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

The trend of seeing Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at feeders has been an
increasing one since I began birding in the mid-1970s. Back then, it was
sort of something special. However, over the years they have been
observed at feeders with increasing frequency. Over about the past
decade LOTS of folks have started reporting them, although we, too, of
course have the birding listserve that allows greater communication
about our observations! The past several years, we have even started
receiving reports of them utilizing feeders in fall.
 
That all being said, it is certainly possible that the freeze damage
from a few weeks ago has affected the early-season fruits of trees that
grosbeaks feed on to some extent during spring migration. They are
particularly fond of elm fruits. Also, if we get a particularly good
"fallout" of migrants due to inclement weather, we tend to get more
reports. Last week's stormy weather during mid-week grounded a really
nice wave of our earlier migrants including Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. And
this phenomenon is certainly to be expected statewide, even regionwide.
 
If only the Evening Grosbeak, a totally unrelated "grosbeak," by the
way, would trend back up!
 
bpb, Frankfort

________________________________

From: birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Michael Hamm
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 9:45 AM
To: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [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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