[Birdtalk] Frw: from Bill Fenimore

[Utah Birds]

Jeff:

I would echo Steve's observations too.  My Farmington backyard feeders see
both Goldfinch species year around.  Although, the Goldfinch tend to be less
in numbers in late summer.   The Lesser's started coming to my feeders about
ten years ago and are the dominant finch today.  Pine Siskin's are either
not present or plentiful depending on whether the winter is an irruptive
type year.

Keith Evans and Jack Rensel told me that you used to need to travel to
southwestern Utah to see Lesser Goldfinch twenty years ago.  CBC's have
tracked their northern expansion.

Regards,

Bill Fenimore

----- Original Message -----
*From:* Steve Carr<http://us.mc588.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=stevecarr9@msn.com>
*To:* jbilsky at gmail.com<http://us.mc588.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jbilsky@gmail.com>;
Birds,
Utah BirdTalk<http://us.mc588.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=birdtalk@utahbirds.org>
*Sent:* Friday, December 19, 2008 4:16 PM
*Subject:* RE: [Birdtalk] Backyard Birdwatching - SLC - LESSER GOLDFINCH

Jeff,

I know that Sibley and others list the Lesser Goldfinch as a summer bird,
but here in Holladay, with my nyjer tube feeders up all year long, I have
them every day of the year, up to 8-10 individuals, and have had for many
years.  They seem to prefer feeding with their own species and often take
turns at the feeders with the American Goldfinches.  Although very often,
I'll have both those species and a Pine Siskin or two along with them.
 Haven't had many Siskins at a time for 3-4 years.  In the spring, right
after the American Goldfinches have pretty-well completely molted, they head
off for the fields and I rarely have them in the summer, till about the
middle of October when they come back to the yard in their winter clothes.

--Steve



------------------------------
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:53:14 -0700
From: jbilsky at gmail.com
To: Birdtalk at utahbirds.org
CC:
Subject: [Birdtalk] Backyard Birdwatching - SLC - LESSER GOLDFINCH

At my feeders in Sugarhouse currently I have a very unusual looking female
type housefinch with an all white head. I took a couple photos - I'll
forward on later. Also, have a LESSER GOLDFINCH hanging out. Someone who
knows something about their habits please comment on how unusual this would
be for this time of year in Salt Lake City. Sibley says summer. Thank you.

-- 
Jeff Bilsky
Salt Lake City
jbilsky at gmail.com<http://us.mc588.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jbilsky@gmail.com>
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