This morning at Victory WMA huge flocks of Pine Siskin & Purple Finch. One
flock of Purple Finch I estimated at 150 alone. Another flock of Pine Siskin
was 250. Passing through the town of Concord I found another flock of Purple
Finch with estimated 65.
I encountered these flocks from Damon's Crossing to the Pipeline anywhere I
stopped for more than 10 minutes a flock of 15-40 would fly over. While
flying they seemed to be a more consistent single species in each flock but
when foraging for grit on the road they tended to be a mixed bunch.
I posted a horrible short video since it snowed the whole morning and was
very dark but turn your sound on to get an idea of just one of the flocks of
Siskins. I hate trying to gauge the size of these large flocks but feel very
conservative with these numbers. Someone who cares should do a more thorough
count soon.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/blackpoll1/
Additionally also seen:
Victory Basin IBA, Essex, Vermont, US
Jan 3, 2016 8:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
16 species
Ruffed Grouse 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
Common Raven 2
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
Brown Creeper 3
Cedar Waxwing 3
American Tree Sparrow 1
Purple Finch 200 large flocks 200 plus. several flocks, one estimated
at 150 alone
White-winged Crossbill 1
Pine Siskin 400 large flocks 400 plus. Video available
American Goldfinch 35
View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26642301
I did have fly overs of another White-winged Crossbill and a suspected Red
Crossbill. The pileated was drumming and a second pileated responded.
Tom Berriman
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