As many of you know Ron Pittaway’s report (http://jeaniron.ca/2018/wff18.htm)
from Ontario indicates that we will see a good number of “northern” Finches and
birds tied to the food crops in the boreal areas heading south this winter. We
have lots of Purple Finches and Red-breasted Nuthatches showing up in the
mid-Atlantic and Blue Jays are streaming by. Ron does not forecast the movement
of Black-capped Chickadees in his annual report although they would fit in
nicely with his irruptive non-finch passerines. Last year we had essentially no
BCCH movement into our low elevation areas (only one valid report that I saw
for VA). Several reports came from MD but any that had linked pictures were
Carolina Chickadees – since they don’t have associated emails I had no way to
let them know. Keep an eye out this year to see if the northern food crop
shortage will drive them south also. Sometimes the BCCH migration is
spectacular, born out with banding records as well as observation at migration
points like Holiday Beach/Point Pelee etc. We were just up there for a quick
trip and one of the birders said the BCCH are really moving so keep your eyes
out as this is about the time they arrive at our feeders. If you get any photos
from the low elevational areas please send a jpeg to me at rsimpson@xxxxxxxx –
I try to keep track of movements of this species. Looks like we have a good
chance for some of the more unusual irruptive finches also. – Rob
Professor Robert Simpson
Contact for Ornithology, Mycology, Dendrology, Mammalogy, Ichthyology,
Herpetology, Ecology, Field Botany and other Field Biology oriented classes
Program contact for Outdoor and Nature Photography Careers Certificate
Best form of contact is email: rsimpson@xxxxxxxx
