The bird world is in the state of flux right now: birds moving in, moving through, and moving out. Here's some things to look for in your yard:
GOLDFINCH BABIES - Step outside, close your eyes and listen. Chances are you hear the begging call of immature American Goldfinches. To me, it sounds like they're crying "feed me feed me feed me". Look for them following their parent and quivering their wings. They'll be chubbier and fluffier than their parents.
GOLDFINCH MOLT - now that breeding is finishing up, goldfinches will start their molt. Gorgeous yellow males will soon look not too different from the females.
MIGRANTS IN, MIGRANTS OUT - Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are pretty much gone, but watch for Dark-eyed Juncos at lower elevations and for White-throated Sparrows.
WINTER FLOCKS FORMING - watch for groups of Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, and Downy Woodpeckers starting to form winter flocks.
![BirdWatcher's Digest Nov/Dec '11](<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style="background-color:#D2D2D2;height:30px;"> <td><img class="navlogo" src="http://images-cdn.dashdigital.com/birdwatchersdigest/include/icons/navbar_logo.gif?lm=1323910183000" alt="Visit our website" align="left" height="28"> </td> <td style="COLOR: #666666;font-weight:bold;font-family:tahoma, sans-serif;font-size:11px;line-height:15px;padding-right:5px;" align="right"> <span id="top_right_text">Look inside ></span> </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color:#FFFFFF;"> <td colspan="2" style="padding:10px 0px;" align="center"> <a href="http://www.birdwatchersdigest-digital.com/birdwatchersdigest/20111112?pg=25" target="_blank" onclick="window.open('http://www.birdwatchersdigest-digital.com/birdwatchersdigest/20111112?pg=25','sharewidget','toolbar=no,menubar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,left=0,top=0,width='+(screen.width-10)+',height='+(screen.height-10)+'');return false;" title="View Magazine"> <img src="http://images-cdn.dashdigital.com/birdwatchersdigest/20111112/data/imgpages/smtn/0025_vhuuhk.gif?lm=1323910183000" alt="22" border="0"> <img src="http://images-cdn.dashdigital.com/birdwatchersdigest/20111112/data/imgpages/smtn/0026_xfvokw.gif?lm=1323910183000" alt="23" border="0"> </a> </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color:#D2D2D2;height:30px;"> <td colspan="2" style="COLOR: #666666;font-weight:bold;font-family:tahoma, sans-serif;font-size:11px;line-height:15px;" align="center"> <span id="bottom_text">COMMON REDPOLL</span> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>){kind=link}
Daniel, Thanks much and keep those finches happy!
Maria, thanks so much! I really appreciate your comment.
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | September 25, 2012 at 07:34 PM
We are seeing so many of all you mentioned! Love it!
Posted by: Maria | September 25, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Terrific topic and spot on timing. Our feeders have been busy with Goldfinches young and old.
I just posted a blog entry on Migration and a Banding station here in the County: Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO)
Posted by: Daniel LaFrance | September 25, 2012 at 10:38 AM