This second set of boreal bird pictures comes from Janet Plante, who, with her husband Pete is driving up the Alaska Highway. Janet is my niece, and is making me unbelievably jealous with her photos.
The first picture she sent was a Yellow-rumped Warbler, taken 260 km northwest of Whitehorse, YK, which is about 2,300 km north of Calgary. I had no idea these tiny birds were found that far north.
She has also managed to photograph a bird I would love to get on my life list, which I’m guessing is a willow ptarmigan. It’s equally likely to be be a rock ptarmigan – I’m not that familiar with these birds-of-four-yearly-plumages. She says “we were on a hike at Moose Creek when we came upon this ptarmigan. She had instructed her little ones to scatter and then had us focus our attention on her as she strutted around. We each had a walking stick and proceeded to hit every second tree to make sure we did not surprise any wildlife. Our only defense against bears was the hope they would be more afraid of us.”
And then she sent pictures of my favorite boreal bird – whiskey jacks, or grey jays.
More northern wildlife sightings from The Yukon.
Photo taken in Dawson City, Yukon. Who knew?
And yes, I am feeling sorry for myself that I’m not driving up the Alaska Highway…
I never even noticed that when the post went up! I can’t really get any detail from the picture but it does look like a small bird. If I had to guess I would say it was a grey jay, as these clever corvids would never pass up a chance to get a bug snack!
I never even noticed that! I can’t really get any detail from the picture but it does look like a small bird. If I had to guess I would say it was a grey jay, as these clever corvids would never pass up a chance to get a bug snack!
Is that a bird perched on the bison, and if so, do you know what kind?
I would just love to visit the Boreal Forest. The Grey Jay is one of my favorite Boreal birds too.
Glad you enjoyed the post! She has rekindled my determination to add a ptarmigan to my life list, and one of these years I need to get to Newfoundland as well.
Seeing those Gray Jays makes me miss the opposite side of Canada. My wife I have spent a couple weeks in Newfoundland the last two summers, but events have conspired to keep us away this year. The ptarmigan is a sore spot, as well, since we tried twice and failed to see any in Gros Morne or the Northern Peninsula. When it’s over 30 degrees for weeks at a time down here in summer, it’s a treat to see boreal birds – even if pictures will have to do! Thanks for sharing.
Great photographs, I am jealous too! 🙂