Birding in the Rain

I don't recall doing any rainy day birding before, but today we had a reason to drive near Saskatoon so we combined it with a search for birds. Specifically, shorebirds.  I'd heard of shorebird sightings so expected we would see some. And we did.  Avocets and a killdeer.  There were a few others that we were unable to ID because they were a blur as we drove by or simply too far away when we stopped, but no where near the number I expected to see.  It was still a good birding day, however.

Ever seen round swallows?  This is what Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows look like when it is cold.  They are probably wishing they'd stayed south a little longer.

We saw Common Loons,

pink-tinged Franklin's Gulls,

and headless Double-crested Cormorants.

More than 40 species altogether, not counting the mystery hawks.

My last bird is one of the quintessential Saskatchewan birds.  The Western Meadowlark.