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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 >> > >