Fascinating.  Thanks for posting that here.

What is this guy's "echo flight" theory he mentions, do you know?

Jane


Al Merritt wrote:

> Here is an update from the NYS list on some irruptive species that are
> making news.
>  
> Al Merritt
> W. Brattleboro, VT
>  
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> As many already know PINE SISKINS are waging a very large irruption from
> Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Ontario, and from Maine south to Georgia already.
> Certainly an invasion of this size has not been seen in many years. An
> impressive and widespread WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL invasion has also
> materialized with modest numbers reported at many of the same NE areas as
> the siskins with a few RED CROSSBILLS mixed in here and there as well.
> PURPLE FINCHES and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES are also moving in these same areas
> in good numbers. 
>  
> COMMON REDPOLLS also appear to be starting to move in large numbers as
> reported from Quebec and in lesser numbers at Whitefish Pt. in Michigan.
> PINE GROSBEAKS and EVENING GROSBEAKS are showing signs of making at least a
> small push too. Redpolls, E. Grosbeaks and Pine Grosbeaks are moving just a
> year after they invaded south thus giving credence to my "echo" flight
> concept put forth weeks ago --lets hope it continues to materialize.
>  
> Additionally, a BOREAL CHICKADEE was seen in S. New Hampshire well away from
> nesting areas (remember Ron Pittaway's email 2 weeks ago about large numbers
> of Boreal Chickadees moving in Quebec). BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES numbers have
> been noted moving along various lakeshores in the last week or so. BLUE JAYS
> certainly moved in larger numbers than expected as well and modest numbers
> of RB NUTHATCHES have been noted region wide. Couple all of this with the
> fact that several early SNOWY OWLS are showing up across much of the NE,
> BOREAL OWLS are moving too, early ROUGH-LEGS, SHRIKES and ICELAND GULLS
> reported already as well, and this is looking more and more like it's going
> to be a very interesting winter for IRRUPTIVES across much of the east!!
> Bohemian Waxwing is the only species not really noted yet, but that could
> still happen too since it's still only Oct 25th!
> 
> cheers,
> Matt Young
> 
>