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Re: Winter finch year?



We've already had several "flocks" of Red-breasted Nuthatches come through
Ridge Junction Overlook this fall.  These birds moved through the area
without stopping---and we know they weren't "ours" who hang around the
overlook, because they're still a honkin'!  Last week we also had 9
Golden-crowned Kinglets moving in a flock and moving in a southerly
direction.  Maybe Evening Grosbeaks won't be far behind . . . . or better
yet, Pine Grosbeaks!

*************************
Dwayne & Lori Martin
Foothills Bird Club
Claremont, NC
dlmartin@twave.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Joshua Stuart Rose <jsr6@duke.edu>
To: Carolinabirds@duke.edu <Carolinabirds@duke.edu>
Date: Sunday, September 05, 1999 10:09 AM
Subject: Winter finch year?


>Hi carolinabirders,
>
>Found something on BIRDCHAT you all should like. Ken Brock, Indiana's
>uber-birder, reports that Indiana birders are seeing an early influx of
>Red-breasted Nuthatches. He also says that there is a strong correlation
>between Nuthatch movements and Evening Grosbeak (and possibly other
>winter finch?) invasions. Keep your fingers crossed and your feeders full
>of thistle and sunflower...
>
>Josh
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Date:         Sat, 4 Sep 1999 18:32:41 -0500
>From:         Lynea Hinchman <hinchman@NETNITCO.NET>
>Subject:      The Grosbeaks are coming
>
>Dear Chatters,
>The following was originally posted on IN-BIRD by our local birding
>authority, Ken Brock, PhD.  Although the stats pertain to NW Indiana, it
>might still give birders in other parts of the country something to think
>about and anticipate.  Personally, I look forward to an influx of winter
>finches, it's been years.
>
>Lynea Hinchman
>Michigan City, IN
>hinchman@netnitco.net
>
>
>> From: Kenneth Brock <kebrock@INDIANA.EDU>
>> To: IN-BIRD@LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
>> Subject: [IN-BIRD] the Grosbeaks are coming
>> Date: Thursday, September 02, 1999 2:44 PM
>>
>>
>> Some ten Red-breasted Nuthatches (RBNUs) were reported in
>> northwest Indiana this past August.  The first bird appeared
>> August 18, which is the second earliest date on record.  A check
>> of the data files reveals that, in the Dunes area (Calumet
>> Region), August RBNUs were reported on only eleven previous
>> years.
>>
>> These data also reveal a positive correlation between fall
>> RBNUs and Evening Grosbeaks (EVGRs).  The correlation is
>> even stronger for August RBNUs.  Indeed, every autumn that
>> August RBNUs were recorded in the Dunes area, EVGRs
>> appeared later that fall.  The numbers are summarized
>> below:
>>
>> YEAR    RBNU    EVGR
>> 1951    1       107
>> 1957    5       197
>> 1961    9       159
>> 1981    1       12
>> 1985    6       277
>> 1986    1       12
>> 1990    1       6
>> 1991    1       1
>> 1993    3       192
>> 1995    7       30
>> 1997    3       103
>>
>> 1999    10      ??
>>
>> Thus, if the pattern holds true we should be graced by Evening
>> Grosbeaks in November.
>>
>>
>> Ken Brock
>> Indiana University Northwest
>> Gary, IN
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>Joshua S. Rose
>Duke University
>Department of Zoology
>
>jsr6@acpub.duke.edu
>http://www.duke.edu/~jsr6/
>
>