Siskin Fallout

In April we had a few Pine Siskins in our yard, including a few juveniles of this early nesting species. Those birds, I am sure, have long since moved on.

Yesterday morning the presence of White-crowned Sparrows (along with White-throated Sparrows), evidenced the arrival of the northern forest birds.

The morning activity indicated a fallout after a night flight. The birds were in a feeding frenzy. The sparrows were present in modest numbers, but the Pine Siskins were present in the hundreds. Goldfinches were mixed in the flock as were Purple Finches.

The photos below are just a hint of the numbers. The bulk feeder hanging from the eave was lined with siskins and the ground underneath was a moving mass of birds.

Pine Siskins on the thistle feeder

Siskins and other finches empty the window feeder in a couple of hours

A single Purple Finch (center foreground) vies with the siskins on the platform feeder

The downside of the finch horde is that the feeders are emptied in a day. As the falling leaves swirl in the wind, the birds are rushing into winter survival mode. It makes for good birding!