[obol] Central Oregon Finch update

[david tracy]

Here is Central Oregon, the Pine Siskins have been growing in numbers  
after the first arrivals about a week or 10 days ago, when there were  
only a few scattered about here and there.  Now there are numerous  
good size flocks around.  I've seen large groups of Pine Siskin up at  
higher elevations earlier this winter, but the first seen down at the  
lower elevations have just shown up with this recent wave.

Evening Grosbeaks have also just showed up with a flock of ~75 birds  
flying around Sawyer Park yesterday morning.  I've only had a few  
encounters with Evening Grosbeak this winter, also up at higher  
elevations, but unlike the skins, these encounters involved just a  
few birds.

Lesser Goldfinch have been more or less present all winter at our  
feeders, which has hit me hard in the wallet with the price of Nyjer  
thistle being what it is.  This is quite different than just a few  
years ago, when Lesser Goldfinch was pretty uncommon any time of year.

Dave


david tracy
davect at bendnet.com