Shoot, for a minute there I thought you were going to say the Barred's were catching the Goldfinches...!! hee hee...
My thoughts: Well, the best explanation about the finches is that they may not be the same ones as last year. They are pretty itinerant, as with most finches. They are most likely not the same ones you have in the warmer months, either, these ones are probably from farther north. That the sparrows are displacing them is no surprise, although goldfinches can be pretty feisty when hungry. Also, black oilers provide more oil than nyjer so depending on the temps in your area over the last week, I'll bet they would readily eat the food that will sustain them for longer in the day and through the night. The Barred Owls may have had a good nesting season last year so there are more trying to make it through the winter... And, you have a fair amount of snow in Mankato right now, I think? So the owls are having to dig deep for their vole meals. When they find a good location they will come back to it, and Barred Owls are commonly active in the daytime as well as early AM and early evening, so you may SEE them more often than other owls. Maybe last year's siblings are still sticking together, that's a possibility, although at this time of year when they are beginning their mating calls, it might just be that you are at the confluence of several territories. Sometimes our yard seems to be at the edge of several; we can see and hear them on either side of the house all night. Last week we had the same with Great Horned Owls, it's fun to be able to hear them for a whole evening or two! Of course this is all pure speculation... But it's fun to think on it! Holly Peirson Columbus, Anoka Co.
