White out
It’s there, over by that rock! What’s over there by what rock? Ah, the challenges of birdwatching in the snow!
And let’s face it some of our wildlife doesn’t make life any easier for us. Getting through the winter for us is about keeping warm and being seen on those dark nights, but high viz garb is that last thing you want when you could end up as Christmas dinner for a golden eagle.
That’s the challenge for ptarmigan and mountains hares – our colour-shifting spirits of the high hills where life is harsh and you need all the tricks to survive.
But in years when snow is scarce – you can turn up in the wrong cloths and be as out of place as fancy dress at a wedding. Our whiter than whites haven’t got the chameleon tricks of matching their background, they have to wait until they moult into summer’s muted tones.
Seeing ptarmigans and mountain hares at this time of year is hard (not just because they’ve turned white) but in the spring and summer they are easier to find. Do let us know your stories of watching white wildlife.
This Countdown to Christmas is on the Saving Special Places blog – do have a look round if you haven’t visited us before.
Picture credits: Tom Marshall (rspb images)
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