{"id":13522,"date":"2020-01-27T06:30:21","date_gmt":"2020-01-27T11:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=13522"},"modified":"2020-01-27T10:10:09","modified_gmt":"2020-01-27T15:10:09","slug":"take-5-snow-buntings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-snow-buntings\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Snow Buntings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Snow Bunting is the quintessential winter songbird visitor: they breed in the Arctic in summer, making their nests in the rocky tundra, and only visit Massachusetts when they “fly south” for the winter. In fact, their breeding range is so far north that it exceeds that of all other North American passerines (“passerine” is a large order of birds that is mostly defined by feet adapted for perching, which includes all songbirds). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This beautiful coastal and grassland bird is a regular migrant and winter visitor in Massachusetts, but individuals can be difficult to spot as they are extremely well camouflaged against the ground and snow. Your best bet for an encounter is to look in wide-open fields with plenty of crop stubble to hide in, among sand dunes along the coast, or along lake or ocean shores where debris piles up along the waterline. Race Point in Provincetown<\/a>, on Cape Cod, is a popular place for spotting Snow Buntings. And, of course, you should consider joining a naturalist-led birding program<\/a> for even more opportunities to spot these and other winter visitors throughout Massachusetts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are five sublime photos of Snow Buntings from our annual Picture This: Your Great Outdoors<\/a> photo contest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Snow
Snow Bunting \u00a9 Lee Millet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Snow
Snow Bunting \u00a9 Anne Greene<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Snow
Snow Bunting \u00a9 Fred Hosley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Snow
Snow Bunting \u00a9 Myer Bornstein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Snow
Snow Buntings \u00a9 Simi Rabinowitz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Snow Bunting is the quintessential winter songbird visitor: they breed in the Arctic in summer, making their nests in the rocky tundra, and only visit Massachusetts when they “fly south” for the winter. In fact, their breeding range is so far north that it exceeds that of all other North American passerines (“passerine” is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":13523,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[158],"tags":[28,83,84,328],"class_list":["post-13522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-take-5","tag-birds","tag-photo-contest","tag-photography","tag-snow-bunting"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/01\/123Lee_Millet20679.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3w6","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2982,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-other-snow-bird\/","url_meta":{"origin":13522,"position":0},"title":"The Other Snow Bird","author":"Rosemary","date":"January 14, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Snowy owls have been getting a lot of attention this season, mainly due to the large influx we are seeing in the Northeast. These owls aren't the only birds that prefer the comparably mild Massachusetts winter over the extreme temps in the Arctic tundra. Snow buntings\u2014sometimes known as the \u201csnowflake\u201d\u2014also\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/11\/bunting2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12549,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-birds-of-the-rainbow\/","url_meta":{"origin":13522,"position":1},"title":"Take 5: Birds of the Rainbow","author":"Ryan D.","date":"April 8, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Spring is in the air and all of Massachusetts is eagerly awaiting the return of bright, beautiful color to the drab, grey-brown landscape of winter. In that spirit, here are five colorful birds to look for as the weather warms to make your day a little more colorful. Scarlet Tanager\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Baltimore Oriole \u00a9 Lee Millet","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/04\/123Lee_Millet20684.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/04\/123Lee_Millet20684.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/04\/123Lee_Millet20684.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/04\/123Lee_Millet20684.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12205,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-winter-songbirds\/","url_meta":{"origin":13522,"position":2},"title":"Take 5: Winter Songbirds","author":"Ryan D.","date":"January 22, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Whether you\u2019re briskly pacing across Boston Common or gazing out your kitchen window into a snow-covered suburban backyard, birds can be seen all winter long. The birds featured below are some of the most commonly seen species in winter all across Massachusetts, and many of them will readily come to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Eastern Bluebird \u00a9 Cheryl Rose","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/111Cheryl_Rose12863.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/111Cheryl_Rose12863.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/111Cheryl_Rose12863.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/111Cheryl_Rose12863.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7035,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-january-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":13522,"position":3},"title":"Last Month in Birding: January 2016","author":"Rosemary","date":"February 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Every month we share five amazing bird sightings as suggested by our experts. Here are a few interesting observations from January. Smith\u2019s Longspur\u00a0(Calcarius pictus) Like other longspurs, Smith\u2019s longspur has a long claw (\u201cspur\u201d) on its hind toe. This bird breeds across parts of the western subarctic tundra. Its romantic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Pink-Footed-Goose.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Pink-Footed-Goose.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Pink-Footed-Goose.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1154,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/birding-after-migration\/","url_meta":{"origin":13522,"position":4},"title":"Birding After Migration","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"November 15, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"We have turned the seasonal corner. The swallows are gone, the egrets have fled, and \u00a0shorebirds and warblers have pushed their way south. You may well ask, \u201cWhat do we do we look for now?\u201d In many ways, Massachusetts is perfectly suited for winter birding, thanks in part to our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/11\/purple-sandpiper_Richard-Johnson-and-Mass-Audubon.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15103,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-whatcha-gonna-do-with-all-that-junco\/","url_meta":{"origin":13522,"position":5},"title":"Take 5: Whatcha Gonna Do With All That Junco?","author":"Ryan D.","date":"January 11, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"If you enjoy watching birds at feeders, there's a good chance you have a soft spot for these little darlings of the winter bird feeder crowd: Dark-eyed Juncos. Although there are juncos to be found in Massachusetts year-round, these \"snowbirds\" are most recognizable hopping around on the ground or in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Dark-eyed Junco \u00a9 Eladi Bermudez","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/01\/154EladiBermudez593.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/01\/154EladiBermudez593.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/01\/154EladiBermudez593.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/01\/154EladiBermudez593.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13522"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13522\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13529,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13522\/revisions\/13529"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}