Pine Siskin Feeding
Pine Siskins have been eating everything in sight at many homes across the region in the past few weeks, devouring seed at increasing rates with the increasingly stormy and snowy weather. If you are fortunate enough to have a flock you may be aided in pulling in a Common Redpoll, another winter bird that has been seen more frequently, albeit in lesser numbers, this February. I have yet to have the fortune of a Redpoll for the winter of 2014-2015, but I have spotted some Siskins. Even if you miss out on these two species during their winter stay keep your feeders filled through March and...
Read MoreField Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)
One of the more rare visitors to winter feeding stations, the Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) may turn up in your yard if you have a sizable and active bird community and put some seed on the ground. They will seek you out in a hurry if they are nearby and snow suddenly covers their fields and grasslands. Their bold white eye ring and such clean brown colors are very attractive.
Read MoreCommon Redpolls Arriving!
I have been very glad to see that Common Redpolls are finally arriving in many locations in the Northeast! Their numbers are not terrific and their distribution is still limited but more and more people have been spotting individuals here and there while out birding, and others have been lucky enough to end up hosting dozens of birds at their home. Have you had any of these friendly little visitors yet this January? We will keep our fingers crossed for a continuing irruption of winter finches with Pine Siskins also starting to show up more frequently once again. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation...
Read MoreRusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)
This is one very startled-looking Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)! He was actually just extremely engrossed in looking for some cracked corn, one of their favorites when visiting bird feeders. Please remember you are looking at one of the fastest declining species in North America here. Their silent downfall is only now getting the notoriety that it deserves, and our help is greatly needed. On that end I will soon be making an announcement on how we at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History are contributing to helping out the Rusty Blackbird. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation...
Read MoreBlack-capped Chickadee Feeding
This Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) appeared to be a very indecisive feeder, not knowing what it wanted to eat and trying out some of the selections before tossing some back. I suppose that is the sort of thing you can do when you have piles of food strewn about you. Natural food sources are slowly being drawn down as we near the winter solstice. If you feed the birds you will likely be seeing more activity and action, even from the picky among them. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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