Rachel,
The way things are going, you'll probably get some at some point. I had my
second Pine Siskin over Arlington County this season this morning at Fort Smith
Park. It was with about 15 Goldfinches and flew low enough to see the
streaking and yellow wing stripe.
It didn't land at the feeders that I could see, but it went down in the area
and could not be found with the dozens of goldfinches in the oaks.
I monitor various listserves of areas to our north. There are many reports to
our immediate north of Red Crossbills, Evening Grosbeaks, huge numbers of
Purple Finches, some Common Redpolls, as well as Pine Grosbeaks in larger
numbers than normal in New England. These are likely on their way in low
numbers. Interestingly it seems like White-winged Crossbills moved west across
Canada in late summer so are not being seen much in the northeast that I have
seen.
Take Care,
Jay Keller,
Arlington
-----Original Message-----
From: Rachel Echols <rlechols@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Nov 1, 2007 6:17 PM
To: VA Bird <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Va-bird] Finch invasion
I am being overrun by goldfinches. The three feeders I had up (one black
oil sunflower, one thistle, and one shelled sunflower) have been emptied in
just over a day. At times, I estimate around 70 birds all trying to feed at
once. I assume this is happening to others, from reading your posts. I
also have house finches, juncos, white-throated sparrows, and other yard
birds, but they can hardly get a spot to feed because of the goldfinch
hordes. Can I expect this all winter? Unfortunately, I haven't seen any
pine siskins or purple finches yet, but I am hopeful..as long as I don't go
bankrupt first!
Rachel Echols
Chester, VA
