World Bird Wednesday: House Finches

House Finches are originally a western species, but have spread rapidly through the east after release of a few individuals on Long Island, NY in 1940. The red color in the males varies greatly from a subdued shade to a brilliant red; the redder the more popular with the females The ones I have seen this year fall mostly in the brilliant category, so much so that at first I thought there was something wrong with my glasses.

They are fond of feeding stations. When I come outside in the morning a flock of them is already waiting on a nearby tree, and once they settle down, make short shrift of it, unless interrupted by a Blue Jay.

It's getting cold and starting to snow...

Redpolls for the New Year

Common Redpolls love birch and spruce seeds. An irruption from Ontario is forecast for this winter. This male, the only Redpoll I saw, traveled with a flock of Goldfinches. They have been arriving later than during irruption in the winter of 2007/2008 because the birch seed crop in the north this year is a little better than back then, but not great. Once that's exhausted they are moving south. So look for them in birch trees and at your feeders.





 

The adult male and juvenile Goldfinches in the group were strikingly colorful with buffy wing bars and bronze crowns and backs.

A thought for the New Year: can the Redpolls and Goldfinches, living together in harmony, teach us something?

Happy Birding in 2011!

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Robins in Winter

In the summer Robins usually appear on our lawns singly or in pairs. However in the spring large flocks of Robins move north. I have seen several hundred of them settle on our lawn or the field next to us on any spot that's bare of snow. They are there for a short time and then, when the food supply is exhausted, move on.  In the winter populations usually shift south and local ones are replaced by those from further north. When the ground is frozen they switch from invertebrates to fruit. Flocks migrate to areas where fruit and berries on the trees are plentiful which can vary from year to year.

I had never actually seen wintering Robins, or at least not been aware of them, until last winter when small flocks appeared in our area in Southern VT. They were feasting on fruit in the trees and on the ground. Once the fruit was gone they moved on.

Thanks for stopping by. I wish you all, dear Readers and Followers, happy holidays and a peaceful and productive new year!