[Birdtalk] Frw: from Mark Stackhouse

[Utah Birds]

 Backyard Birdwatching - SLC - LESSER GOLDFINCH Sunday, December 21, 2008
7:58 AM

 According to the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) website, we first recorded Lesser
Goldfinch in 1992, but I'm pretty sure that they were seen for several years
before that (perhaps the powers that be at CBC didn't accept the sightings
as accurate before that - we had to provide documentation for them in early
years). Ironically, given the these newer guides erroneously list it as a
"summer only" species, all of or initial sightings were at some feeders in
the upper Avenues during the winter. It wasn't until several years after the
initial CBC sightings that I discovered Lesser Goldfinches in City Creek
Canyon, just across the hill from the Avenues, during the summer, that
constituted the first non-winter SL County record for them.
They since have spread throughout the valley, and are found commonly all
year. I had them all year at my Sugar House feeders since at least 1995.

Also, for years I had a male House Finch with an all white head coming to my
feeders, perhaps not too far from yours, Jeff. Maybe you have one of
his descendents? He was a striking bird, and I took many (pre-digital age)
photos of him.

Mark



On Dec 19, 2008, at 2:53 PM, Jeff Bilsky wrote:

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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