It is that time of year when fledglings are everywhere. I can usually look out at the deck to see anywhere from one to a half dozen snowbunting fledglings hopping around the handrails. The sad part of it all is that soon all of these birds will be departing for the south. Not so much the Snowbuntings, who will hang on until the bitter end of fall, but certainly everything else.
Yesterday, out near the Nanisivik Airport I was surprised by a Rough-legged Hawk, the first I've seen here (I've seen them elsewhere in the Arctic, just not around home). As I got out of the truck to follow it with the binoculars, this little Snowbunting was practically at my feet, and very co-operative.