Northern Shrike

March 13, 2026.  Vinemount, ON.  Wet snow kept me indoors all morning but by 2-ish I needed to get out so, I decided to follow up on a speculation that some low-lying fields a short drive from home just might harbour early migrant ducks.  I was right on that count and enjoyed watching a dozen or so Gadwall and Mallards shuffling around the snow-fringed floodwaters.  You can see Mallards any time, but a few pairs of Gadwall were a nice surprise.  It was a rather gloomy setting, and perhaps better light would have shown off the fine silvery gold feathers on the back of the male Gadwall.

My Bird of the Day came a little later as I drove a straight country road which birders have come to know as a place of surprises.  A few moments reflection and I can recall seeing, Ring-necked Pheasants, Short-eared Owls,  Common Ravens, Peregrine Falcons, Eastern Meadowlarks and Northern Shrikes at some time along this short road, all of which were and still are, noteworthy at any time.

So, although it was not a complete surprise, I still count myself lucky to have found a Northern Shrike.  A fleeting glimpse would have been enough, but almost never do we get such good views as this one today.  It was perched high and conspicuously atop a bare roadside tree and rocked a little in the cold buffeting wind.  It watched me with some concern as, without getting out of my car, I reached and squirmed to get what I thought would be some easy and great photos.  My confidence was a little misplaced, I thought I knew my camera well and could easily adjust, adapt, point and shoot, however I was a little disappointed.  These are my best shots.  Perhaps it was the wind, perhaps it was careless focusing, good enough as record shots and I can do better. But still My Bird of the Day.