A few days ago, we saw several Clark’s Nutcrackers flitting around by a sunny west arm beach in below freezing temperatures. Intermixed with a flock of feeding robins, the nutcrackers were gleefully hunting pine cones and snacking on fatty seeds.
Normally, this alpine bird lives at higher altitudes. Yet, as recently as October 2024, a flock of Clark’s Nutcrackers visited Kokanee Creek Park for a dozen days down here in the valley. (blog.kootenay-lake.ca/?p=33914 and blog.kootenay-lake.ca/?p=33951).
During that unusual Fall visit, some nutcrackers may have collected and buried pine seeds in secret underground caches, which would allow them to return later and eat the seeds during leaner months. So, could this be a returning bird? Or another altitudinal anomaly?
A Clark’s Nutcracker fetches a cone from a Douglas Fir. Photo by Cynthia.
Beautiful photo Cynthia