[obol] Re: Purple Finch Migration
- From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "joel.geier@xxxxxxxx" <joel.geier@xxxxxxxx>, "obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:16:41 -0700 (PDT)
Wow Joel,
It is amazing the difference between the valley and west of the Coast Range
crest. Purple Finches are absent on the west side of the Coast Range in the
winter, I have hardly ever seen them up there in the winter, where I work year
round, in the 20+ years I have been working in the Coast Range. They are
scarce in the coastal lowlands most winters, except at feeders, where they are
easiest to find. Numbers increase in mid-March and this is one of the more
common breeding species in forested areas along the coast and up into the Coast
Range.
Anyhow, the time I most often see them on the coast is in the summer, just the
oposite of what Joel describes of them in the valley.
Merry migration!
Tim R
Coos Bay
________________________________
From: Joel Geier <joel.geier@xxxxxxxx>
To: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 5:19 AM
Subject: [obol] Purple Finch Migration
Tim Rodenkirk wrote:
> Purple Finches overwinter in small numbers ... perhaps more common in
> the valley.
Tim & All,
Purple Finches have been the most abundant finch species all winter at
E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, with small flocks scattered around the
wildlife area, and one roving flock of more than 20. They can also be
found regularly in winter in brushy (revegetating clearcuts) of
McDonald-Dunn Forest, and other sites with early seral habitat such as
the tree plantings at Luckiamute State Natural Area. These flocks are
occurring in places without feeders, but with generally good supplies of
ash seeds, rose hips, apples, and such.
It's typical to see good numbers of Purple Finches throughout the winter
in brushy areas on the Willamette Valley floor. Their numbers seem to
thin out during the nesting season. They have a noticeable pattern of
spring arrival at slightly higher elevations in the coast range.
What we haven't been seeing locally this winter is American Goldfinches.
I've seen a pair of Lesser Goldfinches, but I have yet to see an
American Goldfinch in the Camp Adair area this year.
Good birding,
Joel
--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis
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