In addition to 5 mourning doves, and the usual cardinals, chickadees, crows, etc. a lone female white-winged crossbill was picking seeds out of various conifers around the Old Field, and in between times, calling insistently. It is unusual to see only one of these birds, particularly in winter when they tend to congregate in flocks. A small flock of bohemian waxwings flew back and forth across the garden, but didn't stop. Natural food sources are rapidly being depleted. The Manitoba maples are almost devoid of seeds, the Amur maples likewise, and all the mountain ash and crabapple fruit went long ago. Down in the Arboretum the only crabapples still with fruit are clearly a last resort for wildlife, although some are now being eaten by robins and red squirrels.

There were about 8 chickadees in the BYG today, and they were extremely active, flying in, taking off, coming back in for another seed. This little one barely stopped but grabbed the sunflower seed while still flapping his wings.

The female is just as beautiful as the bright red male.

As I walked toward FWG from the Arboretum I could hear robins somewhere up near the Ravine. As I got closer, a flock of 12 suddenly flew from FWG toward a cluster of crabapples in the Arboretum. So I followed and took a few photos.

As I was leaving FWG I bumped into Tony and Gretchen Denton. Tony was there to fill both feeders, and I'd like to say "kudos to Tony" for being so dedicated in making sure the feeders are always full. It is not easy to lug a big batch of seed all the way over to the Ash woods, but he does! Fortunately for the birds and for those of us who like to watch them. Thanks, TOny!

I was entranced by the ice crystals covering much of the vegetation and trying to capture what I saw occupied a lot of my time.

More ice-rimmed fruit.

This little guy is eating a sunflower seed.

Just plucked a nice fat crabapple.

This nest was beneath a spruce tree from which is had clearly fallen, probably during the high winds of earlier in the week. All squirrel nests are precarious to some extent, and while conifers offer good support and indeed, are the favoured site for red squirrels, even they cannot prevent strong winds from dislodging nests. This nest was quite large and well made.

Just finished a meal.

This little squirrel was quite oblivious to me at first, but when suddenly realizing I was there, came to with a visible start!

This vine thicket provides important winter cover for all sorts of birds at FWG.

These doves like the cover that conifers provide.

Next the red squirrel on the perch!

You can see the crossed bill from which they get their name in this photo.

Just outside the FWG there was a scene of great activity, with the area well trampled by foxes and crows. In the lower left corner of the photo you can see the remains of a cottontail rabbit, the cause of all the excitement. It doesn't appear that the rabbit was killed at the site as there are no rabbit tracks visible nor is there any sign of blood. It was probably killed further away and for whatever reason, carried to this location. It is possible that two foxes (at least) were feasting, judging from the number of fox tracks around. Clearly, crows came for their share too, as the entire area is also covered by crow tracks. It is sad that this rabbit died, but then because it did, foxes, crows, and who knows what other wildlife, were able to eat.

Another shot of crow tracks.

Gillian Mastromatteo was at the FWG today and photographed this lovely red-tailed hawk sitting near the Ash woods feeder. This bird is hanging out more frequently at FWG lately as Sandy saw it on 30 Dec. at FWG.

Another crossbill photo by Gillian Mastromatteo.