[Birdtalk] Pine Siskins

[John Morgan]

Thanks Jack and Lu,
In my eternal hoping for heavy snow winters, I may have misinterpreted these earlier than usual sightings as some kind of sign or prediction. Lu's response makes much sense.

Several on this list have reported Steller's Jays sightings at lower elevations as being unusual in the areas where they were seen. Not so unusual for SE Salt Lake Valley. Had a hobby job of building sheds in folks backyards from 1990 to 2005 for Anderson Lumber. I've seen them all year long in the corridor from 45th S to 106th S; from State Street to the mountains.

One odd behavior that would point to a 6th sense: one lazy late Fall afternoon a large number of Gulls were congregated near a pond on the west side of Mountain View golf course (opposite from where I live on the east side). Suddenly they all got up and beelined it over to my side of the course 3,000' to the east, and the entire flock crawled into a thermal that was just taking off. They all rode it up to 1,000' above ground then dispersed in a number of different directions. There were no visible indications of the thermal--no dust, and the feeding winds came up after the flock was already in the lift. No trees were moving at the time they got up. So how did they know? Totally puzzling.

I'm a believer that our feathered friends have instincts and intellect we don't yet know about.
John
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: roostertael at aol.com 
  To: jmorgan480 at comcast.net 
  Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 8:04 PM
  Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Pine Siskins


  John,

  Interesting. Cannot disagree with either. I don't doubt for a minute that animals have abilities that we do not possess or understand and we should study them. However, predicting the weather seems a bit different to me.

  Jack




  -----Original Message-----
  From: John Morgan <jmorgan480 at comcast.net>
  To: birdtalk <birdtalk at utahbirds.org>
  Sent: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 6:43 pm
  Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Pine Siskins


  http://www.levity.com/mavericks/quake.htm
  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0104_050104_tsunami_animals_2.html

  Two examples of documented but unproven animal behaviors tied to natural phenoms. Not saying I believe it either, though I have some trouble with disbelieving as well. Seems there may still be truths science has found no way to prove.

  We'll see what happens. Long range NOAA forecasts (Winter 2007-08) are for warmer than normal, with near normal precip.
  John
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: roostertael at aol.com 
    To: jmorgan480 at comcast.net 
    Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 5:35 PM
    Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Pine Siskins


    John, 

    I am not sure I am a believer in animal predictions of how severe or mild winter will be. I lean more toward the long HOT and dry summer we have had. I think the availability of food in their normal fall range has caused them to move to lower elevations a little early.

    We certainly need a good wet winter and I hope that happens.

    Jack  





    -----Original Message-----
    From: John Morgan <jmorgan480 at comcast.net>
    To: birdtalk <birdtalk at utahbirds.org>
    Sent: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 5:16 pm
    Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Pine Siskins


    Jack,
    Animal prognostications of winter severity is a subject I've always enjoyed. Science seems to have no answer for what we can only assume is pure intelligence coming from their maker. A number of folks have indicated some unusual movements and sightings lately. Would you care to offer any opinions based on your years of birdwatching? How does what's being seen translate into weather forecasts, based on what you've experienced over the years?
    Thanks,
    John
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: roostertael at aol.com 
      To: birdtalk at utahbirds.org 
      Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 9:25 AM
      Subject: [Birdtalk] Pine Siskins


      Hi,

      It looks like a fun winter is on the way. I just counted seventyfive Pine Siskins at my feeders. That is the most I have ever had up to this point. Word gets around in the bird world.

      Jack 

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