I was outside this morning about 6:35 AM when I suddenly heard all of this
chattering going on overhead for about a minute or so. Goldfinches flying
south in the dark! It was cloudy and still too dark to see them but they
sounded high up and there were quite a few of them.
I've often felt that the reason goldfinches were few to nonexistent in the
fall at feeders was because the local birds had left and the ones so
numerous in the winter were from farther north. I've never heard anyone give
this explanation--checklists and even the Gold Book refer to goldfinches as
"permanent residents". I don't believe they are. Hearing the goldfinches
this morning confirms they do indeed migrate.
I don't recall anyone ever reporting goldfinches migrating in the dark.
I'd love to hear if others have experienced this. I'd also like to hear
from the ornithologists out there as to how much is known about the migration
of goldfinches. Thanks!
Sincerely,
Marlene
Marlene A. Condon (Author, The Nature-friendly Garden, Stackpole Books)
Naturalist and Writer/Photographer/Speaker
Crozet, VA 22932-2204
E-mail: MARLENECONDON@xxxxxxx
_www.MARLENECONDON.com_ (http://www.marlenecondon.com/)
