February 2, 2016Martin, Weakley County
Yesterday there was a European Goldfinch reported at a feeder in Martin, TN. I
visited the location today and located the bird feeding with a flock of about
75 American Goldfinches and a couple of Pine Siskins. I saw the bird at a
sunflower seed feeder and feeding on seeds from Sweetgum balls. The bird is not
officially countable and who knows if it is a local escapee or whether it might
have come from Wisconsin or Illinois where there are now established
populations that are breeding. Martin is due south from Chicago so it is at
least possible that the bird migrated from there with a flock of American
Goldfinches. Interesting bird nonetheless and my third goldfinch species in NW
Tennessee this winter!
Good birding,
Mark GreeneTrenton, TN
