Frigid weather brought a pair of Purple Finches to my feeders this morning,
including the first adult male that I've ever seen in my West Nashville
yard. Not sure why the Purples don't really come here, even in typical
irruption years, but it's a rarity. Before this winter, I had seen only 2
Purple Finches in my 15 years at this address. This is the 3rd day this
winter that I've had them. I still don't have a decent photograph of an
adult male, and today's flew off from his perfect perch before I could get
a camera.
Pine Siskins seem to be just the opposite, at least in recent years.
Siskins continue in significant numbers as they have since first appearing
(*checks eBird...) on Nov. 13. I counted 21 Pine Siskins this morning,
which are only those visible at one time. Again looking back at eBird, it
appears I had them in my yard all the way up to April 30 in 2018. So 6
months out of the year, I had Pine Siskins regularly in my yard. So far,
2019 is on track to repeat.
Both of these species seem trivial, with all of the true rarities around! I
also continue to have at least one Red-breasted Nuthatch coming to a suet
feeder.
Graham Gerdeman
Nashville, TN
