Sun, cloud;  minus 2 – not a bad day for bird watching – until … you step out of the warm car … and wham … it his you full force – WIND CHILL!!! Hoods up, scarves around faces, jackets zipped to the max … keep moving – brrrr … stomp, stomp the feet – goose bumps, foggy binoculars and then … wait, shhhh … do you hear that? “fee-bee” … “fee-bee” – the forest is alive with this melody. All thoughts of cold are put aside (well, sort of) as 10 ears absorb the notes of the spring song of the male black capped chickadee staking out his territory and broadcasting to every black cap female within earshot, “I am here, waiting and available; so fly on down!”

Hey, what’s that on the ground? Where?  There.  It looks like shaving cream. Look – it’s up on some branches too – over there as well. Look at all those individual threads. They look like spun glass or angel hair … you know that white stuff people often use for decorating at Christmas. “Hoar frost”, Alan says. “You’re looking at hoar frost.” Hmm … who knew there was something so sparkly and beautiful on the forest floor and adorning branches …

So just why are we out in this bone chilling weather? I dare you to join us to find out. You too just may get hooked! By the way, the five of us saw 13 bird species on this first day of February and ended our time together with a hot drink at Tim Hortons – a great way to kick off a weekend. To join us on our next birding adventure check out our calendar. We have Thursday and Saturday morning walks.  Everyone is welcome.

Hoar Frost photo by Alan Russell

Hoar Frost photo by Alan Russell