Dear NNASnet bird loversIt will soon be time for me and a couple students (Adit
Nehra, Amiel Hopkins) to be writing up the winter report for the Northern Neck
and Middle Peninsula for the Virginia Birds journal published by the Virginia
Society of Ornithology.This winter was a remarkable winter for irruptive
species like purple finch, pine siskin, evening grosbeak, common redpoll, and
red-breasted nuthatch. I know that many of you are avid bird feeders, and these
birds are all birds that frequent feeders. We have access to all the eBird
data, but if any of you have information on any of these birds in December,
January, and February that has not already been reported in eBird, we would
greatly appreciate it if you could provide us with this information:1. What
were the first date and last date you saw each species? 2. How many days during
those months were they present? (Exact number would be preferred, but even
something like "sporadic visitor during storms" or "present almost every day"
or "present every day" would be a help). In addition if you have general
observations "like they were common in December, but not later in the winter",
please note that also.3. What was the maximum number you saw and on what date
was that (if possible)?4. The name of the nearest town.5. The name of the
county.6. Observer's name
It is easy to confuse House Finch and Purple Finch so here is a link to a video
describing the differences.Purple Finch vs. House Finch - Bird Identification
(Irruption 2020)
While you are at it, if you could also tell me about any other unusual birds
you saw that were not reported to eBird that would be great!
Thank you very much Wishing you a wonderful spring full of great experiences in
the world of natureFred AtwoodFlint Hill School teacher, Oakton VAMentor to the
Northern Virginia Teen Bird Club
