Saskatchewan Birds in February

 We didn't go far in February which cut down on bird possibilities. Normally we see House Sparrows and Magpies but somehow I neglected to take photos of them this month.

Instead I have Snowy Owls.  Poor photos, but still Snowy Owls.

 

We also glimpsed a Great Horned Owl.  We often hear one in our farm yard at night, but don't often see it.

Some years we get a lot of Redpolls (aka Common Redpolls).  Other years none at all.  In February we had a few.

 

 

Mexico Birds in January

 We were in Mazatlan in January 2026.  It wasn't a birding trip but January in Mexico being different from January in Saskatchewan, we still managed to see a few birds.

The American Oystercatcher is striking.  It appears to be carrying a carrot.  This one was quite near us while we walked on the beach.

In January when we saw these birds they were simply Willets.  They have since become Prairie Willets, which is fine during breeding season on a slough in Saskatchewan but a bit silly during the winter in Mexico.  But then, we see Mountain Bluebirds on the prairies, so nothing is perfect.

The little guy on the left is a Bonaparte's Gull, also enjoying a winter vacation.

 While eating lunch at a sidewalk cafe we were fortunate to see this Rufous-bellied Chachalaca. A bit outside its usual habitat.

 This Wood Stork was hanging out at the aquarium.  Not one of the exhibits.  My personal opinion is that it is one of the strangest looking birds that God made.

 

An American Coot is a fairly common sight both in Mazatlan and in Saskatchewan but I took this photo because it is the first time I noticed (or was able to see) its feet.  They are great! And that red spot!  Invisible from any distance, but there it is in this close up.

 

A Snowy Egret.  Yellow feet, black bill.  An elegant looking bird.

And now for something entirely different, because even birders can admire the scenery.