Twelve species in four days. Our Great Backyard Bird Count wrapped up last Monday with a glorious spring-like day filled with blue skies and sunshine. The temperature reached a peak of five degrees Celcius in our locale, and the birds seemed to love it as much as we did.

Incidentally, Monday was also Family Day, and my husband and I spent the day splitting and piling next year’s firewood with bird seed scattered all around us and my sketchpad at the ready. Our brush fire crackled and birds sang as if spring had already sprung.

Some cracked corn kept a trio of Canada Geese happy, while some winter apples attracted Pine Grosbeaks. On the river we saw ducks in the distance, their white markings sparkling in the sun, but we couldn’t verify if they were Common Goldeneye or Bufflehead. We did verify, however, that our resident red squirrels, whom we had kindly put out a pile of sunflower seeds for, were indeed the culprits guilty of emptying the bird feeders every night. Happily for them, they’re just too cute to receive our censure.

Seeing the Northern Shrike is always a highlight for us, as is catching a glimpse of Sharp-tailed Grouse. For inspiration, the Redpolls stole the show with their charming, rosy-red caps and chests and their delicate size – comparable to that of a Chickadee. Spending a day fluttering around us pretty much ensures them a leading role in a future painting!