(from the Birding Community E-Bulletin* forwarded by Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer):
WILL WE SEE A WINTER FINCH IRRUPTION? "Once again, we share winter-finch predictions from the astute Ontario observer, Ron Pittaway. His assessment applies mainly to Ontario and adjacent provinces and states, and it attempts to predict bird movements in relation to tree seed-crops, especially those of spruces, birches, and mountain-ash. The historical accuracy of Pittaway's previous predictions on "winter finch movements" has been quite high. This winter's theme is not uniform across that board. For example, species such as Purple Finch will go south, while others like White-winged Crossbill will likely stay in the boreal forest in widely separated areas where spruces are laden with cones. Similarly, Pine Grosbeak numbers may not move far this winter, since mountain-ash crops are good to excellent in most places in the north. Common Redpolls are predicted to exhibit moderate-to-good flights, moving into southern Canada and the northern states because birch seed crops are thin to average across the north this fall. Pittaway also assesses the situation for three additional species: Blue Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Bohemian Waxwing. The first two should show some significant southern movement this fall and winter.Feeder hosts should especially be on the lookout for a number of these species this fall and winter, particularly those birds that like to feast on nyjer (e.g., Pine Siskin) and black-oil sunflower (e.g., Purple Finch and Red-breasted Nuthatch). You can access the 2014-15 winter finch forecast here: www.jeaniron.ca/2014/forecast14.htm<http://www.jeaniron.ca/2014/forecast14.htm> " * to join this mailing list contact either: Wayne R. Petersen, Director Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program Mass Audubon 781/259-2178 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> or Paul J. Baicich Great Birding Projects 410/992-9736 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (They never lend or sell their E-bulletin recipient list.) ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
