I've been finding small numbers of Pine Siskins since July (in September siskins were often observed associating with Red Crossbills), and now flocks are moving in. Traveling home from downstate on 10/21/17, I took a detour down Powley Road (southern Hamilton Co.) and found a flock of ~40 Pine Siskins. A Sharp-shinned Hawk pursued one (chasing it from the flock), but was unsuccessful in catching it. (I don't recommend birding this area right now - the road was lined with hunter trucks and lots of people camping.)
Today, I went out this morning to see Gray Jays. I stopped at 4 locations in Long Lake (Hamilton Co.) and found Pine Siskin flocks at 3 of my stops! We have plenty of food so I suspect the flocks are moving in, and not just through, the area. Also of note: A tailless Gray Jay showed up among the 5 Gray Jays at my Sabattis Bog stop. It looked really odd and struggled to fly - it was reminiscent of an Amer. Woodcock in its flight. It didn't appear to "know" me and was skittish. The bird followed the other Gray Jays as they cached food I brought, but they chased it away. I posted a photo of the tailless Gray Jay on my Facebook page below. Purple Finches are moving around and I hear them everywhere I go. Red Crossbills are finished nesting but still in the area (and will likely nest again in winter). I'll post more sightings by tomorrow. Joan Collins President, NYS Ornithological Association Editor, New York Birders Long Lake, NY (315) 244-7127 cell (518) 624-5528 home http://www.adirondackavianexpeditions.com/ http://www.facebook.com/AdirondackAvian -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
