January 07, 2009

Where are the House Finches?

Bird movements are not always consistent from one year to the next; this I know.

But since we started counting birds for Project Feeder Watch in 1993, house finches have been one of the reliable winter species.

Last year we had four to six individuals in most counts and 16-25 in mid-January. (Cassin's finches would usually show up mid-winter as well. )This year, two house finches on one day.

But other Colorado counters are seeing them.

Pine siskins, on the other hand, are more abundant than usual. A flock of about 30-40 birds is hanging around most days.

Weird.

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