Why they're called Horned Larks.

 In the UK they call them Shorelarks, as far as I know they don't breed in the UK but are usually seen around the Eastern Coastline in Winter which is why they're called Shorelarks. I used to see them almost every year along the beach at Holkham sometimes as many as 10-15 running. along the tidal sands. In the US they're called Horned Larks for obvious reasons. They're the same species Emerophila alpestris but here in PA they're  resident and number in the hundreds when they spend the winter in the cornfields around home. When it snows they are always found along the lanes where the snowploughs expose bits of the grass verge where they can peck around for seeds. The single digit Fahrenheit temperatures doesn't seem to bother them in the slightest whereas I'm freezing my ass off waiting in the car to photograph them.

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Cold Snap

By cold snap, I don't mean a bit chilly, I mean hypothermia is on the cards if you're not careful. Last night it got down to 1F (-17.22C) and it reached a whopping 14F (-10C) this afternoon. I had popped out briefly this morning to spread some seed for the Horned Larks and went back this afternoon and was rewarded with a Lapland Longspur that I actually managed to photograph. No Snow Buntings yet but I'm hopeful if the snow sticks around. The temperature is even lower tonight at 0F (-17.77C). This is the coldest it's been for several years, you can keep it!

Lapland Longspur

Lapland Longspur

Horned Lark

Horned Larks

After yesterday's heaviest snowfall of the year with 6 inches of powder snow I was eager to get out  up the lane to see the Horned Larks and hopefully Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs. No luck so far with the later two species but the Horned Larks were photogenic in the bitter cold. 

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Snowbirds

Apart from taking a few oportunistic shots of cute Fuzzy yesterday this afternoon was my first real session in 2025. It was very clear and bright this morning  but became overcast and started snowing around Midday. I went out and spread some more food around and got setup to see what would visit. Not a bad selection of birds in the hour I was photographing. I missed the Mockingbird and the Song Sparrow but they're regulars so I'll catch up with them soon I'm sure. The snow was only about an inch but enough to make everywhere white. The real snow is forecast for Monday. 

The "Snowbirds" first of all, one of my favorite winter visitors.

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Brown Creeper

House Finch

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

Northern Cardinal

White-breasted Nuthatch

Starling

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

House Sparrow