[Birdtalk] Pine Siskins

[STEPHEN T CARLILE]

I would agree with Lu and others that this early movement has more to do with food availability in the birds' usual habitat than the type of winter weather we are going to have.  (Though we do need a wet winter this year.)  With this year's total precipitation down to 50% of "normal" for much of the state for the water year ending on 30 Sep, all habitats have suffered and will continue to suffer.  To put a bright side on  this (?), I will be stocking the feeders in hopes of seeing some different birds this winter.

Thanks,

Stephen
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lu Giddings<mailto:seldom74 at xmission.com> 
  Cc: birdtalk at utahbirds.org<mailto:birdtalk at utahbirds.org> 
  Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 7:42 PM
  Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Pine Siskins


  hi Jack, 
  Pine siskins began coming to my feeders in late July and their numbers have been increasing on a regular basis. This was nearly two months earlier than usual. As Rick observed several weeks ago, red-breasted nuthatches are also showing up much lower much earlier than is common. I saw one in Bluff and another in the lower reaches of Montezuma Canyon last weekend. And I saw a Steller's jay flying around Elk Ridge yesterday, which seems about 4-6 weeks early to me. 

  I agree that finding montane birds at my feeders during the late Fall and Winter months is probably a good indication of how hard the winter may be up high. In this case, as early as the downward movement of birds began, I don't think winter has anything to do with it. These mountain birds would undoubtedly have been happier up higher in the cool conifer forests than down in the hot valleys. It is my guess that the long dry hot summer has impinged on food and water sources in the mountains and forced the poor little beggars down low before the onset of cold weather, when they would normally begin to show up. 

  I could certainly be wrong. Just my $.02. 

  Lu Giddings 

  roostertael at aol.com wrote: 

    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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