A building of Rooks: Winter

Winter arrived all of a sudden, and now we've entered that period when days are short and birds are scarce. But certainly not all gone! Some of my friends are surprised when I tell them I go out birding in winter as well, "surely there aren't any birds around now?"

Oh how wrong they are! Now is the time for going out to the large plains around Uppsala, searching for Golden Eagles, those most majestic of birds. Some people are really lucky, seeing them chase after rabbits, something I have yet to see. I've been learning how to tell their age though, it's very interesting and it feels as it lends more to the observation when I'm able to tell that the eagle flying past us is three years old.
On the plains you can also find large flocks of Yellowhammers and Redpolls, and it's usually rewarding to look through them for rarer species. A few weeks ago I had both Lapland and Snow Bunting in amongst the Yellowhammers, and yesterday an Arctic Redpoll among the Common ones.

The forests can also be rewarding at this time, although it's often hard work and there's been times when I've come back having seen like two Blue Tits and nothing else. On a good day (with a bit of luck) there might be wonderful birds such as Black Grouses, Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Pygmy Owls, Pine Grosbeaks, all kinds of Crossbills and, if you just travel a bit north to Gästrikland, Siberian Jays.

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator), male, Kittan, Gästrikland, 7/11-2010

Of course, one might want to stay in the city. Not to fear, Uppsala has it's very own Peregrine, which seems to favour the cathedral this year. I haven't seen it so far, but mom saw it a while back, and other people have seen it hunting around the cathedral. Just next to the cathedral is the Uppland museum, where a Dipper can often be found in the rapid waters of the river Fyris. Both Sparrowhawk and Goshawk can be seen chasing pigeons and smaller birds, and it can sometimes pay off having a look at the Mallards in the Swan Pond (which they must rename when the last swan, Alexander, dies...), I had a Wigeon there a few weeks ago.
The Ural Owl that moved into town two winters ago sadly perished in the following summer, but last year eight Long-eared Owls could be seen in some gardens in central Uppsala.

So, no birds in winter? Nothing could be further from the truth! And I haven't even mentioned the Waxwings, coming here in large flocks from the north; or the likewise northernly Rough-legged Buzzards, seen hovering over the plains; or the elusive Short-eared Owls that can sometimes be seen hunting voles at Årike Fyris; or the occasional rarity that might turn up at birdfeeders anywhere...