I was missing the reports as well. My experience is the same with a Fox Sparrow
appearing when the snow and cold arrives. None this year also have the usual
suspects of Chickadees, Cardinals, Titmice, House Finches, as many as 5
Mourning Doves a couple of Carolina Wrens, Juncos and Downy’s, and an
occasional Red-belleied Wp and White-br Nuthatch. I have more than the usual
number of White-throated Sparrows and saw 11 today. I did get a couple
Starlings and a flock of 25 Common Grackles today which is unusual for my
feeders and back yard. No Towhees for me. Keep up the reports and hope the Fox
Sparrows show up.
George McNeil
Bartlett, TN
Shelby County
On Jan 16, 2024, at 8:32 PM, Bob Ford <editorthemigrant@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I too miss the tn-bird correspondence. As for me, Haywood County, I’ve been
disappointed/surprised/concerned about the lack of birds at my feeder this
storm as compared to others. Zero for towhees (I usually have a few in the
yard) and always count on fox sparrow during storms (not this year so far).
I have lots of birds using the feeder area (40-50) but only a few species.
Mostly house finch, cardinals, white-throated sparrows. Not sure why the
change from past storms. Thanks for posting.
On Tue, Jan 16, 2024 at 8:05 PM davchaffin @ aol . com
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
David,
Like you, I think the ice and snow was the reason I logged my first Eastern
Towhee, a male, today.
David C. Chaffin
Cleveland, TN
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 05:40:12 PM EST, <rockyturf@xxxxxxxxx
<mailto:rockyturf@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
I wish people still posted sightings on tn-bird. I checked to make sure
I was still subscribed as I have not seen any post lately. I am sure there
have been some good observations with the weather.
Years ago someone posted they always saw a Fox Sparrow when it snowed.
Well today I saw the first one I have seen in a couple of years by my front
porch. Ooltewah got more sleet than snow (looks like 1/2 inch). I assume the
Fox Sparrow came from somewhere that had more snow or else the sleet
covering made it look to find food in places where the ground was still
bare. It may be the latter as yesterday I saw 4 Eastern Towhees at one time
in those same bushes and I had not seen any at my house in months. There was
not any sleet under the bushes along the front porch.
David Stone
Ooltewah, Tn.
Hamilton County
