Dark-eyed Junco variation
The Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is a favorite of mine from years of feeder watching. Staring at dozens of them at a time through the glass and thousands upon thousands over the years certainly taught me that they are such a variable species in terms of appearance. Not only do the browns, grays, and tans take on different hues, the birds sometimes appear to have distinct features that are not “right” for the species with streaking on the belly or flanks, eye-rings, and even wing bars! On a dark and dreary autumn day it can be a lot of fun to find a flock of birds to examine...
Read MoreRed-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
Have you seen any more Red-breasted Nuthatches than usual at your feeders or in your area? I have not seen many as of yet this fall, and this photo is from a previous winter. It seems unlikely that we will have more than average in many places in the Northeast this autumn and winter, and we will be without an irruption. During some of their major movements there are often birds heading south middle of the summer, even July, with the returning earliest warblers. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MorePreventing window strikes
As we hit mid-October we enter a period with southbound migration still in full swing, certain species irrupting (Blue Jays and Purple Finches this year!) or making nomadic movements (Pine Siskin or Northern Saw-whet Owl anyone?) and a lot of birds beginning to visit feeding stations. It is an exciting time as backyard bird watchers start to spot what mix of species will be staking claim to winter territory in their yards. Unfortunately this time of year can still be very active in a negative way: window strikes. Birds on the wing in migratory movements face a fatal fate many times more...
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