Common & Uncommon birds

[NSBound]

Just thought I'd post a couple of bird pics taken yesterday. The common - American Goldfinch. They're here year-round, and very colourful. The uncommon - Evening Grosbeak. Apparently these used to be around this area in large numbers but they are now quite rare. There has been a couple of couples hanging around the feeder for the past week or so, presumably on their way through.

 

[rekees4300]

I really like Goldfinch. They seem so happy all the time. Ever notice how they chirp when they fly? Amazing how they are brown in the winter then turn yellow in the summer. Have 3 thistle feeders. They ate 150 lbs from December to April!

 

[Thomas]

NSB.
Make grand of postcard.

 

[NSBound]

NSB.
Make grand of postcard.

Good idea! Except, I don't remember the last time I sent one!

 

[WayneB]

Nice pictures! Thanks. We have about thirty of them at our feeders daily. Cost me more to feed them than to feed the wife LOL

 

[jimmyj]

Interesting point about the Grosbeaks. We used to get all sorts of them every year and nada one for at least the last 4 or 5. We get Rose Breasted Grosbeaks still but no Evenings. Wonder why.

 

[jinman]

Last year we had lots of male and female goldfinches at our feeder and a few rose breasted grosbeaks. This year, all I've seen is the seasonal painted buntings. Maybe I should start watching more closely.

 

[NSBound]

Interesting point about the Grosbeaks. We used to get all sorts of them every year and nada one for at least the last 4 or 5. We get Rose Breasted Grosbeaks still but no Evenings. Wonder why.

Same here, Jimmy, evening grosbeaks used to crowd the feeders but now they are scarce. Neighbours got all excited when I had 3 pairs hanging around. It's kind of neat that they're always in mating pairs.

Last year we had lots of male and female goldfinches at our feeder and a few rose breasted grosbeaks. This year, all I've seen is the seasonal painted buntings. Maybe I should start watching more closely.

Rose breasted grosbeaks kind of drop by here, Jim, but they don't stay long. I saw one solitary one a week ago but then he was gone. Now, painted buntings would be a neat bird to have here, I've never seen one. I've seen pics that look amazing.

 

[jimmyj]

We are lucky as we have just the right habitat for nesting here. We must have several pairs of rose breasted's that come back every year. The population has been building.

We have seen an indigo bunting the last few years, just for a short while. Never seen a painted though.

Until a month ago, I used to get as much wild bird seed as I could ever want for free (damages from a shipping warehouse). Not any more, I'm going to have to start buying the stuff!!!

 

[QRTRHRS]

As I understand it, the Evening Grosbeak's migrated into eastern Canada as they fed on the spruce budworm. As the budworm was brought somewhat under control, the Grosbeak's slowly dropped off.

Growing up in northeastern PA, we used to get huge flocks everywinter when the cold drove them south. Back in the early nineties, I was at the Mount Carleton Park is it in northern New Brunswick? (Thought I would climb the highest mountain in the Maritines)

It was neat to see the Grosbeak's in their bright breeding plumage.