Birds #Owls #Birdstodon

These two cobra chickens have been nesting on this soccer field for years now. They come back every year and it's always a pleasure to see them. #yeg #yegwildlife

A red-breasted nuthatch hangs off the side of a black cage-type suet feeder.

One of 2 red-breasted nuthatches that I counted for the #yegchristmasbirdcount in 2024. I also counted 1 downy woodpecker, 15 house finches, 11 house sparrows, 3 magpies, 1 northern flicker, 1 pigeon, and 2 blue jays. #yegbirds #yegwildlife

We had a new backyard visitor caught on camera early this morning. Porcupine! #yegwildlife

Goldenrod crab spider preying on a bee of some kind.

I wondered why that insect (bee of some kind?) was sticking straight out, and then I looked closer and saw the goldenrod crab spider having it for lunch. #spiders #goldenrodcrabspider #yegwildlife