[Birdtalk] Pine Siskins

[Steve Carr]

As a side comment on variant locations -- I've heard a number of people say that they hadn't seen Pine Siskins in their backyards this past winter.  I had between 8 and 12 of them starting about Christmas and continue to have them every day, usually between 6 and 8.  I've mentioned before that the first time I put up a tube feeder with nyjer seed, many years ago, it was in May, and within a week I had 5 Siskins, then within 2 weeks I had to get another feeder.  I had at least 6 of them stayed in my yard all summer, then the rest came back the next winter.  

I also have Lesser Goldfinches every day all through the year, between 5 and 10 individuals.  American Goldfinches only come from fall through April, as they spend their summers out in the fields.

--Steve Carr




  Carol's sighting isn't all that surprising this year.  Both. Pine Siskin and Cassin's Finch have been reported from the valleys in the past 2 weeks.  I would guess Washington Park is at least 6000' in elevation so fairly high with a number of cobidepis trees. Throw in its location in a canyon with mid elevation conifer stands on the mountains on either side, foraging birds are always a possibility. 

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