Greetings,
I have seen several reports of Evening Grosbeaks
throughout the region, and my first thought was this was that species, but
after
closer inspection I realized it was not an Evening Grosbeak but was
smaller, and after more research I found this is to be a EUROPEAN GREENFINCH
!
This bird visited my feeders many times today! I contacted 2 Avian Doctors
in the area & they said they were not aware of any breeders in our area ,
nor have they seen this species in their offices, and advised me the
probability of this being a wild naturally occurring species was more likely
than
an escaped bird. I know that this bird has been bred in captivity in the
United States, but not commonly & the only report of a naturally occurring
species ever found in North America was documented in Quebec in April.2012 by
the ABA!
After Hurricane Sandy and the Northeaster that just
came through I believe this to be a wild bird from Europe! If there are any
breeders in the area that have them & have escaped please respond.! This
could very well be the first American record of this species!.
Provided this bird sticks around, anyone & everyone
is more than welcome to come and see it !
Just give me a call beforehand at 1-540-731-1730
a photo may be viewed at :
_http://www.flickr.com/photos/57718905@N03/8170951667/in/photostream_ ;
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/57718905@N03/8170951667/in/photostream)
Good Birding Mark Mullins Claytor lake,
Va
