[birdky] Question for Brainard: What gives with all these grosbeaks?

I can't recall so many posts about r-b grosbeaks. Kistler reported 20 in
his yard. Over the weekend a friend called me to report six males in his
yard (in the middle of Danville). In addition to the two that are
continuing to hang out at my feeder, I''ve seen them on the Centre
campus as well.
 
A lot of the people who post mention that they have never seen a r-b
grosbeak in their yard before this year. So my question is, what gives?
 
Why would we suddenly see so many grosbeaks?
 
Also, even though Danville is out of their breeding range, is it
possible that they might nest here in central KY? For migratory birds,
it seems a bit odd that the two that are hanging around my feeders have
been here for almost a week. 
 
Michael F.Hamm
Ewing T. Boles Professor of History
Centre College
600 West Walnut Street
Danville, Kentucky 40422
859-238-5264
 
CENTRE COLLEGE
Personal education. Extraordinary success.
http://www.centre.edu

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