I have my earliest Costa's ever. A male. Showed up on 1/14 and is still here on this snowy morning. Do you have Lawrence's? They are no-shows this year for us as well as Cassin's Finches.
Wow...we still have several Anna's with the occasional Rivoli's. We had Lawrence's Goldfinches for about a week, but nothing now. Still lots of Cassin's Finches--11 this morning!
I'm doubtful of seeing Cassin's Finches here this year. Would probably have to drive up Garden Canyon but I've kept to my resolve to reign in my birding forays and have not gone anywhere to bird except a drive to Whitewater to see the cranes and yesterday to the Red-headed Woodpecker stakeout in San Simon. Did not drive home via the Chiricahuas either. I'm really only planning on driving a vehicle for a state or life bird (and then only if I'm in the mood and not to ridiculously far) and areas near here when I go down to Benson/St. David to get provisions/mail. So far so good.
I counted 22 Cassin's Finches this morning, so the numbers keep rising. I think there's hope yet for a visit to your yard! I'm with you and the birding forays--minimal. But, yes, probably tomorrow to Whitewater to see the cranes...
I don’t think I’ve heard anybody talking about pine siskins around here this year. And I’m still blown away by the fact that hummingbirds can be in winter weather. Somehow in my head, they were only summer weather birds that went to South America when it got cold.
Yeah, some years the siskins are missing in action and then other years we get large flocks--this year seems like an "irruption." Like the Cassin's finches I'm getting this winter--I see only one other report of Cassin's in the county. Anna's are our regular winter hummingbird, and they manage winters all the way into the Pacific Northwest. But I also see Rivoili's here in winter and Costa's in winter in Tucson, so some seem to be adapting to colder weather, maybe as a result of nectar feeders, but I haven't seen any science on this. They do have wings!
Is the “Lesser” Goldfinch named after somebody or an expression of relative position? If it’s the latter, we need a petition to change it. He’s gorgeous!
I so agree with you! I think it's called "lesser" because it's somehow less colorful or smaller than the American Goldfinch (in breeding plumage), which just doesn't seem right to me. I propose calling it the "Mexican Goldfinch" since its range is mostly in Mexico!
Yes, or something like that. I start with my usual 4:1 ratio and add less water to the sugar. The higher sugar concentration also helps with the solution not freezing on those cold nights!
I have my earliest Costa's ever. A male. Showed up on 1/14 and is still here on this snowy morning. Do you have Lawrence's? They are no-shows this year for us as well as Cassin's Finches.
Wow...we still have several Anna's with the occasional Rivoli's. We had Lawrence's Goldfinches for about a week, but nothing now. Still lots of Cassin's Finches--11 this morning!
I'm doubtful of seeing Cassin's Finches here this year. Would probably have to drive up Garden Canyon but I've kept to my resolve to reign in my birding forays and have not gone anywhere to bird except a drive to Whitewater to see the cranes and yesterday to the Red-headed Woodpecker stakeout in San Simon. Did not drive home via the Chiricahuas either. I'm really only planning on driving a vehicle for a state or life bird (and then only if I'm in the mood and not to ridiculously far) and areas near here when I go down to Benson/St. David to get provisions/mail. So far so good.
I counted 22 Cassin's Finches this morning, so the numbers keep rising. I think there's hope yet for a visit to your yard! I'm with you and the birding forays--minimal. But, yes, probably tomorrow to Whitewater to see the cranes...
I don’t think I’ve heard anybody talking about pine siskins around here this year. And I’m still blown away by the fact that hummingbirds can be in winter weather. Somehow in my head, they were only summer weather birds that went to South America when it got cold.
Yeah, some years the siskins are missing in action and then other years we get large flocks--this year seems like an "irruption." Like the Cassin's finches I'm getting this winter--I see only one other report of Cassin's in the county. Anna's are our regular winter hummingbird, and they manage winters all the way into the Pacific Northwest. But I also see Rivoili's here in winter and Costa's in winter in Tucson, so some seem to be adapting to colder weather, maybe as a result of nectar feeders, but I haven't seen any science on this. They do have wings!
Is the “Lesser” Goldfinch named after somebody or an expression of relative position? If it’s the latter, we need a petition to change it. He’s gorgeous!
I so agree with you! I think it's called "lesser" because it's somehow less colorful or smaller than the American Goldfinch (in breeding plumage), which just doesn't seem right to me. I propose calling it the "Mexican Goldfinch" since its range is mostly in Mexico!
Love the 17 pound sandwich simile!
Maybe 17.5 pound after the holidays!
Would you use a 3:1 water to sugar concentration for the hummers in colder weather, rather than the usual 4:1? Or?
Yes, or something like that. I start with my usual 4:1 ratio and add less water to the sugar. The higher sugar concentration also helps with the solution not freezing on those cold nights!