I was wondering whether the relatively small amount of snow cover
  I've had this winter might have something to do with it.

I've also had a dearth of roosting owls this winter. I usually
have a fair number of both medium (presumably Barred) pellets and
small ones (Saw-whet, I'd guess, since I've never heard a screech
here) under the small grove of white spruce on my property in
winter, but this year I haven't found a single one.

Jane
Shoreham



Ian Worley wrote:
> As other have reported, our feeders on the southern end of Snake
> Mountain have nothing unusual this winter. There are many birds at the
> feeders, with typical numbers for us -- except down among the regulars
> only for Mourning Doves, Cardinals, and Downy Woodpeckers. Finches,
> cross-bills, and grosbeaks, so prolific last year, are absent. In
> general, the more snow on the ground and in the air, the more birds.
>
> Daily visitors during January:
>
> Gold Finch -- increased from 3 to 14 through the month
> Tufted Titmouse -- 5-12
> White-breasted Nuthatch -- 2-5
> Red-breasted Nuthatch -- 1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker -- 1
> Downy Woodpecker -- 1
> Hairy Woodpecker --1
> Chickadee -- 5-15
> Junco -- 3-7
> Blue Jay -- 6-11
> House Sparrow -- 10-26 (total flock is about 40)
> White-throated Sparrow -- 2 (but haven't seen them since last week's thaw)
> Cardinal -- 1-3
> Tree Sparrow -- 5-12
> Mourning Dove -- 2 (only occasionally stop by)
>
> Regulars nearby the house, but not at the feeder
>
> Golden-crowned Kinglet -- 2
> Raven -- 2-3
> Crow -- 2-6
> Pileated Woodpecker -- 1
> Robin -- 3-50
> Cedar Waxwing -- 25-60 (No Bohemians seen)
> Turkey -- 6
> Red-tailed Hawk --1
> Ruffed grouse -- 2 (infrequent)
>
> I clearly overstocked on thistle seed for the winter!
>
> Ian
> ==============
>
> Bruce and Mary Lou wrote:
>
>> I have had little unusual to report this season from Brandon, but the
>> pattern at my feeding stations seems to fit the state-wide pattern
>> reported so far. There are no irruptive species at the feeder this
>> winter, and my seed consumption is way down. Daily visitors include:
>> Chickadees 5-6
>> Cardinals 2
>> Goldfinch 3-5 (some days a few more)
>> Downy woodpecker 2
>> Hairy Woodpecker (at least 10
>> Blue Jays 2
>> Mourning Doves 3-5 (this is down from the crowd of 20+ I have had
>> other years)
>> Tree Sparrows 10-12 (this is the usual number I have every winter, and
>> the only group where I have not seen a decline.)
>>
>> Semi-regular visitors. These birds show up every few days or right
>> after bad weather.
>>
>> Tufted Titmice 3-4
>> Dark-eyed Junco 1
>> White-breasted Nuthatch 2
>> Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (this was the first one in several years and
>> came in with the Chickadees just two mornings ago.)
>>
>> Today, Jan.31, I noted a new visitor to the yard for the winter
>> season, although I have seen them here other winters.
>>
>> Brown Creeper 1
>> I have not had any other sparrows or blackbird family members as noted
>> by other feeder watchers.
>>
>> Mary Lou Webster
>> Brandon
>>
>
>