Winter Finches in North America

[streatham]

Seeing as we have members that stretch the length and breadth of North America I thought it might be interesting to keep members updated on what is happening locally with regard to the movement of irruptive Winter Finches this year.

The current forecast seems to suggest that there won't be much of a movement this year. Here in South West CT I would have to back up that view - so far I have had a couple of Pine Siskins at the feeder, a few RB Nuthatches locally earlier in the fall and today my first Purple finch at the feeder. From local reports pickings are looking fairly slim as well with only handfuls of Redpolls, Pine Siskins and Purple Finches posted thus far - the most intriguing report being a big overflight of Evening Grosbeaks (20+) a week or so ago at Greenwich (SW CT) Hawk Watch. So far no signs of Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks or Bohemian Waxwings this far south yet although there was a tantalising report of some Pine Grosbeaks in central MA a few weeks back not much seems to have been reported since.

Is this pattern being reflected in your part of the country or are there more promising signs of a movement this year.

Regards - Luke

[KCFoggin]

Hi Luke.

I am positively loaded with Goldfinches and the Siskins are starting to join them. Have quite a few female Purple Finches but have not spied one single male yet. Nuthatches don't seem to be increasing much around here but I would love to get a look at the Red-breasteds that seem to be prolific in North Carolina this Fall.

[Katy Penland]

Hey, Luke, while not strictly finch-centric, thought you might be interested in a couple reports just posted on the Northern AZ listserve. While most of these birds are common eastern NA birds, they're certainly uncommon in AZ!

I just had our first ever Evening Grosbeaks in the yard a few days ago, and I've been waiting for them for 3 years!!! We're also due for our first major snowstorom of the season this weekend, so it'll be interesting to see who shows up at the feeders. I'm crossing my fingers for a Blue Jay. And I've already started planning a trip to Sandia Crest, New Mexico, to see the three species of Rosy-finches there. Now those I absolutely *have* to twitch. ;););)



Blue Jay irruption (and rosy finches)

Listservs from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah have been documenting what may be the largest western irruption of Blue Jays in nearly 30 years and maybe the largest ever. 100s of birds have been reported. Exciting for us AZ birders a Blue Jay was seen on Wed 10 Nov 2004 at Springdale, Utah. This location is only about 12-15 miles from AZ. Just a heads-up to keep your ears and eyes peeled for this species here in northern AZ (and elsewhere throughout the state). This species I would think may most likey turn up in riparian area especially those with Russian olives (Colorado City, Pipe Springs, Page, Cow SPrings Lake, Teec Nos Pos, Many Farms, Chinle, Keams Canyon). I'll buy a milkshake for the first person to find one on the Rez.

Also good numbers of rosy finches have shown up on Sandia Crest near Albuquerque. Northern AZ is "due" for an incursion. These birds tend to like barren cliffs and steep talus with a lot of bare ground and rocks. Hyw 89 at the Echo Cliffs south of Page is one spot they have been found in the past. Also Sunset Crater has several records. Probably any of the cinder cones N, NE, and E of Flagstaff (and the Springerville region?) could be attractive to these birds.


Additional Invaders?

Further north, the invasion now aslo includes redpolls and Bohemian Waxwings in the best numbers in quite a few years. More stuff to be on the lookout for.


Pine Grosbeaks

On Nov. 17, 2004, Ed and I were treated to our first ever sighting of a small flock of Pine Grosbeaks, 3 F, 1M. It was approx. 3 PM, on the Bill Williams Mt. trail, in a cold narrow drainage on the north side of Bill Williams Mt., Williams, AZ. We were about 2 1/4 miles from the ranger station/trailhead and saw 2 F Pine Grosbeaks eating the buds from gooseberry bushes (?) along the trail. They flushed, but not very far and we were able to study them in detail for about 10 minutes. They were very approachable. The M was more wary and flew into the Douglas fir/white fir forest, approx. 8700' level; thus, we didn't get great views of him. On our return the females were in the exact same location feeding, and again we were able to view them to within 5'. The yellow/bronze heads of the females were even more bright and well defined than shown in our fieldguides. We were glad to have had our first look at these beautiful birds.

[michaelboustead]

Hi Luke.

I am positively loaded with Goldfinches and the Siskins are starting to join them. Have quite a few female Purple Finches but have not spied one single male yet. Nuthatches don't seem to be increasing much around here but I would love to get a look at the Red-breasteds that seem to be prolific in North Carolina this Fall.

I had a male purple finch at my feeder yesterday. I can't remember one this early. A birding friend, Bill Delgrande also reported them.

Mike

[dacol]

Have had Purple Finches at the feeders since early November. Only saw one Pine Siskin in the yard just oned day. First saw one Red-breasted Nuthatch in the yard and at the feeders this week (11/17/04, still around). This is my 4th fall migration at my current house and in all the previous periods Purple Finches where present from early November to early May and Pine Siskins appeared only briefly in the beginning of November.

Dalcio

[Katy Penland]

This year, we're seeing our normal numbers of pine siskins (30-40) and near-normal numbers of Cassin's finches (6-8) after having nearly zero of each of these species last year. House finches seem to be slightly up compared to previous years (25-30).

[Kevin Mac]

Evening Grosbeaks have returned after a few years hiatus. An irruptive species, but they have been almost nonexistent for about 5 years in my area. 15 years ago they were everywhere. It's still too early in the year on the west coast to see any trends on winter finches in general.

[snowyowl]

Most people here are predicting lots of winter finches this year because of the heavy crops of berries and cones. My feeders are busy with Goldfinches but I haven't had any of the other finch types yet.
Back in Oct., three of us were birding at East Point and saw amazing numbers of migrating finches etc. Pine Siskins, White-winged Crossbills and Purple Finches were all heading out over the water on their way to Cape Breton. There were also hundreds of Blue jays and Robins leaving. That was the same day that we saw the 1000+ Cliff Swallows. I don't know what sort of route they would follow but I would think that if they kept going they would have passed through Ct. a few weeks back.

[Michael W]

I've seen a bunch winter finches this fall/winter on our property in Spokane, Washington. It seems to me that there is a bit of an invasion, though I don't know how extreme it is.


Pine Grosbeaks

I have seen as many as 20, and they have been here for a while. I've never seen them here before, and there seem to be more in the area.


Bohemian Waxwings (not finches, though)

I've seen many flocks of birds from 1 to 20. Seemingly more of these, too.


Pine Siskin

Many more than I remember ever having. Flocks of birds totalling 200+ have flown over in the course of one day a few times. We have had over a hundred at the feeder at once, and I only remember having "large" flocks of maybe ten last year.


Common Redpoll

I have seen many flocks fly over, as many as 40 in one flock. None at the feeder yet. I don't know how many we usually have, because this is the first year that I have regularly gone out at this time of year.


Red Crossbill

Quite a few fly over, but probably not more than usual.


Blue Jay

As Katy mentioned, there have been an incredible number of Blue Jays reported from the area. There was one at the neighbors' house, the only one that I have seen, and there have been many reports from the city, and hundreds from the region. It is amazing! I heard that there was a huge acorn failure somewhere in the east, but I'm not sure where.


I'm interested to see what comes by through the next months.


Michael

[craig whitmore]

For the last 10 days have had >60 Pine Siskins at feeder at same time. Expensive hobby going through 1.5# niger and 1# sunflower hearts a day. Better than the Indian Casino though.

Above average acorn crop, don't know why but Acorn Woodpeckers have disapeared

House Finches also disapeared. Pine Siskens are pretty agressive. May have scared off the HF. Three Lesser Goldfinches hanging in ther though.

Any of you guys (non-gender guys) joined the Cornell "Feeder Watch Program" ? I learned of it in a thread in BF, and this is my first year. Looks like an interesting winter.

Katy, did you see the article in "Birding World" on the Sandia Rosys?

Craig

[streatham]

Well good to see that there seems to be some exciting stuff going on on the west coast - as of yet i'm not seeing much going on here I'll be keeping my eye on the RBA's for more northern states and over the border though.

Luke

[Katy Penland]

Any of you guys (non-gender guys) joined the Cornell "Feeder Watch Program" ? I learned of it in a thread in BF, and this is my first year. Looks like an interesting winter.
I did it last year and will do again this year. I keep forgetting to go check on the stats, though.


Katy, did you see the article in "Birding World" on the Sandia Rosys?
Craig
Yeah, I sure did! Great mag, just subscribed! The Sandia Crest folks are also on the AZ-NM listserve I belong to and regularly post as to what's there.

[streatham]

Talking about articles I was looking longingly at an article in Birder's World on Patagonia Lake State Park - i'm sure it's probably a fair way from you Katy but it looks really impressive as a winter birding spot - have you been?

Luke

[Katy Penland]

Talking about articles I was looking longingly at an article in Birder's World on Patagonia Lake State Park - i'm sure it's probably a fair way from you Katy but it looks really impressive as a winter birding spot - have you been?
Happily, yes, Feb 2003! It's about 5-6 hours south of me.

We were able to find the Black-capped Gnatcatchers there (a lifer for me), and they were already building their nest and the male was singing. I really need to go back, though, 'cause we were on a 4-day, break-neck run through some of the great SE birding areas, and I could easily have spent a few days at each stop. Absolutely brilliant birding, that part of the state, even in the dead of winter. What amazed me the most were the grasslands. I expected typical Sonoran desert terrain, and I couldn't have been more wrong! Absolutely fabulous.

Hmmmm, guess I should post at least a trip list, huh? Don't remember enough of the details/directions to do a proper trip report since someone else was driving and we sort of meandered and doubled back as light and weather conditions varied.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

In San Francisco last week I saw quite large numbers of Pine Siskins (several flocks of 20 -30 in various places) but not many other finches (apart from House). In fact I didn't see any Purple Finches at all. Also (sadly for me) no Varied Thrushes or Red-breasted Sapsuckers.

[Tammie]

Any of you guys (non-gender guys) joined the Cornell "Feeder Watch Program" ? I learned of it in a thread in BF, and this is my first year. Looks like an interesting winter.

Craig

This is my second winter doing the PFW count. It's great fun and very interesting!
Bird numbers are different for me this season since we just moved here this past spring. I definitely have more bluejays here now (5) than I've ever had before. That's the highest number I've had at my feeders at once but I swear I see them flying all over the place in higher numbers than that!
I still have 4 American goldfinches hanging around off and on... all other finches are long gone.
I have approximately 40-50 Evening Grosbeaks (normal numbers) in the neighbourhood along with about 20 Pine Grosbeaks now. Numbers of Pines seems to be down a little for this time of year. We'll see what happens when the snow flies.
Haven't seen any sign of redpolls or crossbill but then again, I don't really expect to see them before the end of December.

[billhiltonjr]

Seeing as we have members that stretch the length and breadth of North America I thought it might be interesting to keep members updated on what is happening locally with regard to the movement of irruptive Winter Finches this year.

The current forecast seems to suggest that there won't be much of a movement this year. Here in South West CT I would have to back up that view - so far I have had a couple of Pine Siskins at the feeder, a few RB Nuthatches locally earlier in the fall and today my first Purple finch at the feeder. From local reports pickings are looking fairly slim as well with only handfuls of Redpolls, Pine Siskins and Purple Finches posted thus far - the most intriguing report being a big overflight of Evening Grosbeaks (20+) a week or so ago at Greenwich (SW CT) Hawk Watch. So far no signs of Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks or Bohemian Waxwings this far south yet although there was a tantalising report of some Pine Grosbeaks in central MA a few weeks back not much seems to have been reported since.

Is this pattern being reflected in your part of the country or are there more promising signs of a movement this year.

Regards - Luke

I'd be interested in hearing from folks that have good numbers of (let's say more than 20) Pine Siskins this winter. This species was once one of my most commonly banded at Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History in York SC but now I'm lucky if I get a half dozen or so all winters.

It has been speculated that many siskins fell victim to a salmonella outbreak back in the 1990s; perhsp the birds that were genetically predisposed to migrating to Hilton pond were all wiped out.

I have banded a good many American Goldfinches this fall and a few Purple Finches, but nothing to brag about by comparison to other years.

Cheers,

BILL

[DavidP]

Here in southern California also seem to have loads of pine siskins at my niger feeder. Also reports of red breasted nuthatchs locally.

[Michael W]

We have been having 100+ Pine Siskins almost daily here. I have found two dead siskins, unfortunately, but I can't figure out why they are dying. One was under the feeders, and the other was a little ways off, sort of half-way between the main feeders and a smaller station. A Cooper's Hawk got one more.

Does anyone know why they might be dying? Could it be the cold? It's only been down to the mid-20's though.

[billhiltonjr]

We have been having 100+ Pine Siskins almost daily here. I have found two dead siskins, unfortunately, but I can't figure out why they are dying. One was under the feeders, and the other was a little ways off, sort of half-way between the main feeders and a smaller station. A Cooper's Hawk got one more.

Does anyone know why they might be dying? Could it be the cold? It's only been down to the mid-20's though.

Pine Siskins are very cold-tolerant. It may be coincidental that you found these birds dead. Not all of them will survive the winter, of course. Make sure your feeders are cleaned at least twice a month to lessen the possibility of disease.

[snowyowl]

Talking about articles I was looking longingly at an article in Birder's World on Patagonia Lake State Park - i'm sure it's probably a fair way from you Katy but it looks really impressive as a winter birding spot - have you been?

Luke

I guess I can stick my two cents worth in and say that the best article in Birder's World is the one about the CBC at East Point, Prince Edward Island. Of course, I'm totally prejudiced because was on the count and got mentioned.
;)

[Tammie]

Common Redpolls have arrived here early this year. I don't normally see them until at least the middle of December but they showed up at the feeders last week instead. I know have at least 5 on a daily basis. I'm sure that number will increase dramatically soon. :)
We now have at least 60-70 evening grosbeaks every day along with about 20 pine grosbeaks every day now. And 5 blue jays but they're not a finch! ;) I expect pine grosbeak numbers to continue growing for the winter too.

[Katy Penland]

Not sure if this is supposed to be a "winter finch" where I live, but yesterday and today we had a Lawrence's Goldfinch (Carduelis lawrencei) come to our mixed seed and thistle feeders. Not only is this a new bird for the yard (Sp. #106 in 3 years) but I don't think it's supposed to be either this far north in AZ or at this elevation (7,000 ft). I've posted a query on a local listserve, see if someone can tell me. A nice yard bird, but I hope this doesn't mean winter's on its way out already. I suspect it's gotten blown this direction from the strong SW storms we've had the past two weeks.

Also had a female American Goldfinch come in this morning to the feeders, only the 2nd sighting of this sp this winter (since January 2). Otherwise, other usual winter finches (House, Cassin's, Pine Siskins) are in relatively normal numbers.

[streatham]

Hi Katy

Lawrences in the yard - sounds like a nice find to me Katy (i'd take it for my yard list!!!!). Bit of a disappointing thread though as this year there seems to be nowt happening really on the east coast - a handful of short stay Pine Siskins and the odd Purple Finch seems to be the extent of it down my way this year. I don't even recall seeing a Redpoll report for CT although i'm sure there must have been a couple at some point. Maybe next year?

Luke

[snowyowl]

Must be close to 200 finches out there today. A. Goldfinches for the most part but witha good mix of Purple Finches, Pine Siskins and C. Redpolls.
I think that the goldies are starting to change colour. Some of them seem brighter and there was one male with the beginnings of his black cap. Spring??????

[streatham]

Hi Dan,

I imagine that you are far north enough to enjoy those winter finches every year - how do you do for Crossbills and Grosbeaks or are they not local regulars?

Spring has definitely sprung a little here - I had my first yard Grackle for a good couple of months - funny how the smallest things in birding can really make your day.

Luke

[snowyowl]

I haven't had any Crossbills this year, a real contrast to two years ago when they were at my feeders in good numbers. Some people are getting them this year and I've got my fingers crossed that they may still arrive. I hadn't had any Grosbeaks this winter until two days ago when a flock of 12 came in. It's quite interesting to watch the way species fluctuate. When we bought this place in 1992, Evening Grosbeaks were here everyday as were Red-breqsted Nuthatches. At that time they were very ordinary visitors, now I get excited if either species shows up. Last year was the year of the Redpoll, this year only a few.

[Katy Penland]

Awww, wish I had crossbills here again. Had them three years ago and none since. I know they're here on the Rim, had 19 on our CBC, but that was 50 miles from home. :-C