December 25 2019. Snake Road, Burlington, ON. I’ve been watching follow-up reports of the bluebirds and a shrike that my companions and I saw two weeks ago. Thinking that a few minutes spent with Eastern Bluebirds whose cerulean blue and chestnut would be a refreshing contrast to the reds and greens of Christmas, we went out under a low overcast in hope of re-finding them. It didn’t take long to locate some, presumably the same flock, mixed in with a sprinkling of American Goldfinches; about twenty birds in all flitting restlessly between Hawthorns and Multiflora Rose thickets.
Overseeing the grassy scrubland was probably the same Northern Shrike as previously, sitting stolidly, perhaps its presence was what kept the bluebirds and goldfinches on edge. Our short trip achieved its goal and Eastern Bluebirds were My Birds of Christmas Day. But since they were not nearly as approachable or photogenic as others at other times I’ve added a few shots from those other times.
